Saint Etienne Good Humor CD

GOOD HUMOR contains a bonus CD that is limited to the first 10,000 copies.

St. Etienne's fourth album, GOOD HUMOR, abandons the dance elements of earlier releases to focus on the ultra-melodic Bacharach/Wilson/Beatles pop that has always been at the root of the band's music. The record sounds swoon-inducingly gorgeous. Leslied keyboards, vibes, and real strings and horns color Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs' arrangements. Sarah Cracknell's underrated voice, always the band's strongest feature, has matured into a fine instrument pitched somewhere between Dusty Springfield's soulful English Rose and Petula Clark's young sophisticate.

The achingly lovely "Erica America" is the immediate highlight, though the near-conversational "Mr. Donut" comes very close. The groovier "Sylvie" and "The Bad Postman" recall earlier club hits but with a lighter touch. All 11 songs, from "Woodcabin" to "Dutch TV," are frothy, melodic, and magnificent pop. GOOD HUMOR is one of the best albums of 1998. Original US copies included a bonus disc of singles and remixes.

Saint Etienne: Sarah Cracknell (vocals, percussion); Bob Stanley, Pete Wiggs (keyboards, synthesizers).

Saint Etienne: Sarah Cracknell (vocals, percussion); Bob Stanley, Pete Wiggs (keyboards, synthesizers).
Additional personnel: Jez Williams (guitar); Tore Johansson (harmonica, bass); Sven Andersson (saxophone); Petter Lidgard (trumpet); Jens Lindgard (trombone); Gerard Johnson (piano, keyboards, vibraphone); Mats Larsson (piano); Rasmus Kihlberg (drums); Debsey (background vocals).
St. Etienne's fourth album, GOOD HUMOR, abandons the dance elements OF earlier releases TO focus ON the ultra - melodic Bacharach / Wilson / Beatles pop that has always been at the root OF the band's music.The record sounds swoon - inducingly gorgeous.Leslied keyboards, vibes, AND real strings AND horns color Bob Stanley AND Pete Wiggs' arrangements.Sarah Cracknell's underrated voice, always the band's strongest feature, has matured INTO a fine instrument pitched somewhere BETWEEN Dusty Springfield's soulful English Rose AND Petula Clark's young sophisticate.
The achingly lovely [Erica America] IS the immediate highlight, though the near - conversational [Mr. Donut] comes very CLOSE .The groovier [Sylvie] AND [The Bad Postman] recall earlier club hits but WITH a lighter touch. ALL 11 songs, FROM [Woodcabin] TO [Dutch TV,] are frothy, melodic, AND magnificent pop.GOOD HUMOR IS one OF the best albums OF 1998.

Additional personnel: Jez Williams (guitar); Tore Johansson (harmonica, bass); Sven Andersson (saxophone); Petter Lidgard (trumpet); Jens Lindgard (trombone); Gerard Johnson (piano, keyboards, vibraphone); Mats Larsson (piano); Rasmus Kihlberg (drums); Debsey (background vocals).Rolling Stone (10/1/98, pp.68-69) - 3.5 Stars (out of 5) - "...their most relentless album yet, every bit as smashing as their 1995 singles collection....they go for a warmer, more acoustic sound, with piano, vibes and jazzy saxophone to decorate their bittersweet melodies..."
Entertainment Weekly (9/11/98, p.132) - "...While GOOD HUMOR lacks some of the bold juxtapostions of Saint Etienne's previous efforts, its unassuming sweetness is hard to resist." - Rating: B