''Alternative Chartbusters'' is the second studio album by UK band
the Boys, released in 1978.
"Brickfield Nights" was the first single.
Background
The Boys released their
self-titled debut studio album in November 1977. During the Christmas period, the band released a "Run Rudolph Run" single under the
alter ego
An alter ego (Latin for "other I", " doppelgänger") means an alternate self, which is believed to be distinct from a person's normal or true original personality. Finding one's alter ego will require finding one's other self, one with a differen ...
the Yobs. ''Alternative Chartbusters'' sees the band moving away from
punk rock into
power pop
Power pop (also typeset as powerpop) is a form of pop rock based on the early music of bands such as the Who, the Beatles, the Beach Boys, and the Byrds. It typically incorporates melodic hooks, vocal harmonies, an energetic performance, and ch ...
territory.
[
]
Release and reception
While promoting ''Alternative Chartbusters'', the Boys' popularity in mainland Europe had gone mainstream, aided by their work ethic and Hollywood Brats
The Hollywood Brats were a British glam rock and protopunk band in the early 1970s. They found little commercial success at the time, and split up in 1974, but are regarded as influential on the later punk rock scene.
History
The band was or ...
' (which keyboardist Casino Steel was previously in) reputation. Author Dave Thompson, in his book ''Alternative Rock'' (2000), wrote: "Boysmania swept Holland; graffiti peppered walls in Norway", though they were mostly ignored in the UK.[
Thompson said the band "push dpast the rent-a-punk barriers of their debut lbum" while ''Alternative Chartbusters'' "peaks with 'Brickfield Nights,' rewriting the rules for solid punk pop-rock."][
]
Track listing
All tracks composed by Casino Steel and Matt Dangerfield; except where indicated
*''Side A''
#"Brickfield Nights" Lead vocal Matt Dangerfield
#"U.S.I." (Plain) Lead vocal Kid Reid
#"Taking On The World" (Reid) Lead vocal Reid
#" Sway (Quién Será)" (Ruiz The Spanish surname Ruiz originates from the Germanic personal name " Hrodric" which is composed of the elements "Hrōd", meaning "renown", and "rīc", meaning "power(ful)", thus "famous ruler". Ruiz is a patronymic from the personal name Ruy, a sh ...
) Lead vocal Dangerfield
#"Do The Contract" Lead vocal Dangerfield
#"Heroine" Lead vocal Dangerfield
#"Not Ready" Lead vocal Reid
*''Side B''
#"Classified Susie" Lead vocal Dangerfield
#"T.C.P." (Plain) Lead vocal All
#"Neighbourhood Brats" Lead vocal Dangerfield
#" Stop Stop Stop" ( Allan Clarke, Tony Hicks
Anthony Christopher Hicks (born 16 December 1945) is an English guitarist and singer who has been a member of the British rock/pop band the Hollies since 1963, and as such was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. His main rol ...
, Graham Nash
Graham William Nash (born 2 February 1942) is an English musician, singer, songwriter, photographer, and activist. He is known for his light tenor voice and for his contributions as a member of the Hollies and the supergroups Crosby, Stills ...
) Lead vocal Dangerfield
#"Backstage Pass" (Plain) Lead vocal Reid
#"Talking" Lead vocal Dangerfield
#"Cast of Thousands" Lead vocal Reid
Personnel
*Matt Dangerfield - guitar, vocals
*Kid Reid - bass, vocals
*Honest John Plain - guitar, vocals
*Casino Steel - piano, vocals
*Jack Black - drums
References
External links
''Alternative Chartbusters''
(deluxe edition) at YouTube
YouTube is a global online video platform, online video sharing and social media, social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by ...
(streamed copy where licensed)
{{Authority control
1978 albums
The Boys (UK band) albums