Grey Tickles, Black Pressure Explained
| Grey Tickles, Black Pressure |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | John Grant |
| Cover: | John Grant - Grey Tickles Black Pressure Cover.png |
| Released: | October 9, 2015 |
| Recorded: | 2014–2015 |
| Length: | 57:23 |
| Label: | Bella Union |
| Prev Title: | Pale Green Ghosts |
| Prev Year: | 2013 |
| Next Title: | Love is Magic |
| Next Year: | 2018 |
Grey Tickles, Black Pressure is the third solo album by American musician John Grant. It was released via Bella Union on October 9, 2015.
Production
The album's title stems from the literal translation of two foreign phrases: "grey tickles" is an Icelandic phrase for approaching middle age, while "black pressure" is the Turkish term for a nightmare.[1] Grant stated that he wanted to get "angrier and moodier" on the album, although he enjoyed the process of making it more than his previous two.[2]
The album's trailer features Grant in the midst of a psychotic break, covered in blood and wielding a croquet mallet as a weapon. He described it as a fantasy of "what [he] would like to do every time somebody calls [him] a faggot". The album features three guests: English singer Tracey Thorn features on the track "Disappointing", American singer Amanda Palmer provides backing vocals on "You & Him", and English drummer Budgie plays the drums on every track. The latter would also go on tour as Grant's drummer.
Reception
The album received acclaim. NME named it "one of the albums of the year" and praised both its personal lyrics and pop melodies.[3] On their own lists of the best albums of the year, The Guardian and Rough Trade respectively placed it at No. 38[4] and No. 11.[5] Time named the 11th track on the album, "Disappointing", as the fifth best song of 2015.[6]
Accolades
Accolades for Grey Tickles, Black Pressure! Publication! Accolade! Rank| The Guardian | The Best Albums of 2015 | 38 |
| Rough Trade | Albums of the Year 2015 | 11 | |
Personnel
Primary musicians
- John Grant – lead vocals, keyboards, synth programming and sequencing
- Pétur Hallgrímsson – guitar
- Jakob Smári Magnússon – bass
- Budgie – drums
Additional musicians
- Amanda Palmer – additional vocals (track 5)
- Tracey Thorn – additional vocals (track 11)
- Fiona Brice – additional vocals, string, brass and vocal arrangements (written and conducted by), violin
- Tierannye Sparks – additional vocals
- Alisa Alexander – additional vocals
- Bobby Sparks – keyboards
- John Congleton – synth programming and sequencing, drum programming and sequencing
- David Monsch – bass clarinet
- Matt Milewski – violin
- Natalie Floyd – violin
- Sarah Carmichael – violin
- Buffi Jacobs – cello
- Debbie Brooks – cello
- Keith Jourdan – trumpet
- Peter Clagett – trumpet
- David Pierce – trombone
- Carl Murr – trombone
- Simon Willats – tuba
- Heather Test – French horn
- Wes Baggaley – spoken word (track 1)
- Olafur Darri Olafsson – spoken word (track 1)
- Petra Hallberg – spoken word (track 1)
- Jeppe Kjellberg – spoken word (track 1)
- Billy Novik – spoken word (track 1)
- Karl Neukauf – spoken word (track 1)
- Carys Connolly – spoken word (track 14)
Charts
Notes and References
- Web site: John Grant announces third solo album. Bella Union. June 23, 2015.
- Web site: Why Is John Grant So Bloody Upset. Out. August 10, 2015.
- https://www.nme.com/reviews/john-grant/16276 Grey Tickles, Black Pressure - review
- Web site: The Best Albums of 2015 . The Guardian. Guardian News and Media . December 2, 2015 . December 14, 2015.
- Web site: Albums of the Year 2015 . roughtrade.com . 2015-11-25 . 2015-12-10 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151205191530/http://www.roughtrade.com/aoty15 . 2015-12-05 .
- Web site: Best Songs of 2015. 3 December 2015. Time. January 14, 2016. 14 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160114124818/http://time.com/4132832/top-10-best-songs-2/. dead.
- Web site: NZ Top 40 Albums Chart. Recorded Music NZ. March 25, 2016.
- John Grant – Chart history (Heatseekers Albums). Billboard. October 23, 2015.
