Infrared Riding Hood is the fourth and final studio album by the American rock band Tad, released in 1995 on EastWest/Elektra Records.[1][2][3][4] It was the follow-up to their major label debut, Inhaler.[5]

Infrared Riding Hood
Studio album by
ReleasedApril 11, 1995
StudioRobert Lang (Seattle, Washington)
GenreGrunge, alternative metal
Length58:32
LabelEast West/Elektra
ProducerJack Endino
Tad chronology
Inhaler
(1993)
Infrared Riding Hood
(1995)

Production

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The album was produced by Jack Endino.[6] Due to the departure of founding guitarist Gary Thorstensen, frontman Tad Doyle played all of the guitar parts.[7]

The cover of the album is an "electron micrograph under a blue bleed", as stated by bassist Kurt Danielson. "In an odd way, the image seemed appropriate to the album name."[citation needed]

Release

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Despite enthusiasm and hopes for a long-awaited commercial breakthrough, their A&R representative was fired, and within one week, all of her bands, including Tad, were dropped from the label.[8] It was the second time in three years that Tad had been dropped by a major label.[9]

The album sold poorly, having had very little promotion behind it.[10]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [11]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music     [12]

Trouser Press lamented "the sheer redundancy of skulk-fests like 'Bludge' and 'Thistle Suit'."[13] The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote that "the band maintains a big, boisterous sound full of metal-flavored guitar riffs and snarling vocals, with enough rocking, melodic hooks to snag a place on the edges of the alternative mainstream."[14]

Track listing

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  1. "Ictus" - 3:17
  2. "Bullhorn" - 3:17
  3. "Thistle Suit" - 4:51
  4. "Emotional Cockroach" - 3:46
  5. "Red Eye Angel" - 2:17
  6. "Bludge" - 2:35
  7. "Dementia" - 3:27
  8. "Weakling" - 3:28
  9. "Halcyon Nights" - 3:19
  10. "Particle Accelerator" - 3:25
  11. "Tool Marks" - 2:59
  12. "Mystery Copter" - 27:07 (there is about 10 minutes of blank recording from 7:17 to 17:17 in this track).
  13. "Obsidian Lights" - 2:38 (Japan-only bonus track)

Personnel

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  • Tad Doyle – vocals, guitar, keyboards
  • Kurt Danielson – bass
  • Josh Sinder – drums
  • Jack Endino – producer, engineering, mixing
  • John Agnello – mixing
  • Eddy Schyreyer – mastering

References

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  1. ^ "Tad | Biography & History". AllMusic.
  2. ^ Considine, J. D. "Tad is slimmer, more focused". baltimoresun.com.
  3. ^ "Tad Planning Two Grunge-Heavy Releases". Billboard.
  4. ^ Earles, Andrew (September 15, 2014). Gimme Indie Rock: 500 Essential American Underground Rock Albums 1981-1996. Voyageur Press. ISBN 9780760346488 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ SCULLEY, ALAN. "IN NEED OF A TAD MORE". dailypress.com.
  6. ^ "Tad's 'Infrared Riding Hood' Treated to Vinyl Reissue". exclaim.ca.
  7. ^ "Tad's New Album Best Work In Years | The Spokesman-Review". www.spokesman.com.
  8. ^ Chick, Stevie (November 5, 2009). Psychic Confusion: The Sonic Youth Story. Omnibus Press. ISBN 9780857120540 – via Google Books.
  9. ^ "The Majors Get Weird". SPIN. SPIN Media LLC. May 28, 2010 – via Google Books.
  10. ^ "TAD - Record Collector Magazine".
  11. ^ "Infrared Riding Hood - Tad". AllMusic.
  12. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 8. MUZE. p. 24.
  13. ^ "TrouserPress.com :: Tad". www.trouserpress.com.
  14. ^ "TAD/CLUTCH". The Philadelphia Inquirer: 27. July 7, 1995.