Tenement Symphony

Tenement Symphony
Studio album by Marc Almond
Released October 4, 1991
Recorded 1991 at Maison Rouge, Sarm West Studios, Fishermans Room, Berlin, CTS Studios, Berwick St Studios, RAK, Pacific Studios
Genre Synthpop, art pop
Length 47:54
Label WEA, Some Bizzare, Sire Records
Producer Marc Almond, Trevor Horn, Billy McGee, Nigel Hine, The Grid
Marc Almond chronology

Memorabilia – The Singles
(1991)		 Tenement Symphony
(1991)		 Absinthe
(1993)
Singles from Tenement Symphony
  1. "Jacky" b/w "Deep Night"
    Released: September 1991
  2. "My Hand Over My Heart" b/w "Deadly Serenade"
    Released: January 1992
  3. "The Days of Pearly Spencer" b/w "Bruises"
    Released: April 1992

Tenement Symphony (subtitled Kies und Glanz • Grit and Glitter • Grès et Paillettes) is the seventh studio album by the British singer/songwriter Marc Almond. It was released in 1991 and reached number thirty-nine on the UK Albums Chart.[1] Tenement Symphony includes the singles "Jacky", "My Hand Over My Heart" and "The Days of Pearly Spencer".

Almond with former La Magia and Willing Sinners member Billy McGee and briefly reunited with his former Soft Cell bandmate David Ball accompanied by studio musicians recorded the songs for album at Maison Rouge, Sarm West Studios, Fishermans Room, Berlin, CTS Studios, Berwick St Studios, RAK, Pacific Studios. The album is divided into two sections; 'Grit' and 'Glitter'. The first five songs constituted the 'Grit' and were produced by Almond, Billy McGee, Nigel Hine, and The Grid. The 'Glitter' side (the Tenement Symphony) was produced by Trevor Horn. Receiving positive reviews the album was originally released as an LP, CD and Cassette in October 1991. The album has since not been reissued. The artwork was designed by Green Ink with a cover photograph by Klanger and Boink. The album cover mimics the style of German record label Deutsche Grammophon's classical records.

Almond wrote in his autobiography that the album concept was largely down to Rob Dickins and that he did not feel the album truly reflected his artistic direction at that time, though he was pleased to have had the opportunity to work with Trevor Horn.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic [2]

Tenement Symphony received positive reviews from the majority of critics.

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Marc Almond; except where indicated. 

Side one
No. TitleWriter(s) Length
1. "Meet Me In My Dream"  Almond, Ball 4:24
2. "Beautiful Brutal Thing"    5:02
3. "I've Never Seen Your Face"  Almond, Ball 5:02
4. "Vaudeville and Burlesque"    6:52
5. "Champagne"    5:47
Side two (Tenement Symphony)
No. TitleWriter(s) Length
6. "i. Prelude"  Ball 0:23
7. "ii. Jacky"  Brel, Jouannest 4:49
8. "iii. What Is Love?"  Woolley, Horn 5:04
9. "iv. Trois Chansons de Bilitis - Extract"  Debussy 0:54
10. "v. The Days of Pearly Spencer"  McWilliams, Almond (Additional lyrics) 4:22
11. "vi. My Hand Over My Heart"  Almond, Ball 5:15

Personnel

References

  1. ↑ "Chart Stats - Marc Almond". chartstats.com. Archived from the original on 2012-12-05. Retrieved 2008-08-20.
  2. ↑ Allmusic review