Out of the Grey (The Dream Syndicate album)
Out of the Grey | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 23 May 1986 | |||
Genre | Alternative rock | |||
Length | 66:29 (1997 reissue) | |||
Label | Big Time Records/Chrysalis | |||
Producer | Paul B. Cutler | |||
The Dream Syndicate chronology | ||||
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Out of the Grey is the third studio album by The Dream Syndicate, a Los Angeles-based alternative rock band, released in 1986.
Background
[edit]Out of the Grey was released in 1986 as the first studio album after the band was dropped from A&M Records due to disappointing sales after the release of the 1984 album This Is Not the New Dream Syndicate Album......Live!. The band pondered its future and even retired temporarily,[1] while lead singer and songwriter Steve Wynn made a record with Dan Stuart (as Danny & Dusty).[2] The duo's album, Lost Weekend (1985), was produced by Paul B. Cutler, who also produced The Dream Syndicate's eponymous first EP (1982). Jamming with Cutler, a guitar player, rekindled the desire in Wynn to bring The Dream Syndicate together again.[3] The band reformed after some personnel changes,[1] most notably the replacement of lead guitarist Karl Precoda by Cutler.[4] The band's sound changed also, to a "considerably more aggressive, but simultaneously country-inflected outlook."[1] The "more mainstream" sound, however, did not lead to commercial success.[5]
The response to the album from fans and critics was positive, and after its release the band toured Europe before going on its first American tour in two years.[2] Right after the release of the record, when the band seemed to be "back on track," the label, Big Time Records, folded, to the band's detriment; it went back into inactivity and Wynn played acoustic solo dates for a while.[3]
Release
[edit]The album was followed by an EP, 50 in a 25 Zone, which contained additional tracks including Slim Harpo's "Shake Your Hips." Two singles were released from the album: Alice Cooper's "Ballad of Dwight Fry" in mid-1986, and Eric Clapton and Bonnie Bramlett's "Let It Rain" in 1987.[1] The song "Boston" is an homage to Van Morrison;[4] Wynn explained that the song refers to the time Morrison spent in Boston between the breakup of Them and the start of his solo career.[6]
Originally released on vinyl, the album was released on CD with a few bonus tracks, and in 1997 on Normal Records with 5 more tracks than the original album had.
Reception
[edit]According to Mikal Gilmore, Out of the Grey is a "bracing work of redemption" after the band's breakup; he considers it their finest album.[7] According to Don Waller, writing for the Los Angeles Times, "the brain-cloudy 'Boston' and the violent '50 in a 25 Zone' are stark and dark and mark this still-developing outfit as a force to be reckoned with long after all the local New York Dolls imitators have settled down into comfortable lives as light-truck salesmen".[8] A reviewer for The Michigan Daily commented on the "relatively polished sound" and singled out "Boston", "50 in a 25 Zone", and "Now I Ride Alone" for praise.[9]
Track listing
[edit]All songs by Steve Wynn except otherwise indicated.
- "Out of the Grey"
- "Forest for the Trees"
- "50 in a 25 Zone" (Steve Wynn, Dennis Duck, Mark Walton, Paul B. Cutler)
- "Boston"
- "Blood Money" (not included on original vinyl release)
- "Slide Away"
- "Dying Embers" (Steve Wynn, Mark Walton, Scott Walton)
- "Now I Ride Alone"
- "Drinking Problem" (not included on original vinyl release)
- "Dancing Blind"
- "You Can't Forget"
- "Let it Rain" (not included on original vinyl release) (Eric Clapton, Bonnie Bramlett)
Extra tracks on the 1997 re-release
[edit]- "Cinnamon Girl" (Neil Young)
- "Ballad of Dwight Fry" (Michael Bruce, Alice Cooper)
- "Shake Your Hips" (Slim Harpo)
- "I Won't Forget"
- "The Lonely Bull" (Sol Lake)
Personnel
[edit]- Steve Wynn – vocals, guitar
- Paul B. Cutler – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Mark Walton – bass
- Dennis Duck – drums
- Johnette Napolitano – vocals on 'Let It Rain'
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Thompson, Dave (2000). Alternative rock. Miller Freeman. pp. 339–. ISBN 9780879306076. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
- ^ a b Hochman, Steve (7 December 1986). "Steve Wynn Renews His Dream". Los Angeles Times. p. 86.
- ^ a b Rosen, Craig (5 January 1989). "A new day dawns for restless Dream Syndicate". Chicago Tribune. p. 9E.
- ^ a b Morris, Chris (13 September 1986). "Talent in Action: The Dream Syndicate". Billboard. pp. 33–34. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
- ^ Buckley, Peter (2003). The Rough Guide to Rock. Rough Guides. p. 319. ISBN 9781843531050. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
- ^ "Interview #23: Steve Wynn". SteveWynn.net. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
- ^ Gilmore, Mikal (2000). Night Beat: A Shadow History of Rock & Roll. Knopf Doubleday. pp. 284–85. ISBN 9780385500296. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
- ^ Waller, Don (13 August 1986). "Wynn Battles Back". Los Angeles Times. p. 62.
- ^ Tractenberg, Joel (5 September 1986). "Dream Syndicate Hits U-Club". The Michigan Daily. p. 16. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
External links
[edit]- Out of the Grey at AllMusic.com.