Candleland is the debut solo album by the English musician Ian McCulloch.[1] It was released 17 September 1989. The album marked McCulloch's departure from Echo & the Bunnymen, in 1989. It features a guest appearance by the Cocteau Twins' Elizabeth Fraser on the title song. The producer, and McCulloch's main musical collaborator on the album, was the producer, programmer, multi-instrumentalist, composer and vocalist Ray Shulman, bassist and main co-writer for 1970s progressive rock group Gentle Giant.[2] The album reached number 18 on the UK Albums Chart and number 179 on the Billboard 200.[3][4]
| Candleland | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 17 September 1989 | |||
| Recorded | Early 1989 | |||
| Studio | The Church, Orinoco and Tower Bridge Studios, London; The Grande Armée, Paris | |||
| Genre | Alternative rock | |||
| Length | 41:45 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer | Ray Shulman | |||
| Ian McCulloch chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Candleland | ||||
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Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [5] |
| Chicago Tribune |  [6] |
The Chicago Tribune noted that "the new material is even more brooding and self-reflective than usual".[6]
Track listing
editAll tracks written by Ian McCulloch.
- "The Flickering Wall" – 3:35
- "The White Hotel" – 3:15
- "Proud to Fall" – 3:57
- "The Cape" – 4:09
- "Candleland" – 3:18
- "Horse's Head" – 4:47
- "Faith and Healing" – 4:36
- "I Know You Well" – 4:06
- "In Bloom" – 5:02
- "Start Again" – 5:00
Personnel
edit- Ian McCulloch – vocals, guitar
- Ray Shulman – bass, keyboards, producer, programming
- Boris Williams – drums on "The White Hotel" and "Proud to Fall"
- Mike Jobson – bass on "The Flickering Wall" and "The White Hotel"
- Elizabeth Fraser – backing vocals on "Candleland"
- Dave Bascombe – remix on "Candleland"
- Billy McGee – string arrangement on "Horse's Head"
- Olle Romo – programming on "Horse's Head" and "Start Again"
- Henry Priestman – string arrangement on "I Know You Well"
References
edit- ^ Mico, Ted (23 September 1989). "Albums: Edge of Darkness". Melody Maker. Vol. 65, no. 38. p. 33.
- ^ "Ian McCulloch". Trouser Press.
- ^ Roberts, David, ed. (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). HIT Entertainment. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ "Ian McCulloch". Billboard. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ AllMusic review
- ^ a b Kot, Greg (21 December 1989). "Ian McCulloch Candleland". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 13.