Manic Compression is the second studio album by American post-hardcore band Quicksand. It was first released on February 24, 1995 on vinyl through Revelation Records, before being given a widespread CD release through Island Records on February 28, 1995.[8][9][10][11] The album influenced many post-hardcore and alternative metal bands.[12] It peaked at number 135 on the Billboard 200.[13]

Manic Compression
Studio album by
ReleasedFebruary 24, 1995 (1995-02-24)
Studio
Genre
Length38:26
45:04 (Japan)
LabelIsland
Producer
Quicksand chronology
Slip
(1993)
Manic Compression
(1995)
Interiors
(2017)
Singles from Manic Compression
  1. "Divorce"
    Released: 1994
  2. "Landmine Spring"
    Released: 1995
  3. "Thorn In My Side"
    Released: 1995
  4. "Delusional"
    Released: 1995
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal6/10[5]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[6]
Kerrang![7]

It was Quicksand's last studio album before their initial breakup, leading to a 22-year gap in output until the release of Interiors, in 2017.[14] In the meantime, a follow-up album was conceptualized during their brief 1997–1999 reunion, but it never materialized.[15]

A vinyl version of the album was released in early 2013 by Shop Radio Cast.[13] It incorrectly lists "Landmine Spring" as the first song on the B-side on the cover, when the song is the last song pressed on the A-side.

Critical reception

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The Encyclopedia of Popular Music called Manic Compression "another bracing collection of cerebral punk songs."[6] Trouser Press wrote that "producers Wharton Tiers ... and Don Fury condense the sonics considerably on tracks like the writhing 'Divorce' and the brittle 'Thorn in My Side.'"[3]

Track listing

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No.TitleLength
1."Backward"1:43
2."Delusional"4:05
3."Divorce"1:44
4."Simpleton"2:45
5."Skinny (It's Overflowing)"2:27
6."Thorn in My Side"2:37
7."Landmine Spring"3:21
8."Blister"2:30
9."Brown Gargantuan"4:04
10."East 3rd St."4:01
11."Supergenius"2:52
12."Shovel" (Japanese bonus track)3:07
13."Voice Killer" (Japanese bonus track)3:31
14."It Would Be Cooler If You Did"6:27
Total length:45:04

Personnel

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  • Quicksand
  • George Marino – mastering
  • Don Fury – production, mixing
  • Wharton Tiers – production
  • Melinda Beck – illustration
  • Joseph Cultice – photography
  • Satoru Igarashi – design

References

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  1. ^ Pell, Nicholas (July 3, 2012). "Top Five Best Post-Hardcore Records". LA Weekly. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  2. ^ "Top 20 Emo Albums in History: Complete List". LA Weekly. October 10, 2013. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Sprague, Deborah. "Quicksand". Trouser Press. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  4. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Manic Compression - Quicksand | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  5. ^ Popoff, Martin (2007). The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 3: The Nineties. Burlington, Ontario, Canada: Collector's Guide Publishing. p. 357. ISBN 978-1-894959-62-9.
  6. ^ a b Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 6. MUZE. p. 715.
  7. ^ Brannigan, Paul (April 15, 1995). "Albumz". Kerrang!. No. 541. EMAP. p. 47.
  8. ^ Rowe, Chris (December 7, 2000). "Manic Compression". quicksand.net. Archived from the original on March 5, 2001. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  9. ^ Blush, Steven (October 4, 2016). New York Rock: From the Rise of The Velvet Underground to the Fall of CBGB. St. Martin's Publishing Group. ISBN 978-1-25008-362-3 – via Google Books.
  10. ^ Prato, Greg. "Quicksand Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  11. ^ Modell, Josh (September 24, 2013). "Quicksand made two near-perfect records, then disappeared". The A.V. Club. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  12. ^ Harris, Chris (February 28, 2020). "Quicksand's "Manic Compression" Turns 25: Geoff Rickly and More Reflect on Album's Influence". Spin. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  13. ^ a b "QUICKSAND's 'Manic Compression' To Be Made Available On Colored Vinyl". Blabbermouth.net. January 16, 2013. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  14. ^ Maine, Samantha (August 22, 2017). "Quicksand announce new album – their first in 22 years". NME. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  15. ^ Sharpe-Young, Garry (December 26, 2005). New Wave of American Heavy Metal. Zonda Books Limited. ISBN 978-0-95826-840-0 – via Google Books.