Semi Detached
Studio album by
Blancmange
Released23 March 2015[1]
Length46:32
LabelCherry Red Records
ProducerNeil Arthur
Blancmange chronology
Happy Families Too...
(2013)		 Semi Detached
(2015)		 Nil by Mouth
(2015)

Semi Detached is the sixth studio album by British Synth-pop band Blancmange, released in 2015. The album was the first to be created without the involvement of original member Stephen Luscombe due to his health problems.[1] Neil Arthur commenced writing material for the album in 2013-14, with recording taking place during 2014.[2] The album reached No. 22 in the UK Independent Albums Chart.[3]

"Paddington" was released as the album's first single on 9 March 2015. A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by Tone Davies.[4] The second single, "Useless", was released on 15 May,[5] followed by "I Want More", released on 18 April as a limited edition 12" single for Record Store Day.[6][7]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[8]
The Arts Desk[9]
Louder Than War[10]
Mojo[11]
MusicOMH[12]
Q[11]
Record Collector[13]
Uncut[11]

Upon release, David Jeffries of AllMusic considered the album to be a "very dark Blancmange album when compared to all the others, and quite emotionally heavy as well". He added: "Semi Detached is sincere in its distrust, distaste, and ire, and the album winds up a worthy companion for bad days or chucking it all."[8] Paul Scott-Bates of Louder Than War commented: "Arthur's Northern quirk is present throughout Semi Detached though the overall feel is darker. [It] is a modern day riposte to the Blancmange of the 80s. Still catchy, still infectious but now all grown up."[10]

Mark Elliott of Record Collector commented: "Semi Detached is a darker, icier project than any Blancmange have previously served up. A long distance from their frothier 80s form, it’s a set that shows Neil Arthur is more than capable of keeping this band on our radar for some time yet."[13] Graeme Marsh of MusicOMH wrote: "if you fancy a slightly off centre alternative to the mass appeal of more prominent electronic bands, despite a few wobbly bits here and there, then you won't go far wrong with giving this latest collection a chance."[12]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Fall"Neil Arthur, Graham Henderson8:08
2."I Want More"Michael Karoli, Irmin Schmidt, Holger Czukay, Jaki Liebezeit, Peter Gilmour3:57
3."Paddington"Arthur3:56
4."It Didn't Take Long"Arthur4:24
5."MKS Lover"Arthur4:17
6."Like I Do"Arthur3:34
7."Deep in the Mine"Arthur4:43
8."Acid"Arthur4:23
9."Useless"Arthur3:27
10."Bloody Hell Fire"Arthur5:48
Deluxe edition - disc two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."I Want Your Love" (Extended Version)Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers6:43
2."Silk Sea"Arthur3:29
3."That Worm"Arthur5:12
4."Paddington" (Extended Version) 5:36
5."I Want More" (Extended Version) 7:15
6."Like I Do" (Extended Version) 4:50
7."Useless" (Extended Version) 4:36
8."Paddington" (Alternative Edit) 4:04
9."I Want Your Love" 5:16

Chart performance

Chart (2015) Peak
position
UK Independent Albums Chart[3] 22

Personnel

  • Neil Arthur - lead vocals, keyboards
  • David Rhodes - guitar
  • Jake Parker - backing vocals
  • Eleanor Arthur - backing vocals (track 3), additional vocals (track 2)
  • Helen Kincaid, Joe Arthur, Tony Brook, Harvey Brook, Reed Wilson, Rupert Howe - additional vocals (track 2)
Production
  • Adam Fuest - mixing
  • Neil Arthur - producer
  • Tim Debney - mastering
Other
  • Adam Yeldham - artwork
  • Helen Kincaid - asteroid painting
  • Steve Malins - management

References

  1. 1 2 "Semi Detached (Deluxe 2CD Edition)". Blancmange.co.uk. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  2. ↑ "News | INTERVIEW: Blancmange". The Quietus. 6 February 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  3. 1 2 "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50 | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  4. ↑ "Video exclusive – Blancmange lay Paddington bare in new video - Classic Pop Magazine". Classicpopmag.com. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  5. ↑ "Useless - Single by Blancmange on Apple Music". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  6. ↑ "'I Want More' 12 inch for Record Store Day". Blancmange. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  7. ↑ "Blancmange - I Want More (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 18 April 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  8. 1 2 David Jeffries (31 March 2015). "Semi Detached - Blancmange | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  9. ↑ "CD: Blancmange – Semi Detached". Theartsdesk.com. 18 March 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  10. 1 2 "Blancmange: Semi Detached - album review". Louder Than War. 13 March 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  11. 1 2 3 "Semi Detached by Blancmange Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. 23 March 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  12. 1 2 "Blancmange - Semi Detached | Album Reviews". Musicomh.com. 19 March 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  13. 1 2 "Semi Detached - Record Collector Magazine". Recordcollectormag.com. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
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