Book of Bad Thoughts

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Book of Bad Thoughts
Studio album by
Uncle Green
Released1992
Genre
LabelAtlantic
ProducerBrendan O'Brien
Uncle Green chronology
What an Experiment His Head Was
(1991) 		Book of Bad Thoughts
(1992)

Book of Bad Thoughts is an album by the American band Uncle Green.[1][2] It was released in 1992 via Atlantic Records.[3] Book of Bad Thoughts was the band's final album, although all four members would regroup as 3 Lb. Thrill.[4][5]

The album's first single was "I Know All About You".[6] Uncle Green supported the album by opening for the Levellers on a North American tour.[7]

Production[edit]

The album was produced by Brendan O'Brien, who also played organ on a number of tracks.[8] The singer and guitar player Matt Brown wrote three-fourths of the songs on the album; Uncle Green rerecorded two songs from What an Experiment His Head Was.[9][10] Book of Bad Thoughts was recorded in Los Angeles; the band was allowed complete control over all aspects of the album's production.[11] Uncle Green used a Mellotron on the opening track.[12]

Critical reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[13]
Chicago Tribune[14]
The Republican[15]
The Tampa Tribune[12]

Trouser Press wrote: "Although not a great album—too much of the writing is overweening, and there are times when it sounds like the work of two separate bands—Book of Bad Thoughts is a solid effort from a thoughtful and practical outfit."[8] The Chicago Tribune thought that "'You`re Getting Into It', with its interweaving mellotron and accordion, is the sound of a band flexing newly discovered muscles."[14] Stereo Review opined that "Uncle Green betrays a romantic fatalism worthy of Squeeze in 'She's Storing It Up', admitting that the inevitable comeuppance is deserved while guitars arpeggiate restlessly."[16] The Republican allowed that the band "possesses some fairly sharp pop sensibilities but reveals little else over the course of 12 tracks."[15]

Billboard concluded that the band "scores big on seamless major-label debut that bristles with hook-laden tunes à la Beatles circa 1966."[17] The Washington Post determined that "principal songwriter Matt Brown seems most comfortable when emulating the music-hall-influenced style of Squeeze."[18] The Indianapolis Star deemed the album "immensely likeable."[19] The Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote that the songs "have the kind of clean, ringing wallop that used to make AM radio such godhead, while the band's chops are still raw enough to reek ever so slightly of the garage."[20]

AllMusic called it "a little-heard gem—a '90s rock record of the highest order."[13]

Track listing[edit]

No.TitleLength
1."I Know All About You" 
2."I Don't Wanna Know About It" 
3."Wake Up Now" 
4."Look into the Light" 
5."Bellingham" 
6."She's Storing It Up" 
7."You're Getting into It" 
8."In Good Time" 
9."He Woke Up Naked" 
10."The Blue Light" 
11."A Good Man" 
12."I Always Knew You'd Come to Me" 

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Uncle Green Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2021-10-03. Retrieved 2021-10-03.
  2. ^ Sculley, Alan (4 Sep 1992). "Top Record Label Finally Says Uncle". Daily Press. p. D1.
  3. ^ Eldredge, Richard L. (June 20, 2011). "Thanks to funding from fans, Uncle Green's 'Rycopa' to become a reality 14 years (!) after it was recorded". Atlanta. Archived from the original on October 3, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  4. ^ "3 Lb. Thrill & Uncle Green". Perfect Sound Forever. Archived from the original on 2021-01-26. Retrieved 2021-10-03.
  5. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 8. MUZE. p. 161.
  6. ^ "Music". Part II. Newsday. 13 Apr 1992. p. 44.
  7. ^ Romandetta, Julie (July 27, 1992). "Levellers need a sound of their own". Entertainment. Boston Herald. p. 28.
  8. ^ a b "Uncle Green". Trouser Press. Archived from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  9. ^ Allan, Marc D. (17 Apr 1992). "Want perfect pop? Just holler uncle — Green, that is". The Indianapolis Star. p. B9.
  10. ^ Linafelt, Tom (12 Jun 1992). "Uncle Green takes to the road". The Sun News. p. 7.
  11. ^ Miller, Michael (May 29, 1992). "Uncle Green's Creativity Shines on Album". The State. p. 18D.
  12. ^ a b Booth, Philip (28 Aug 1992). "Uncle Green Book of Bad Thoughts". Friday Extra!. The Tampa Tribune. p. 19.
  13. ^ a b "Book of Bad Thoughts". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2021-10-03. Retrieved 2021-10-03.
  14. ^ a b Caro, Mark. "Uncle Green Book of Bad Thoughts". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on 2021-10-23. Retrieved 2021-10-03.
  15. ^ a b O'Hare, Kevin (May 24, 1992). "Uncle Green, 'Book of Bad Thoughts'". The Republican. p. F2.
  16. ^ "Popular Music — Book of Bad Thoughts by Uncle Green". Stereo Review. Vol. 57, no. 11. Nov 1992. pp. 136–137.
  17. ^ "Album Reviews — Book of Bad Thoughts by Uncle Green". Billboard. Vol. 104, no. 18. May 2, 1992. p. 61.
  18. ^ Jenkins, Mark (24 July 1992). "Britain's Levellers: Playing the Field". The Washington Post. p. N12.
  19. ^ Allan, Marc (9 May 1993). "Take a chance on Uncle Green concert". The Indianapolis Star. p. G4.
  20. ^ Dollar, Steve (April 11, 1992). "Book of Bad Thoughts Uncle Green Atlantic". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. L20.
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