Libido Speedway
Libido Speedway is an album by Orbit, released in 1997 on A&M Records.[1][2] It won a Boston Music Award, for the best debut album of 1997.[3]
Libido Speedway | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | February 25, 1997 | |||
Genre | Alternative rock | |||
Length | 45:34 | |||
Label | A&M Records | |||
Producer | Ben Grosse, Orbit | |||
Orbit chronology | ||||
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The album's first single was "Medicine", which was a modern rock radio hit; the band had considered rewriting it after determining that it sounded too much like the Pixies.[4] Orbit supported the album by playing the second stage on select 1997 Lollapalooza dates.[5][6]
Production
The album was produced by Ben Grosse and the band.[7] Many of the songs were written by coming up with the bass line first.[8]
Critical reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [9] |
Chicago Tribune | [10] |
Daily Breeze | [11] |
San Antonio Express-News | [6] |
The Chicago Reader called "Medicine" a "memorable car-radio rocker."[12] The Chicago Tribune thought that "echo tracks and excessive vocal layering clutter an otherwise peppy, involving record."[10]
The Daily Breeze determined that "Orbit has the rare ability to juxtapose a ferocious instrumental attack with buzzing melodies and make it work."[11] The Omaha World-Herald deemed the album "crunchy, stripped-down rock that has a melodic aftertaste."[13]
AllMusic called the album "an entertaining collection of punk-pop and post-grunge power-pop, driven by fizzy melodies and fuzzy guitar riffs."[9]
Track listing
All songs written by Jeff Lowe Robbins, except where stated.
- "Yeah" – 2:35
- "Bicycle Song" – 5:33
- "Wake Up" – 3:50
- "Amp" – 2:43
- "Medicine" – 3:56
- "Rockets" – 4:17 (Buckley / Robbins)
- "Motorama" – 3:01
- "Nocturnal Autodrive" – 4:21
- "Why You Won't" – 3:46 (Brookner / Buckley / Robbins)
- "Carnival" – 3:25
- "Chapel Hill" – 1:41 (Brookner / Buckley / Robbins)
- "Paper Bag" – 4:44 (Buckley / Robbins)
- "Gazer" – 1:42
- "Untitled (Hidden Track)" – 3:04
Credits
- Jeff Lowe Robbins – vocals, guitars
- Paul Buckley – drums, vocals
- Wally Gagel – bass, vocals
- Produced by Ben Grosse (except "Motorama", produced by Orbit)
- Engineered by Grosse and Gagel (except "Motorama", engineered by Gagel)
- Mixed by Grosse (except "Motorama", mixed by Gagel)
- Mastered by Bob Ludwig
References
- "Orbit Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- "Rock relaunched - Music Features". thephoenix.com.
- McLennan, Scott (16 Jan 1998). "Cole, Crowns big winners in Boston". Telegram & Gazette. p. C3.
- Bambarger, Bradley (May 24, 1997). "The modern age". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 21. p. 95.
- Benedetti, Winda (7 Aug 1997). "BACK TO BASICS: AFTER LAST YEAR'S TIRED ALL-MALE ROCK BAND MISSTEP, LOLLAPALOOZA '97 LOADS UP WITH FRESHER ACTS IN HOPES OF KEEPING PACE WITH COPYCAT FESTIVALS". The Spokesman-Review. p. D3.
- Johnson, Robert (July 30, 1997). "Touring bands flying in under the radar worth hearing out". San Antonio Express-News. p. 2G.
- Morse, Steve (19 Dec 1997). "Orbit hits the fast track with new 'Libido Speedway'". The Boston Globe. p. E18.
- Farinella, David (March 30, 1997). "No more going in circles for Orbit". Chicago Sun-Times. Showcase. p. 13.
- "Libido Speedway - Orbit | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- Stewart, Allison (28 Mar 1997). "Album reviews". Chicago Tribune. Friday. p. 7.
- Gnerre, Sam (March 21, 1997). "Orbit, 'Libido Speedway'". Daily Breeze. p. K18.
- Youngwerth, Frank (April 3, 1997). "Spot Check". Chicago Reader.
- Minge, Jim (June 25, 1997). "Critic's Choice". Omaha World-Herald. Living Today. p. 48.