Tranzophobia
| Tranzophobia | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1989 | |||
| Genre | Pop, punk-pop | |||
| Label | Decoy | |||
| Producer | Iain Burgess | |||
| Mega City Four chronology | ||||
| ||||
Tranzophobia is the debut album by the English band Mega City Four, released in 1989.[1][2] Its title was inspired by the band's Ford Transit van.[3] The album was produced by Iain Burgess and released by Decoy Records.[4][5]
Mega City Four supported the album with a British tour.[6] Tranzophobia was an independent album chart success.[7]
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [8] |
| Los Angeles Times | [9] |
| MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide | [10] |
The Los Angeles Times praised "the joyfully adolescent attitude," writing that "the tuneful rush of early Buzzcocks and Undertones lives on."[9] Trouser Press concluded that the production "is way too muddy, and the band's chunky sound is a little rag-tag sloppy in places, but the hooks are so ringing and the lyrics so first-rate, that, like the early Descendents, the record overcomes such troubles."[11] NME deemed the tracks "the most addictive pop songs created over the past year."[12] Best listed Tranzophobia as the fourth best album of 1989.[13]
AllMusic wrote that "the songs charge forth with fuzzy, rapidly chorded guitars; the upbeat vocals are buttressed by anthemic harmonies, and the lyrics are the thoughts of young men searching for ways to solidify their identity while maintaining integrity."[8] The Guardian called Tranzophobia a "classic first album."[14]
Track listing
[edit]All lyrics were written by Wiz, and all music was composed by M.C.4.
- "Start"
- "Pride and Prejudice"
- "Severe Attack of the Truth"
- "Paper Tiger"
- "January"
- "Twenty One Again"
- "On Another Planet"
- "Things I Never Said"
- "New Year's Day"
- "Occupation"
- "Alternative Arrangements"
- "Promise"
- "What You've Got"
- "Stupid Way to Die"
References
[edit]- ^ Mercer, Mick (Jun 3, 1989). "Mega City Four: The Primed Time Players". Melody Maker. Vol. 65, no. 22. p. 35.
- ^ "Mega City Four". Maximum Rocknroll. No. 88. Sep 1, 1990. pp. 78, 79.
- ^ "Live Wires". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. 26 Sep 1990. p. 10.
- ^ Creek, Adrian (8 Jun 1990). "Mega's Crusade Goes On". Farnborough News. p. 3.
- ^ The Rough Guide to Rock (2nd ed.). Rough Guides Ltd. 1999. p. 630.
- ^ Thompson, David (6 Jul 1989). "Mega Success Heads Towards Bracknell". Wokingham Times. p. 16.
- ^ "Psychedelic Sounds". Lincolnshire Echo. 5 Aug 1989. p. 9.
- ^ a b "Tranzophobia Review by Richie Unterberger". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- ^ a b Hochman, Steve (16 June 1990). "Intriguing Sounds from Across the Atlantic". Los Angeles Times. p. F7.
- ^ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1996. p. 452.
- ^ "Mega City Four". Trouser Press. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- ^ "Live Wires". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. NME. 30 Nov 1989. p. 3.
- ^ "Live Wires". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. 16 Mar 1990. p. 3.
- ^ "Falling Off the Blandwagon". Music. The Guardian. 25 Oct 1990. p. 26.