Semi Detached | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 23 March 2015 [1] | |||
Length | 46:32 | |||
Label | Cherry Red Records | |||
Producer | Neil Arthur | |||
Blancmange chronology | ||||
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Semi Detached is the sixth studio album by British Synth-pop band Blancmange, released in 2015. The album was the first to be created without the involvement of original member Stephen Luscombe due to his health problems. [1] Neil Arthur commenced writing material for the album in 2013-14, with recording taking place during 2014. [2] The album reached No. 22 in the UK Independent Albums Chart. [3]
"Paddington" was released as the album's first single on 9 March 2015. A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by Tone Davies. [4] The second single, "Useless", was released on 15 May, [5] followed by "I Want More", released on 18 April as a limited edition 12" single for Record Store Day. [6] [7]
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Arts Desk | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Louder Than War | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Mojo | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
MusicOMH | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Q | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Record Collector | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Uncut | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Upon release, David Jeffries of AllMusic considered the album to be a "very dark Blancmange album when compared to all the others, and quite emotionally heavy as well". He added: "Semi Detached is sincere in its distrust, distaste, and ire, and the album winds up a worthy companion for bad days or chucking it all." [8] Paul Scott-Bates of Louder Than War commented: "Arthur's Northern quirk is present throughout Semi Detached though the overall feel is darker. [It] is a modern day riposte to the Blancmange of the 80s. Still catchy, still infectious but now all grown up." [10]
Mark Elliott of Record Collector commented: "Semi Detached is a darker, icier project than any Blancmange have previously served up. A long distance from their frothier 80s form, it’s a set that shows Neil Arthur is more than capable of keeping this band on our radar for some time yet." [13] Graeme Marsh of MusicOMH wrote: "if you fancy a slightly off centre alternative to the mass appeal of more prominent electronic bands, despite a few wobbly bits here and there, then you won't go far wrong with giving this latest collection a chance." [12]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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1. | "The Fall" | Neil Arthur, Graham Henderson | 8:08 |
2. | " I Want More" | Michael Karoli, Irmin Schmidt, Holger Czukay, Jaki Liebezeit, Peter Gilmour | 3:57 |
3. | "Paddington" | Arthur | 3:56 |
4. | "It Didn't Take Long" | Arthur | 4:24 |
5. | "MKS Lover" | Arthur | 4:17 |
6. | "Like I Do" | Arthur | 3:34 |
7. | "Deep in the Mine" | Arthur | 4:43 |
8. | "Acid" | Arthur | 4:23 |
9. | "Useless" | Arthur | 3:27 |
10. | "Bloody Hell Fire" | Arthur | 5:48 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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1. | " I Want Your Love" (Extended Version) | Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers | 6:43 |
2. | "Silk Sea" | Arthur | 3:29 |
3. | "That Worm" | Arthur | 5:12 |
4. | "Paddington" (Extended Version) | 5:36 | |
5. | "I Want More" (Extended Version) | 7:15 | |
6. | "Like I Do" (Extended Version) | 4:50 | |
7. | "Useless" (Extended Version) | 4:36 | |
8. | "Paddington" (Alternative Edit) | 4:04 | |
9. | "I Want Your Love" | 5:16 |
Chart (2015) | Peak position |
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UK Independent Albums Chart [3] | 22 |