12 Haunted Episodes
12 Haunted Episodes | ||||
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Studio album by Graham Parker | ||||
Released | 1995 | |||
Label | Razor & Tie | |||
Producer | Graham Parker | |||
Graham Parker chronology | ||||
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12 Haunted Episodes is an album by the English musician Graham Parker, released in 1995 on Razor & Tie.[1][2] Parker supported the album by touring with his backing band, the Episodes.[3] It was Parker's first studio album for an independent label.[4] 12 Haunted Episodes is primarily an acoustic album.[5]
Production
Recorded in Saugerties, New York, the album was produced by Parker.[6][7] He chose to write the songs in an open G tuning, after being annoyed when someone advised creating an album similar in style to the rock and roll of Squeezing Out Sparks.[1] Parker thought that he was able to sing more "naturally" with the new tuning.[8] He spent five hours recording the demo, then decided a few days later to add overdubs to it with other musicians.[9][10][11]
Many songs are about the work of maintaining romantic love.[12] "Disney's America" is about the proposed theme park.[13] "Haunted Episodes" added a flute to the instrumentation.[14] "Force of Nature" quotes Bob Dylan's "She Belongs to Me".[15]
Critical reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Daily Breeze | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Indianapolis Star | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Orlando Sentinel | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Rolling Stone | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Spin Alternative Record Guide | 6/10[21] |
Martin C. Strong | 5/10[22] |
USA Today | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Orlando Sentinel wrote that "Parker's famous acerbic wit is either missing or misplaced, and he seems to be low on hooks at the moment."[19] The Philadelphia Inquirer determined that "the acoustic-flavored tunes tend toward folk-rock, and the usually pugnacious Brit focuses on his tender and introspective side."[23] Rolling Stone stated: "Autumnal in mood, gracious and honest, this is music of a clean, unsentimental maturity."[20]
The Washington Post opined that "it's doubtful any other album this year will bring as much insight and passion to the subject of adult romance."[13] The Indianapolis Star concluded that Parker "abandons vitriolic irony for the more mature, and less memorable, perspective of a contented grownup."[17] The Guardian noted the "comfy tastefulness" and labeled the album "one for designer bedsits."[24]
Track listing
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Partner for Life" | |
2. | "Pollinate" | |
3. | "Force of Nature" | |
4. | "Disney's America" | |
5. | "Haunted Episodes" | |
6. | "Next Phase" | |
7. | "Honest Work" | |
8. | "Cruel Stage" | |
9. | "See Yourself" | |
10. | "Loverman" | |
11. | "Fly" | |
12. | "First Day of Spring" |
References
- ^ a b Bessman, Jim (January 28, 1995). "Graham Parker finds a new haunt". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 4. pp. 16, 34.
- ^ Maples, Tina (January 29, 1995). "Cranking up the old machine: A couple of blasts from the past highlight the new releases". The Milwaukee Journal. p. E8.
- ^ Pareles, Jon (April 3, 1995). "A Mellower Graham Parker". The New York Times. p. C16. Archived from the original on May 26, 2015.
- ^ Haymes, Greg (March 23, 1995). "Parker Downshifts for His 'Minor-Label' Debut". Times Union. Albany, New York. p. P11.
- ^ Pensiero, Nicole (March 26, 1995). "Sunday's TLA show with the always-interesting Graham Parker...". The Press of Atlantic City. p. C5.
- ^ Orr, Jay (May 18, 1995). "Graham Parker". Nashville Banner. p. C3. ProQuest 283715562.
- ^ a b Ayers, Anne (May 1, 1995). "Graham Parker, 12 Haunted Episodes". USA Today. p. 8D. ProQuest 306717195.
- ^ Sachs, Lloyd (April 9, 1995). "Graham Parker Praising James Taylor? What's the Deal?". Showcase. Chicago Sun-Times. p. 5.
- ^ Sculley, Alan (April 9, 1995). "Just Call the Guy Romantic". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 3C. ProQuest 305021284.
- ^ Sculley, Alan (May 26, 1995). "Parker goes beyond his 'angry man' reputation". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on June 22, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
- ^ Lozaw, Tristram (March 24, 1995). "Veteran Parker still a label rebel". Boston Herald. p. S13.
- ^ Boehm, Mike (April 20, 1995). "Graham Weighs In". LV Desk. Los Angeles Times. p. 4. ProQuest 2031276630. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023.
- ^ a b Himes, Geoffrey (March 31, 1995). "Parker Mixes Anger and Love". The Washington Post. p. N12. ProQuest 903253260.
- ^ a b Gnerre, Sam (March 17, 1995). "Graham Parker '12 Haunted Episodes'". Daily Breeze. p. K20.
- ^ Marcel, Joyce (March 23, 1995). "Graham Parker unmasks his softer side". The Republican. Springfield, Massachusetts. p. WK1.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 6. MUZE. p. 420.
- ^ a b Hall, Steve (April 10, 1995). "Graham Parker '12 Haunted Episodes'". The Indianapolis Star. p. D3. ProQuest 240140612.
- ^ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 857.
- ^ a b Gettelman, Parry (March 10, 1995). "Graham Parker". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 7. ProQuest 278611310.
- ^ a b Evans, Paul (May 4, 1995). "Rollin' & tumblin' — 12 Haunted Episodes by Graham Parker". Rolling Stone. No. 707. p. 69. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023.
- ^ Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. 1995. pp. 286–287. ISBN 0-679-75574-8.
- ^ Strong, Martin C. (2004). The Great Rock Discography (7th ed.). Canongate U.S. p. 1142. ISBN 9783861507017.
- ^ Cristiano, Nick (March 31, 1995). "Graham Parker". Features Weekend. The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 15. ProQuest 1840842954.
- ^ "Your essential guide to the new CDs". The Guardian. April 28, 1995. p. T13. ProQuest 295001085.
- v
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- Brinsley Schwarz
- Martin Belmont
- Andrew Bodnar
- Steve Goulding
(Graham Parker & The Rumour)
- Howlin' Wind (1976)
- Heat Treatment (1976)
- Stick to Me (1977)
- Squeezing Out Sparks (1979)
- The Up Escalator (1980)
- Three Chords Good (2012)
- Mystery Glue (2015)
- Another Grey Area (1982)
- The Real Macaw (1983)
- Steady Nerves (1985)
- The Mona Lisa's Sister (1988)
- Human Soul (1989)
- Struck by Lightning (1991)
- Burning Questions (1992)
- 12 Haunted Episodes (1995)
- Deepcut to Nowhere (2001)
- The Parkerilla (1978)
- "Stick to Me"
- "Mercury Poisoning"
- "Protection"
- "Discovering Japan"
- "Local Girls"
- "You Can't Be Too Strong"
- "Passion Is No Ordinary Word"
- "Saturday Nite Is Dead"
- "I Want You Back (Alive)"
- "Stupefaction"
- "Endless Night"
- "Temporary Beauty"
- "Wake Up (Next to You)"
- "Crawling from the Wreckage"