Answer the Phone, Dummy is an album by the American band Fastbacks, released in 1994.[2][3] The band supported the album with a North American tour.[4]
| Answer the Phone, Dummy | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1994 | |||
| Genre | Alternative pop | |||
| Label | Sub Pop[1] | |||
| Producer | Kurt Bloch | |||
| Fastbacks chronology | ||||
| ||||
Production
editThe album was produced by Kurt Bloch, who also wrote the songs. For the first time in their career, Fastbacks were able to record an album in a single studio, from beginning to end.[5] The band used six different drummers during the recording sessions for Answer the Phone, Dummy.[6]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [7] |
| Chicago Tribune |  [8] |
| Daily Breeze | [9] |
| MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide | [10] |
| Spin Alternative Record Guide | 7/10[11] |
Trouser Press wrote that, "between the ganged-up female vocals and the raggedy, surging electric sound, the Fastbacks here resemble a looser-limbed Breeders."[12] Greil Marcus, in Artforum, thought that, "as always, the smallest incidents of memory or present-day this-’n’-that rush forward with a sense of fate and consequence, practical joke and tragedy, puzzlement and wonder."[13] The Chicago Tribune stated that "bassist Kim Warnick and guitarist Lulu Gargiulo are the primary vocalists, and they bring a diehard optimism to even Bloch's most plaintive laments ... Fastbacks deliver fashion-resistant songcraft straight out of the Buzzcocks/Ramones school of pop thrills."[8]
The Times Colonist called the album "an off-centre, modern pop song cycle that is barbed with lyrical and sonic hooks," writing that "Warnick and Gargiulo's garage sale harmonies have an unpretentious, cheesy charm."[14] The Vancouver Sun determined that, "with thrash, crash and some careful guitar musicianship, the band plays solid 'alternative' fare with a healthy dose of humor."[15] The Daily Breeze concluded that "the band has found ways to upgrade its musical proficiency while losing none of its freshness."[9]
AllMusic wrote that, "while Kurt Bloch wrote a batch of great tunes (as usual), this set lacks a certain aural cohesion the pacing is inconsistent, with the album sometimes struggling to maintain a steady momentum."[7]
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Kurt Bloch
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Waste of Time" | |
| 2. | "On the Wall" | |
| 3. | "Went for a Swim" | |
| 4. | "Old Address of the Unknown" | |
| 5. | "Back to Nowhere" | |
| 6. | "BRD 'Coated'" | |
| 7. | "I Found the Star" | |
| 8. | "And You" | |
| 9. | "On Your Hands" | |
| 10. | "I'm Cold" | |
| 11. | "T.H.I.N.K." | |
| 12. | "In the Observatory" | |
| 13. | "Trumpets Are Loud" | |
| 14. | "Meet the Author" | |
| 15. | "Future Right" |
References
edit- ^ Cooper, Kim; Smay, David (July 8, 2005). Lost in the Grooves: Scram's Capricious Guide to the Music You Missed. Routledge. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
- ^ Weisbard, Eric (Feb 1995). "Spins". Spin. Vol. 10, no. 11. p. 78.
- ^ Cogan, Brian (2006). Encyclopedia of Punk Music and Culture. Bloomsbury Academic. p. 73.
- ^ Norman, Tony (24 Feb 1995). "Seattle Speed". Arts & Entertainment. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 16.
- ^ "Fastbacks Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2021-10-28. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
- ^ Phalen, Tom (October 28, 1994). "Ace of Clubs". The Seattle Times. p. H9.
- ^ a b "Answer the Phone Dummy". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2021-10-28. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
- ^ a b Kot, Greg (2 Mar 1995). "Recordings". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 8.
- ^ a b "Rock". Daily Breeze. November 11, 1994. p. K30.
- ^ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 416.
- ^ Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. 1995. pp. 144–145.
- ^ "Fastbacks". Trouser Press. Archived from the original on 27 October 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
- ^ "Greil Marcus". Artforum. Archived from the original on 2021-10-28. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
- ^ Blake, Joseph (10 Nov 1994). "Answer the Phone, Dummy The Fastbacks". News. Times Colonist. p. 1.
- ^ Monk, Katherine (8 Dec 1994). "Recordings". Vancouver Sun. p. C8.