Fireboy Explained

Fireboy
Type:	studio
Artist:	Grant McLennan
Cover:	McLennan fireboy.jpg
Released:	1993
Recorded:	Paradise Studios, Sydney, Platinum Studios, Melbourne
Genre:	Alternative rock
Length:	52:42
Label:	White Label^[1]
Producer:	Dave Dobbyn
Prev Title:	Watershed
Prev Year:	1991
Next Title:	Horsebreaker Star
Next Year:	1994

Fireboy is the second solo album by Grant McLennan, a member of the Go-Betweens.^{[2] [3]} It was released in 1993.^[4] In the album's liner notes McLennan said the songs were for Gloria Swanson, Kenneth Slessor, Brett Whiteley and Dean Martin. Produced by Dave Dobbyn, it was recorded in Woolloomooloo.^[5] The first single was "Surround Me".^[6]

Critical reception

Trouser Press called the album "a near-perfect convergence of observant, passionate words and jangly, surging tunes."^[7] The Calgary Herald wrote that McLennan "sings with conviction [and] poetic insight."

AllMusic wrote: "If there are hints of older rock styles here and there, McLennan's singing in particular still has the sharp, modern edge that helped make the Go-Betweens great, all while not losing his trademark warmth."^[8]

Track listing

All tracks written by Grant McLennan, except where noted.

1. "Lighting Fires" – 3:36
2. "Surround Me" – 3:55
3. "One Million Miles From Here" – 3:45
4. "The Dark Side of Town" – 3:46
5. "Things Will Change" – 2:45
6. "The Pawnbroker" – 8:12
7. "Whose Side Are You On?" – 3:09
8. "Fingers" (Grant McLennan, Dave Dobbyn)– 3:34
9. "Signs of Life" – 4:23
10. "The Day My Eyes Came Back" – 4:08
11. "Bathe (in the Water)" – 3:30
12. "When I Close My Eyes" – 1:24
13. "Riddle in the Rain" – 6:29

Personnel

• Grant McLennan – vocals, guitars, tambourine, maracas
• Dave Dobbyn – guitars, keyboards, backing vocals
• Ian Belton – bass
• Pedro Bull – organ, piano
• Michael Barclay – drums, backing vocals
• Penny Flanagan – vocals ("Surround Me", "Bathe")
• Julia Richardson – vocals ("Surround Me", "Bathe")
• Karin Jansson – vocals ("The Dark Side of Town", "Things Will Change")
• Mae Moore – vocals ("Bathe")
• Nicky Ferguson – vocals ("Lighting Fires")
• Stephen Hurley – organ ("Bathe")

Notes and References

1. Web site: Grant & I: Inside and Outside the Go-Betweens. Robert. Forster. 14 August 2017. Omnibus Press. Google Books.
2. Web site: Grant McLennan Biography, Songs, & Albums. AllMusic.
3. Mathur . Paul . Fireboy by GW McLennan . Melody Maker . Mar 6, 1993 . 69 . 10 . 29.
4. Web site: The Rough Guide to Rock. Peter. Buckley. 20 September 2003. Rough Guides. Google Books.
5. News: Wilson . Bridget . PRINCE TAKES SHINE TO SOME LOCAL TALENT . The Sydney Morning Herald . May 21, 1992 . Eastern Herald . 5.
6. News: Kearns . Lisa . Dancing towards oblivion . The Age . April 2, 1993 . News . 10.
7. Web site: G.W. McLennan . Trouser Press . 20 September 2022.
8. Web site: Grant McLennan - Fireboy Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic. www.allmusic.com.