| Artist | A Sunny Day in Glasgow |
|---|---|
| Cover | AshesGrammar.jpg |
| Released | September 15, 2009 |
| Recorded | September – December 2008 |
| Studio | Downtown Performing Arts Center (Lambertville, New Jersey) |
| Genre | Dream pop[1] · shoegaze[2] |
| Label | Mis Ojos Discos |
| Prev year | 2007 |
| Next year | 2010 |
Ashes Grammar is the second studio album by American indie rock band A Sunny Day in Glasgow. It was released on September 15, 2009, by Mis Ojos Discos.[3]
Background and recording
Following a successful European tour, A Sunny Day in Glasgow's Ben Daniels began preparations for the recording of the band's next album.[4] He rented a large dance studio space within the Downtown Performing Arts Center in Lambertville, which became the primary location for recording.[4][5] He and bandmate Josh Meakim then began experimenting with sounds and setting up microphones in the space.[4] Prior to the start of formal work on the album, however, three members of A Sunny Day in Glasgow departed the band under varying circumstances: Brice Hickey, who had "very seriously" broken his legs in an accident while loading equipment into his car on the day that recording was set to begin; Lauren Daniels, who left in order to care for Hickey, her then-boyfriend; and Robin Daniels, who wished to pursue her graduate studies.[6] The band was subsequently reduced to Ben Daniels and Josh Meakim.[6] Annie Fredrickson was later invited to join A Sunny Day in Glasgow on the recommendation of a fan of the band who was familiar to Ben Daniels "from shows", after Daniels asked the fan whether he knew any vocalists.[7] The trio of Daniels, Meakim and Fredrickson helmed the album's recording.[8]
Ashes Grammar was recorded from September to December 2008.[5] The expansiveness of the dance studio space allowed Ben Daniels the freedom to experiment with different acoustics.[7] He has cited Alvin Lucier's I Am Sitting in a Room as an influence on the recording process.[6][7] As Lauren and Robin Daniels, the lead singers on earlier A Sunny Day in Glasgow recordings, had left the band, vocal duties on Ashes Grammar were shared by Fredrickson and Meakim.[4] Fredrickson's friend Beverly Science performed additional vocals on the album.[4] Mich White, who was previously a touring bassist for A Sunny Day in Glasgow, also "contributed ideas" from his home in Austin.[4]
Critical reception
In 2016, Pitchfork ranked Ashes Grammar at number 35 on its list of the best shoegaze albums of all time.[2]
Track listing
Notes
- The track order for the LP edition repositions "Blood White" between "Passionate Introverts (Dinosaurs)" and "West Philly Vocoder".
Personnel
Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.[5]
A Sunny Day in Glasgow
- Ben Daniels
- Robin Daniels
- Annie Fredrickson
- Brice Hickey
- Josh Meakim
- Beverly Science
- Mich White
Additional musicians
- Jody Hamilton – horns on "Failure" and "Close Chorus"
- Ryan Mitchell – theremin on "Curse Words"
- Chuck Nicholson – vibraphone on "Nitetime Rainbows"
Production
Design
- Naomi Donabedian – layout
- Jaakko Mattila – artwork
References
- ^ Fischer, Jonathan L. (December 10, 2009). "On Rabid Dogs and Other Crises: A Chat with a Sunny Day in Glasgow". Washington City Paper. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
- ^ "The 50 Best Shoegaze Albums of All Time". Pitchfork. October 24, 2016. p. 2. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
- ^ Breihan, Tom (June 22, 2009). "A Sunny Day in Glasgow Announce Second Album". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
- ^ "A Sunny Day in Glasgow share first MP3 from Ashes Grammar". Force Field PR. July 27, 2009. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
- ^ Ashes Grammar (liner notes). Mis Ojos Discos. 2009. OJO004.
- ^ Schube, Will (June 16, 2017). "A Sunny Day In Glasgow Interview". Vinyl Me, Please. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
- ^ Tincknell, Devon & Gordon, Scott (November 19, 2009). "A Sunny Day In Glasgow: 'We don't have a career!'". The A.V. Club. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
- ^ Clayman, Andrew (November 26, 2009). "Change is good for Philly dream-popsters A Sunny Day in Glasgow". Nashville Scene. Retrieved September 29, 2018.