| Massachusetts | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | April 1996 | |||
| Recorded | Studio .45, Hartford, Connecticut | |||
| Genre | Indie rock, Alternative country | |||
| Length | 54:21 | |||
| Label | Sub Pop[1] | |||
| Producer | Mike Deming, Thom Monahan, Scud Mountain Boys[2] | |||
| Scud Mountain Boys chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [3] |
| Robert Christgau |  [4] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music |  [5] |
| Entertainment Weekly | A−[6] |
| Los Angeles Times | [7] |
Massachusetts is the third studio album by American alternative country group Scud Mountain Boys.[8][9] Released in 1996 on Sub Pop, Massachusetts was recorded and mixed at Studio .45 in Hartford, Connecticut, except for the track "Grudge ****", which was recorded on a four track at home.
Critical reception
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music called the album an "excellent alternative country epic."[5] Entertainment Weekly wrote: "With songs of drunken regret and clear-eyed desperation that are closer to John Cheever than George Jones, the album’s slyly beautiful melodies and parched entreaties have the bracing chill of a Nor’east wind."[6] Spin called it an "all-depression alt-country gem."[10] Trouser Press deemed it "an atmospheric marvel — fully arranged, languidly delivered and occasionally branded by artful lead-guitar electricity."[11]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Joe Pernice, except where noted
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "In a Ditch" | 2:42 | |
| 2. | "Scratch Ticket" | 3:44 | |
| 3. | "Penthouse in the Woods" | 2:42 | |
| 4. | "Grudge ****" | 5:03 | |
| 5. | "Big Hole" | 4:00 | |
| 6. | "Van Drunk" | 4:38 | |
| 7. | "Lift Me Up" | 4:30 | |
| 8. | "Liquor Store" | Stephen Desaulniers | 4:38 |
| 9. | "A Ride" | 3:38 | |
| 10. | "Holy Ghost" | 4:17 | |
| 11. | "Cigarette Sandwich" | 2:58 | |
| 12. | "Massachusetts" | 3:14 | |
| 13. | "Glass Jaw" | 4:15 | |
| 14. | "Knievel" | 4:02 | |
| Total length: | 54:21 | ||
Personnel
- Mike Deming - Engineer, Mastering, Organ, Producer
- Stephen Desaulniers - Bass, Bass (Acoustic), Composer, Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Rhythm), Piano, Producer, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
- Thom Monahan - Drums, Engineer, Overdubs, Producer
- Bob Pernice - Guitar
- Joe Pernice - Composer, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Producer, Vocals
- Paul Rocha - Piano
- Tom Shea - Drums, Guitar (Electric), Mandolin, Producer
- Bruce Tull - Guitar (Electric), Pedal Steel, Photography, Producer
- Steve Wytas - Mastering
References
- ↑ "Massachusetts". Sub Pop Records.
- ↑ MusicHound Country: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1997. p. 393.
- ↑ Wolff, Kurt. "Massachusetts – Scud Mountain Boys". AllMusic. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
- ↑ "Robert Christgau: CG: Scud Mountain Boys". www.robertchristgau.com.
- 1 2 Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 7. MUZE. p. 319.
- 1 2 "Music Review: 'Massachusetts'". EW.com.
- ↑ "*** Scud Mountain Boys, "Massachusetts," Sub Pop..." Los Angeles Times. June 29, 1996.
- ↑ "Hidden treasures: Scud Mountain Boys – Massachusetts". the Guardian. January 24, 2013.
- ↑ "Scud Mountain Boys | Biography & History". AllMusic.
- ↑ "Jump Cuts". SPIN. SPIN Media LLC. March 31, 2000 – via Google Books.
- ↑ "Scud Mountain Boys". Trouser Press. Retrieved 31 December 2020.