For the geographical and social concept, see native place.
Native Place
studio
Artistthe Railway Children
CoverNative Place.jpg
Released1990
StudioTownhouse, Battery (London)
LabelVirgin[1]
ProducerSteve Lovell, Steve Power
Prev year1988
Next year1993

Native Place is an album by the English band the Railway Children, released in 1990.[2][3] The band broke up after the album's release, in part due to EMI's acquisition of Virgin Records.[4]

The album peaked at No. 59 on the UK Albums Chart.[5] "Every Beat of the Heart" peaked at No. 1 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart.[6] The band promoted the album by touring with the Heart Throbs.[7][8]

Production

The album was produced by Steve Lovell and Steve Power.[9] It was recorded over a period of four months, to the annoyance of chief songwriter Gary Newby.[10]

Critical reception

Trouser Press wrote: "No longer an unassuming pop group, the Railway Children are growing into dance-oriented chart hacks."[11] The Washington Post opined that "Native Place is not brave or powerful or important, but it's seriously listenable."[12]

The Daily Breeze determined that the album "leans more toward guitar-oriented pop, boasting strong melodies, airy textures and a sunny optimism."[10] The Dayton Daily News stated that "the group's sound recalls the jangling guitars of the Byrds combined with a sweeping keyboard sound from the early '80s."[13]

AllMusic wrote that "the slick production and sunny synths couldn't leech the buoyancy and emotional impact from the poetic, romantic songwriting and warm harmonies of Gary Newby."[14] MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide deemed Native Place "one of the definitive pop albums of the early '90s ... Newby's gentle vocals are flawless."[9]

Personnel

The Railway Children
  • Gary Newby – vocals, lead guitar, keyboards, artwork, sleeve design
  • Brian Bateman – rhythm guitar
  • Stephen Hull – bass
  • Guy Keegan – drums, percussion

with:

  • Matt Irving – additional keyboards, accordion
  • Matthew Taylor – saxophone on "Because"

References

  1. ^ "The Railway Children Native Place Virgin". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. August 19, 1990. p. 2.
  2. ^ "Railway Children Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic
  3. ^ Simpson, Dave (Jul 7, 1990). "Album: The Railway Children". Melody Maker. Vol. 66, no. 27. p. 38.
  4. ^ Nowell, Andrew (March 11, 2016). "Railway Children are back on track". Wigan Evening Post
  5. ^ "Railway Children Full Official Chart History". Official Charts
  6. ^ Whitburn, Joel (March 27, 2008). Joel Whitburn Presents Rock Tracks 1981-2008. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 9780898201741.
  7. ^ Eichenberger, Bill (November 8, 1990). "'The Heart Throbs' Evoke Mixed Emotions". The Columbus Dispatch. p. 8.
  8. ^ Brown, G. (9 Nov 1990). "Heart Throbs' sound garnering accolades". The Denver Post. p. 19F.
  9. ^ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 916.
  10. ^ Okamoto, Shari (November 2, 1990). "Railway Children on track with 'Native Place' album". Daily Breeze. p. E10.
  11. ^ "Railway Children". Trouser Press. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  12. ^ Jenkins, Mark (23 Nov 1990). "Railway Children Cut Tuneful Tracks". The Washington Post. p. 20.
  13. ^ Larsen, Dave (November 11, 1990). "Manchester Plays Home to New English Sounds". Dayton Daily News. p. 1C.
  14. ^ "Native Place". AllMusic