Rocktrospectiva: The Heavy And Innovative "Badmotorfinger" Turns 35

 

Released on 8 October 1991, "Badmotorfinger" was the third studio album by US rock band Soundgarden. The band began the recording sessions for the album with new bassist Ben Shepherd in early 1991. The album maintained the band's heavy metal sound, while featuring an increased focus on songwriting compared to the band's previous releases. The album spawned the singles "Jesus Christ Pose", "Outshined" & "Rusty Cage." 

The focus on the Seattle grunge scene helped bring attention to Badmotorfinger, and the singles "Outshined" and "Rusty Cage" found a major audience in rock radio and MTV. Badmotorfinger became the band's highest charting album at the time on the Billboard 200, where it peaked at number 39. The album received critical acclaim, citing the significant improvements over earlier releases and evolution in the band's sound.

The band kept in touch with producer Terry Date—who had worked on their previous record—due to their positive working relationship and a desire to avoid the pressure of finding a new producer. Additionally, Ben Shepherd's arrival breathed new life into the band, complementing the group's existing musical expertise.  

The album showcases a melting pot of sounds—ranging from grunge and alternative metal to heavy metal and hard rock—making it both interesting and cohesive. Furthermore, the songs adopted a more commercial approach, making them viable for radio promotion; in the words of Kim Thayill, the album was "fast and weird," thanks to the contributions Shepherd brought to the mix.  

One of the most emblematic tracks was "Rusty Cage," particularly due to the sound of a wah-wah pedal and an audio filter used by Thayil; the riff is both beautiful and strange, utilizing alternative tunings—a formula repeated on "Holy Water" and "Searching With My Good Eye Closed" (tuned to E), as well as "Mind Riot"—which brought a fresh dimension to their sound. 

The lyrics also lent themselves to this approach, with Cornell addressing subjects ranging from the personal to society, government, the economy, and similar themes. The over-exploitation of the figure of Jesus is exposed in "Jesus Christ Pose"; "Outshined" discussed periods of extreme self-confidence and how that can backfire; and "New Damage" offered a critique of the American Right. Regarding the title, Kim Thayil says it was a play on a Montrose song called "Bad Motor Scooter"—that was the inspiration. They included it because it sounded aggressive, and it served the band well. 

Although the album was overshadowed by the unexpected fame of  "Nevermind", it succeeded in garnering support for the band and selling millions of copies at the time; furthermore, it helped popularize alternative rock and brought the grunge style and sound into the mainstream.

Badmotorofinger Track List:  

1. Rusty Cage

2. Outshined

3. Slaves & Bulldozers

4. Jesus Christ Pose

5. Face Pollution

6. Somewhere

7. Searching With My Good Eye Closed

8. Room A Thousand Yeard Wide

9. Mind Riot

10. Drawing Flies

11. Holy Water

12. New Damage

Rocktrospectiva: The Trendy And Influential "Tom Tom Club" Turns 45

 

Released on October 1981 "Tom Tom Club" was the debut studio album by the US new wave band Tom Tom Club, containing the UK hit singles "Wordy Rappinghood", which reached No. 7 in June 1981 and "Genius of Love", which reached No. 65 in October of the same year. It was re-released in the UK in 1982 to include "Under the Boardwalk", which reached No. 22 in August 1982. When released in the United States, "Genius of Love" peaked at No. 31 on the Billboard Hot 100 and both "Wordy Rappinghood" and "Genius of Love" topped the US dance chart.

 

Tom Tom Club was a side project formed by Talking Heads members Chris Frantz (drums) and Tina Weymouth (bass) as an escape from the stress they were experiencing with their main band. Little did they know that the project would capture the public imagination and become an early, influential work for the hip-hop genre, thanks to the melting pot of ideas and influences infused into their record. 

 

That unique combination gave the band an exotic appeal that piqued audience curiosity, unexpectedly propelling the project to popularity. Initially, they wanted to work with reggae producer Lee "Scratch" Perry, but nothing materialized; consequently, they adopted a DIY punk ethos and handled everything themselves. 

 

They enlisted a young sound engineer named Steven Stanley, and—aided by Adrian Belew's guitar work and riffs—began crafting intriguing compositions that diverged from the Talking Heads sound, in fact, most of the album's tracks proved perfect for sampling by rap and hip-hop artists. While some of these samples yielded interesting results, others were less successful—or even ruined the original song entirely.  

 

As we said befofe, four singles were released from the album; the first, "Wordy Rappinghood," reached No. 1 in 17 countries. It was partly based on the Moroccan children's song "A Ram Sam Sam"—a tune many of us sang in kindergarten, the next single, "Genius of Love," was even more famous; it reached No. 31 on the Billboard Hot 100 but achieved top rankings on the R&B and Dance charts. Its music video saw heavy rotation on MTV and remains one of the group's most memorable. They also released "On, On, On, On" (exclusively for Japan) and their own version of "Under the Boardwalk." The album was a surprise and a breath of fresh air back then, in the early days of MTV. 

 

Unintentionally, it became influential in the hip-hop world, as many of its tracks had the perfect vibe for sampling by artists in the genre. Luminaries such as 2Pac, Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, Coolio, and LL Cool J all utilized tracks from the album for their own work. Unfortunately, that was all most people ever heard of the duo; radio stations paid little attention to their subsequent releases, partly because they didn't achieve the same level of success. Still, they certainly got us all dancing at the time; without realizing it, we were listening to eclectic sounds infused with alternative music vibes, even though many simply labeled it as pop. 

 

Tom Tom Club Track List:  

 

1. Wordy Rappinghood

2. Genius Of Love

3. Tom Tom Theme

4. L'éléphant

5. As Above, So Below

6. Lorelei

7. On, On, On, On...

8. Booming And Zooming

9. Under The Boardwalk

10. Lorelei (remix)

11. Wordy Rappinghood (long version)

12. Genius Of Love (long version) 

In Memoriam: Legendary Hollywood Actress "Eva Marie Saint" Dies Aged 102

 

Eva Marie Saint, one of the last survivors of Hollywood's golden age of the 1940s and 50s, has died aged 102. Her screen work spanned six decades: Saint made her screen debut opposite Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront, starred in Alfred Hitchcock's celebrated thriller North by Northwest, and in one of her last screen appearances played Superman's adoptive mother Martha Kent in the 2006 superhero film Superman Returns.

A family spokesman said on Tuesday that Saint had died of natural causes at her home in Los Angeles.

Her remarkable Hollywood story began with the kind of debut most actors could only dream about. Saint entered feature films opposite Marlon Brando in the 1954 drama “On the Waterfront,” playing Edie Doyle in director Elia Kazan’s acclaimed story of corruption and conscience on the New York docks. The performance immediately established Saint as a major talent. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, beginning a film career that would place her alongside some of the biggest actors and directors of her generation.

Another defining role arrived in 1959 when Alfred Hitchcock cast her opposite Cary Grant in "North by Northwest." As the elegant and enigmatic Eve Kendall, Saint showed a dramatically different side of her screen persona and became part of one of Hitchcock’s most enduring thrillers. Her career continued with appearances in films including "Exodus," "Grand Prix," "The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming" and "The Stalking Moon."

Saint never allowed the demands of Hollywood to completely dictate her life. At a time when successful performers were often expected to capitalize relentlessly on their fame, she was willing to turn down opportunities and make room for her family.

Besides Movies; Television became another important part of her career. She appeared in numerous productions over the decades, including a recurring role on "Moonlighting," and won an Emmy for her performance in the 1990 miniseries "People Like Us."

Later generations of moviegoers also had opportunities to discover her. Saint appeared in "Because of Winn-Dixie" and played Martha Kent, Superman's adoptive mother, in the 2006 film "Superman Returns." She returned to the big screen again in 2014's "Winter's Tale."

Born in 1924 in New Jersey to a Quaker family, Saint had an early career as a jobbing radio and TV performer that was chronicled in a 1949 feature in Life magazine which started with the prophetic words: "The name of Eva Marie Saint may someday be a household word" – it followed her struggles to gain a foothold in the entertainment industry. By the early 50s she was making some headway, appearing in 1953 in both the original telecast and the premiere Broadway production of the Horton Foote play The Trip to Bountiful.

Saint was also part of a generation that witnessed Hollywood transform around her. She moved from the era of live television and black-and-white classics into modern studio filmmaking without losing the understated quality that had made her performances distinctive in the first place.

Her marriage to television director Jeffrey Hayden lasted more than six decades, until his death in 2016. With Saint's death, Hollywood loses one of its remaining direct connections to a landmark period in American cinema. 

For an actress who never appeared particularly interested in chasing the machinery of superstardom, Eva Marie Saint achieved something considerably more durable: a place in movie history.

New Music: The Centre Of My Everything

           

Shed Seven have shared the official video for their brand new single "The Centre Of My Everything" Directed by Andy Little and taken from the band's forthcoming self-titled new album due out on January 8th next year. About the single Rick Witter has said: "That feeling when love is all there is, when two are entwined as one, when nothing else matters apart from the other, when you can’t imagine a life lived alone, when you truly think of someone as being The Centre Of My Everything."

New Music: Mr. Charm

           

The Rolling Stones have shared their brand new video for the new single "Mr. Charm" taken from the band's latest album "Foreign Tongues." Directed by Henry Scholfield, the video stars Golden Globe winner Alesander Skarsgård, the video was shot in location of Palmdale, California. The new single "Mr. Charm" is considered as one of the album's highlight cause it has the sort of singular magnetism that only the actual Stones could maintain and they keep in doing so. 

Rocktrospectiva: The Sonically And Unified "Ghost In The Machine" Turns 45

 

Released on 2 October 1981 "Ghost In The Machine" was the 4th., studio album by the English rock band the Police. The songs were recorded between January and September 1981 during sessions that took place at AIR Studios in Montserrat and Le Studio in Quebec, assisted by record producer Hugh Padgham.

 

Ghost in the Machine topped the UK Albums Chart and peaked at number two on the US Billboard 200. The album produced the highly successful singles "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic", "Invisible Sun", and "Spirits in the Material World", with a fourth single, "Secret Journey." The album was reissued in 1983 on CD.

 

Recorded under much more relaxed circumstances than their previous albums, the band spent about six weeks working on the record in Montserrat in a calmer atmosphere. They switched producers to Hugh Padgham, who introduced a new recording method involving separate rooms; this approach worked very well and was used again for the subsequent album. 

 

The record also featured a heavy emphasis on keyboards and horns—a shift that did not please guitarist Andy Summers. He commented that he disliked the direction the group was taking, feeling that synthesizers and horns were ruining the band's raw style and making it seem as though they were merely backing the lead singer in performing his pop songs.  

 

The set opened with the great "Spirits in the Material World," featuring Summers' keyboards—which employed a reggae-like vibe that defined the track—followed by the cheerful, Caribbean-flavored "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," which captured the same upbeat spirit seen in its music video. In contrast, the slower, guitar-solo-heavy "Invisible Sun" had a darker tone. 

 

"Hungry for You (J'aurais Toujours Faim de Toi)" was sung in French, driven by a solid rhythm section of bass, horns, and guitars, before transitioning into the set's longest track, "Demolition Man"—a song Sting had composed at Peter O'Toole's mansion. Next came a series of horn-heavy tracks—specifically "Too Much Information," "Rehumanize Yourself," and "One World (Not Three)," alongside Copeland's "Landlord" and "Dead End Job." Regarding "Rehumanize Yourself," Sting disliked the original lyrics, so they were rewritten. 

 

The album concluded with three darker-sounding tracks—reflecting the mood of the record's opening—namely "Omegaman," "Darkness," and the single "Secret Journey." As for the album's themes, many of the lyrics were inspired by Arthur Koestler's book "The Ghost in the Machine", which also provided the album's title; interestingly, this was the band's first album to use an English title. The cover art, designed by Mick Haggerty, features sixteen segments depicting the band members' hairstyles—Summers, Sting, and Copeland, in that order.  

 

Critical reception was positive, highlighting the band's dedication and commitment more than ever before; it was hailed as their best release to date, marking a step forward as the band focused on a pop sound while setting aside their reggae-rock style. The music videos received heavy rotation on MTV, and locally, songs like "Every Little Thing She Do Is Magic" and "Spirits In The Material World" got plenty of airplay and certain tracks still remain key classics in the group's career. 

 

The Ghost In The Machine Track List:  

 

1. Spirits In The Material World

2. Every Little Thing She Do Is Magic

3. Invisible Sun

4. Hungry For You (J'aurais Toujours Faim De Toi)

5. Demolition Man

6. Too Much Information

7. Rehumanize Yourself

8. One World (Not There)

9. Omegaman

10. Secret Journey

11. Darkness 

Rocktrospectiva: The Innovative And Ambitios "Ænima" Turns 30

 

Released originally on vinyl on 17 September and on CD on 1 October 1996 "Ænima was the second studio album by the US band Tool. Produced by David Bottrill, the record marked a complete shift in the band's sound—both in concept and in its broader impact on rock music—thanks to a unique yet appealing blend of metal and alternative sounds that made it, without a doubt, a singular work in every sense of the word. The album spawned the singles "Stinkfist" and "Ænima" who were the only ones to receive music videos that saw heavy rotation on MTV (though "Stinkfist" was censored and retitled "Track #1" to avoid controversy). The videos were bizarre and innovative, featuring animated figures and distorted-looking actors. The other singles were "H" and "Forty-Six & 2."

The album marked the debut of bassist Justin Chancellor. Another interesting detail is the title "Ænima" itself; it was a combination of the Latin word "anima" (soul/spirit) and "enema"—a medical procedure involving the injection of fluids into the body via the rectum. That alone signals that the listener is in for something interesting—and indeed, they were.  

Another notable feature of the album is that several tracks are merely short pieces or interludes connecting longer songs; this pushed the total runtime to 80 minutes, stretching the limits of CD capacity. These short tracks and interludes were: "Useful Idiot," "Message to Harry Manback," "Intermission," "Die Eier von Satan," "Cesaro Summability," and finally, "(-) Ions."  

The album's themes ranged widely—covering topics such as magic rituals, religious fundamentalism, Egyptian mythology, the seven-pointed star, and "deterrent anesthesia," among others—and included a dedication to comedian Bill Hicks. To touch briefly on specific tracks: the opener, "Stinkfist," immediately sparked censorship issues—MTV, for instance, renamed it "Track #1." This was likely due to the sexual connotations of "fisting" (inserting a fist into a bodily orifice), though the band intended it as a metaphor attacking the over-stimulation to which society was subjected at the time—let alone today. 

Then there was "Eulogy," a diatribe directed at Jesus; "H," which held dual meanings—referencing an overdose Keenan experienced, though it is also said he wrote it for his son; and "Forty Six & 2," which alluded to the number of chromosomes humans are expected to possess in their next evolutionary stage. Humans currently have 46 (44+2), having evolved from a baseline of 44 (42+2); the next step in evolution would result in the total referenced in the song's title. "Message To Harry Manback" stems from a voicemail Maynard received from a roommate; it was based on a bizarre story about an Italian guy staying in their shared room—you know, the typical deadbeat who ate all the food and ran up the phone bill. They eventually realized no one actually knew him, so they kicked him out, tossing his belongings—and him—onto the street. The next day, he called back in a rage, leaving the insulting message that serves as the track's audio. 

"Hooker With A Penis" addressed an angry fan who accused the band of selling out; Maynard—who apparently used to do cocaine with this guy—explained the realities of the music market and why they made those choices. "Jimmy" dealed with Maynard's childhood in Ohio. "Die Eier Von Satan" was another oddity; it was actually a recipe for Turkish hashish cookies—made without eggs, contrary to what many people think. "Pushit" explored the concepts of temptation and the compulsion to do something one shouldn't; it revolves around the pull of temptation and the act of falling into the abyss. As the fall occurs, the song becomes heavier and more abrasive, until—once the descent is complete—Maynard whispers, "I'm somewhere I don't want to be.

" Finally, "Cesaro Summability" referred to an equation that yields an answer of infinity. And the final final three tracks: "Ænima," the album's title track, dealed with the purification of the soul; "(-) Ions," was a piece about devices that generate ions—atoms with an electric charge—where listening with headphones allowed one to feel the ions moving from one side of the brain to the other; and finally, "Third Eye," which featureed excerpts of Bill Hicks from his drug-experimentation phase. Hicks explored his darker side, and his discourse complements to Timothy Leary—the prophet of LSD—suggesting that these drugs facilitate a deeper exploration of the human being. There was also the concept of the "third eye," representing maximum stimulation of the pineal gland located in the brain; it consists of two divisions made up of 48 petals each, totaling 96—it is said that this cent.

Ænima was met with generally favorable reviews by mainstream music critics, citing the band's innovation and ambitions within the album's sound. A remarkable album that showed Tool explore the progressive rock territory previously forged by such bands as King Crimson. However, Tool were conceptually innovative with every minute detail of their art, which sets them apart from most bands.

Ænima Track List:

1. Stinkfist

2. Eulogy

3. H

4. Useful Idiot

5. Forty Six & 2

6. Message to Harry Manback

7. Hooker With A Penis

8. Intermission

9. Jimmy

10. Die Eier Von Satan

11. Pushit

12. Cesaro Summability

13. Ænima

14. (-) Ions

15. Third Eye

Rocktrospectiva: The Fierce Live Album "From The Muddy Banks Of The Wishkah" Turns 30

 

Released on 1 October, 1996, "From the Muddy Banks Of The Wishkah" was an album of live tracks recorded by Nirvana between 1989 and 1994. The record debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and earned the band their sixth platinum album in the United States. The album spawned the singles "Aneurysm" & "Drain You." It was the second album released following Kurt Cobain's death in April 1994. 

The album was compiled by Krist Novoselic, who also wrote the liner notes. Originally, Novoselic and Grohl had planned to release a live album in 1994 alongside the "MTV Unplugged in New York" as a double set titled "Verse Chorus Verse"; however, they faced certain issues while the material was compiled, therefore it was never mixed. 

The album featured various tracks in different versions. The title refers to the Wishkah River in Aberdeen, Washington. It was said that Cobain used to spend nights sleeping there—a claim he alluded to in the song "Something in the Way"—but Novoselic later debunked this, stating that sleeping there was impossible; he might have wandered the area, but nothing more.  

Curiosly, the album omits all the songs that appeared on the band's "MTV Unplugged" special—with the exception of "Polly," which appeared here in a rare 1989 version featuring electric guitars. It also avoids versions of songs previously released as B-sides or on the "Live! Tonight! Sold Out!!" video (a compilation assembled by Kurt Cobain himself and released in unfinished form in November 1994). 

Among the rarities and curiosities offered by this live compilation, three tracks stand out from the band's highly acclaimed December 3, 1989, show at the London Astoria—a performance widely praised by the British press at the time. One of these was "Imodium" (an early version of "Breed" featuring different lyrics and Chad Channing on drums). The track "Negative Creep" comes from the band's October 1991 show at Seattle's Paramount Theatre—a performance later released on DVD in 2011 as "Live at the Paramount". 

Four other tracks were taken from the legendary November 24, 1991, show at the Paradiso in the Netherlands; three come from the now-legendary mini-tour the band undertook with the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pearl Jam in late December 1991; and "Tourette's" appears, taken from the band's 1992 Reading Festival performance. The track "Scentless Apprentice" was from the December 13, 1993, MTV show at Seattle's Pier 48. 

Capitalizing on the band's immense popularity at the time, several promotional (non-commercial) singles were released, such as "Aneurysm" (for the US and UK), "Drain You" (US), and "Lithium" (Portugal and the Netherlands). While "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was the single for France, Portugal, and Spain, Australia saw the promotion of a small box set containing promotional singles such as "Aneurysm," "Heart-Shaped Box," and "Polly." 

The album was a success, becoming the band's third consecutive release to debut at number one on the Billboard 200. Critics described the atmosphere as emotional and visceral—simultaneously furious and liberating—capturing the band in its most authentic and natural state: smashing instruments and acting with irreverence. Despite ritics often drew a comparison: if the "Unplugged" album was meant to soothe the spirit and evoke reflection, this record served as a reminder of the band at its rawest—fueled by fury, grit, and pure rock and roll. It stands, without a doubt, as one of the final testaments to the band's global significance and its role in defining the generational shift of the 1990s.

 

From The Muddy Banks Of The Wishkah Track List: 

 

1. Intro (Live at London Astoria, UK, December 3, 1989)

2. School (Live In Amsterdam at Paradiso, November 25, 1991)

3. Drain You (Live at Del Mar Fairgrounds, CA., December 28, 1991) 

4. Aneurysm (Live at Del Mar Fairgrounds, CA., Decemeber 28, 1991)

5. Smells Like Teen Spirit (Live at Del Mar Fairgrounds, CA., Decemeber 28, 1991)

6. Been A Son (Live in Amsterdan at Paradiso, November 25, 1991)

7. Lithium (Live in Amsterdam at Paradiso, November 25m 1991) 

8. Sliver (Live in Springfield, MA., November 19, 1993)

9. Spank Thru (Live in Rome, Italy, November 18, 1991)

10. Scentless Apprentice (Live In Seattle, WA, December 13, 1993)

11. Heart-Shaped Box (Live In Los Angeles, CA, December 30, 1993 

12. Milk It (Live In Seattle, WA., January 5, 1994)

13. Negative Creep (Live In Seattle, WA., October 31, 1991)

14. Polly (Live at London Astoria, UK., December 3, 1989)

15. Breed (Live at London Astoria, UK., December 3, 1989)

16. Tourette's (Live at Reading Festival., UK, August 30, 1992)

17. Blew (Live In Amsterdam at Paradiso, November 25, 1991)

Rocktrospectiva: The Accomplished "Head Carrier" Turns 10

 

Released on 30 September 2016, "Head Carrier" was the sixth studio album by the US alternative rock band the Pixies. Produced by Tom Dalgety, and recorded at RAK Studios in London, the album is the first to feature new band member Paz Lenchantin on bass guitar, who joined the band in 2014 to tour in support of its previous album, Indie Cindy. The album spawned the singles "Um Chagga Lagga", "Tenement Song", "Classic Masher", & "Bel Sprit" The album's title references a cephalophore, a saint carrying his own head, more specifically St. Denis of Paris.

 

Production began in late 2015 with producer Tom Dalgety, who replaced Gil Norton (the producer behind the band's four previous albums). This era featured Lenchantin’s full-time collaboration, as she stepped into the role vacated by Kim Deal, who had officially left the band in 2013. 

 

In fact, the new bassist is credited with the track "All I Think About Now," a song written as a tribute to Kim Deal. For many, the new album carried an air of redemption; the material was more polished and conceptual, overcoming Deal's departure and embracing new directions with the arrival of Lenchantin, they delivered a record that stood as their best effort to recapture their former glory—a modernized take on their classic sound (or a "recycling" of it, as some put it). Starting with the heavy "Um Chagga Lagga," which harkened back to the band's late-80s era—a vibe even more evident in "Bel Espirit" and—for this writer—the set's standout track, "Classic Masher," which captured the band's signature classic style. Nor were the eccentric tracks courtesy of Black Francis left out; "Baal's Back," for instance, was raw and quintessentially the band, filled with screams and frenetic sounds. "Tenement Song" was another fine example, as was "All I Think About Now"—a track that, despite its saccharine tone, served, as previously mentioned, as a farewell letter to the great Kim Deal. 

 

At the time of its released, the album was undoubtedly considered one of their most accomplished albums, featuring fresh ideas and a new sound courtesy of their new bassist. It recaptured at least some of the band's lost magic and dynamic, clearly demonstrating—even five years ago—the dedicated effort put in by every member. 

 

Head Carrier Track List: 

 

1. Head Carrier

2. Classic Masher

3. Baal's Back

4. Might As Well Be Gone

5. Oona

6. Talent

7. Tenement Song

8. Bel Spirit

9. All I Think About Now

10. Um Chagga Lagga

11. Plaster Of Paris

12. All The Saints

 

 

 

Rocktrospectiva: The Accessible And Danceable "Stars" Turns 35

 

Released on 30 September 1991, "Stars" was the 4th., studio album by British-based pop/soul/jazz band Simply Red. Five singles were released from the album, "Something Got Me Started", "Thrill Me" "Your Mirror" and including the UK top ten hits "Stars" and "For Your Babies". The album was a worldwide success, particularly in the band's home country where it has been certified twelve times platinum and was the best-selling album of the year in the UK for both 1991 and 1992. The album was on the shortlist of nominees for the 1992 Mercury Prize.  

 

Interestingly, the recording process did not get off to a good start. Recording for the album originally began in Paris in August 1990, but the initial sessions did not go well: the equipment in the studio did not live up to expectations, and with the Gulf War having just started and dominating television news reports, the band found the atmosphere in the bunker-like studios oppressive and not conducive to making music. The group moved to the more relaxed surroundings of Venice to resume recording in the Condulmer Studios.

 

Hucknall’s directive was to create an album that was less electronic and more soul-oriented; consequently, Gota—known for his work with Soul II Soul—became a top choice. The opportunity arose after Hucknall heard him playing drums one night in Venice; Hucknall was impressed to discover that Gota was an accomplished drummer and subsequently hired him as the band's full-time drummer following the recording sessions. 

 

The work began on pre-written tracks such as "Stars" and the brilliant "Something Got Me Started," while the song "Thrill Me" was built around a riff created by McIntyre. Reflecting the political climate of the time, Hucknall wrote "Wonderland" to express his dissatisfaction with the conservative administration then governing the United Kingdom. 

 

The album was not without controversy regarding its cover art; Hucknall wanted to be photographed wearing only a tunic he had bought in Spain, leaving his bare legs exposed. Zanna, the photographer, presented the image to EastWest Records, where concerns arose that it might offend sensibilities in the United States. As a result, Zanna digitally retouched the photo, replacing Hucknall's bare legs with an image of her assistant's legs clad in jeans. 

 

Critical reception was mixed, with the album often described as merely average—featuring acceptable, easy-listening tracks. The sound was simultaneously relaxing, cohesive, and refreshing, with standout songs like "Thrill Me" and "For Your Babies" (the latter becoming a hit in the UK). Ultimately, the album could be considered Simply Red's most accessible and danceable work to date. 

 

Stars Track List:

 

1. Something Got Me Started

2. Stars

3. Thrill Me

4. Your Mirror

5. She's Got It Bad

6. For Your Babies

7. Model

8. How Could I Fall

9. Freedom

10. Wonderland.