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Title : Ocean Colour Scene

Release date : 01/04/1992

Highest chart position : N/A

Ocean Colour Scene's eponymous album is largely ignored by the band, who regard 'Moseley Shoals' as their debut release. The recording of the album started well, with the help of legendary 'Rolling Stones' producer Jimmy Miller. However, Fontana soon learned of Miller's drinking problems and he was shipped off the project. With the label and, in particular, A&R man Dave Bates insisting that the band turn 'grunge', the tracks were remixed and re-recorded. Three more producers (Tim Palmer, Hugo Nicholson and Steve Osborne) were hired and it soon became apparent that the band and label had vastly different musical views. The result was a 'watered-down' album not reflecting Ocean Colour Scene's live popularity. Although Simon Fowler's song-writing ability shone through on such tracks as 'Justine', with the baggy riff-orientated 'Sway' also revealing the band's hidden talent, the album was marred by overproduction, lacking depth, fluidity and passion.

Track

Title

More Info

1

Talk On

The original !Phffft recording appears as a B-side to both the unreleased 'One of Those Days' and the first release of 'Sway'. Cello is played by Tony Hinnegan.

2

How about you

 

3

Giving it all away

Alison Moyet contributes the backing vocals.

4

Justine

Was later re-recorded for the MCA label and appeared as a B-side to 'The Day We Caught The Train (Acoustic version)'. Cello is played by Tony Hinnegan

5

Do yourself a favour

A cover of a song originally written by Stevie Wonder and Syreeta Wright.

6

Third shade of green

Also appears as a B-side to 'Giving It All Away'.

7

Sway

Originally released as the band's first ever single on the !Phffft label, Fontana re-released an overproduced version against the wishes of the group. Needless to say, the single failed to chart in the top 75. The original !Phffft release is now extremely difficult to get hold of; the 12" is now valued at over £15, the CD at around £20.

8

Penny pinching rainy heaven days

Simon Fowler's favourite song on the album

9

One of those days

'One Of Those Days' was originally planned to be the first single release under the independent !Phffft label. It was prepared for release in the Spring of 1990 and 1,000 copies of the 7" (some sources claim as little as 200) and 2,000 of the 12" were manufactured (the 7" is now valued at over £40, the 12" over £35). The song was then shelved in favour of the live favourite (and far more commercial) 'Sway', which featured 'One of These Days', a remix of 'One of Those Days', as a B-side. A promotional video was also shot in a local park.

10

Is she coming home

Cello is played by Tony Hinnegan.

11

Blue Deep Ocean

The title of this track forms the name of the Japanese release of 'Ocean Colour Scene'

12

Reprise

 


 

 

 

Ocean Colour Scene