Demon Flower

Demon Flower
Studio album by Hunters & Collectors
Released 16 May 1994 (1994-05-16)
Recorded 1993-94
Sing Sing Studios, Melbourne
Genre Australian rock
Length 49:44
Label White/Mushroom
Producer Hunters & Collectors, Nick Mainsbridge
Hunters & Collectors chronology
Cut
(1992)		 Demon Flower
(1994)		 Juggernaut (1998)
Singles from Demon Flower
  1. "Easy"
    Released: April 1994
  2. "Back in the Hole"
    Released: June 1994
  3. "Drop in the Ocean"
    Released: 24 October 1994
  4. "The One and Only You"
    Released: February 1995

Demon Flower is the eighth studio album by Australian rock band, Hunters & Collectors and was released on 16 May 1994. It was co-produced by the band with Nick Mainsbridge, reaching No. 2 on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified Gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association. It also peaked at No. 9 on the New Zealand Albums Chart.

Background

Demon Flower was released by Hunters & Collectors as their eighth studio album on 16 May 1994, which was co-produced by the band with Nick Mainsbridge (The Triffids, Martha's Vineyard, Ratcat).[1] The line-up of the group was John Archer on bass guitar, P.A., backing vocals; Doug Falconer on drums, backing vocals, programming, and percussion; Jack Howard on trumpet, keyboards and backing vocals; Robert Miles on live sound and art design; Barry Palmer on lead guitar; Mark Seymour on lead vocals and guitar; Jeremy Smith on French horn, keyboards, guitars and backing vocals; and Michael Waters on keyboards and trombone.[1][2]

Archer told The Canberra Times' Naomi Mapstone that he felt the album had "less kind of studio stuff. I think it's a lot more adventurous, even though the last one sounded really full-on and dense, it was actually quite a safe record in a lot of ways ... We had a lot more fun with the sounds on this one".[3] Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane noticed that it "featured a stronger emphasis on guitars".[2]

It debuted at No. 2 in Australia – their highest charting album – and No. 9 in New Zealand.[4][5] Demon Flower's lead single "Easy", was issued a month ahead of the album's release and peaked at No. 38 on both countries singles charts.[4][5] The three subsequent singles however all failed to chart.[4][5] Seymour describes the band's frustration in the liner notes of Natural Selection, when discussing the fourth single, "The One and Only", "We’d launch into tracks like this one… an absolute live monster, and getting a response would be like trying to raise the dead. The radio recognition factor was crucial. Practically speaking, there wasn’t any radio after Holy Grail. Go figure."

The album was remastered and reissued by Liberation Music on 11 August 2003.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic [6]

Naomi Mapstone of The Canberra Times reviewed Demon Flower in June 1994 and noted that "[the band] seem to have, taken a deep breath, cleared their heads and, got back in touch with the vitality that was a hallmark of-earlier albums Human Frailty and The Jaws of Life".[7] In December that year her fellow journalist, Nicole Leedham, rated Demon Flower as the Best Album of the year.[8]

Track listing

All lyrics written by Mark Seymour, all music composed by John Archer, Doug Falconer, Jack Howard, Robert Miles, Barry Palmer, Seymour, Jeremy Smith, Michael Waters;[9][10] unless otherwise indicated.

No. Title Length
1. "Easy"   3:44
2. "Panic in the Shade"   3:49
3. "Back in the Hole"   4:30
4. "The One and Only You"   3:05
5. "Mr Bigmouth"   4:26
6. "Courtship of America"   4:30
7. "Drop in the Ocean"   3:46
8. "Newborn"   4:03
9. "Tender"   3:57
10. "Desert Where Her Heart Is"   4:04
11. "Betrayer"   3:58
12. "Ladykiller"   5:48
Total length:
 49:44
UK version only, [bonus track]
No. Title Length
13. "Holy Grail"   3:43

Chart performance

Year Chart Peak
position		 Certifications
1994 Australian Albums Chart[5] 2 ARIA: Gold
New Zealand Albums Chart[4] 9

Personnel

Credited to:[1][11]

Hunters & Collectors
Production details

Track-by-track instrument credits

"Easy"
"Panic in the Shade"
"Back in the Hole"
"The One and Only You"
"Mr. Bigmouth"
"Courtship of America"
"Drop in the Ocean"
"Newborn"
"Tender"
"Desert Where Her Heart Is"
"Betrayer"
"Ladykiller"

References

  1. 1 2 3 Holmgren, Magnus; Warnqvist, Stefan; Bamford, Alan. "Hunters and Collectors". Passagen.se. Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  2. 1 2 McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Hunters & Collectors'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86448-768-2. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  3. ↑ Mapstone, Naomi (24 March 1994). "Backstage. Hunters Do It Their Own Way". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (National Library of Australia). p. 8 Section: Good Times. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Hung, Stefan. "Hunters & Collectors discography". New Zealand Charts Portal (Hung Medien). Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Hung, Stefan. "Hunters & Collectors discography". Australian Charts Portal (Hung Medien). Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  6. ↑ Demon Flower at AllMusic
  7. ↑ "Home Entertainment: Hunters take a deep breath". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (National Library of Australia). 6 June 1994. p. 32. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  8. ↑ Leedham, Nicole (22 December 1994). "Good Times. The Year That Was". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (National Library of Australia). p. 21. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  9. ↑ "'Easy' at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 21 April 2014. Note: User may have to click 'Search again' and provide details at 'Enter a title:' e.g Easy; or at 'Performer:' Hunters & Collectors
  10. ↑ "ACE Title Search". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Retrieved 17 April 2014. Note: User may have to enter details e.g. at 'Titles' enter Easy; or at 'Performers' enter Hunters and Collectors
  11. ↑ Relph, John (26 October 2013). "Hunters and Collectors Discography: Hunters & Collectors". Idiot-Dog.com. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
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