The Absolute Game is a Punk album by Skids, originally released in 1980. On Gatefold: 22 pressings tracked.
About
If The MC5 unconsciously simulated the sound of Detroit assembly lines, then The Skids instinctively mined the sound of the Scottish working pit. Both guitarist Stuart Adamson (future Big Country leader) and singer Richard Jobson (later a U.K. TV presenter and filmmaker) grew up in coal-mining families in Fife, Scotland. The band's big-guitar tunes had undercurrents of Gaelic folk (especially in the guitar and vocal melodies). Jobson took much flak for trivial pursuits and affected obsessions with WWII military behavior and tragic Greek poets: masculine manias that likely ensured the band would never see U2-like fame. But this Mick Glossop–produced album is wonder for its mix of beauty and power (“A Women in Winter,” “Goodbye Civilian”), anthemic green (“Hurry on Boys,” “Circus Games”) and head-scratching pop wonderment (“The Children Saw the Shame”). The Skids were often as musically persuasive as they were fist-jackingly powerful, and it’s hard to believe they never made it beyond minor-player status in U.K. rock history.
via Apple Music
The Clerk says
The Clerk knows this whole record — the pressing quirks, the credits, the take.
Tracklist
- 1Circus Games3:52
- 2Arena5:29
- 3One Decree3:26
- 4The Devils Decade5:32
- 5Happy to Be With You3:37
- 6Out of Town4:09
- 7Goodbye Civilian4:18
- 8The Children Saw the Shame3:42
- 9A Woman In Winter4:04
- 10Hurry On Boys3:43
- 11Circus Games (7'' Version)3:57
- 12Goodbye Civilian (7'' Version)3:29
- 13Monkey McGuire Meets Specky Potter Behind Lochore Institute2:52
- 14An Incident In Algiers3:24
- 15Grievance3:22
- 16Strength Through Joy1:50
- 17Filming In Africa3:42
- 18A Man for All Seasons1:49
- 19Snakes and Ladders3:59
- 20Surgical Triumph2:03
- 21The Bell Jar2:52
Sound DNA
- Punk
- Punk Rock
- raw
- driving
- punky
Notes from the original pressing. Later editions may differ.
Produced and engineered by Mick Glossop for Dukeslodge Enterprises Ltd.
Recorded at The Manor and Audio International, Spring 1980
Mastered at The Townhouse.
Management by Paul Bailey for Nearly Normal Music Ltd.
Dedicated to the big boys who did it and ran away
Three down five to go
Includes a two-sided coloured 11 sq.in. insert with lyrics and additional credits and an A5 merchandise offer.
Textured relief sleeve.
The second edition release can be found here The Absolute Game (UK 1980) (opens in a new tab).
Credits
The people behind it.
Performers
- Alison PipkinVOCALS
- Andrew SigsworthVOCALS
- Chloe DymottVOCALS
- David PipkinVOCALS
- Esther MarshallVOCALS
- Gracie BensonVOCALS
- Hannah YeadonVOCALS
- Harriet BakewellVOCALS
- John SigsworthVOCALS
- Jude NettletonVOCALS
- Julius NewellVOCALS
- Marlis DuncklauVOCALS
- Mary VolkeVOCALS
- Mike BaillieDRUMS, PERCUSSION, XYLOPHONE, VOCALS
- Richard JobsonLEAD VOCALS, GUITAR
- Russell WebbBASS GUITAR, SYNTHESIZER, VOCALS, PERCUSSION BASS, PERCUSSION, SYNTHESIZER, VOCALS BASS, SYNTHESIZER, VOCALS, PERCUSSION
- Sally NettletonVOCALS
- Stuart AdamsonGUITAR , SYNTHESIZER, VOCALS, PERCUSSION LEAD GUITAR, RHYTHM GUITAR, SYNTHESIZER, PERCUSSION, VOCALS LEAD GUITAR, RHYTHM GUITAR, SYNTHESIZER, VOCALS, PERCUSSION
Rare pressing on Gatefold · 22 pressings tracked on Gatefold
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