Ursa Major
Studio album by
Eleventh Dream Day
Released1994
Recorded1994
StudioIdful, Chicago, Illinois
LabelAtavistic
ProducerBrad Wood, John McEntire
Eleventh Dream Day chronology
El Moodio
(1993)		 Ursa Major
(1994)		 Eighth
(1997)

Ursa Major is an album by the American band Eleventh Dream Day.[1][2] Released in 1994, it was the band's first album for Atavistic Records.[3][4] The band supported the album with shows in the Chicago area.[5] "Orange Moon" was released as a single.[6]

Production

Originally planned as an EP, the album was produced by Brad Wood and John McEntire.[5][3] It was recorded at Chicago's Idful Studios in March 1994.[4] Bundy K. Brown and McEntire played on Ursa Major.[7] Guitarist "Wink" O'Bannon left the band after the recording sessions.[8] Opening track "History of Brokeback" is an instrumental.[5]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[9]
Chicago Tribune[10]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[11]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide[12]
(The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide[13]

Trouser Press determined that the album "suffers greatly from a deliberate lack of pop songcraft, though it delivers on a series of textured, slowly unfolding axe workouts."[14] The Chicago Tribune concluded that "this is music of sweeping atmosphere and drama, and also crushing delicacy, an extended meditation on love, commerce and betrayal"; the paper later listed it as the ninth best album of 1994.[10][15] The Northwest Herald wrote that "Doug McComb's silky bass has become so integral to EDD's sound that it seems like a lead guitar."[16] The Courier Journal praised the "certain level of dark intensity."[6]

AllMusic considered the album "loaded with supple, pretty melodies and intense, rampaging guitars."[9] (The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide noted the "strong, unhurried rhythm section and clear melodic patterns on guitar."[13]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."History of Brokeback" 
2."Occupation or Not" 
3."Flutter" 
4."Orange Moon" 
5."Taking Leave" 
6."Bearish on High" 
7."Nova Zembla" 
8."The Blindside" 
9."Exit Right" 

References

  1. ↑ Nine, Jennifer (Feb 11, 1995). "Ursa Major by Eleventh Dream Day". Melody Maker. Vol. 72, no. 6. p. 34.
  2. ↑ Marcus, Greil (Jun 1995). "Days between stations — Ursa Major by Eleventh Dream Day". Interview. Vol. 25, no. 6. p. 62.
  3. 1 2 "Eleventh Dream Day Biography by Jason Ankeny". AllMusic. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  4. 1 2 Kot, Greg (25 Feb 1994). "After handing Atlantic Records three increasingly terrific...". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. 5.
  5. 1 2 3 Anderson, Paul M. (2 Dec 1994). "Eleventh Dream Day Back in the Spotlight". Sidetracks. Northwest Herald. p. 10.
  6. 1 2 Curry, Paul (7 Jan 1995). "Reviews". Scene. Courier Journal. p. 8.
  7. ↑ Cohen, Jason (August 26, 2015). "11 Eleventh Dream Day Songs From 11 Eleventh Dream Day Records". Pitchfork. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  8. ↑ Rothschild, David (29 July 1994). "Notes". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. 6.
  9. 1 2 "Ursa Major Review by John Dougan". AllMusic. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  10. 1 2 Kot, Greg (3 Nov 1994). "A Realization". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 7.
  11. ↑ Larkin, Colin (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. p. 921.
  12. ↑ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1996. p. 233.
  13. 1 2 (The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon & Schuster. 2004. p. 275.
  14. ↑ "Eleventh Dream Day". Trouser Press. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  15. ↑ Kot, Greg (4 Dec 1994). "The Best in Music in '94". Arts. Chicago Tribune. p. 18.
  16. ↑ Anderson, Paul M. (30 Dec 1994). "Silkworm Takes List Over the Top". Sidetracks. Northwest Herald. p. 6.
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