20th Century (John Sykes album) explained

20th Century
Type:studio
Artist:John Sykes
Cover:Sykes 20th Century.jpg
Released:1997
Recorded:The Bunker (Northridge)
Rumba Recorders (Canoga Park)[1]
Genre:Hard rock
Length:38:10
Label:Mercury Japan
Producer:John Sykes
Prev Title:Loveland
Prev Year:1997
Next Title:Chapter One
Next Year:1998

20th Century is the third solo album by John Sykes, released in 1997. The record is a companion piece to Sykes' second solo album Loveland, released that same year. While Loveland was composed of all ballads, 20th Century features heavier material, more akin to Sykes' previous work with Blue Murder and Whitesnake. After releasing Loveland, Sykes felt he was perceived as having gone "soft" by audiences. As a response he decided to record 20th Century.[2] Sykes' goal with the album was to also have shorter and more "concise" songs, in a similar vein to Van Halen's first album.[3] The album's title was chosen because of the impending end of the 20th century.[4]

Track listing

All songs written and composed by John Sykes.[1]

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.[1]

valign=topMusicians

Additional musicians

  • Tommy O'Steen – drums (on "2 Counts")
  • Tommy Aldridge – drums (on "Look In His Eyes")
  • Bonnie Bonapart – drums (on "System Ain't Working" and "Found What I Needed")
  • Mars Lasar – keyboards
valign=topProduction
  • John Sykes – production
  • Noel Golden – mixing
  • Jeff Robinette – additional mix engineering
  • Orris Henry – additional engineering
  • Eddy Schreyer – mastering

Artwork

  • William Hames – photography
  • John Sykes and Tami Fukatami – artwork concept
  • Masahiro Yamazaki and Ryota Mizuki – designs

Notes and References

  1. 20th Century . 20th Century (John Sykes album) . . 1997 . booklet . . PHCR-1590 .
  2. Web site: Interview with John Sykes, July 1999 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190419162514/http://melodicrock.com/interviews/johnsykes.html . Melodicrock.com . 3 January 2021 . 19 April 2019.
  3. Interview with John Sykes . 24 January 2021 . Itō Seisoku no Rock City . Television Kanagawa . 1998 . Japanese . YouTube.
  4. Interview with John Sykes and Marco Mendoza . 24 January 2021 . Bang Up Rock . Television Kanagawa . 1997 . Japanese . YouTube.