Even Serpents Shine
| Even Serpents Shine | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 9 March 1979 (UK) | |||
| Genre | Punk rock, rock[1] | |||
| Length | 35:11 | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Producer | ||||
| The Only Ones chronology | ||||
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Even Serpents Shine is the second studio album by the English band the Only Ones, released in 1979 by Columbia Records.[2] It was produced by Peter Perrett and Alan Mair.
The album was re-released in the United Kingdom in 2009 on Sony Music Entertainment, featuring bonus content. The reissue was a CD which comprises 14-tracks. It includes the original album digitally remastered from the original 1/2" mix tapes; alongside three bonus tracks.
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| The Irish Times | [3] |
| Record Collector | [4] |
| Spin Alternative Record Guide | 9/10[5] |
The album has consistently been praised by critics. In a retrospective review for AllMusic, critic Mark Deming wrote that "Even Serpents Shine doesn't boast an out-of-the-box classic tune along the lines of 'Another Girl, Another Planet' from the self-titled debut, but in many respects, this is the more consistent album, achieving a similar degree of thematic and melodic variety while generating a more coherent sound and feeling," adding that "they were one of the very few bands of their time and place who inarguably beat the sophomore slump."[1]
Reviewing the album for BBC Music, Chris Jones wrote, "Musically the band were always a step ahead of the pack. Mike Kellie and Alan Mair – both seasoned pros on drums and bass – never falter, allowing John Perry's guitar to fly; while John 'Rabbit' Bundrick's organ adds just the right dollop of Al Kooper-isms."[6]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Peter Perrett.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "From Here to Eternity" | 3:07 |
| 2. | "Flaming Torch" | 2:21 |
| 3. | "You've Got to Pay" | 2:49 |
| 4. | "No Solution" | 2:27 |
| 5. | "In Betweens" | 3:57 |
| 6. | "Out There in the Night" | 3:02 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 7. | "Curtains for You" | 4:18 |
| 8. | "Programme" | 2:11 |
| 9. | "Someone Who Cares" | 3:11 |
| 10. | "Miles from Nowhere" | 3:45 |
| 11. | "Instrumental" | 4:03 |
| Total length: | 35:11 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 12. | "Special View" | 2:51 |
| 13. | "Oh No" | 2:20 |
| 14. | "This Ain't All (It's Made to Be)" | 3:45 |
Personnel
- The Only Ones
- Peter Perrett – lead and background vocals, guitars
- John Perry – guitars, keyboards
- Alan Mair – bass guitars
- Mike Kellie – drums
- Session musicians
- Adam Maitland – keyboards, saxophone
- John "Rabbit" Bundrick – keyboards
- Koulla Kakoulli – backing vocals
- Production
- Peter Perrett – production
- Alan Mair – production
- Andy Lyden – engineering
- Kevin Dallimore – engineering
- Michael Beal – cover, art direction, design
Charts
| Chart (1979) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Albums (OCC)[7] | 42 |
References
- ^ a b c Deming, Mark. "Even Serpents Shine – The Only Ones". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
- ^ The Rough Guide to Rock (2nd ed.). Rough Guides. 1999. p. 710.
- ^ Clayton-Lea, Tony (14 August 2015). "The Only Ones: Even Serpents Shine | Album Review". The Irish Times. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
- ^ Peacock, Tim (October 2015). "The Only Ones – Even Serpents Shine". Record Collector. No. 445. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
- ^ Walsh, Jim (1995). "Only Ones". In Weisbard, Eric; Marks, Craig (eds.). Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. pp. 280–81. ISBN 0-679-75574-8.
- ^ Jones, Chris (30 January 2009). "The Only Ones Even Serpents Shine Review". BBC Music. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
External links
- Even Serpents Shine at Discogs (list of releases)