Album
Big Science
1982 · Electronic, Rock
33 collectors on Gatefold own this
Big Science is a Rock album by Laurie Anderson, originally released in 1982. On Gatefold: 103 pressings tracked, owned by 33 collectors.
About
Avant-garde visionary or subversive interloper? In 1982, no one was quite sure what to make of Laurie Anderson after the release of her debut album <i>Big Science</i>. The veteran performance artist applied new rigor and insight to minimalist music-making with this influential work, a paired-down version of her theater piece <i>United States</i>. What makes <i>Big Science</i> such an enduring cult classic are the cleverness of its sonic stratagems and the austere wit of its lyrics. Anderson’s poker-faced recitations dissect suburban banality, parent/child relationships and the simmering paranoia of modern life. The mordant humor of “From the Air” and “O Superman” compliments the clinical alienation of “Born, Never Asked” and the romantic angst of “Let X=X”/”IT Tango.” Though a pop music outsider, Anderson proves herself adept with her chosen tools, whether she’s intoning through a vocoder, laying down a hypnotic keyboard line or wielding a demonic violin bow. The strangest thing about the album is how poignant much of it is — beyond all their sardonic observations, there’s a tragic sense to these fractured fairy tales. <i>Big Science</i> showed how the aesthetics of visual art could reshape contemporary music in startling ways. The results still make for a transformative experience.
via Apple Music
The Clerk says
The Clerk knows this whole record — the pressing quirks, the credits, the take.
Tracklist
Side A
- A1From The Air4:29
- A2Big Science6:14
- A3Sweaters2:18
- A4Walking & Falling2:10
- A5Born, Never Asked4:56
Side B
- B1O Superman (For Massenet)8:21
- B2Example #222:59
- B3Let X=X3:51
- B4It Tango3:01
Sound DNA
- Rock
- Art Rock
- brittle
- detached
- art school
Notes from the original pressing. Later editions may differ.
Songs from "United States I-IV"
Recorded at The Lobby, New York City.
Mixed at The Hit Factory, New York City.
Additional tracks recorded at The Hit Factory, Skyline Studios and Sorcerer Sound.
Mastered at Masterdisk.
Plated at Europadisk.
Special thanks to Patty Anderson, Lester Bangs, Robert Coe, Anton Fier, Charles Holland, Geraldine Pontius, Greg Shifrin and Gail Turner.
B1 mixed at The Lobby; for Massenet; originally released on One Ten Records.
B2 special thanks to Paranormals Medeline Vester, Gerhard Rozhek, Coretta Atteroc, Shelley Karson.
B3 original version appeared in ArtForum February 1982.
Includes printed inner sleeve with credits and lyrics.
This pressing has a Warner Bros. "W" logo on the bottom of the label. on both sides, (as pictured) The other US pressing of this album does not have the "W" on the label.
Runouts are etched, EDP logo and MASTERDISK stamped.
Credits
The people behind it.
Performers
- Bill ObrechtALTO SAXOPHONE
- David Van TieghemDRUMS, PERCUSSION DRUMS MARIMBA
- George LewisTROMBONE
- Laurie AndersonVOCALS VOCALS, SYNTHESIZER , ORGAN , MARIMBA VOCALS, VOCODER, ORGAN , SYNTHESIZER , MARIMBA
- Perry HobermanFLUTE, SAXOPHONE, PERCUSSION , PICCOLO FLUTE BACKING VOCALS FLUTE
- Peter GordonCLARINET, TENOR SAXOPHONE CLARINET TENOR SAXOPHONE
- Chuck FisherALTO SAXOPHONE , TENOR SAXOPHONE ALTO SAXOPHONE, TENOR SAXOPHONE TENOR SAXOPHONE, ALTO SAXOPHONE
- D. SharpeDRUMS
- Leanne UngarBACKING VOCALS
- Richard CohenBARITONE SAXOPHONE BARITONE SAXOPHONE , CLARINET , BASSOON, BASS CLARINET BARITONE SAXOPHONE , CLARINET, BASSOON, BASS CLARINET
- Roma BaranACCORDION ACCORDION, WHISTLING BASS
33 collectors on Gatefold own this · 103 pressings tracked on Gatefold
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