This Can't Be Life

Studio album by Wild Colonials

Released

August 13 1996

Recorded

1995 at A&M Studios, Capitol Studios, Zeitgeist Studios, House of Blues Studios, Mad Hatter Studios, California, U.S.

Genre

Alternative, folk rock

Length

45:07

Label

DGC/Geffen

Producer

Tony Berg and John Porter

Wild Colonials chronology

Fruit of Life
(1994)

This Can't Be Life
(1996)

Reel Life, Vol. 1
(2000)

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This Can't Be Life is the second album for American Alternative band Wild Colonials, released in 1996 (see 1996 in music).

This Can't Be Life features a more Rock-oriented sound than their first more acoustic debut Fruit of Life. This update in sound and volume was due to the band touring extensively the previous year and playing larger venues. The band toured nationally in the U.S. as headliners as well as the opening act for Los Lobos, Chris Isaak, Midnight Oil, Cyndi Lauper and The Kinks. The band also toured as co-headliners with Young Dubliners. The band headlined the second stage as part of the ground breaking first Lilith Fair '97 tour.

The music video for the first single and Radio hit "Charm" directed by Paul Boyd, was played often on MTV that year. This was the first album to feature new member Thaddeus Corea on Drums/Percussion.

The cover image is from a 1917 German postcard. The sleeve design and photos were taken by Wild Colonials' violinist Paul Cantelon's brother Lee Cantelon. Lee had borrowed the postcard from American singer-songwriter Rickie Lee Jones. Rickie had received the postcard from a friend in Europe and had it up on the wall of her kitchen. Lee has designed many album covers including Tracy Chapman (New Beginning) and Rickie Lee Jones (Naked Songs - Live and Acoustic, Ghostyhead).

A radical reworking of the track was remixed by Frankie Blue and Jason Bentley. A rap remix “Wake Up Sad (East Side re-mix with Rap)” was done by the World Rap Maniacs from New York City.

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Wikipedia