Libido Speedway

Libido Speedway
Studio album by
Orbit
ReleasedFebruary 25, 1997
GenreAlternative rock
Length45:34
LabelA&M Records
ProducerBen Grosse, Orbit
Orbit chronology
La Mano
(1995) 		Libido Speedway
(1997) 		XLR8R
(2001)
Singles from Album
  1. "Medicine"
    Released: 1997
  2. "Bicycle Song"
    Released: 1997

Libido Speedway is an album by Orbit, released in 1997 on A&M Records.[1][2] It won a Boston Music Award, for the best debut album of 1997.[3]

The album's first single was "Medicine", which was a modern rock radio hit; the band had considered rewriting it after determining that it sounded too much like Pixies.[4] Orbit supported the album by playing the second stage on select 1997 Lollapalooza dates.[5][6]

Production

The album was produced by Ben Grosse and the band.[7] Many of the songs were written by coming up with the bass line first.[8]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[9]
Chicago Tribune[10]
Daily Breeze[11]
San Antonio Express-News[6]

The Chicago Reader called "Medicine" a "memorable car-radio rocker."[12] The Chicago Tribune thought that "echo tracks and excessive vocal layering clutter an otherwise peppy, involving record."[10]

The Daily Breeze determined that "Orbit has the rare ability to juxtapose a ferocious instrumental attack with buzzing melodies and make it work."[11] The Omaha World-Herald deemed the album "crunchy, stripped-down rock that has a melodic aftertaste."[13]

AllMusic called the album "an entertaining collection of punk-pop and post-grunge power-pop, driven by fizzy melodies and fuzzy guitar riffs."[9]

Track listing

All songs written by Jeff Lowe Robbins, except where stated.

  1. "Yeah" – 2:35
  2. "Bicycle Song" – 5:33
  3. "Wake Up" – 3:50
  4. "Amp" – 2:43
  5. "Medicine" – 3:56
  6. "Rockets" – 4:17 (Buckley / Robbins)
  7. "Motorama" – 3:01
  8. "Nocturnal Autodrive" – 4:21
  9. "Why You Won't" – 3:46 (Brookner / Buckley / Robbins)
  10. "Carnival" – 3:25
  11. "Chapel Hill" – 1:41 (Brookner / Buckley / Robbins)
  12. "Paper Bag" – 4:44 (Buckley / Robbins)
  13. "Gazer" – 1:42
  14. "Untitled (Hidden Track)" – 3:04

Credits

  • Jeff Lowe Robbins – vocals, guitars
  • Paul Buckley – drums, vocals
  • Wally Gagel – bass, vocals
  • Produced by Ben Grosse (except "Motorama", produced by Orbit)
  • Engineered by Grosse and Gagel (except "Motorama", engineered by Gagel)
  • Mixed by Grosse (except "Motorama", mixed by Gagel)
  • Mastered by Bob Ludwig

References

  1. ^ "Orbit Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  2. ^ "Rock relaunched - Music Features". thephoenix.com.
  3. ^ McLennan, Scott (16 Jan 1998). "Cole, Crowns big winners in Boston". Telegram & Gazette. p. C3.
  4. ^ Bambarger, Bradley (May 24, 1997). "The modern age". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 21. p. 95.
  5. ^ Benedetti, Winda (7 Aug 1997). "BACK TO BASICS: AFTER LAST YEAR'S TIRED ALL-MALE ROCK BAND MISSTEP, LOLLAPALOOZA '97 LOADS UP WITH FRESHER ACTS IN HOPES OF KEEPING PACE WITH COPYCAT FESTIVALS". The Spokesman-Review. p. D3.
  6. ^ a b Johnson, Robert (July 30, 1997). "Touring bands flying in under the radar worth hearing out". San Antonio Express-News. p. 2G.
  7. ^ Morse, Steve (19 Dec 1997). "Orbit hits the fast track with new 'Libido Speedway'". The Boston Globe. p. E18.
  8. ^ Farinella, David (March 30, 1997). "No more going in circles for Orbit". Chicago Sun-Times. Showcase. p. 13.
  9. ^ a b "Libido Speedway - Orbit | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  10. ^ a b Stewart, Allison (28 Mar 1997). "Album reviews". Chicago Tribune. Friday. p. 7.
  11. ^ a b Gnerre, Sam (March 21, 1997). "Orbit, 'Libido Speedway'". Daily Breeze. p. K18.
  12. ^ Youngwerth, Frank (April 3, 1997). "Spot Check". Chicago Reader.
  13. ^ Minge, Jim (June 25, 1997). "Critic's Choice". Omaha World-Herald. Living Today. p. 48.