Rings Around the World [20th Anniversary Edition]

Rings Around the World [20th Anniversary Edition]

by Super Furry Animals
Rings Around the World [20th Anniversary Edition]

Rings Around the World [20th Anniversary Edition]

by Super Furry Animals

CD(Anniversary Edition)

$17.99 
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Overview

Super Furry Animals' leap to a major label in the U.K. with Rings Around the World isn't that drastic of a change -- Fuzzy Logic was also released on Epic in the U.S., Creation was subsidized by Sony, and they never were exactly wanting of money on their previous records -- but the band nevertheless seizes the opportunity to consolidate their strengths, providing an introduction for listeners that may not have been paying attention before. As such, it's hard not to consider it as a bit of a missed opportunity, since this is the first SFA album not to progress from its predecessor, or offer the shock of the new, and that's hard not to miss -- but, if this is the first SFA record you hear, it'll likely intrigue, even dazzle, with its kaleidoscopic blend of pop, prog, punk, psych, and electronica. Still, this is nearly Super Furry Cliff Notes, offering a glossy, big-screen variation on all of their themes -- decadently lush pop-psych, chugging rock & roll, bitter leftism, sublimely warped imagery, experimentalism wrapped in luxurious productions. Alluring, to be sure, and satisfying, too, and there certainly are wonderful details scattered throughout the album, the least of which are cameos by John Cale and Paul McCartney. Plus, there is exceptional songwriting here, such as the cinematic "Juxtaposed With U," "Sidewalk Serfer Girl," and "Receptacle for the Respectable," which encapsulates nearly every side of the band within five minutes. Still, it's hard not to want a little more from the band that was the best pop band of the late '90s. It's hard not to at least want surprises (since there are none) or, if it's going to be a consolidation, to have it be a statement of purpose, since it lacks either an overarching theme or a music that gels. So, it's not what it could have been, but what it is is still pretty damn great, satisfying with its melodies, textures, and ideas. Compared to what Super Furry Animals have done before, Rings Around the World pales slightly but noticeably, but compared to the dead world of mainstream and indie rock in 2001, it still shines brightly. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date: 09/03/2021
Label: Bmg / Bmg Rights Management
UPC: 4050538686524
Rank: 172587

Tracks

  1. Alternate Route to Vulcan Street
  2. Sidewalk Serfer Girl
  3. (Drawing) Rings Around the World
  4. It's Not the End of the World?
  5. Receptacle for the Respectable
  6. (A) Touch Sensitive
  7. Shoot Doris Day
  8. Miniature
  9. No Sympathy
  10. Juxtapozed With U
  11. Presidential Suite
  12. Run! Christian, Run!
  13. Fragile Happiness

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Super Furry Animals   Primary Artist
Sean O'Hagan   Guest Artist
John Cale   Guest Artist,Piano
Paul McCartney   Guest Artist,Noise
Cian Ciaran   Keyboards
Sally Herbert   Violin
Huw Bunford   Guitar
Jackie Norrie   Violin
Gruff Rhys   Guitar,Vocals
Chris Jenkins   Percussion
Howard Gott   Violin
Sophie Sirota   Viola
Nick Barr   Viola
Sonia Slany   Violin
Sophie Harris   Cello
Nick Cooper   Cello
Dafydd Ieuan   Drums
Guto Pryce   Bass
Marcus Holdaway   Cello
Stephen Hussey   Violin
Gary Alesbrook   Trumpet
Anna Smith   Vocals (Background)
John Telfer   Flute
Lucy Theo   Violin
Tony Robinson   Trumpet,Trombone,Flugelhorn
Osian Gwynedd   Piano
Brian Wright   Violin
Clarence Smith   Viola
Jacqueline Norrie   Violin
Brian G. Wright   Violin
Sophie Sarota   Viola
John Mark James   Fonts
Kris Jenkins   Percussion
Clare Smith   Viola
Harriet Harris   Violin
Matt Sibley   Saxophone
Beti Rhys   Harp

Technical Credits

Christopher Shaw   Engineer,Producer
Catatonia   Remix Engineer
Eric Tew   Engineer
Cian Ciaran   Composer,Lyricist,Group Member
Wauvenfold   Remix Engineer
Huw Bunford   Composer,Lyricist,Group Member
Llwybr Llaethog   Remix Engineer
Richard Wilkinson   Engineer,Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Gruff Rhys   Composer,Lyricist,Group Member
Goem   Remix Engineer
Sonia Slany   String Arrangements
Chris Shaw   Producer
James Osterberg   Composer
Scott Asheton   Composer
Sean O'Hagan   String Arrangements
Paul McCartney   Performer
Super Furry Animals   Arranger,Composer,Engineer,Producer,Remix Engineer,String Arrangements
Dafydd Ieuan   Composer,Lyricist,Group Member
Ron Asheton   Composer
Force Unknown   Remix Engineer
Kid606   Remix Engineer
Walt Liquor   Remix Engineer
Iggy Pop   Composer
Atmos   Remix Engineer
Brave Captain   Remix Engineer
Guto Pryce   Composer,Lyricist,Group Member
Marcus Holdaway   String Arrangements
Stuart Hawkes   Mastering
Pete Fowler   Illustrations
Bench   Remix Engineer
David Alexander   Composer,Composer
Massimo   Remix Engineer
Damien Shannon   Engineer,Assistant,Assistant Engineer
John Mark James   Logo
LSR   Remix Engineer
Will Wells   Remix Engineer
Happy Chapel   Remix Engineer
Pieweigher   Remix Engineer
Phat Eric   Remix Engineer
Hunan Laddiad   Remix Engineer
The High Llamas   Remix Engineer
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