Babble
Studio album by
That Petrol Emotion
Released1987
StudioJam Studios, London N4
Livingston Studios, Wood Green, London
GenrePost-punk
LabelPolydor
ProducerRoli Mosimann
That Petrol Emotion chronology
Manic Pop Thrill
(1986) 		Babble
(1987) 		End of the Millennium Psychosis Blues
(1988)

Babble is the second album by the Northern Irish band That Petrol Emotion, released in 1987.[1][2] The album was re-released in 2001 and in 2010.[3] It peaked at No. 30 in the UK.[4] The band supported the album with a North American tour.[5]

Production

The album was produced by Roli Mosimann.[6] The liner notes include an essay about the Prevention of Terrorism Acts.[7] Singer Steve Mack was influenced by the Isley Brothers, who melded political messages to danceable music.[8]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[9]
Robert ChristgauA−[10]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[11]
The Gazette7.8/10[12]
Los Angeles Daily NewsA[13]
Los Angeles Times[14]
The Philadelphia Inquirer[15]
Record Collector[3]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[16]

The New York Times wrote: "Guitar riffs like corkscrews, like barbed wire, like punching bags and like trampolines animate the music of That Petrol Emotion, a five-man Irish band with a fiercely defiant streak."[17] The Philadelphia Inquirer noted that the "abrasiveness is held in check by strong guitar playing and clear melodies."[15] The Vancouver Sun called "Big Decision" "one of the year's great singles."[18]

The Los Angeles Times determined that, "though characterized by stun guitar, howling vocals and brutal beats, the album always keeps you on your toes with an eclectic though unrefined array of styles."[14] The Washington Post deemed it "a fierce yet tuneful postpunk landmark."[19] The Gazette concluded that "this is about being alive in Northern Ireland, and it's no day on the beach... Bracing stuff."[12] The Windsor Star listed it among the best albums of 1987.[20]

MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide praised the "smart, angry songs" and "eclectic sound."[21]

Track listing

No.TitleWritten byLength
1."Swamp"John O'Neill3:20
2."Spin Cycle"Steve Mack2:05
3."For What It's Worth"Damian O'Neill, Réamann Ó'Gorman3:56
4."Big Decision"John O'Neill2:41
5."Static"Damian O'Neill3:34
6."Split!"Ciaran McLaughlin1:37
7."Belly Bugs"That Petrol Emotion2:42
8."In the Playpen"Ciaran McLaughlin2:31
9."Inside"John O'Neill, Réamann O'Gorman4:11
10."Chester Burnette"Sean O'Neill2:41
11."Creeping to the Cross"Ciaran McLaughlin4:37
2001 Polydor CD remastered bonus tracks also available on downloads
No.TitleWritten byLength
12."Big Decision" (Extended version)John O'Neill4:38
13."Swamp" (Extended remix)Sean O'Neill4:00
14."Creeping to the Cross" (7 inch edit)Ciaran McLaughlin2:46
15."Soul Deep" (B-side)John O'Neill3:07
16."Dance Your Ass Off" (B-side)Hamilton Bohannon3:08

Personnel

That Petrol Emotion

References

  1. ^ Wenner, Cheryl (25 July 1987). "Combustible Material". The Morning Call. p. A59.
  2. ^ Tannenbaum, Rob (24 September 1987). "Records: Babble". Rolling Stone. No. 509. p. 130.
  3. ^ a b "Babble That Petrol Emotion". Record Collector. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  4. ^ "That Petrol Emotion". Official Charts. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  5. ^ Popson, Tom (6 November 1987). "That Petrol Emotion Recalling the Pop Scene in Northern Ireland". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. 50.
  6. ^ "That Petrol Emotion". Trouser Press. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  7. ^ Dafoe, Chris (30 October 1987). "Riff Rap". The Globe and Mail. p. D11.
  8. ^ Savage, Jon (September 1987). "Emotional Rescue". Spin. 3 (6): 20.
  9. ^ Babble at AllMusic
  10. ^ Christgau, Robert. "That Petrol Emotion". Robert Christgau.
  11. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 8. MUZE. pp. 110–111.
  12. ^ a b Griffin, John (30 July 1987). "That Petrol Emotion – Babble". The Gazette. p. C9.
  13. ^ Rosen, Craig (31 July 1987). "Sound Check". Los Angeles Daily News. p. L35.
  14. ^ a b Hochman, Steve (26 July 1987). "'Babble' – A Bazooka". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 77.
  15. ^ a b Tucker, Ken (19 July 1987). "That Petrol Emotion, Babble". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. K3.
  16. ^ The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 700.
  17. ^ Pareles, Jon (12 July 1987). "Recordings". The New York Times. p. A23.
  18. ^ Mackie, John (25 July 1987). "That Petrol Emotion: Babble". Vancouver Sun. p. D6.
  19. ^ Jenkins, Mark (29 July 1987). "The Punk Patriarchs: The Cure, Siouxsie and Petrol: Old & New Waves". The Washington Post. p. D7.
  20. ^ Shaw, Ted (31 December 1987). "Year in Review". Windsor Star. p. B6.
  21. ^ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 1136.
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