Tenterhooks is the third album by the American musician Chris Mars, released in 1995.[2][3] Its title comes from the tenterhooks used to stretch cloth.
| Tenterhooks | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1995 | |||
| Length | 42:36 | |||
| Label | Bar/None[1] | |||
| Producer | Chris Mars | |||
| Chris Mars chronology | ||||
| ||||
Mars chose not to tour in support of the album; instead, a band named the Wallmen promoted it, placing a cardboard model of Mars onstage.[4]
Production
editProduced by Mars, the album was recorded in his living room.[5][6] Mars's deal with Bar/None provided him with digital recording equipment.[7] Mars created the album artwork.[8]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [9] |
| Entertainment Weekly | B−[10] |
| Rolling Stone |  [11] |
Trouser Press noted the "new-found fascination with an odd amalgamation of styles that run from rap and jazz to disco and Midwestern surf-rock—complete with kettle drums, strings and found sounds."[6] Entertainment Weekly deemed the album "twisted, stylized, and strained, a concoction of decadent cocktail music."[10]
Stereo Review called it "left-field, eclectic Brit-styled pop."[12] Rolling Stone likened Mars's voice to that of Ray Davies.[11] The Toronto Sun considered "White Patty Rap" to be "a contender for party song of the year."[13]
AllMusic wrote: "As was evident on his first two releases, Mars has a distinctive voice, but the appeal of his vocals is limited, and it's likely only hardcore fans of his old band, the Replacements, would be willing to submit to it."[9]
Track listing
edit- "White Patty Rap"
- "Forkless Tree"
- "Mary"
- "Lizard Brain"
- "Hate It"
- "Brother Song"
- "Water Biscuits"
- "E.I.B. Negative"
- "Haunted Town"
- "Floater"
- "Cadaver Dogs"
- "New Day"
References
edit- ^ Gilstrap, Peter. "DESTINATION MARSWELCOME TO THE WORLD OF CHRIS MARS--ARTIST/SONGWRITER/PET OWNER". Phoenix New Times.
- ^ "Chris Mars Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- ^ Thompson, Dave (June 17, 2000). "Alternative Rock". Hal Leonard Corporation – via Google Books.
- ^ Mirkin, Steven (Apr 8, 1995). "Mars sinks 'Hooks' into own studio on Bar/None debut". Billboard. 107 (14): 12.
- ^ "Record Reviews". www.austinchronicle.com.
- ^ a b "Chris Mars". Trouser Press. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
- ^ Gladstone, Eric (May 1995). "Reviews". CMJ New Music Monthly (21): 36.
- ^ Riefe, Stephanie (11 May 1995). "TENTERHOOKS Chris Mars". Calendar. Hartford Courant. p. 4.
- ^ a b "Chris Mars Tenterhooks Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ a b "Tenterhooks". EW.com.
- ^ a b "CHRIS MARS: Tenterhooks". News & Record. Rolling Stone. March 3, 1995. p. W13.
- ^ Nash, Alanna (Jun 1995). "Popular music — Tenterhooks by Chris Mars". Stereo Review. 60 (6): 79.
- ^ Sakamoto, John (May 16, 1995). "ANTI-HIT LIST". Entertainment. Toronto Sun. p. 55.