Points on the Curve
1984 studio album by Wang Chung
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Points on the Curve is the second studio album by the English new wave band Wang Chung, released in February 1984 by Geffen Records.[4][5]
| Points on the Curve | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | February 1984 (US) March 1984 (UK)[1] | |||
| Recorded | 1983 | |||
| Studio | Abbey Road (London) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 43:15 | |||
| Label | Geffen | |||
| Producer | ||||
| Wang Chung chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Points on the Curve | ||||
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Background
Points on the Curve is Wang Chung's first studio album since changing their name from Huang Chung and switching from Arista to Geffen Records. It reached No. 34 on the UK Albums Chart on 21 April 1984 and No. 30 on the Billboard 200 chart on 14 July 1984. The album features the No. 1 dance single "Dance Hall Days" and includes the hit singles: "Don't Let Go", "Don't Be My Enemy" and "Wait". The album cover was designed, and featured art direction by Barney Bubbles, who had died the year before this album was released.
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [6] |
| The Philadelphia Inquirer | [7] |
| Smash Hits | 5/10[8] |
The Philadelphia Inquirer deemed the band "mean-spirited fops."[7] The Daily Breeze called the album "a collection of fairly standard, English dance numbers."[9] By contrast, in a retrospective review for AllMusic, Kelvin Hayes wrote that "although the sound is a little dated, its craftsmanship still holds true."[10]
Track listing
Original UK LP track listing
All tracks are written by Jack Hues, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Don't Let Go" |
| 4:20 |
| 2. | "Dance Hall Days" |
| 3:49 |
| 3. | "True Love" |
| 3:51 |
| 4. | "Devoted Friends" | 4:08 | |
| 5. | "Talk It Out" |
| 4:52 |
| Total length: | 21:00 | ||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Even If You Dream" |
| 4:06 |
| 2. | "Don't Be My Enemy" |
| 4:18 |
| 3. | "The Waves" |
| 4:17 |
| 4. | "Look at Me Now" | 4:26 | |
| 5. | "Wait" | 5:46 | |
| Total length: | 22:52 | ||
Track listing on most CDs, cassettes, and LPs from other regions
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Dance Hall Days" |
| 3:58 |
| 2. | "Wait" | 4:22 | |
| 3. | "True Love" |
| 3:51 |
| 4. | "The Waves" |
| 4:26 |
| 5. | "Look at Me Now" | 4:36 | |
| 6. | "Don't Let Go" |
| 4:21 |
| 7. | "Even If You Dream" |
| 4:08 |
| 8. | "Don't Be My Enemy" |
| 4:24 |
| 9. | "Devoted Friends" | 4:07 | |
| 10. | "Talk It Out" |
| 4:48 |
| Total length: | 43:01 | ||
Personnel
Credits are adapted from the Points on the Curve liner notes.[11]
Wang Chung
- Nick Feldman – bass guitar, keyboards, guitar, vocals
- Jack Hues – lead vocals, keyboards, guitar
- Darren Costin – drums, percussion, keyboards, vocals
Additional musicians
- Mel Collins – saxophone
- Chris Hughes – rhythm, sequence, and computer programming
- Paul Ridout – MC4 programming
Technical
- Chris Hughes – producer, engineer
- Ross Cullum – producer, engineer
- Mark McGuire – assistant engineer
- Greg Fulginiti – original mastering
- Barney Bubbles – design, art director
- Brian Griffin – front cover photograph
- Paul Cox – back cover photograph
- Ronn Spencer – hand tinting
- Mark Ryder – black & white photographs
Chart performance
Weekly charts
| Chart (1984) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[12] | 56 |
| US Billboard 200 | 30 |
| UK Top 75 Albums | 34 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1984) | Rank |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 59 |