Book of Days (The Psychedelic Furs album)
1989 studio album by the Psychedelic Furs
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Book of Days is the sixth studio album by the English rock band the Psychedelic Furs, released in October 1989 by Columbia Records.[1] It reached No. 74 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 138 on the US Billboard 200.[2][3]
| Book of Days | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | October 1989 | |||
| Recorded | Rak, London, May–July 1989 | |||
| Genre | Alternative rock | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Producer |
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| The Psychedelic Furs chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Book of Days | ||||
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Two singles were released from the album, "Should God Forget" and "House", which peaked at No. 8 and No. 1, respectively, on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.[4] "House" also reached No. 90 in the UK Singles Chart.
Production
The album was coproduced by David M. Allen.[5] It marked the return of original bandmember Vince Ely.[6]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [7] |
| Christgau's Record Guide | C+[8] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [9] |
| The Great Rock Discography | 4/10[10] |
| Melody Maker | favourable[11] |
| MusicHound Rock | [12] |
| NME | 7/10[13] |
| Record Mirror | 4.5/5[14] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [15] |
| Spin Alternative Record Guide | 5/10[16] |
The St. Petersburg Times noted that "the Furs often sound downright metallic, kicking out churning, noisome arrangements and hard-rock riffs."[17] The Boston Globe deemed the album "dense, murky, agitated, hauntingly pretty and lush in places, generally caustic."[5] The Toronto Star determined that the album "merits the attention of longtime fans, if only for the raw, anxious intensity that has sprung anew in Richard Butler's doom-laden voice."[18]
The Spin Alternative Record Guide panned David M. Allen's "muddy mix," writing that "Butler's voice has never come across so biteless and small."[16]
Track listing
All lyrics written by Richard Butler; all music composed by the Psychedelic Furs.
- "Shine" - 4:03
- "Entertain Me" - 5:00
- "Book of Days" - 5:11
- "Should God Forget" - 4:21
- "Torch" - 4:49
- "Parade" - 4:45
- "Mother-Son" - 4:07
- "House" - 5:12
- "Wedding" - 4:19
- "I Don't Mine" - 3:15
Personnel
- The Psychedelic Furs
- Richard Butler - vocals
- Tim Butler - bass guitar
- John Ashton - guitar
- Vince Ely - drums
- Additional personnel
- Anthony Thistlethwaite
- Emily Burridge
- Gena Dry
- Jem Finer
- Joe McGinty - keyboards
- John Hymas
- Knox Chandler - guitar
- Technical
- Roy Spong - engineer
- Allan D. Martin, Richard Butler - cover design
- Allan D. Martin, Peter Robathan - photography
Charts
| Chart (1989/90) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA Charts)[19] | 114 |
| UK Albums Chart[2] | 74 |
| U.S. Billboard 200[3] | 138 |