| Spooky Action | |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | Paul Draper |
| Released: | 11 August 2017 |
| Recorded: | 2004–2017 |
| Genre: | Alternative rock, progressive rock |
| Length: | 54:00 |
| Label: | Kscope |
| Producer: | Paul Draper, Catherine Anne Davies |
| Chronology: | Paul Draper studio album |
| Next Title: | Cult Leader Tactics |
| Next Year: | 2022 |
Spooky Action is the debut solo album by English singer songwriter and ex-Mansun frontman Paul Draper, released on 11 August 2017. It entered the UK Albums Chart at No. 19 and peaked at No. 3 on the UK Independent Albums Chart.[1]
The album was conceived over a period of over ten years. Whilst Draper had been working with Skunk Anansie's Skin on her second album, he had recorded some demos. Many of those recordings were later archived by Draper and had been forgotten about. Draper returned to the recordings, having co-produced The Anchoress's debut solo album to press attention and critical acclaim and re-worked those recordings in addition to new material.[2]
“I had a lot to write about. It was just another form of therapy. It's been a cathartic process. I don't work in a professional manner, I do it to heal something – whatever that is. I got a lot of anger out and I'm on the other side of it now. It's taken a lot to get there."[3]
The album holds a rating of 79 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating positive reviews.[4] Uncut described the album as possessing "impressive heft", whilst Mojo's positive review highlighted "strong synth tunes and beats, bristling with vocal angst".[4] In its five-star review, Louder Sound commented that the album "benefits from a strength of songwriting most often found on artists' debut albums, when they've had a lifetime of tunes to draw on, rather than a few weeks holed up in a studio with a record company breathing down their necks."[5]
Spooky Action was nominated for Album of the Year at the annual Progressive Music Awards.[6]
The album entered and peaked at No. 19 on the UK Albums Chart.[7] On the independent albums chart, it peaked at No. 3.
All songs written by Paul Draper, unless otherwise stated.
From EP One
From EP Two
From EP One
The album was released on the following physical formats:
Draper went on a UK tour with a full band to support the album.[8] The 21 September 2017 concert at The Scala in London was recorded and released as a live album on 16 February 2018. The live album was released on vinyl and CD as well as a special edition double-CD package with Spooky Action.[9]
Spooky Action 2017 Tour dates:
Thu 14th Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
Fri 15th Manchester, Gorilla
Sat 16th Glasgow, King Tuts
Thu 21st London, Scala
Fri 22nd Bristol, Thekla
Sat 23rd Birmingham, Institute 2
| Chart (2017) | Peak position | |
|---|---|---|
| UK Albums Chart | 19 | |
| UK Independent Albums Chart | 3 | |
| UK Physical Albums Chart | 8 | |
| UK Vinyl Albums Chart | 4 |