Nil by Mouth (album)

Nil by Mouth
Studio album by
Released25 September 2015[1]
Length45:23
LabelBlanc Check Records
ProducerNeil Arthur
Blancmange chronology
Semi Detached
(2015)
Nil by Mouth
(2015)
Commuter 23
(2016)

Nil by Mouth is the seventh studio album by English band Blancmange, released in 2015. The album is made up of instrumental tracks, including a 2005 re-recording of "Holiday Camp", a Blancmange track from the 1980 EP Irene & Mavis.[1]

Nil by Mouth was originally made available at Blancmange's two concerts at the Red Gallery, London, on 15 and 16 May.[2] The album was later given a full release digitally and on CD in September.[1]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Arts Desk[3]
MusicOMH[4]
Record Collector[5]

Upon release, Andy Jex of MusicOMH wrote: "Nil by Mouth is a reminder of where Blancmange originally came from; very much born of the DIY improvisation of the kitchen sink recording that typified their earlier years. This is stripped-down, bare bones Blancmange with music evoking films never written, scenes never soundtracked and popcorn never eaten."[4] Caspar Gomez of The Arts Desk stated: "The results are more entertaining and gripping than Blancmange's last "proper" album. It's not essential fare, but it does put a smile on the face."[3] Mark Elliott of Record Collector concluded: "Nil by Mouth offers no suggestion that Blancmange will be heading out on the revival circuit anytime soon."[5]

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by Neil Arthur, except "Holiday Camp (2005)" written by Arthur and Stephen Luscombe

No.TitleLength
1."Eleanor"3:33
2."Fall"5:58
3."R and P"3:11
4."Cistern"3:24
5."Gone"3:17
6."Crystals of Zircon"4:01
7."The Son"4:06
8."Matters of Life"2:03
9."Holiday Camp (2005)"3:27
10."Landsea"2:53
11."So Long Ago"5:56
12."Close Encounters"3:39

Personnel

[edit]
Other
  • Adam Yeldham - artwork
  • Helen Kincaid - painting
  • Steve Malins - management

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Nil By Mouth". Blancmange. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  2. ^ "News | LISTEN: Blancmange - Eleanor". The Quietus. 1 May 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  3. ^ a b "CD: Blancmange - Nil By Mouth". The Arts Desk. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Blancmange – Nil By Mouth | Album Reviews". musicOMH. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Nil By Mouth - Record Collector Magazine". Recordcollectormag.com. Retrieved 24 October 2018.