Semi Detached (Blancmange album)

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Semi Detached
Neil Arthur
Blancmange chronology
Happy Families Too...
(2013)
Semi Detached
(2015)
Nil by Mouth
(2015)

Semi Detached is the sixth studio album by British

Neil Arthur commenced writing material for the album in 2013-14, with recording taking place during 2014.[2] The album reached No. 22 in the UK Independent Albums Chart.[3]

"Paddington" was released as the album's first single on 9 March 2015. A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by Tone Davies.[4] The second single, "Useless", was released on 15 May,[5] followed by "I Want More", released on 18 April as a limited edition 12" single for Record Store Day.[6][7]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Louder Than War
[10]
Mojo[11]
MusicOMH[12]
Q[11]
Record Collector[13]
Uncut[11]

Upon release, David Jeffries of

Louder Than War commented: "Arthur's Northern quirk is present throughout Semi Detached though the overall feel is darker. [It] is a modern day riposte to the Blancmange of the 80s. Still catchy, still infectious but now all grown up."[10]

Mark Elliott of Record Collector commented: "Semi Detached is a darker, icier project than any Blancmange have previously served up. A long distance from their frothier 80s form, it’s a set that shows Neil Arthur is more than capable of keeping this band on our radar for some time yet."[13] Graeme Marsh of MusicOMH wrote: "if you fancy a slightly off centre alternative to the mass appeal of more prominent electronic bands, despite a few wobbly bits here and there, then you won't go far wrong with giving this latest collection a chance."[12]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Fall"
Neil Arthur, Graham Henderson
8:08
2."I Want More"Michael Karoli, Irmin Schmidt, Holger Czukay, Jaki Liebezeit, Peter Gilmour3:57
3."Paddington"Arthur3:56
4."It Didn't Take Long"Arthur4:24
5."MKS Lover"Arthur4:17
6."Like I Do"Arthur3:34
7."Deep in the Mine"Arthur4:43
8."Acid"Arthur4:23
9."Useless"Arthur3:27
10."Bloody Hell Fire"Arthur5:48
Deluxe edition - disc two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."I Want Your Love" (Extended Version)Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers6:43
2."Silk Sea"Arthur3:29
3."That Worm"Arthur5:12
4."Paddington" (Extended Version) 5:36
5."I Want More" (Extended Version) 7:15
6."Like I Do" (Extended Version) 4:50
7."Useless" (Extended Version) 4:36
8."Paddington" (Alternative Edit) 4:04
9."I Want Your Love" 5:16

Chart performance

Chart (2015) Peak
position
UK Independent Albums Chart[3] 22

Personnel

  • Neil Arthur
    - lead vocals, keyboards
  • David Rhodes - guitar
  • Jake Parker - backing vocals
  • Eleanor Arthur - backing vocals (track 3), additional vocals (track 2)
  • Helen Kincaid, Joe Arthur, Tony Brook, Harvey Brook, Reed Wilson, Rupert Howe - additional vocals (track 2)
Production
  • Adam Fuest - mixing
  • Neil Arthur - producer
  • Tim Debney - mastering
Other
  • Adam Yeldham - artwork
  • Helen Kincaid - asteroid painting
  • Steve Malins - management

References

  1. ^ a b "Semi Detached (Deluxe 2CD Edition)". Blancmange.co.uk. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  2. ^ "News | INTERVIEW: Blancmange". The Quietus. 6 February 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50 | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  4. ^ "Video exclusive – Blancmange lay Paddington bare in new video - Classic Pop Magazine". Classicpopmag.com. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  5. ^ "Useless - Single by Blancmange on Apple Music". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  6. ^ "'I Want More' 12 inch for Record Store Day". Blancmange. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  7. ^ "Blancmange - I Want More (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 18 April 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  8. ^ a b David Jeffries (31 March 2015). "Semi Detached - Blancmange | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  9. ^ "CD: Blancmange – Semi Detached". Theartsdesk.com. 18 March 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Blancmange: Semi Detached - album review". Louder Than War. 13 March 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  11. ^ a b c "Semi Detached by Blancmange Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. 23 March 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  12. ^ a b "Blancmange - Semi Detached | Album Reviews". Musicomh.com. 19 March 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  13. ^ a b "Semi Detached - Record Collector Magazine". Recordcollectormag.com. Retrieved 23 October 2018.