A Flock of Seagulls | ||||
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Studio album by A Flock of Seagulls | ||||
Released | 30 April 1982 | |||
Recorded | Battery Studios, London, England Summer-Late Autumn, 1981 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 39:45 | |||
Label |
Jive Cherry Red Records (2011 remaster) |
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Producer | Mike Howlett, Bill Nelson | |||
A Flock of Seagulls chronology | ||||
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Singles from A Flock of Seagulls | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
Robert Christgau | A− |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide |
A Flock of Seagulls is the eponymous debut studio album by the new wave band A Flock of Seagulls. It was released in 1982 on Jive (see 1982 in music), and featured the international hit single "I Ran (So Far Away)", which reached the Top 10 in the US and New Zealand, as well as No. 1 in Australia. The song "Space Age Love Song" also managed to score radio play. On the success of the singles, the album reached No. 10 in the US.
The album received good reviews upon its release and significant radio airplay. In his review for AllMusic, Tom Demalon gave the album 4.5 stars, calling it "great fun and a wonderful collection of new wave ear candy."
Prominent critic Robert Christgau was also happy with it, giving it an A- and saying that it is "so transparently, guilelessly expedient that it actually provides the hook-chocked fun most current pop bands only advertise." Other reviews pointed out the bands "pioneering sounds, compelling hooks and undeniably addictive gimmicks."
The band, and particularly this album, were influential during the 1980s, for their image and also for their production techniques, which at one point garnered the respect of record producer Phil Spector, who in the 1980s called the album "phenomenal."
The album track, "D.N.A." won a Grammy Award in 1983 for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.
All tracks written by Mike Score, Ali Score, Frank Maudsley and Paul Reynolds, except where noted.