Far from the Maddening Crowds
| Far from the Maddening Crowds | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Edel | ||||
| Producer |
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| Chicane chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Far from the Maddening Crowds | ||||
| Alternative cover | ||||
.jpg) 2007 edition | ||||
Far from the Maddening Crowds is the debut studio album by British electronic music artist Chicane, released on 20 October 1997 through Xtravaganza Recordings. It is highly regarded as a seminal release in the trance music community, and was highly sought after, having been shelved for licensing issues, until its re-release on 18 October 2007.[1][unreliable source?] The album includes Chicane's debut single, "Offshore", as well as other singles "Sunstroke", "Lost You Somewhere" and "Red Skies". The album charted in the UK on release, peaking at number 49.
Background
Chicane was originally formed as an electronic music duo under the name Disco Citizens, comprising Nick Bracegirdle and Leo Elstob.
Release
"
Grandstand.[6]
The album was released on 20 October 1997 through Xtravaganza recordings, with singles "Offshore", "
UK Dance Albums Chart for one week, peaking at number 36.[8] On 8 September 2023, over 25 years since its original release, the album was certified silver in the UK by BPI, selling over 60,000 copies.[9]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [10] |
| Montreal Mirror | 7.5/10[11] |
| Music Week | [12] |
| TranceCritic.com | [13] |
Far from the Maddening Crowds received positive reviews from critics upon and after its release. Stephen Thomas Erlewine from
Allmusic reviewed the album in 1997, and praised its variety, writing that "Chicane has mastered not only house-styled thumpers, but also spacious, near-ambient soundscapes". He summarised the review describing the album as "cinematic" and "a successful debut", rating it four stars out of five.[10] Will Alexander from Trance Critic reviewed the album in 2007, summarising it with "Far from the Maddening Crowds is still as relevant and inspiring as the day it was created", and rated it five stars out of five.[13]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Early" | Disco Citizens) | Bracegirdle | Bracegirdle | 9:06 |
| 7. | "Leaving Town" (featuring Salt Tank) |
|
| 5:58 | |
| 8. | "Red Skies" | Bracegirdle | Bracegirdle | 7:35 | |
| 9. | "Sunstroke" (Original) | Bracegirdle | Bracegirdle | 6:18 | |
| 10. | "Offshore '97" (with Power Circle) |
| Bracegirdle | 9:12 | |
| 11. | "The Drive Home" | Bracegirdle | Bracegirdle | 6:06 | |
| Total length: | 70:15 | ||||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12. | "Offshore 2007" |
| Bracegirdle | 7:51 |
Personnel
Adapted from liner notes[14]
- Nick Bracegirdle – songwriting, production
- Leo Elstob – songwriting on "Offshore" and "Offshore '97", production on "Offshore"
- Caroline Lavelle – songwriting and vocals on "Lost You Somewhere"
- Salt Tank – songwriting and production on "Leaving Town"
- Luce Drayton – vocals on "Sunstroke"
- Richie Sullivan – songwriting on "Offshore '97"
- Graham Dear – songwriting on "Offshore '97"
- Louise Burton – songwriting on "Offshore '97"
- Anthony Pappa – mixing on "Offshore '97"
- Walter Coelho – mastering
- Alex Gold – executive producer
Charts
| Chart (1997–2007) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Albums Chart (OCC)[7] | 49 |
UK Dance Albums Chart (OCC)[8]
|
36 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[15] | Silver | 60,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- ^ Alexander, Will. "Chicane - Far From The Maddening Crowds". TranceCritic.com. Archived from the original on 7 February 2012. Retrieved 23 July 2007.
- ^ a b Palladev, George. "Chicane - Far from the Maddening Crowds. Story behind the Balearic album". Medium. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
- ^ "The Official Charts Company - Disco Citizens". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
- ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
- ^ "Chicane". Offitsface.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2005. Retrieved 5 December 2006.
- ^ "Chicane - Sound of the Sunset". Dotmusic (retrieved from Chicane.cc). March 2000. Archived from the original on 21 November 2009. Retrieved 5 December 2006.
- ^ a b "The Official Charts Company - Chicane - Far From The Maddening Crowds". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
- ^ a b "Official Dance Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
- ^ "Chicane - Far From The Maddening Crowds". BPI. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
- ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Far from the Maddening Crowds - Chicane - Overview". AllMusic. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
- ^ Silcott, Mireille (1998) "Compact Discs: Chicane Far From the Maddening Crowds", Montreal Mirror. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
- ^ "Reviews: Albums" (PDF). Music Week. 18 October 1997. p. 13. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
- ^ a b "TranceCritic.com - An Electronic Dance Music Review Website. - Album - Chicane - Far From The Maddening Crowds". 7 February 2012. Archived from the original on 7 February 2012.
- ^ Far from the Maddening Crowds (Liner Notes). Chicane. Xtravaganza Recordings. 1997.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "British album certifications – Chicane – Far from the Maddening Crowds". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
