20th Century (John Sykes album)

20th Century is the third solo album by John Sykes, released in 1997. The record is a companion piece to Sykes' second solo album Loveland, released that same year. While Loveland was composed of all ballads, 20th Century features heavier material, more akin to Sykes' previous work with Blue Murder and Whitesnake. After releasing Loveland, Sykes felt he was perceived as having gone "soft" by audiences. As a response he decided to record 20th Century.[2] Sykes' goal with the album was to also have shorter and more "concise" songs, in a similar vein to Van Halen's first album.[3] The album's title was chosen because of the impending end of the 20th century.[4]

20th Century
Studio album by
Released1997
RecordedThe Bunker (Northridge)
Rumba Recorders (Canoga Park)[1]
GenreHard rock
Length38:10
LabelMercury Japan
ProducerJohn Sykes
John Sykes chronology
Loveland
(1997)
20th Century
(1997)
Chapter One
(1998)

Track listing

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All songs written and composed by John Sykes.[1]

No.TitleLength
1."Look in His Eyes"3:47
2."20th Century Heartache"3:58
3."I Get Around"2:56
4."2 Counts"4:27
5."Defcon 1"3:37
6."System Ain't Working"3:27
7."The Way You Kiss Me"3:17
8."Found What I Needed"3:35
9."Cautionary Warning"3:28
10."Touched by Evil"5:38
Total length:38:10

Personnel

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Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.[1]

Musicians

Additional musicians

  • Tommy O'Steen – drums (on "2 Counts")
  • Tommy Aldridge – drums (on "Look In His Eyes")
  • Bonnie Bonapart – drums (on "System Ain't Working" and "Found What I Needed")
  • Mars Lasar – keyboards

Production

  • John Sykes – production
  • Noel Golden – mixing
  • Jeff Robinette – additional mix engineering
  • Orris Henry – additional engineering
  • Eddy Schreyer – mastering

Artwork

  • William Hames – photography
  • John Sykes and Tami Fukatami – artwork concept
  • Masahiro Yamazaki and Ryota Mizuki – designs

References

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  1. ^ a b c 20th Century (booklet). John Sykes. Mercury Records. 1997. PHCR-1590.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. ^ "Interview with John Sykes, July 1999". Melodicrock.com. Archived from the original on 19 April 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  3. ^ "Interview with John Sykes". Itō Seisoku no Rock City (in Japanese). 1998. Television Kanagawa. Retrieved 24 January 2021 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ "Interview with John Sykes and Marco Mendoza". Bang Up Rock (in Japanese). 1997. Television Kanagawa. Retrieved 24 January 2021 – via YouTube.