The Chinese Album

Template:Use dmy dates {{safesubst:#invoke:Unsubst-infobox||$params=italic_title,name,type,longtype,artist,cover,border,alt,caption,released,recorded,venue,studio,genre,length,language,label,director,producer,compiler,chronology,prev_title,prev_year,year,next_title,next_year,misc|$extra=italic_title,longtype,border,caption,language,director,compiler,chronology,year,misc|$aliases=italic title>italic_title,Italic title>italic_title,Name>name,Type>type,image>cover,Cover>cover,Border>border,Alt>alt,Caption>caption,Longtype>longtype,Artist>artist,Released>released,Recorded>recorded,Venue>venue,Studio>studio,Genre>genre,Length>length,Language>language,Label>label,Director>director,Producer>producer,Compiler>compiler,Chronology>chronology,Misc>misc|$flags=override|$B={{#ifeq:{{#invoke:Is infobox in lead|main|[Ii]nfobox [Aa]lbum}}|true|{{#if:Template:Has short description | |{{#if: March 10, 1998 | Template:Short description}}}}}}{{#invoke:Infobox|infobox}}Template:Template otherTemplate:Category handlerTemplate:Main other{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Infobox album with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y|italic_title |type |name |image |cover |border |alt |caption |longtype |artist |released |recorded |venue |studio |genre |length |language |label |director |producer |compiler |prev_title|prev_year|next_title|next_year|chronology|year|misc}}{{#if:{{#invoke:String|match|error_category=Music infoboxes with Module:String errors|A|1=Resident Alien1995The Hogyssey2001AlbumThe Chinese AlbumThe-chinese-album-album-cover.jpgSpacehogMarch 10, 1998Glam rock41:40Sire
Warner Bros.Bryce Goggin & Spacehog<ref name=MH/>x|2=</?t[drh][ >]|nomatch=}}|Template:Main other}}Template:Main other}} Template:Album ratings The Chinese Album is the second album from the expatriate British alternative rock band Spacehog.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It was released on Sire Records in 1998.<ref name=MH/>

The Chinese Album was considered for a soundtrack and basis of a film called Mungo City (later called The Chinese Movie). It was to be about a band that moves to Hong Kong for success after being rejected by a New York record company. Unsatisfied with the final script, Spacehog dismissed any plans for shooting.

Spacehog wrote and recorded 20 songs for The Chinese Album. Among these are the B-sides "Final Frontier", "Isle of Manhattan" and "Cryogenic Lover", which were released on European singles.

"Carry On" peaked at No. 43 on the UK Singles Chart where as "Mungo City" peaked at 79.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Critical reception

The A.V. Club wrote that "for the most part, The Chinese Album sounds like Aladdin Sane or Roxy Music's early material, stripped of any sense of commitment or adventure."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Orlando Sentinel wrote that "one can only admire a group so unrepentantly unfashionable, especially when it stirs its influences together with such flair and flamboyance."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Austin Chronicle called the album "a pretty, precious confection of pop ditties."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Rough Guide to Rock deemed it "a beautifully crafted masterpiece, intelligent, edgy and eclectic."<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Track listing

All songs by Royston Langdon except when noted.

1. "One Of These Days" (David Byrne, Jerry Harrison, Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz, Brian Eno, Royston Langdon) - 3:35
2. "Goodbye Violet Race" - 4:00
3. "Lucy's Shoe" - 4:13
4. "Mungo City" - 4:34
5. "Skylark" (Antony Langdon) - 1:57
6. "Sand In Your Eyes" - 3:49
7. "Captain Freeman" (Antony Langdon) - 2:27
8. "2nd Avenue" (Royston Langdon, N. Chassler) - 2:58
9. "Almond Kisses" (featuring Michael Stipe<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>) (Antony Langdon) - 2:44

1. "Carry On" - 3:33
2. "Anonymous" (Royston Langdon, Antony Langdon) - 3:37
3. "Beautiful Girl" - 4:09

Personnel

• Royston Langdon - bass guitar and vocals
• Antony Langdon - guitar and vocals
• Jonny Cragg - drums
• Richard Steel - lead guitar

Samples

• "One of These Days" contains a sample of "Seen and Not Seen" by Talking Heads from their 1980 album Remain in Light.