Mars Needs Guitars!
Mars Needs Guitars! | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |||
Recorded | 1984 | |||
Genre | Rock | |||
Length | 33:35 | |||
Label | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |||
Producer | Charles Fisher, Hoodoo Gurus | |||
Hoodoo Gurus chronology | ||||
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Singles from Mars Needs Guitars! | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Allmusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Robert Christgau | B−[1] |
Rolling Stone | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Mars Needs Guitars! is Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus' second album, released in 1985.[2] The title is a reference to the 1967 science fiction film, Mars Needs Women. Singles from the album were "Bittersweet" (1985) (reached #10 on Melbourne record charts),[3] "Like Wow – Wipeout" (1985, #28[3]), "Death Defying" (1986) and "Poison Pen" (1986). Mars Needs Guitars! reached No. 140 on the American Billboard 200 albums chart in 1986.
The title track, "Mars Needs Guitars" (also the B-side of "Bittersweet" single), was written by all five Gurus[4] and lead vocals were by Brad Shepherd. All other tracks were written[4] and featured lead vocals by Dave Faulkner.[5] Hayride to Hell (1995) is a short film written and directed by former Gurus member Kimble Rendall.[6]
"When we commenced the sessions for Mars Needs Guitars! we had a brand new drummer, Mark Kingsmill who altered our lives forever with his distinctive explosive style." - Dave Faulkner.[7]
The song "Bittersweet" was used in the video game MVP Baseball 2004.
The album was re-released by EMI on 22 February 2005 with five bonus tracks, a fold out poster and liner tracks by Wally Kempton (Even/The Meanies). Three of the bonus tracks (13 to 15) were recorded live at Selina's, Sydney, in 1986.[5] In October 2010, it was listed in the book, 100 Best Australian Albums, with their previous album, Stoneage Romeos at No. 28.[8]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Dave Faulkner, except where noted[4]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Bittersweet" | 3:44 | |
2. | "Poison Pen" | 4:09 | |
3. | "In the Wild" | 3:07 | |
4. | "Death Defying" | 3:21 | |
5. | "Like Wow – Wipeout" | 3:09 | |
6. | "Hayride to Hell" | 3:15 | |
7. | "Show Some Emotion" | 2:56 | |
8. | "Other Side of Paradise" | 3:31 | |
9. | "Mars Needs Guitars" | James Baker, Clyde Bramley, Faulkner, Mark Kingsmill, Brad Shepherd | 2:52 |
10. | "She" | 3:28 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
11. | "Bring the Hoodoo Down" | 2:54 | |
12. | "Turkey Dinner" | 4:14 | |
13. | "Death Ship" (live) | Faulkner, Roddy Radalj, Alan Sharples | 2:42 |
14. | "In the Wild" (live) | 3:29 | |
15. | "Teenage Head" (live) | Cyril Jordan, Roy Loney | 3:02 |
Personnel
Hoodoo Gurus
- Clyde Bramley – bass, backing vocals
- Dave Faulkner – lead vocals (except track 9), guitar, keyboards
- Mark Kingsmill – drums, cymbals
- Brad Shepherd – lead guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals (track 9), harmonica (mouth harp)
Technical
- John Bee – engineer
- Richard Allan – illustrations
- Charles Fisher – producer (except track 11)
- Don Bartley – mastering (remastering)
- Hoodoo Gurus – producer (track 11)
References
- ^ Christgau, Robert. "Mars Needs Guitars!". Robert Christgau.
- ^ a b Holmgren, Magnus; Georgieff, Didier; Hartung, Stephan. "Hoodoo Gurus". Passagen.se. Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
- ^ a b Guest, Thomas J. (1991). Thirty Years of Hits. Collingwood, Melbourne: M. J. Maloney. ISBN 0-646-04633-0.
- ^ a b c "Australasian Performing Right Association". APRA. Archived from the original on 5 May 2008. Retrieved 30 November 2007.
- ^ a b c "Discogs entry on Mars Needs Guitars!". discogs.com. Retrieved 30 November 2007.
- ^ "Internet Movie Database entry on Kimble Rendall". IMDb. Retrieved 10 January 2008.
- ^ Faulkner, Dave (June 2000). "Pop and punishment". juliat. Archived from the original on 8 August 2007. Retrieved 27 January 2008.
- ^ O'Donnell, John; Creswell, Toby; Mathieson, Craig (October 2010). 100 Best Australian Albums. Prahran, Vic: Hardie Grant Books. ISBN 978-1-74066-955-9.