Sunburst Finish (album)

Sunburst Finish
Studio album by
Be-Bop Deluxe
ReleasedFebruary 1976
StudioAbbey Road Studios, London; Air Studios, London
Genre
Length39:47
LabelHarvest
Producer
Be-Bop Deluxe chronology
Futurama
(1975) 		Sunburst Finish
(1976) 		Modern Music
(1976)
Singles from Sunburst Finish
  1. "Ships in the Night"
    Released: February 1976
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Q[1]

Sunburst Finish is the third studio album by English rock band Be-Bop Deluxe, released in February 1976.[2] It was recorded in Abbey Road Studios, London.[3]

The album contains what would become one of their few forays into chart success; the February 1976 single "Ships in the Night", which reached number 23 in the UK Singles Chart.

Keyboardist Andy Clark, who had served as a temporary member during Be-Bop Deluxe's 1975 Futurama tour, joined the band as a full member for this album. He remained until the band was dissolved by Bill Nelson in 1978 and would be the only member of Be-Bop Deluxe apart from Bill Nelson to become part of Bill Nelson's Red Noise.

The album marked the production debut of John Leckie, who would later produce artists such as Simple Minds, XTC, The Stone Roses and Radiohead.[4] It was re-released in early 1991 with three bonus tracks.[1]

Q Magazine described it as the band's 'finest hour' where 'Bill's lyrical excesses are held in check while the band belt out track after track of uniquely futuristic pop'.[1]

Musical style

The music of Sunburst Finish has been classified as art rock,[5] pop rock[6] and progressive pop.[7]

Track listing

All songs written by Bill Nelson.

  1. "Fair Exchange" – 4:49
  2. "Heavenly Homes" – 3:36
  3. "Ships in the Night" – 4:03
  4. "Crying to the Sky" – 3:57
  5. "Sleep That Burns" – 5:16
  6. "Beauty Secrets" – 2:47
  7. "Life in the Air Age" – 3:59
  8. "Like an Old Blues" – 3:27
  9. "Crystal Gazing" – 3:24
  10. "Blazing Apostles" – 4:29
  11. "Shine" (Reissue bonus track)
  12. "Speed of the Wind" (Reissue bonus track)
  13. "Blue as a Jewel" (Reissue bonus track)

Personnel

Be-Bop Deluxe

with:

Cover photograph

John Thornton photographed the cover[8] based on a concept by Mike Doud.[9] The model was Nicky Howarth Dwek.

References

  1. ^ a b c Dick, Charlie (5 March 1991). "Sunburst Finish (reissue)". Q Magazine. 55: 84.
  2. ^ Be Bop Deluxe Discography Archived 2009-08-02 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Sunburst Finish album sleeve notes. Kevin Cann, 1990
  4. ^ CLASSIC TRACKS: The Stone Roses 'Fools Gold', Sound on Sound, February 2005
  5. ^ Staff (26 November 2018). "Bop Deluxe: Sunburst Finish - Album Of The Week Club Review". Classic Rock. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  6. ^ Clayton-Lea, Tony (28 December 2018). "Be Bop Deluxe: Sunburst Finish review – Guitar-driven pop/rock with a sci-fi concept". The Irish Times. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  7. ^ Felt, Hunter (28 April 2005). "BE-BOP DELUXE: SUNBURST FINISH [REISSUE]". PopMatters. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  8. ^ "Johnny Thornton". www.johnthornton.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  9. ^ "Sunburst Finish – Be Bop Deluxe – Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 October 2018.