Fun & Games (The Connells album)
| Fun & Games | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1989 | |||
| Recorded | 1988–89 | |||
| Studio | Fort Apache Studios, Cambridge, MA & Studio 900, NYC | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length | 45:20 | |||
| Label | TVT | |||
| Producer | Gary Smith, Anthony Battaglia, Matt Matthews, The Connells | |||
| The Connells chronology | ||||
| ||||
Fun & Games is the third studio album by the American band the Connells, released in 1989.[1][2] It was recorded primarily at Fort Apache Studios, in Cambridge, MA, with additional recording at Studio 900 in New York City and Reflection Studio in Charlotte, NC.
The album reached No. 163 on the Billboard 200; the single "Something to Say" reached No. 7 on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart.[3][4] The band supported the album with a North American tour.[5]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | [6] |
| Chicago Tribune | [7] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [8] |
The Washington Post wrote: "Though less redolent of Celtic airs than the previous platter, Fun has a similar sweep, its melodies cascading gently over the Piedmont."[9] The Philadelphia Inquirer deemed the album "hooky, straightforward rock."[10] The Chicago Tribune called it "a musical blend that's both bucolic and brawny and possessed of some real presence, vitality and depth."[7]
Track listing
- "Something To Say" (Mike Connell) - 3:40
- "Fun & Games" (Connell, Doug MacMillan) - 3:06
- "Sal" (George Huntley, Mike Ayers, Peele Wimberley) - 3:44
- "Upside Down" (Connell) - 3:16
- "Fine Tuning" (Connell) - 3:19
- "Motel" (Huntley) - 3:40
- "Hey Wow" (Connell) - 4:17
- "Ten Pins" (Connell, Huntley, MacMillan) - 4:06
- "Inside My Head" (Huntley) - 3:12
- "Uninspired" (Connell, MacMillan) - 4:10
- "Sat Nite (USA)" (The Connells) - 3:47
- "Lay Me Down" (Huntley) - 5:03
"Fine Tuning" was a CD only bonus track.
Personnel
- The Connells
- Doug MacMillan - lead vocals
- Mike Connell - guitar, slide guitar
- George Huntley - guitar, backing vocals; lead vocals on "Sal", "Motel", "Ten Pins", "Inside my Head" and "Lay me Down"
- David Connell - bass, percussion
- Peele Wimberley - drums, percussion
- Additional personnel
- Willa Bassen - French horn sampler
- Deborah Coffman - cello
- Steve Haigler - bells
- Jeb Bishop - trombone
- Tom Gordon - saxophone
- Jon Thornton - trumpet
- Gary Smith - producer, piano, organ, guitar, slide guitar, vibes, backing vocals, "la la la's"
- Anthony Battaglia - producer, guitar, backing vocals
- Matt Matthews - producer
- Beth Cumber - cover illustration, design
References
- ^ Duffy, Thom (January 8, 1989). "Best Patrol Bets". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 17.
- ^ Lester, Paul (September 23, 1989). "Albums: The Connells". Melody Maker. 65 (38): 35.
- ^ "The Connells". Retrieved April 4, 2016.
- ^ "The Connells". Retrieved April 4, 2016.
- ^ Aparicio, Nestor (September 26, 1990). "Connells are succeeding with tours and timing". The Baltimore Sun. p. C10.
- ^ Fun & Games at AllMusic
- ^ a b Popson, Tom (April 7, 1989). "Indie LPs: Guitar-pop, doo-wop, blues and more". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. G.
- ^ The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 158.
- ^ Jenkins, Mark (March 17, 1989). "Brave New Worlds on Weeknights". The Washington Post. p. N23.
- ^ Moon, Tom (March 31, 1989). "The Connells". Features Weekend. The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 24.