The Beast Inside

The Beast Inside
Studio album by
Inspiral Carpets
Released22 April 1991 (1991-04-22)[1]
RecordedRidge Farm Studios, Surrey
GenreIndie rock, Madchester
Length56:11
LabelMute[2]
ProducerChris Nagle
Inspiral Carpets chronology
Life
(1990) 		The Beast Inside
(1991) 		Revenge of the Goldfish
(1992)
Singles from The Beast Inside
  1. "Caravan"
    Released: 18 March 1991[3]
  2. "Please Be Cruel"
    Released: 1991
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[5]
Entertainment WeeklyC+[6]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide[7]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[8]
Select4/5[2]

The Beast Inside is the second studio album from British indie rock band Inspiral Carpets.[9][10] It was released on 22 April 1991 on Mute Records.

The album made the Top 10 in the United Kingdom.[11]

Critical reception

The Rolling Stone Album Guide called the album "a leap forward," writing that "Sleep Well Tonight" "recalled the Velvets at their most Teutonically romantic."[8] Trouser Press called it "a misbegotten attempt at formula- tinkering that broadens the band’s dynamic net but doesn’t pull anything worthwhile in."[12] The Los Angeles Times wrote that The Beast Inside "bears plenty of beat-heavy ecstasy, as well as sounds o’ the ‘60s (notably Clint Boon’s swirling organ)."[10] The Chicago Tribune wrote that "few of the tunes are immediate powerhouses, but as the Carpets maintain their garage-rock energy while keeping the soundscapes changing ... they provide their eventual, if minor, rewards."[13]

Track listing

LP: Cow Records / DUNG 14 (UK)

  1. "Caravan" (4:17)
  2. "Please Be Cruel" (3:38)
  3. "Born Yesterday" (5:23)
  4. "Sleep Well Tonight" (5:10)
  5. "Grip" (3:16)
  6. "Beast Inside" (5:09)
  7. "Niagara" (7:10)
  8. "Mermaid" (4:29)
  9. "Further Away" (13:38)
  10. "Dreams Are All We Have" (4:01)
  • also released on CD (DUNG 14 CD) and MC (DUNG 14 MC)

Personnel

  • Clint Boon - keyboards, backing vocals
  • Craig Gill - drums
  • Tom Hingley - lead vocals
  • Graham Lambert - guitars
  • Martyn Walsh - bass

Charts

Chart (1991) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[14] 157
UK Albums (OCC)[15] 5
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Scottish Albums (OCC)[16] 76
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[17] 37

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[18] Silver 60,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ "New Releases". Music Week. 20 April 1991. p. 14.
  2. ^ a b Griffiths, Nick (May 1991). "The Beastly Boys". Select: 70.
  3. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 16 March 1991. p. 19.
  4. ^ "The Beast Inside - Inspiral Carpets | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  5. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 4. MUZE. p. 481.
  6. ^ "The Beast Inside". EW.com.
  7. ^ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 576.
  8. ^ a b The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 344.
  9. ^ "Inspiral Carpets | Biography & History". AllMusic.
  10. ^ a b "SUMMER ALBUM ROUNDUP : A New Weave From Manchester Lads : *** INSPIRAL CARPETS "The Beast Inside" Mute/Elektra". Los Angeles Times. 30 June 1991.
  11. ^ Buckley, Peter (22 October 2003). The Rough Guide to Rock. Rough Guides. ISBN 9781843531050 – via Google Books.
  12. ^ "Inspiral Carpets". Trouser Press. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  13. ^ Caro, Mark. "Inspiral CarpetsThe Beast Inside (Mute/Elektra) (STAR)(STAR)(STAR)Inspiral Carpets..." chicagotribune.com.
  14. ^ "Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing 12 August 1991". Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  15. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  16. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  17. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  18. ^ "British album certifications – Inspiral Carpets – The Beast Inside". British Phonographic Industry.