| Artist | Prefab Sprout |
|---|---|
| Cover | File:CrimsonRedAlbum.jpg |
| Released | 7 October 2013 |
| Recorded | Autumn 2012 |
| Studio | Andromeda Heights Studio |
| Genre | Pop |
| Label | Icebreaker · Kitchenware |
| Producer | Calum Malcolm · Paddy McAloon |
| Prev year | 2009 |
Crimson/Red is the tenth studio album by English pop band Prefab Sprout, although for this album "Prefab Sprout" consists entirely of singer/songwriter Paddy McAloon, who writes, sings and plays every note on the album. Crimson/Red was released in the United Kingdom by Icebreaker Records and Kitchenware Records on 7 October 2013.[1] The album title is a reference to artist Mark Rothko.[2]
Critical reception
In Mojo magazine, critic Danny Eccleston called Crimson/Red "the welcome return of Durham's song-craftsman supreme".[3] The Observer's Phil Mongredien praised the album as "charming, articulate and urbane" (a lyric from "Devil Came a Calling").[4] Four-star ratings appeared in both The Independent and The Times, with the former describing Crimson/Red as a "lovely album from a true one-off".[5]
David Jeffries of AllMusic said, "The music throughout is just as beautiful and bold as the lyrics", with "immaculate production and an overall classic album flow".[6]
Commercial reception
Crimson/Red was a chart success for Prefab Sprout. The album debuted at No. 15 in the UK Albums Chart, giving the band their highest-charting record since Andromeda Heights in 1997.
Crimson/Red debuted at No. 10 in Sweden and No. 21 in Norway, giving the band their second-highest chart positions ever in both countries. In its second week on the Norwegian charts, "Crimson/Red" climbed to No. 7, an all-time high for the band in Norway.
In Ireland, the album debuted at No. 40 (and No. 9 on the indie chart). In Germany, the album debuted at No. 42, making it Prefab Sprout's highest-charting album there.
Crimson/Red also charted in the Flanders region of Belgium (No. 83) and in Switzerland (No. 92).
Track listing
All songs written by Paddy McAloon.
- "The Best Jewel Thief in the World"
- "List of Impossible Things"
- "Adolescence"
- "Grief Built the Taj Mahal"
- "Devil Came a Calling"
- "Billy"
- "The Dreamer"
- "The Songs of Danny Galway"
- "The Old Magician"
- "Mysterious"
References
- ^ "Prefab Sprout | Crimson/Red". Prefabsproutalbum.com. 2013-10-07. Archived from the original on 2013-10-12. Retrieved 2013-10-15.
- ^ According to an interview with Paddy McAloon on BBC Radio 6 Music on 8 October 2013
- ^ Eccleston, Danny (7 October 2013). "Prefab Sprout – Crimson Red". Mojo. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
- ^ Mongredien, Phil (6 October 2013). "Prefab Sprout: Crimson/Red – review". The Observer. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
- ^ Richman, Simmy (6 October 2013). "Album review: Prefab Sprout, Crimson/Red (Icebreaker Records)". The Independent. Archived from the original on 7 October 2013. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
- ^ Jeffries, David. "Crimson/Red – Prefab Sprout". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 May 2015.