Jump to content

Internationalist (album): Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
How was it political?
Line 47: Line 47:
Collins and [[lead singer]] [[Bernard Fanning]] described the album as not being "as easy listening as their previous work", and that it contained numerous experiments in songwriting that they had not put into previous albums.<ref name=TakingFlight /> Fanning later described ''Internationalist'' as being "a better record" than ''[[Double Allergic]]'', but acknowledged that it was not as easily likeable - it was just an improvement in songwriting.<ref name=Glory /> Collins and Fanning acknowledged that the album's experimental nature could lose them some old fans, but the pair drew parallels with bands such as [[U2]], who had "constantly re-invented themselves, and with success, I think", according to Collins. He said the reinvention was as much for the band's own interest as it was for the "public's perception".<ref name=TakingFlight /> Meanwhile, [[guitarist]] [[Ian Haug]] described the album as a "moderation" between ''[[Parables for Wooden Ears]]'' ("the complicated beast") and ''Double Allergic'' ("totally simplified"), Powderfinger's two previous albums.<ref name=BeckoningFinger>{{cite news|title=The Beckoning Finger|publisher=''[[Juice (magazine)|Juice]]''|author=Watts, Benedict|date=November 1998|accessdate=2007-11-11}}</ref> He also agreed that the album was much more experimental, and described the album as the band's "most successful", as well as the album that best replicated "the sound we have live".<ref name=AI>{{cite news|title=Allergic Internationalists|publisher=hEARd online|date=1999|accessdate=2007-11-18}}</ref>
Collins and [[lead singer]] [[Bernard Fanning]] described the album as not being "as easy listening as their previous work", and that it contained numerous experiments in songwriting that they had not put into previous albums.<ref name=TakingFlight /> Fanning later described ''Internationalist'' as being "a better record" than ''[[Double Allergic]]'', but acknowledged that it was not as easily likeable - it was just an improvement in songwriting.<ref name=Glory /> Collins and Fanning acknowledged that the album's experimental nature could lose them some old fans, but the pair drew parallels with bands such as [[U2]], who had "constantly re-invented themselves, and with success, I think", according to Collins. He said the reinvention was as much for the band's own interest as it was for the "public's perception".<ref name=TakingFlight /> Meanwhile, [[guitarist]] [[Ian Haug]] described the album as a "moderation" between ''[[Parables for Wooden Ears]]'' ("the complicated beast") and ''Double Allergic'' ("totally simplified"), Powderfinger's two previous albums.<ref name=BeckoningFinger>{{cite news|title=The Beckoning Finger|publisher=''[[Juice (magazine)|Juice]]''|author=Watts, Benedict|date=November 1998|accessdate=2007-11-11}}</ref> He also agreed that the album was much more experimental, and described the album as the band's "most successful", as well as the album that best replicated "the sound we have live".<ref name=AI>{{cite news|title=Allergic Internationalists|publisher=hEARd online|date=1999|accessdate=2007-11-18}}</ref>


Numerous songs on ''Internationalist'' were [[politics|politically]] and socially influenced, although the band denied it being a deliberate [[motif]]. Fanning explaining that the band did not intentionally discuss political issues, saying "we don't try to do anything in particular". Fanning noted, however, that the songs, as his emotional responses to events in the past year, could inevitably be interpreted as being political. He said it was dangerous for the band to attempt to "over-intellectualise" rock songs, comparing himself and Powderfinger with [[Peter Garrett]] and [[Midnight Oil]]. Fanning said he would never try to "preach", but "would only ever try and suggest things to people as possibilities", because he found it unfair to request that others doing things unless he was to do them himself.<ref name=TPolitics>{{cite news|title=Talkin' Politics?|publisher=''Beat''|author=Johnson, Neala|date=December 1998|accessdate=2007-11-16}}</ref>
Numerous songs on ''Internationalist'' were [[politics|politically]] and [[sociology|socially]] influenced, although the band denied it being a deliberate [[motif]]. Fanning explaining that the band did not intentionally discuss political issues, saying "we don't try to do anything in particular". He noted, however, that the songs, as his emotional responses to events in the past year, could inevitably be interpreted as being political.<ref name=TPolitics>{{cite news|title=Talkin' Politics?|publisher=''Beat''|author=Johnson, Neala|date=December 1998|accessdate=2007-11-16}}</ref> When "[[The Day You Come]]" was released, there was speculation that it alluded to [[Pauline Hanson]]'s [[One Nation (Australia)|One Nation]] [[political party]], although the band claimed the song was vague and didn't specifically refer to one person. Fanning said of "The Day You Come" "I wouldn't certainly say that we've written any protest songs- The Day You Come is the closest to that kind of song, and that typically, like most of our songs can be construed in many ways. And it was particularly about the way Australian electorate I suppose is moving, and thinking."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindleysite.com/songs/dayoutcome.htm|title=Day You Come (The)|publisher=Hindley Site|accessdate=2007-12-16}}</ref>


== Album and single releases ==
== Album and single releases ==

Revision as of 06:44, 16 December 2007

Untitled
This article is about the album by Powderfinger. For other uses of the word, see internationalist.

Internationalist is the third studio album by Australian alternative rock band, Powderfinger, which was released on 7 September 1998. The album's title refers to the ability for music to assist one in escapism.

Internationalist followed in the success of its predecessor, Double Allergic, and went platinum in Australia. It was the recipient of four ARIA Awards, including "Album of the Year". The album was often labelled Powderfinger's most adventurous work, with lead singer and songwriter Bernard Fanning experimenting further in his lyrics than before. The album also contained multiple political and social comments, mainly focused in songs such as "The Day You Come".

Despite its popularity in Australia, Internationalist failed to launch Powderfinger in the lucrative overseas market. It did, however, cement the band's position on the Australian music scene, with highly positive reviews.

Background

Powderfinger spent much of early 1997 touring, after the success of Double Allergic. They also spent some time in the United States in mid-1997, although most of the songs on Internationalist were written in Brisbane by Bernard Fanning, rather than abroad.[1]

The album's title refers to escapism - namely, the ability that an "internationalist" has to escape from racial and social tension. Fanning and Collins agreed that "music can be a vehicle for that escape."[2][3]

Recording and production

Internationalist was recorded at Melbourne's Sing Sing Studios, with Powderfinger accompanied by American producer Nick DiDia for the first time. As the band had already prepared "about 30 or 40" songs when they entered the studio, DiDia's task was relatively minor. Bassist John Collins said of DiDia; "Nick was really good...The way Nick based the record was that he wanted to record the band how we were at that particular moment, he didn’t want to play around too much." As a result of this attitude, the band only spent one month in the studio, and the album was mixed by DiDia soon after.[2]

Collins and lead singer Bernard Fanning described the album as not being "as easy listening as their previous work", and that it contained numerous experiments in songwriting that they had not put into previous albums.[2] Fanning later described Internationalist as being "a better record" than Double Allergic, but acknowledged that it was not as easily likeable - it was just an improvement in songwriting.[4] Collins and Fanning acknowledged that the album's experimental nature could lose them some old fans, but the pair drew parallels with bands such as U2, who had "constantly re-invented themselves, and with success, I think", according to Collins. He said the reinvention was as much for the band's own interest as it was for the "public's perception".[2] Meanwhile, guitarist Ian Haug described the album as a "moderation" between Parables for Wooden Ears ("the complicated beast") and Double Allergic ("totally simplified"), Powderfinger's two previous albums.[5] He also agreed that the album was much more experimental, and described the album as the band's "most successful", as well as the album that best replicated "the sound we have live".[6]

Numerous songs on Internationalist were politically and socially influenced, although the band denied it being a deliberate motif. Fanning explaining that the band did not intentionally discuss political issues, saying "we don't try to do anything in particular". He noted, however, that the songs, as his emotional responses to events in the past year, could inevitably be interpreted as being political.[7] When "The Day You Come" was released, there was speculation that it alluded to Pauline Hanson's One Nation political party, although the band claimed the song was vague and didn't specifically refer to one person. Fanning said of "The Day You Come" "I wouldn't certainly say that we've written any protest songs- The Day You Come is the closest to that kind of song, and that typically, like most of our songs can be construed in many ways. And it was particularly about the way Australian electorate I suppose is moving, and thinking."[8]

Album and single releases

Template:Sound sample box align right

"Don't Wanna Be Left Out"
An 18 second sample from "Don't Wanna Be Left Out", which was described as "one of the roughest Powderfinger songs to date".[9]
Problems playing this file? See media help.
"Passenger"
A 20 second sample of the chorus of "Passenger", which won "Song of the Year" at the 1999 ARIA Awards.[10]
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Template:Sample box end Internationalist was released in Australia on 7 September 1998.[11] The first single from the album was "The Day You Come", a politically and socially influenced song that mused about Pauline Hanson's One Nation party. "The Day You Come" was released as the first single (on 10 August 1998) because, according to Haug, the band could not decide on what to release, so they "just came back to it."[5] In 2000, two years after its initial release, "The Day You Come" was played an estimated 18,000 times on national radio and television.[12] Fanning's response to this statistic was to proclaim that "Australia must be pretty sick of that song by now".[12]

The second single was the double a-side, "Don't Wanna Be Left Out/Good-Day Ray", released on 9 November 1998. "Don't Wanna Be Left Out", a song about a friend of Fanning's who had difficulty in social situations, is one of the roughest Powderfinger songs to date.[9] Drummer Jon Coghill also described it as the most difficult Powderfinger song to play live at the time, because it was so "fast and offbeat."[13] "Good-Day Ray" was dedicated to Australian television presenter Ray Martin and his public disagreements with former Media Watch host Stuart Littlemore. The song was described by Coghill as containing "sort of punk lyrics – not that we're a punk band".[9] Coghill also described the music video for "Good-Day Ray" as being one of the better videos the band had made.[13]

Internationalist's third single was "Already Gone", released on 12 February 1999. The song was a tribute to The Beatles and their influence on Powderfinger's music.[14] "Already Gone" did not achieve the same commercial success as other singles from the album. It was played 4,000 times on radio in 2000, compared to the 18,000 of "The Day You Come"; a statistic Fanning jokingly described as "pretty pissweak".[12]

The fourth and final single from the album was "Passenger", released on 9 August 1999. "Passenger" was influenced by Elvis Presley, and included a big horn section, as well as backing vocals from Tiddas.[15] "Passenger" won the ARIA Award for "Song Of The Year" in 1999.[10] The song's music video was one of Powderfinger's more lavish visual works, featuring computer graphics for the first time.[15]

Touring and promotion

Powderfinger went on a nationwide tour after the release of Internationalist, performing with British band Swervedriver and fellow Brisbane band Not From There in capital cities across Australia.[16][9] In 1999, the band toured with Something for Kate and Alex Lloyd.[4] Collins described the process of choosing who the band would play with as a simple matter of choosing whose music the band preferred, stating "we had played with most of the bands...and if you're going on tour with someone you may as well go with someone you get along with and whose music you enjoy."[16] Despite being fans of Swervedriver, who were renowned for "their capability to reproduce their album sound perfectly in the live setting", Fanning said Powderfinger would never attempt to replicate them, because he believed live shows to be much more "emotionally powerful" than recordings.[7]

With Internationalist, Powderfinger first set their sights overseas, receiving lucrative spots at numerous music festivals in the U.S., including South by Southwest in Texas.[17] While in the U.S., Powderfinger played several showcase performances to record-label representatives in Los Angeles and New York City. In a later interview in Australia, Fanning said these shows were difficult due to the lack of any homegrown fan support. He also said the band were not focused at the shows, and thus they did not go as well as planned.[18] Coghill, however, described the showcases as "worthwhile and...fun", as were the performances in Austin.[15] After performing in the United States, Powderfinger completed a tour of Canada. Fanning described the band's overseas outlook as a necessity for an Australian based band, as "people (in Australia) are going to get sick of you pretty quickly if you're going to do five tours a year, so that you can sustain yourself financially."[17]

Response

File:Bernard Fanning 1997.jpg
Fanning received much positive feedback on the politically-driven lyrics of songs in Internationalist.

Internationalist debuted at #1 on the Australian albums chart, and went gold in its first week, selling over 35,000 copies.[19] It then went on to go platinum,[20] and is currently certified five times multi-platinum.[21] At the 1999 ARIA Awards, the album received three awards - "Album of the Year", "Best Rock Album", and "Best cover Art". "The Day You Come" also won "Single of the Year". In 2000, "Passenger" was nominated for three awards, but did not win any.[22][23]

Haug said he was amazed with the highly positive critical response the album had received, stating "even Molly (Meldrum) gave it nine out of ten. Because every review has been so good it’s a bit dangerous to believe it, I think. It’s just strange to read endless good reviews - I wish someone would write a really bad one." Haug also said that it was important for the band to develop "credibility" through the album, saying "people will listen with open ears if you’re a credible band. If you’re not, they turn off before they even hear a new song."[5] Coghill agreed with Haug on the album's popularity, stating "you couldn't ask for much better", and saying he really took notice of the album's positive critical commentary.[9] Fanning agreed, saying that despite Polydor telling the band the album would be heavily marketed, it was still surprising to see its success.[16]

All Music Guide's Jonathan Lewis did not praise Internationalist as highly as he did Powderfinger's previous studio album, Double Allergic, stating that "much of the album was a mix of styles and ideas that didn't quite sit right as a whole". Lewis also contended that the high point of the album is "The Day You Come", viewing it as "haunting", but believed the rest of the album was not of the same standard as the song.[24]

Sputnikmusic reviewer James Bishop called Internationalist a "beautiful, incomparable and truly surprising album", giving the album a perfect 5 out of 5. He stated that the album is a "roller-coaster ride from start to finish" and that Powderfinger are "making great music".[25]

Rolling Stone reviewer Tracey Grimson also praised the album, stating it had "a heightened sense of subtlety, a pulled-back demeanour and choruses which weave themselves mildly out of the dark". Grimson's main praise was for the album's cohesion, declaring that it could be identified as a "solid album" rather than a group of good songs "thrown together". She also approved of the "glorious backing vocals" of Tiddas. Grimson's final comment was for Fanning's lyrical sentiments, stating that they were "obviously strong, but conveyed simplistically, without convolution or being overbearing", and that they contributed to "the gelling together of Internationalist".[26]

Juice magazine approved of the album, but stated that Powderfinger fans may not enjoy it as much as previous work. The review labelled Internationalist as more subtle than its predecessor, and said that "Internationalist is more sophisticated and restrained". The review said that the album didn't attempt to top Double Allergic, but instead worked on a new level - a level which Powderfinger fans might not be ready for yet.[27]

Track listing

  1. "Hindley Street" (Fanning/Powderfinger) – 3:41
  2. "Belter" (Fanning/Powderfinger) – 4:13
  3. "The Day You Come" (Fanning/Powderfinger) – 4:00
  4. "Already Gone" (Fanning/Powderfinger) – 3:28
  5. "Passenger" (Fanning/Powderfinger) – 4:20
  6. "Don't Wanna Be Left Out" (Fanning/Middleton/Powderfinger) – 2:12
  7. "Good-Day Ray" (Coghill/Fanning/Powderfinger) – 1:58
  8. "Trading Places" (Fanning/Powderfinger) – 4:27
  9. "Private Man" (Fanning/Powderfinger) – 3:40
  10. "Celebrity Head" (Fanning/Powderfinger) – 2:20
  11. "Over My Head" (Middleton) – 1:36
  12. "Capoicity" (See Powderfinger's Oi Song Trilogy) (Fanning/Powderfinger) – 5:44
  13. "Lemon Sunrise" (Fanning/Middleton/Powderfinger) – 3:34

P2K bonus disc

Early pressings of the album included a bonus disc featuring a live recording of Powderfinger's support slot at the Crowded House farewell concert on the steps of the Sydney Opera House.

  1. "Passenger" – 4:42[11]
  2. "Private Man" – 4:01
  3. "Don't Wanna Be Left Out" – 2:55
  4. "Pick You Up" – 5:51
  5. "The Day You Come" – 4:36

Personnel

  • Bernard Fanning - vocals, guitars, piano, keyboards
  • Darren Middleton - vocals, guitars, piano, keyboards
  • Ian Haug - guitar, handclaps
  • John Collins - bass and organ pedals, "hey!"s
  • Jon Coghill - drums, handclaps, "hey!"s
  • Tiddas - backing vocals
  • Nick DiDia - production, engineering, mixing
  • Lachlan "Magoo" Goold, Mark McElligott - additional engineering
  • Michael Mucci - artwork
  • Sophie Howarth - photography

ARIA Awards

See also: List of Powderfinger awards

Internationalist and singles from it have been nominated to win ARIA Music Awards from the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) in two consecutive years.

Year Work Award Result[22][23]
1999 Internationalist Best Cover Art Won
Best Rock Album Won
Album of the Year Won
Best Group Nominated
"The Day You Come" Single of the Year Won
2000 "Passenger" Best Cover Art Nominated
Best Group Nominated
Single of the Year Nominated

See also

References

  1. ^ Fountaine, Angus (2 November 1997). "Hot Ticket". The Sunday Telegraph. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ a b c d Clode, Samantha (October 1998). "Taking Flight". Juice. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ Shedden, Iain (10 July 1999). "Up Close (And Not Too) Personal". The Weekend Australian. Orbit. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ a b Mathieson, Craig (23 July 1999). "Powder And The Glory". Metro. The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 3. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  5. ^ a b c Watts, Benedict (November 1998). "The Beckoning Finger". Juice. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ "Allergic Internationalists". hEARd online. 1999. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  7. ^ a b Johnson, Neala (December 1998). "Talkin' Politics?". Beat. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ "Day You Come (The)". Hindley Site. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
  9. ^ a b c d e Ritchie Yorke (15 November 1998). "Fingers feted at home". The Sunday Mail. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ a b Yates, Rod (September 2000). "Trusty Old Jackets". Massive. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ a b "Internationalist". Discography. Powderfinger Central. Retrieved 2007-11-11.
  12. ^ a b c Munro, Kelsey (February 2001). "The Odyssey Continues". Esky. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  13. ^ a b Eliezer, Christie (1999). "Powderfinger (Int. With Jon Coghill)". Australian Musician Magazine. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  14. ^ Powderfinger (2004). Fingerprints: The Best of Powderfinger, 1994-2000 companion booklet. Page 10.
  15. ^ a b c Carmine Pascuzzi. "Primed for P2K Tour". Media Search. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  16. ^ a b c Clode, Samantha (December 1998). "Fish Tales". Juice. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  17. ^ a b Six, Nicola (19 November 1998). "Day Dream Believers". Pulse liftout. The Courier-Mail. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  18. ^ Bolster, Teresa (December 1998). "Finger On The Pulse". HIT. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  19. ^ "ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 1998 Albums". ARIA. Retrieved 2007-11-19.
  20. ^ "ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 1999 Albums". ARIA. Retrieved 2007-11-19.
  21. ^ "ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2007 Albums". ARIA. Retrieved 2007-12-10.
  22. ^ a b "History: Winners by Artist: Powderfinger". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 2007-09-18.
  23. ^ a b "Powderfinger ARIA awards history". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
  24. ^ Jonathan Lewis. "Internationalist > Overview". All Music Guide. Retrieved 2007-11-19.
  25. ^ James Bishop (8 April 2006). "Powderfinger Internationalist review". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 2007-11-19. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  26. ^ Tracy Grimson. "Internationalist review". Rolling Stone. Hindley Site. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
  27. ^ "Internationalist review". Juice. Hindley Site. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Internationalist_(album)&oldid=178243426"