Fun & Games is the third studio album by the American band the Connells, released in 1989.[1][2] It was recorded primarily at Fort Apache Studios, in Cambridge, MA, with additional recording at Studio 900 in New York City and Reflection Studio in Charlotte, NC.
| Fun & Games | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1989 | |||
| Recorded | 1988–89 | |||
| Studio | Fort Apache Studios, Cambridge, MA & Studio 900, NYC | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length | 45:20 | |||
| Label | TVT | |||
| Producer | Gary Smith, Anthony Battaglia, Matt Matthews, The Connells | |||
| The Connells chronology | ||||
| ||||
The album reached No. 163 on the Billboard 200; the single "Something to Say" reached No. 7 on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart.[3][4] The band supported the album with a North American tour.[5]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [6] |
| Chicago Tribune | [7] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [8] |
The Washington Post wrote: "Though less redolent of Celtic airs than the previous platter, Fun has a similar sweep, its melodies cascading gently over the Piedmont."[9] The Philadelphia Inquirer deemed the album "hooky, straightforward rock."[10] The Chicago Tribune called it "a musical blend that's both bucolic and brawny and possessed of some real presence, vitality and depth."[7]
Track listing
edit- "Something To Say" (Mike Connell) - 3:40
- "Fun & Games" (Connell, Doug MacMillan) - 3:06
- "Sal" (George Huntley, Mike Ayers, Peele Wimberley) - 3:44
- "Upside Down" (Connell) - 3:16
- "Fine Tuning" (Connell) - 3:19
- "Motel" (Huntley) - 3:40
- "Hey Wow" (Connell) - 4:17
- "Ten Pins" (Connell, Huntley, MacMillan) - 4:06
- "Inside My Head" (Huntley) - 3:12
- "Uninspired" (Connell, MacMillan) - 4:10
- "Sat Nite (USA)" (The Connells) - 3:47
- "Lay Me Down" (Huntley) - 5:03
"Fine Tuning" was a CD only bonus track.
Personnel
edit- The Connells
- Doug MacMillan - lead vocals
- Mike Connell - guitar, slide guitar
- George Huntley - guitar, backing vocals; lead vocals on "Sal", "Motel", "Ten Pins", "Inside my Head" and "Lay me Down"
- David Connell - bass, percussion
- Peele Wimberley - drums, percussion
- Additional personnel
- Willa Bassen - French horn sampler
- Deborah Coffman - cello
- Steve Haigler - bells
- Jeb Bishop - trombone
- Tom Gordon - saxophone
- Jon Thornton - trumpet
- Gary Smith - producer, piano, organ, guitar, slide guitar, vibes, backing vocals, "la la la's"
- Anthony Battaglia - producer, guitar, backing vocals
- Matt Matthews - producer
- Beth Cumber - cover illustration, design
References
edit- ^ Duffy, Thom (8 Jan 1989). "Best Patrol Bets". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 17.
- ^ Lester, Paul (Sep 23, 1989). "Albums: The Connells". Melody Maker. 65 (38): 35.
- ^ "The Connells". Retrieved 4 April 2016.
- ^ "The Connells". Retrieved 4 April 2016.
- ^ Aparicio, Nestor (26 Sep 1990). "Connells are succeeding with tours and timing". The Baltimore Sun. p. C10.
- ^ Fun & Games at AllMusic
- ^ a b Popson, Tom (7 Apr 1989). "Indie LPs: Guitar-pop, doo-wop, blues and more". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. G.
- ^ The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 158.
- ^ Jenkins, Mark (17 Mar 1989). "Brave New Worlds on Weeknights". The Washington Post. p. N23.
- ^ Moon, Tom (31 Mar 1989). "The Connells". Features Weekend. The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 24.