SPACEHOG - CHINESE ALBUM Vinyl LP

The second (1998) release from the British expat group Spacehog,The Chinese Albumwas originally conceived as the soundtrack for a movie calledMungo City;the movie never got made but thankfully the album retained the glam/power pop song by the same name (which, in a just universe, would have been a big hit)!

This record never really got its due, partly because the band took three years to follow up on the success of their debut albumResident Alienand its hit "In the Meantime". ButThe Chinese Album,in many ways, is a much more fully-realized work than its predecessor; instead of merely playing at being a glam-rock band, Spacehog here crafts a fully-realized sound and aesthetic, with nods to such artists as Queen, Badfinger, The Kinks, and even R.E.M. (Michael Stipe makes an appearance on the mellow "Almond Kisses"). And the songwriting (e.g. "Lucy's Shoe") is consistently strong, makingThe Chinese Albumone of the late '90s' great lost records.

A pink vinyl pressing.

Tracks:

Side One

1. One of These Days
2. Goodbye Violet Race
3. Lucy's Shoe
4. Mungo City
5. Skylark
6. Sand in Your Eyes

Side Two

1. Captain Freeman
2. 2nd Avenue
3. Almond Kisses
4. Carry On
5. Anonymous
6. Beautiful Girl

Label: Real Gone Music