Stigma (EMF album) explained

Stigma
Type:studio
Artist:EMF
Cover:EMF Stigma CD cover.JPG
Border:yes
Recorded:1992
Genre:Alternative dance, alternative rock
Label:Parlophone
Producer:Ralph Jezzard
Prev Title:Unexplained
Prev Year:1992
Next Title:Cha Cha Cha
Next Year:1995

Stigma is the second studio album by English alternative band EMF, released in 1992.[1] [2] [3] It yielded two UK hit singles: "They’re Here" (no. 29) and "It’s You" (no. 23).[4]

The follow-up to the commercially successful Schubert Dip, Stigma failed to make the UK top 10 Album Charts (peaking at no. 19), and perhaps worse, was only in the charts for two weeks (its predecessor reached no. 3 and charted for 19 weeks).[4]

"It's You That Leaves Me Dry" was re-mixed and re-titled "It's You" for the single release.

Reception

Geoff Orens of AllMusic gave the album three-and-a-half stars out of five, feeling that the overall mood and lyrical themes of the album were different from what would have been expected by fans: "For a fan base ready for more 'Unbelievable's however, Stigma was far from enticing and unfortunately sold less than hoped, leading to EMF's less-than-grand return to the foray of pop on Cha Cha Cha."

Track listing

All songs written by EMF, except where noted.

  1. "They're Here" - 4:22
  2. "Arizona" (James Atkin, Ian Dench) - 4:05
  3. "It's You That Leaves Me Dry" (Atkin, Dench) - 3:54
  4. "Never Know" (Atkin, Dench) - 4:02
  5. "Blue Highs" (Dench) - 3:48
  6. "Inside" (Atkin) - 3:26
  7. "Getting Through" (Dench) - 4:23
  8. "She Bleeds" (Dench) - 4:05
  9. "Dog" - 3:56
  10. "The Light that Burns Twice as Bright..." - 4:09

Personnel

EMF

guitars, keyboards

Guest musicians

P.P. Arnold

backing vocals on "Arizona", "It's You That Leaves Me Dry", "Blue Highs", "Inside" and "The Light that Burns Twice as Bright..."

Notes and References

  1. Book: Thompson, Dave. Alternative Rock. July 9, 2000. Hal Leonard Corporation. 9780879306076. Google Books.
  2. Web site: Once-Hot EMF Glad to Cool Down : Pop music: A year after its No. 1 hit, the group has gone from the Palladium to the Roxy. 'We're not a mass-exposure band,' says its leader.. December 15, 1992. Los Angeles Times.
  3. Web site: Pop and Jazz in Review. Jon. Pareles. December 15, 1992. NYTimes.com.
  4. Web site: EMF | Official Charts Company. April 3, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150403050610/http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/26548/EMF/. 2015-04-03.