Fireboy
Fireboy is the second solo album by Grant McLennan, a member of the Go-Betweens.[2][3] It was released in 1993.[4] In the album's liner notes McLennan said the songs were for Gloria Swanson, Kenneth Slessor, Brett Whiteley and Dean Martin. Produced by Dave Dobbyn, it was recorded in Woolloomooloo.[5] The first single was "Surround Me".[6]
Fireboy | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1993 | |||
Recorded | Paradise Studios, Sydney, Platinum Studios, Melbourne | |||
Genre | Alternative rock | |||
Length | 52:42 | |||
Label | White Label[1] | |||
Producer | Dave Dobbyn | |||
Grant McLennan chronology | ||||
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Critical reception
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Calgary Herald | B+[7] |
Robert Christgau | [8] |
Trouser Press called the album "a near-perfect convergence of observant, passionate words and jangly, surging tunes."[9] The Calgary Herald wrote that McLennan "sings with conviction [and] poetic insight."[7]
AllMusic wrote: "If there are hints of older rock styles here and there, McLennan's singing in particular still has the sharp, modern edge that helped make the Go-Betweens great, all while not losing his trademark warmth."[10]
Track listing
All tracks written by Grant McLennan, except where noted.
- "Lighting Fires" – 3:36
- "Surround Me" – 3:55
- "One Million Miles From Here" – 3:45
- "The Dark Side of Town" – 3:46
- "Things Will Change" – 2:45
- "The Pawnbroker" – 8:12
- "Whose Side Are You On?" – 3:09
- "Fingers" (Grant McLennan, Dave Dobbyn)– 3:34
- "Signs of Life" – 4:23
- "The Day My Eyes Came Back" – 4:08
- "Bathe (in the Water)" – 3:30
- "When I Close My Eyes" – 1:24
- "Riddle in the Rain" – 6:29
Personnel
- Grant McLennan – vocals, guitars, tambourine, maracas
- Dave Dobbyn – guitars, keyboards, backing vocals
- Ian Belton – bass
- Pedro Bull – organ, piano
- Michael Barclay – drums, backing vocals
- Penny Flanagan – vocals ("Surround Me", "Bathe")
- Julia Richardson – vocals ("Surround Me", "Bathe")
- Karin Jansson – vocals ("The Dark Side of Town", "Things Will Change")
- Mae Moore – vocals ("Bathe")
- Nicky Ferguson – vocals ("Lighting Fires")
- Stephen Hurley – organ ("Bathe")
References
- Forster, Robert (14 August 2017). "Grant & I: Inside and Outside the Go-Betweens". Omnibus Press – via Google Books.
- "Grant McLennan Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- Mathur, Paul (6 March 1993). "Fireboy by GW McLennan". Melody Maker. 69 (10): 29.
- Buckley, Peter (20 September 2003). "The Rough Guide to Rock". Rough Guides – via Google Books.
- Wilson, Bridget (21 May 1992). "PRINCE TAKES SHINE TO SOME LOCAL TALENT". Eastern Herald. The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 5.
- Kearns, Lisa (2 April 1993). "Dancing towards oblivion". News. The Age. p. 10.
- Muretich, James (4 April 1993). "G.W. McLennan: Fireboy". Calgary Herald. p. C2.
- "Robert Christgau: CG: Grant McLennan". www.robertchristgau.com.
- "G.W. McLennan". Trouser Press. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
- "Grant McLennan - Fireboy Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.