Fun & Games (The Connells album)

Fun & Games is the third studio album by the American band the Connells, released in 1989.[1][2] It was recorded primarily at Fort Apache Studios, in Cambridge, MA, with additional recording at Studio 900 in New York City and Reflection Studio in Charlotte, NC.

Fun & Games
Studio album by
Released1989
Recorded1988–89
StudioFort Apache Studios, Cambridge, MA & Studio 900, NYC
GenreRock
Length45:20
LabelTVT
ProducerGary Smith, Anthony Battaglia, Matt Matthews, The Connells
The Connells chronology
Boylan Heights
(1987)
Fun & Games
(1989)
One Simple Word
(1990)

The album reached No. 163 on the Billboard 200; the single "Something to Say" reached No. 7 on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart.[3][4] The band supported the album with a North American tour.[5]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [6]
Chicago Tribune    [7]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide     [8]

The Washington Post wrote: "Though less redolent of Celtic airs than the previous platter, Fun has a similar sweep, its melodies cascading gently over the Piedmont."[9] The Philadelphia Inquirer deemed the album "hooky, straightforward rock."[10] The Chicago Tribune called it "a musical blend that's both bucolic and brawny and possessed of some real presence, vitality and depth."[7]

Track listing

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  1. "Something To Say" (Mike Connell) - 3:40
  2. "Fun & Games" (Connell, Doug MacMillan) - 3:06
  3. "Sal" (George Huntley, Mike Ayers, Peele Wimberley) - 3:44
  4. "Upside Down" (Connell) - 3:16
  5. "Fine Tuning" (Connell) - 3:19
  6. "Motel" (Huntley) - 3:40
  7. "Hey Wow" (Connell) - 4:17
  8. "Ten Pins" (Connell, Huntley, MacMillan) - 4:06
  9. "Inside My Head" (Huntley) - 3:12
  10. "Uninspired" (Connell, MacMillan) - 4:10
  11. "Sat Nite (USA)" (The Connells) - 3:47
  12. "Lay Me Down" (Huntley) - 5:03

"Fine Tuning" was a CD only bonus track.

Personnel

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The Connells
  • Doug MacMillan - lead vocals
  • Mike Connell - guitar, slide guitar
  • George Huntley - guitar, backing vocals; lead vocals on "Sal", "Motel", "Ten Pins", "Inside my Head" and "Lay me Down"
  • David Connell - bass, percussion
  • Peele Wimberley - drums, percussion
Additional personnel
  • Willa Bassen - French horn sampler
  • Deborah Coffman - cello
  • Steve Haigler - bells
  • Jeb Bishop - trombone
  • Tom Gordon - saxophone
  • Jon Thornton - trumpet
  • Gary Smith - producer, piano, organ, guitar, slide guitar, vibes, backing vocals, "la la la's"
  • Anthony Battaglia - producer, guitar, backing vocals
  • Matt Matthews - producer
  • Beth Cumber - cover illustration, design

References

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  1. ^ Duffy, Thom (8 Jan 1989). "Best Patrol Bets". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 17.
  2. ^ Lester, Paul (Sep 23, 1989). "Albums: The Connells". Melody Maker. 65 (38): 35.
  3. ^ "The Connells". Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  4. ^ "The Connells". Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  5. ^ Aparicio, Nestor (26 Sep 1990). "Connells are succeeding with tours and timing". The Baltimore Sun. p. C10.
  6. ^ Fun & Games at AllMusic
  7. ^ a b Popson, Tom (7 Apr 1989). "Indie LPs: Guitar-pop, doo-wop, blues and more". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. G.
  8. ^ The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 158.
  9. ^ Jenkins, Mark (17 Mar 1989). "Brave New Worlds on Weeknights". The Washington Post. p. N23.
  10. ^ Moon, Tom (31 Mar 1989). "The Connells". Features Weekend. The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 24.