Shock of Daylight

Shock of Daylight is an EP by English post-punk band the Sound, released in April 1984 on Statik Records in the UK and A&M Records in the US.

Shock of Daylight
EP by
The Sound
ReleasedApril 1984
RecordedJanuary 1984
StudioTownhouse Studios, Crow Studio and Elephant Studio, London, England
GenrePost-punk
Length25:01u
LabelStatik/A&M
ProducerPat Collier
The Sound chronology
All Fall Down
(1982)		 Shock of Daylight
(1984)		 Heads and Hearts
(1985)
Singles from Shock of Daylight
  1. "Counting the Days"
    Released: 1984
  2. "Golden Soldiers"
    Released: 1984 (Spain only)

The EP was seen by critics as a comeback for the band, after the band's critically and commercially disappointing previous album, 1982's All Fall Down. Two singles were released from the EP, "Counting the Days" and "Golden Soldiers" (the latter in Spain only).

Background and content

Shock of Daylight was recorded in Studio 3 of Townhouse Studios, except for "Winter", which was recorded at Elephant Studio in London and a studio only referred to as "Crow".[1]

Sounds described the album's style as "If All Fall Down chipped away at the gothic walls of From the Lions Mouth, Shock of Daylight nails down the carpet, but nervously pulls open the curtains".[2]

Release

Shock of Daylight was released in April 1984 by record label Statik in the UK and A & M Records in the US.

"Counting the Days" was released as a single in the UK. "Golden Soldiers" was released as a single in the same year in Spain only.

Reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[3]
The Big Takeoverfavourable[4]
Head Heritagefavourable[5]
Melody Makerfavourable[6]
Soundsfavourable[2]
Trouser Pressfavourable[7]

Shock of Daylight has been well received by critics. The Big Takeover described it as "a triumphant comeback for [the Sound], a nice return from the interesting but obviously non-commercial All Fall Down, an LP whose lack of salibility effectively got 'em booted from Korova/Warners, and this first release on Static [sic] is a reminder of why they're such a great band".[4] Melody Maker described the EP as "probably the most fearlessly outgoing music the Sound have produced since Jeopardy".[6]

Track listing

All lyrics are written by Adrian Borland

Side A
No.TitleMusicLength
1."Golden Soldiers"Borland, Colvin Mayers3:15
2."Longest Days"Borland, Mayers, Graham Bailey, Michael Dudley5:07
3."Counting the Days"Borland, Mayers, Bailey, Dudley3:36
Side B
No.TitleMusicLength
1."Winter"Borland4:17
2."A New Way of Life"Borland, Mayers, Bailey, Dudley4:38
3."Dreams Then Plans"Borland4:03

Personnel
The Sound
  • Adrian Borland – vocals, guitar, keyboards
  • Colvin "Max" Mayers – keyboards, guitar
  • Graham Bailey – bass guitar
  • Michael Dudley – drums, percussion
Additional personnel
  • Sarah Smith – brass, brass arrangement
  • Tim Smith – brass, brass arrangement
  • Alan Douglas – engineering
  • Pat Collier – production
  • Mike Bigwood – tape operator
  • Nick Robbins – drums and bass guitar on "Winter"
  • Graham Simmonds – guitar and vocals on "Winter"

References
  1. Shock of Daylight (Media notes). The Sound. Statik Records. 1984. Retrieved 24 June 2013.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. Roberts, Chris (1984). "Shock Treatment". Sounds. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  3. Kellman, Andy. "Shock of Daylight – The Sound | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards | AllMusic". AllMusic. AllRovi. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  4. Rabid, Jack (17 August 1984). "[Shock of Daylight review]". The Big Takeover. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  5. A, Keith (21 March 2006). "Julian Cope Presents Head Heritage | Unsung | Reviews | The Sound – Shock of Daylight". Head Heritage. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  6. Jones, Allan (7 April 1984). "Dawn Patrol". Melody Maker. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  7. Lamey, Charles P.; Rabid, Jack; Ferguson, Scott. "TrouserPress.com :: Sound". TrouserPress.com. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
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