Melting in the Dark
Melting in the Dark is an album by the American musician Steve Wynn, released in 1996.[3][4] It was recorded with a band consisting of all the members of Come.[5] Wynn supported the album by touring with a backing band that included members of Gutterball, Zuzu's Petals, and Love Tractor.[6]
Melting in the Dark | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1996 | |||
Studio | Fort Apache Studios[1] | |||
Genre | Rock, alternative rock | |||
Label | Zero Hour[2] | |||
Producer | Steve Wynn | |||
Steve Wynn chronology | ||||
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History
Shortly before making the record, bassist Sean O'Brien and drummer Arthur Johnson quit Come, making this album's recording sessions the last time the original lineup of Come recorded together.[7][8] Come was more familiar with Wynn's Dream Syndicate work, which in turn influenced the writing and sound of Melting in the Dark.[9][10] The musicians rehearsed for a day before recording for four days.[11][12] "Shelley's Blues, Pt. 2" alludes to Mike Nesmith's "Some of Shelly's Blues".[13]
Critical reception
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [14] |
Calgary Herald | [15] |
Chicago Tribune | [16] |
Los Angeles Times | [17] |
Orlando Sentinel | [18] |
Trouser Press wrote: "Although something of a return to the Dream Syndicate’s savage guitar-frenzy, the album is flightier, with dry, laconic vocals, jauntily aggressive tempos and a joyous garage-crud vibe that suggests it was a lot of fun to make."[19] The Chicago Tribune called the album "spare, free-swinging rock studded with sharp hooks."[16] The Orlando Sentinel deemed it "tense but not humorless rock."[18]
Rolling Stone noted that "Come's clamor seems out of place next to Wynn's uninspired retrorock drawl."[20] The Calgary Herald concluded that "Wynn remains an unheralded anti-hero, a rocker who's never been a pretender and shoulda been a contender."[15] The Los Angeles Times determined that "it's at the midway point that Wynn's seething tales of bad love catch fire."[17]
Track listing
- "Why"
- "Shelley's Blues, Pt. 2"
- "What We Call Love"
- "Drizzle"
- "Angels"
- "Epilogue"
- "Silence Is Your Only Friend"
- "Stare It Down"
- "Smooth"
- "For All I Care"
- "Way You Punish Me"
- "Down"
- "Melting in the Dark"
Personnel
- Steve Wynn - vocals
- Thalia Zedek - guitar, backing vocals
- Chris Brokaw - guitar
- Sean O'Brien - bass
- Arthur Johnson - drums
References
- Sullivan, Jim (5 Jan 1996). "Thalia Zedek and Chris Brokaw agree to Come again". Living. The Boston Globe. p. 56.
- Thompson, Dave (June 1, 2000). "Alternative Rock". Hal Leonard Corporation – via Google Books.
- "Steve Wynn Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- "Review". www.ox-fanzine.de.
- "Steve Wynn: What I Did After My Band Broke Up". Pitchfork.
- Menconi, David (October 4, 1996). "Combination plates". What's Up. The News & Observer. p. 13.
- Buckley, Peter (June 1, 2003). "The Rough Guide to Rock". Rough Guides – via Google Books.
- "Steve Wynn Melting In The Dark". Steve Wynn.
- Daniel, Jeff (10 Oct 1996). "ANOTHER NOTCH IN THE WYNN COLUMN". Get Out. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 9.
- Lustig, Jay (July 12, 1996). "Dreaming and Come-ing again". Ticket. The Star-Ledger. p. 27.
- Weitz, Matt (September 19, 1996). "Out There". Music. Dallas Observer.
- Haymes, Greg (November 7, 1996). "A WYNNING HAND". Times Union. Albany. p. P4.
- Milano, Brett (Nov 1996). "Steve Wynn: Melting in the Dark". Stereo Review. 61 (11): 131.
- "Steve Wynn Melting in the Dark Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- Muretich, James (18 Aug 1996). "New Releases". Calgary Herald. p. E2.
- Reger, Rick (1 Aug 1996). "Recordings". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 9.
- Appleford, Steve (23 Oct 1996). "ALBUM REVIEWS". Los Angeles Times. p. F8.
- Gettelman, Parry (30 Aug 1996). "SUMMER STOCK INCLUDES SOME BLUE CHIPS". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 7.
- "Steve Wynn". Trouser Press. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
- Wiederhorn, Jon (Aug 8, 1996). "Near Life Experience/Melting in the Dark". Rolling Stone (740): 58.