Candleland Explained

Candleland
Type:	Album
Artist:	Ian McCulloch
Cover:	candleland.jpg
Released:	17 September 1989
Recorded:	Early 1989
Studio:	The Church, Orinoco and Tower Bridge Studios, London; The Grande Armée, Paris
Genre:	Alternative rock
Length:	41:45
Producer:	Ray Shulman
Next Title:	Mysterio
Next Year:	1992

Candleland is the debut solo album by the English musician Ian McCulloch.^[1] It was released 17 September 1989. The album marked McCulloch's departure from Echo & the Bunnymen, in 1989. It features a guest appearance by the Cocteau Twins' Elizabeth Fraser on the title song. The producer, and McCulloch's main musical collaborator on the album, was the producer, programmer, multi-instrumentalist, composer and vocalist Ray Shulman, bassist and main co-writer for 1970s progressive rock group Gentle Giant.^[2] The album reached number 18 on the UK Albums Chart and number 179 on the Billboard 200.^{[3] [4]}

Critical reception

The Chicago Tribune noted that "the new material is even more brooding and self-reflective than usual".

Track listing

All tracks written by Ian McCulloch.

1. "The Flickering Wall" – 3:35
2. "The White Hotel" – 3:15
3. "Proud to Fall" – 3:57
4. "The Cape" – 4:09
5. "Candleland" – 3:18
6. "Horse's Head" – 4:47
7. "Faith and Healing" – 4:36
8. "I Know You Well" – 4:06
9. "In Bloom" – 5:02
10. "Start Again" – 5:00

Personnel

• Ian McCulloch – vocals, guitar
• Ray Shulman – bass, keyboards, producer, programming
• Boris Williams – drums on "The White Hotel" and "Proud to Fall"
• Mike Jobson – bass on "The Flickering Wall" and "The White Hotel"
• Elizabeth Fraser – backing vocals on "Candleland"
• Dave Bascombe – remix on "Candleland"
• Billy McGee – string arrangement on "Horse's Head"
• Olle Romo – programming on "Horse's Head" and "Start Again"
• Henry Priestman – string arrangement on "I Know You Well"

Notes and References

1. Mico . Ted . Albums: Edge of Darkness . Melody Maker . 23 Sep 1989 . 65 . 38 . 33.
2. Web site: Ian McCulloch. Trouser Press.
3. Book: 2006 . Roberts . David . . 19th . . 1-904994-10-5 .
4. Web site: Ian McCulloch . Billboard . 9 August 2024.