''Chemistry'' is the second
studio album
An album is a collection of audio recordings issued on compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl, audio tape, or another medium such as Digital distribution#Music, digital distribution. Albums of recorded sound were developed in the early ...
by Australian rock band
Mondo Rock, produced by Mark Moffat, and released in July 1981.
[Billboard's Top Album Picks: Mondo Rock ''Chemistry'']
, ''Billboard
A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...
'', January 30, 1982, p. 74. Retrieved October 12, 2016 It was released in the US in January 1982 on
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 ...
. The album was certified 2× Platinum in Australia.
At the
1981 Countdown Australian Music Awards the album won Best Australian Album.
In 2014, the album was remastered and reissued with two bonus tracks, previously unreleased demos and came with a second disc of live tracks.
Reception
On its US release, ''
Billboard
A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...
'' described it as "state of the art rock that can be played on a variety of formats".
In 2014, ''Cream'' Magazine described it as "one of the better albums of its year of release".
Chart performance and singles
''Chemistry'' peaked at number 3 in Australia during a 33-week run beginning in July 1981.
[Mondo Rock reunite for first tour in 24 years]
, ''Sydney Morning Herald
''The Sydney Morning Herald'' (''SMH'') is a daily compact newspaper published in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, and owned by Nine. Founded in 1831 as the ''Sydney Herald'', the ''Herald'' is the oldest continuously published newspaper i ...
'', February 19, 2014. Retrieved October 12, 2016 It was released through the Avenue Records label. State Of The Heart first charted on November 17, 1980, peaked at 6th position and stayed in the charts for 26 weeks. Mondo Rock released the single "Cool World" in 1981. It was released through the Avenue Records label. Cool World first charted on April 13, 1981, peaked at 8th position and stayed in the charts for 20 weeks. Mondo Rock released the single "Summer Of '81" in 1981. "Summer Of '81" first charted on November 16, 1981, peaked at 31st position and stayed in the charts for 17 weeks. Their second album, ''Chemistry'' was issued in July 1981, which peaked at No. 2 on the Australian
Kent Music Report
The Kent Music Report was a weekly record chart of Australian music singles and albums which was compiled by music enthusiast David Kent from May 1974 through to January 1999. The chart was re-branded the Australian Music Report (AMR) in July ...
Albums Chart. Mondo Rock reached the top 10 on the related Kent Music Report Singles Chart with "
State of the Heart" (October 1980) and "Cool World" (April 1981).
2014 live shows
In 2014 the band reformed to play the album live on its 33 anniversary.
[O'Brien, John (2014)]
Review: Mondo Rock, Eatons Hill Hotel, June 20, 2014
, news.com.au, June 21, 2014. Retrieved October 12, 2016
Track listing
Bonus tracks (Single B-sides)
Previously unreleased demos
Disc 2 (Live)
Note
*Compared to the LP version, the CD has switched "side A" and "side B" in its track order.
Personnel
Mondo Rock:
*Ross Wilson – vocals
*Eric McCusker – guitar, backing vocals
*James Black – keyboards, backing vocals
*Paul Christie – bass, backing vocals
*John James Hackett – drums (on "We're No Angels" only)
According to the original liner notes, "these quasi-members also played drums"
*Andrew Buchanan (tracks 3, 8, 12)
*Gil Matthews (tracks 4, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16)
*Graham "Buzz" Bidstrup (1, 2, 5, 6, 7)
On the live tracks on CD 2, the drummers are:
*John James Hackett (1, 2, 3, 4, 12, 13)
*Gil Matthews (tracks 5–11)
Production team:
Original album (except "State Of The Heart") + "Back On The Outside"
*Producer, Engineer – Mark Moffatt
*Engineers – Jim Barton, Ross Cockle, Scott Hemming
"State Of The Heart" + "Mona Lisa"
*Producer, Engineer – Ern Rose
*Re-mix Engineer ("State Of The Heart") – Gil Matthews
Previously Unreleased Demos
*Engineer, Mixed by – Gil Matthews
Live tracks
*Producer – Jim Barton and Mondo Rock
*Engineers – Jim Barton, Keith Walker
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
References
{{Authority control
1981 albums
Mondo Rock albums
Atlantic Records albums