Jollification
Jollification is the third album by The Lightning Seeds. All songs were written by Ian Broudie, with contributions on some tracks from Alison Moyet, Ian McNabb and Terry Hall.
Four tracks from the album were released as singles in the UK: "Lucky You", "Marvellous", "Change" and "Perfect". The album attracted positive reviews. It peaked at number 12 in the UK Albums Chart, and gained platinum certification in December 1995.
Background
In 1989 Ian Broudie began recording alone under the name Lightning Seeds and achieved success with the psychedelic and synthpop hit "Pure", from the album Cloudcuckooland, which reached the UK Top 20. The same year "Joy" and "All I Want" were also released but failed to make an impression. "Pure" had some success in the United States Billboard Top 40, reaching No. 32. Both "Pure" and "All I Want" also reached the Modern Rock Tracks top 10. In 1991 Broudie returned to song-writing and moved labels from Rough Trade to Virgin.
Writing and recording
By the end of 1993, Broudie had completed the third Lightning Seeds album Jollification, which included contributions from Terry Hall, Simon Rogers, Alison Moyet and Ian McNabb. A promotional tour began in August 1994 with their line-up consisting of, guitarist Paul Hemmings, drummer Chris Sharrock, bassist Martyn Campbell and keyboardist Ali Kane. The tour benefited from the success of the second single from the album "Change", which reached No. 13 in the UK Singles Chart, becoming Lightning Seeds' second UK top twenty hit. The album Jollification became a critical success[1] and the other singles taken from this album ("Lucky You", "Marvellous" and "Perfect") all made noticeable impact. Mark Farrow's album cover featured the use of computer graphics to create an enormous strawberry and depicting seeds with superimposed human faces.
Release and reception
Professional ratings |
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Review scores |
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Source | Rating |
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Allmusic | [2] |
Jollification was released in the UK on 5 September 1994 and in the US on 20 December 1994.[2] The album attracted positive reviews. Rating the album 4 out of 5, Jason Damas for AllMusic commented:
Ian Broudie wrote his strongest batch of songs yet and managed to return to the top of the British charts. At ten tracks, Jollification is overly brief; eight of the ten tracks are genuine keepers and rank amongst the band's best work. "Lucky You," "Marvelous," "Perfect," and "Change" ... were all modern British pop gems that arrived at the height of Brit-pop. While the album is occasionally too produced – this is especially pronounced in the more synthesizer-driven songs – the melodies dominate despite their occasional stiffness. Jollification is Broudie's most cohesive and consistent album to date.[2]
The track "Change" got some recognition in the US due to its appearance in the 1995 film Clueless[2] and on the film's soundtrack album.
Track listing
All songs written by Ian Broudie (except where stated).
- "Perfect" – 3:28
- "Lucky You" – 4:20 (Broudie/Terry Hall)
- "Open Goals" – 3:49
- "Change" – 4:03
- "Why Why Why" – 4:14
- "Marvellous" – 5:31
- "Feeling Lazy" – 3:55 (Broudie/Ian McNabb)
- "My Best Day" – 5:00 (Broudie/Alison Moyet)
- "Punch & Judy" – 3:17
- "Telling Tales" – 2:52
Personnel
- The Lightning Seeds
- Production
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- Additional musicians
- Other personnel
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Charts
Singles
Release date |
Single |
Peak |
8 August 1994 |
"Lucky You" |
#43 |
2 January 1995 |
"Change" |
#13 |
3 April 1995 |
"Marvellous" |
#24 |
10 July 1995 |
"Perfect" |
#18 |
9 October 1995 |
"Lucky You" (re-release) |
#15 |
Certifications
- United Kingdom (BPI): Silver (1 July 1995), Gold (1 August 1995), Platinum (1 December 1995)[3]
References
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| | | Studio albums | |
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| Compilations | |
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| Singles |
- "Pure"
- "All I Want"
- "Joy"
- "The Life of Riley"
- "Sense"
- "Blowing Bubbles"
- "Lucky You"
- "Change"
- "Marvellous"
- "Perfect"
- "Ready or Not"
- "Three Lions"
- "What If..."
- "Sugar Coated Iceberg"
- "You Showed Me"
- "What You Say"
- "Three Lions 98"
- "Life's Too Short"
- "Sweetest Soul Sensations"
- "Song for No One"
- "Ghosts"
- "Don't Walk on By"
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