The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken
The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken is the thirteenth studio album by REO Speedwagon, and was released in 1990.
| The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() Original album artwork by Mark Ryden | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | August 1990 | |||
| Recorded | September 3, 1989 - May 31, 1990 | |||
| Studio | Ocean Way Recording (Hollywood, California) One On One Studios (North Hollywood, California) Encore Studios (Burbank, California) | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length | 46:26 | |||
| Label | Epic | |||
| Producer | Kevin Cronin, Jesse Harms, Tom Lord-Alge, Jim Scott | |||
| REO Speedwagon chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Entertainment Weekly | C+[1] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | |
| Select | |
It marked the end of their contract with Epic Records and is, to date, the last REO album to chart, peaking at No. 129 on the Billboard 200.[4] The song "Love Is a Rock" reached No. 65 on Billboard's Hot 100, and "Live It Up" reached No. 6 on Billboard's Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks. "Go For Broke" was written for the film Days of Thunder but ultimately not used.
Following the departure of two long-time members, guitarist and songwriter Gary Richrath and drummer Alan Gratzer, more than half of the songs on this album were written or co-written by keyboardist Jesse Harms. It is also the first album to include guitarist Dave Amato and drummer Bryan Hitt who remain with the band as of 2023.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Love Is a Rock" | Kevin Cronin | 5:36 |
| 2. | "The Heart Survives" | Cronin, Jesse Harms | 4:50 |
| 3. | "Live It Up" | Harms | 4:00 |
| 4. | "All Heaven Broke Loose" | Neal Doughty, Adrian Gurvitz, Harms | 4:11 |
| 5. | "Love in the Future" | Cronin, Tom Kelly | 4:32 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6. | "Half Way" | Cronin, Harms, Mark Spiro | 4:17 |
| 7. | "Love to Hate" | Harms | 4:09 |
| 8. | "You Won't See Me" | Cronin | 3:21 |
| 9. | "Can't Lie to My Heart" | Cronin, Diane Warren | 4:40 |
| 10. | "L.I.A.R." | Dave Amato, Cronin, Doughty, Bruce Hall, Bryan Hitt | 3:09 |
| 11. | "Go for Broke" | Amato, Cronin, Hall, Harms | 3:28 |
Personnel
REO Speedwagon[5]
- Kevin Cronin – lead vocals, acoustic guitar
- Dave Amato – lead guitars, backing vocals
- Neal Doughty – organ
- Bruce Hall – bass
- Bryan Hitt – drums, percussion
Additional performers
- Jesse Harms – keyboards, backing vocals
- Steve Forman – percussion
- Debra Dobkin – backing vocals
- Beth Hooker – backing vocals
- Darlene Koldenhoven – backing vocals
- Janis Liebhart – backing vocals
- Andrea Robinson – backing vocals
- Machan Taylor – backing vocals
- Terry Wood – backing vocals
Production
- Kevin Cronin – producer
- Jesse Harms – producer
- Tom Lord-Alge – producer, recording (3-11), mixing
- Jim Scott – producer (1, 2), recording (1, 2)
- Julie Last – assistant engineer (1, 2)
- Steve Gallagher – assistant engineer (3-11)
- Mike Tacci – assistant engineer (3-11)
- Ted Jensen – mastering at Sterling Sound (New York City, New York).
- David Coleman – art direction, design
- Mark Ryden – illustration
- Dennis Keeley – photography
Charts
Album
|
Singles
|
Release history
| Region | Date | Label | Format | Catalog # |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | August 1990 | Epic Records | Stereo Vinyl | E-45246 |
| USA | 1990 | Epic Records | Tape | ET-45246 |
| USA | 1990 | Epic Records | CD | EK45246 |
References
- "The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
- The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 586.
- Marlowe, Chris (October 1990). "REO Speedwagon: The Earth, A Small Man, His Dog & A Chicken". Select. No. 4. p. 113.
- Whitburn, Joel (2011). Top Pop Albums (Seventh ed.). Record Research. ISBN 978-0-89820-183-3.
- REO Speedwagon — The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken. Sony Music Entertainment. 1990. p. 3.
- "Swisscharts.com – REO Speedwagon – The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken". Hung Medien. Retrieved July, 8 2023.
- "REO Speedwagon Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July, 8 2023.
- "Artist Chart History – REO Speedwagon". Billboard charts. Retrieved 2016-10-07.
- "Song artist 610 - REO Speedwagon". TsorT. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
- "Top Singles – Volume 52, No. 19, September 22, 1990". RPM. September 22, 1990. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
