''Annunciation'' is an album by the American band the Subdudes, released in 1994. The album title refers to Annunciation Street, in New Orleans; the album was originally intended to be released on Annunciation Day. ''Annunciation'' was the band's first album for High Street Records. The Subdudes supported the album with a North American tour. ''Annunciation'' sold more than 120,000 copies in its first eight months of release.

Production

''Annunciation''s songs were written in a cabin in Colorado. It was recorded primarily at Chez Flames Recordings in New Orleans, produced by the band and Keith Keller. Glyn Johns had produced five of the songs for an earlier, aborted album. The band was chiefly inspired by

gospel music Gospel music is a traditional genre of Christian music, and a cornerstone of Christian media. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is com ...

; they also decided to make a mostly acoustic album. The title track describes being dropped by

Atlantic Records Atlantic Recording Corporation (simply known as Atlantic Records) is an American record label founded in October 1947 by Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson. Over its first 20 years of operation, Atlantic earned a reputation as one of the most i ...

. "Late at Night" was cowritten by members of the Iguanas. "Message Man" criticizes the music industry. "Angel to Be" is about the death of bassist Johnny Ray Allen's mother.

Critical reception

The '' Chicago Tribune'' praised Tommy Malone's "soulful vocals and bluesy guitar work." The '' Orlando Sentinel'' determined that the Subdudes "custom-blend their R & B with rock, gospel, funk and Cajun/Creole influences from New Orleans." '' The Indianapolis Star'' called the music "a melodic mix of New Orleans blues and gospel and American pop, with a heavy emphasis on beat." The '' Pittsburgh Post-Gazette'' dismissed the album as "a lukewarm, white-bread retread of the ''Big Chill'' soundtrack." The '' Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph'' deemed the album "a mixture of N'awlins funk, deep South blues and Colorado folk." '' Rolling Stone'' wrote that "this is New Orleans R&B at its most swinging, with touches of barroom blues, gospel-inspired harmonies, rock and country rhythms and, very simply, some fine playing." '' Stereo Review'' opined that "Malone sometimes comes across like Michael McDonald—a white guy trying too hard to sing the blues." The ''

Boston Herald The ''Boston Herald'' is an American daily newspaper whose primary market is Boston, Massachusetts, and its surrounding area. It was founded in 1846 and is one of the oldest daily newspapers in the United States. It has been awarded eight Pulit ...

'' considered the music to be "folk-soul." AllMusic wrote that "the music combines joy, melancholy, gospel fervor, and blues sincerity to create a unique and appealing sound."

Track listing

References

{{authority control The Subdudes albums 1994 albums Albums produced by Glyn Johns