Now I'm a Cowboy

Now I'm a Cowboy
Studio album by the Auteurs
Released	9 May 1994 (1994-05-09)
Recorded	1993–94
Studio	Townhouse, Protocol, Milo
Genre	Alternative rock, indie pop, baroque pop
Length	41:42
Label	Hut
Producer	Phil Vinall, Luke Haines
The Auteurs chronology
New Wave (1993) Now I'm a Cowboy (1994) After Murder Park (1996)

Now I'm a Cowboy is the 1994 second album by British rock band the Auteurs. On 2 June 2014 Now I'm a Cowboy was reissued alongside After Murder Park and How I Learned to Love the Bootboys.[1] The reissue features unreleased songs and liner notes written by Luke Haines.[2] It was released through 3 Loop Music.[2]

Background

The Auteurs released their debut studio album New Wave in early 1993, through Hut Records, a subsidiary of major label Virgin Records. It reached number 35 on the UK Albums Chart. Celloist James Banbury joined the band around this time, and by mid-1993, drummer Glenn Collins was replaced by Barny C. Rockford.[3]

"Lenny Valentino" was released as the lead single in November 1993, followed by "Chinese Bakery". Promotion of Now I'm a Cowboy was stunted as a result of Haines breaking both of his ankles.[3] "Lenny Valentino" was released to modern rock radio stations in the United States in June 1994.[4]

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[5]
Alternative Rock	8/10[6]
Drowned in Sound	7/10[7]
Entertainment Weekly	A−[8]

Author Dave Thompson wrote in his book Alternative Rock (2000) that "'Lenny Valentino' says it all casual, camp, and knowing – the rest of the album simply follows in its semi-sordid wake and there's a sinister edge coming through which remains deliciously shocking long after the initial fission has faded."[6]

In 2003, Mojo placed the album at number 40 on its list of the "Top 50 Eccentric Albums".[9]

Track listing

All songs written by Luke Haines.[10]

Original 1994 CD/LP (CDHUT16/HUTLPX16)

1. "Lenny Valentino" – 2:20
2. "Brainchild" – 3:43
3. "I'm a Rich Man's Toy" – 2:54
4. "New French Girlfriend" – 4:15
5. "The Upper Classes" – 6:45
6. "Chinese Bakery" – 3:05
7. "A Sister Like You" – 2:48
8. "Underground Movies" – 3:32
9. "Life Classes / Life Model" – 4:02
10. "Modern History" – 5:36
11. "Daughter of a Child" – 2:36

• Free one-sided 7" (HUTL16)

1. "Modern History" (acoustic version) – 3:24

2014 expanded edition disc 1 bonus tracks

1. "Lenny Valentino (single version)"
2. "Vacant Lot"
3. "Car Crazy"
4. "Disney World"
5. "Lenny Valentino (original mix)"
6. "Underground Movies (alternative mix)"
7. "Brainchild (original version)"

2014 expanded edition disc 2

1. "Government Bookstore"
2. "Everything You Say Will Destroy You"
3. "Chinese Bakery (acoustic)"
4. "Modern History (acoustic)"
5. "Upper Classes (BBC Radio 1 evening session 1994)"
6. "Rich Man's Toy (BBC Radio 1 evening session 1994)"
7. "Underground Movies (BBC Radio 1 evening session 1994)"
8. "Everything You Say Will Destroy You (BBC Radio 1 evening session 1994)"
9. "Lenny Valentino (Mark Radcliffe BBC Radio 1 session 1994)"
10. "Chinese Bakery (Mark Radcliffe BBC Radio 1 Session 1994)"
11. "New French Girlfriend (Mark Radcliffe BBC Radio 1 session 1994)"
12. "Modern History (Mark Radcliffe BBC Radio 1 session 1994)"
13. "How Could I Be Wrong (live at Leeds Town & Country 1993)"
14. "Don't Trust The Stars (live at Leeds Town & Country 1993)"
15. "The Upper Classes (live at Leeds Town & Country 1993)"
16. "New French Girlfriend (live at Leeds Town & Country 1993)"
17. "Showgirl (live at Leeds Town & Country 1993)"
18. "Lenny Valentino (live at Leeds Town & Country 1993)"
19. "Modern History (live at Leeds Town & Country 1993)"
20. "Early Years (live at Leeds Town & Country 1993)"

Personnel

Adapted from the album booklet.[10]

• Luke Haines – guitar, piano, vocals
• Alice Readman – bass guitar
• James Banbury – cello, Hammond
• Barny Rockford – drums

Additional musicians

• Louise Elliot – sax
• Belinda Sykes – oboe
• Joe Beckett – percussion

Production

• Phil Vinall – producer, engineer
• Luke Haines – producer
• Pete Hoffman – assistant engineer
• Giles Hall – assistant engineer
• Stefan De Batselier – photography
• Peter Barrett – sleeve design
• Andrew Biscomb – sleeve design

References

Citations

1. Nissim, Mayer (11 April 2014). "The Auteurs' Cowboy, Murder Park and Bootboys LPs get reissues". Digital Spy. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
2. Fact Team (11 April 2014). "The Auteurs ready expanded reissues of Now I'm A Cowboy, After Murder Park and How I Learned To Love The Bootboys". Fact. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
3. Thompson 2000, p. 162
4. Anon. 1994, p. 1
5. Now I'm a Cowboy at AllMusic
6. Thompson 2000, p. 163
7. Tudor, Alexander (14 January 2009). "The Auteurs and their part in Britpop's downfall". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on 13 September 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
8. Entertainment Weekly review
9. Mojo – 100 greatest singles of all time
10. Now I'm a Cowboy (Booklet). The Auteurs. Hut Recordings/Virgin. 1994. CDHUT 16/7243 8 39597 2 3.

Sources

• Anon. (3 June 1994). "Modern rock" (PDF). Rock Airplay Monitor. 1 (24).
• Thompson, Dave (2000). Alternative Rock. Third Ear: The Essential Listening Companion. San Francisco, California: Miller Freeman Books. ISBN 0-87930-607-6.

External links

• Now I'm a Cowboy at YouTube (streamed copy where licensed)