The Bluetones is the fifth studio album by the English indie rock band the Bluetones, released on 9 October 2006 by Cooking Vinyl. It was produced and mixed by Hugh Jones who also produced their first two albums, Expecting to Fly (1996) and Return to the Last Chance Saloon (1998). Despite positive reviews, the album failed to reach the UK Albums Chart after its first week on release. Its first single "My Neighbour's House" peaked at number sixty-eight on the UK Singles Chart in September 2006. Its other two singles, "Head on a Spike" and "Surrendered" were both released on CD and download in December 2006 and February 2007.
Background and recording The Bluetones was recorded at Chapel Studios in South Thoresby, Lincolnshire. One of the B-sides to "My Neighbour's House", "South Thoresby" likely got its name from this. Recorded around a similar time to the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Bluetones frontman Mark Morriss reflected on "Hope and Jump" as one of the best songs he had written. "Fade In/Fade Out" was written in honour of the comedian David Walliams, a personal friend of Morriss, who swam the English Channel for Sport Relief in July 2006.News_Of_the_World_12Nov06
In September 2006, the band's former tour manager robbed them of hundreds of thousands of pounds, facing no issues since he declared himself bankrupt. Because of this, they had to cancel a planned nine-date tour of North America, Japan and Australia, without stating a reason.
Track listing
Personnel The Bluetones
Mark Morriss – vocals Adam Devlin – guitar Scott Morriss – bass, backing vocals Eds Chesters – drums
Additional personnel
Hugh Jones – producer, mixer Will Bartle – engineer Caroline Lavelle – cello (tracks 3, 6, 8) Pete Baker – trumpet (track 10) Scott Morriss – artwork
References