Ursa Major (Eleventh Dream Day album)
| Ursa Major | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1994 | |||
| Recorded | 1994 | |||
| Studio | Idful, Chicago, Illinois | |||
| Label | Atavistic | |||
| Producer | Brad Wood, John McEntire | |||
| Eleventh Dream Day chronology | ||||
| ||||
Ursa Major is an album by the American band Eleventh Dream Day.[1][2] Released in 1994, it was the band's first album for Atavistic Records.[3][4] The band supported the album with shows in the Chicago area.[5] "Orange Moon" was released as a single.[6]
Production
[edit]Originally planned as an EP, the album was produced by Brad Wood and John McEntire.[5][3] It was recorded at Chicago's Idful Studios in March 1994.[4] Bundy K. Brown and McEntire played on Ursa Major.[7] Guitarist "Wink" O'Bannon left the band after the recording sessions.[8] Opening track "History of Brokeback" is an instrumental.[5]
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [9] |
| Chicago Tribune | [10] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [11] |
| MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide | [12] |
| (The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide | [13] |
Trouser Press determined that the album "suffers greatly from a deliberate lack of pop songcraft, though it delivers on a series of textured, slowly unfolding axe workouts."[14] The Chicago Tribune concluded that "this is music of sweeping atmosphere and drama, and also crushing delicacy, an extended meditation on love, commerce and betrayal"; the paper later listed it as the ninth best album of 1994.[10][15] The Northwest Herald wrote that "Doug McComb's silky bass has become so integral to EDD's sound that it seems like a lead guitar."[16] The Courier Journal praised the "certain level of dark intensity."[6]
AllMusic considered the album "loaded with supple, pretty melodies and intense, rampaging guitars."[9] (The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide noted the "strong, unhurried rhythm section and clear melodic patterns on guitar."[13]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "History of Brokeback" | |
| 2. | "Occupation or Not" | |
| 3. | "Flutter" | |
| 4. | "Orange Moon" | |
| 5. | "Taking Leave" | |
| 6. | "Bearish on High" | |
| 7. | "Nova Zembla" | |
| 8. | "The Blindside" | |
| 9. | "Exit Right" |
References
[edit]- ^ Nine, Jennifer (Feb 11, 1995). "Ursa Major by Eleventh Dream Day". Melody Maker. Vol. 72, no. 6. p. 34.
- ^ Marcus, Greil (Jun 1995). "Days between stations — Ursa Major by Eleventh Dream Day". Interview. Vol. 25, no. 6. p. 62.
- ^ a b "Eleventh Dream Day Biography by Jason Ankeny". AllMusic. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ a b Kot, Greg (25 Feb 1994). "After handing Atlantic Records three increasingly terrific...". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. 5.
- ^ a b c Anderson, Paul M. (2 Dec 1994). "Eleventh Dream Day Back in the Spotlight". Sidetracks. Northwest Herald. p. 10.
- ^ a b Curry, Paul (7 Jan 1995). "Reviews". Scene. Courier Journal. p. 8.
- ^ Cohen, Jason (August 26, 2015). "11 Eleventh Dream Day Songs From 11 Eleventh Dream Day Records". Pitchfork. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ Rothschild, David (29 July 1994). "Notes". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. 6.
- ^ a b "Ursa Major Review by John Dougan". AllMusic. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ a b Kot, Greg (3 Nov 1994). "A Realization". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 7.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. p. 921.
- ^ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1996. p. 233.
- ^ a b (The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon & Schuster. 2004. p. 275.
- ^ "Eleventh Dream Day". Trouser Press. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ Kot, Greg (4 Dec 1994). "The Best in Music in '94". Arts. Chicago Tribune. p. 18.
- ^ Anderson, Paul M. (30 Dec 1994). "Silkworm Takes List Over the Top". Sidetracks. Northwest Herald. p. 6.