Xenophobia (Why?)

Xenophobia (Why?) is the third studio album by Australian rock band Spy vs. Spy, it was produced by Les Karski (Boys Next Door, Midnight Oil, Nauts)[1][2][3] and Guy Gray, and released through WEA in March 1988.[1][4] For this album Spy vs Spy were known as v. Spy v. Spy, and the line-up was the original trio Craig Bloxom on bass guitar/lead vocals, Cliff Grigg on drums/percussion and Mike Weiley on lead guitar/vocals.[1][4]

Xenophobia (Why?)
Studio album by
Spy vs. Spy
ReleasedMarch 1988
RecordedNovember/December 1987
StudioRhinoceros Studios, Sydney
Length44:44
LabelWarner Music Group
ProducerGuy Gray, Les Karski
Spy vs. Spy chronology
A.O. Mod. TV. Vers.
(1986)		 Xenophobia (Why?)
(1988)		 Trash the Planet
(1989)
Singles from Xenophobia (Why?)
  1. "Forget about the Working Week"
    Released: December 1987
  2. "Clarity of Mind"
    Released: May 1988
  3. "Waiting"
    Released: August 1988

After having toured for A.O. Mod. TV. Vers., WEA demanded another album immediately, so Xenophobia (Why?) was written and recorded in just six weeks, the title was inspired by race issues surfacing in the lead-up to Australia's Bicentennial year.[1][5] The album peaked at No. 15 on the Kent Music Report[6] and was released in 14 countries.[1][4]

It provided three singles, "(Forget about the) Working Week", "Clarity of Mind" and "Waiting".[1][5][6] None of the singles peaked in the Top 40 of the Kent Music Report for the Australian singles charts.[6]

Reception

Smash Hits said, "The "why?" in the title is there so you won't think V.Spy V.Spy consider xenophobia a good idea. The rampant unsubtlety is the Spies through and through. They can't leave things alone. They have to keep ramming the point home. The production on the album is great. The cover is awful."[7]

Track listing

All songs written by Craig Bloxom, Michael Weiley, Cliff Grigg and G Vasicek (aka Gary Morris).[8]

No.TitleLength
1."Test of time"4:11
2."The Golden Mile"3:52
3."Free the Future"3:46
4."Waiting"3:20
5."Working Week"4:28
6."A.O Mod"3:34
7."Clarity of Mind"3:48
8."Soldiers"3:42
9."Mingle 'n' Mix"3:24
10."Back on the Track"5:41
11."Relax"4:58

Charts
Chart (1988) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[6] 15

Release history
Country Date Label Format Catalogue
Australia March 1988 WEA LP, CD, Cassette 255349-1 255349-2 255349-4
Brazil 2002 Tronador Music CD TMCL04-2

References
  1. McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'v. Spy v. Spy'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86448-768-2. Retrieved 10 November 2008.
  2. Holmgren, Magnus. "Les Karski". Australian Rock Database. Passagen.se (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 29 September 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  3. "Leszek Karski". Music Producer Database. Retrieved 14 November 2008.
  4. Holmgren, Magnus; Cuffe, Mark. "Spy v Spy". Australian Rock Database. Passagen.se (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  5. Nimmervoll, Ed. "Spy v Spy". Howlspace – The Living History of Our Music (Ed Nimmervoll). Archived from the original on 26 July 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  6. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  7. David Nichols (18 April 1988). "Albums". Smash Hits, Australian edition.
  8. "Australasian Performing Right Association". APRA. Retrieved 14 November 2008. NOTE: Requires user to input track title e.g. TEST OF TIME
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