What makes The Chinese Album by Spacehog notable?

The Chinese Album received moderate commercial success, peaking at number 56 on the UK Albums Chart. Its single, 'Goodbye Violet Race,' gained considerable airplay, contributing to the band's recognition within the alternative rock scene of the late 90s. Released in early 1998, The Chinese Album marked Spacehog's second studio effort following their successful debut, Resident Alien. At this point, the band aimed to build on their initial popularity while refining their distinctive sound, experimenting with richer production and diverse influences.

How many songs are on The Chinese Album?

The Chinese Album has 12 tracks, running approximately 41 minutes.

The Chinese Album

Spacehog · 1998

41 min · 12 tracks · alternative rock

A vibrant tapestry of alternative rock infused with glam, showcasing both introspective lyrics and exuberant melodies.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Goodbye Violet Race — As one of the album's lead singles, this track encapsulates Spacehog's signature blend of catchy melodies and reflective lyrics, showcasing their evolving sound.
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Mungo City — This track stands out for its upbeat tempo and playful lyrics, highlighting the band's ability to balance serious themes with a lighthearted musical approach.
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Sand in Your Eyes — The song features intricate guitar work and a poignant vocal delivery that exemplifies the emotional depth present throughout the album.
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Beautiful Girl — A perfect blend of lyrical vulnerability and melodic richness, this track showcases Spacehog's knack for creating memorable hooks coupled with introspective themes.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

48 /100

Foothills

Higher than 19% of albums we've rated

The album showcases varied tempos and layered instrumentation but lacks strong cohesion and lasting impact.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and dynamics.
Several tracks incorporate layered guitar harmonies that create a rich, textured sound, particularly evident in 'Goodbye Violet Race' and 'Captain Freeman.'
The lyrics often shift between introspective themes and more exuberant expressions, with a notable contrast in tone from track to track.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 One of These Days 3:35
2 Goodbye Violet Race 4:00
3 Lucy's Shoe 4:13
4 Mungo City 4:34
5 Skylark 1:57
6 Sand in Your Eyes 3:49
7 Captain Freeman 2:27
8 2nd Avenue 2:58
9 Almond Kisses 2:44
10 Carry On 3:33
11 Anonymous 3:37
12 Beautiful Girl 4:09

What to play next

Listen next

The Hogyssey

2001

Go back to

Resident Alien

1996

Full Spacehog discography Artists like Spacehog

alternative rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata