Velvet Lined Shell

Velvet Lined Shell
Studio album by
Toyah
ReleasedMay 2003
Recorded2002–2003
StudioArtisan Audio, Birmingham, UK
GenreArt rock
Length22:43
LabelVertical Species
Producer
Toyah chronology
The Acoustic Album
(1996) 		Velvet Lined Shell
(2003) 		In the Court of the Crimson Queen
(2008)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
ManchesterOnline[1]
Q[2]

Velvet Lined Shell is a mini-album by the British singer Toyah Willcox, released in 2003 by her independent label Vertical Species.

Background

This release consists of six tracks, recorded in Toyah's hometown of Birmingham. Three of the musicians on this album, Anthony Bishop, Tim Elsenburg and Alistair Hamer, are members of the experimental rock band Sweet Billy Pilgrim.[3] The material has a deliberately raw feel to it, and what Willcox described as a "darker direction".[4] The singer named the likes of Nick Cave, Garbage, Mogwai and Marilyn Manson amongst her newer influences.[3][5] Three tracks on this album had first appeared on the 2002 EP Little Tears of Love, which was sold exclusively via Willcox's website, and strictly limited to 1000 signed copies. One track from that EP, the Tim Elsenburg composition "Experience", does not feature on this album.[3]

Velvet Lined Shell was included in the Toyah Solo CD box set in February 2020. The following month, it was reissued on purple 10" vinyl.[6]

Track listing

All tracks written by Toyah Willcox and Tim Elsenburg.

  1. "Every Scar Has a Silver Lining" – 3:25
  2. "Velvet Lined Shell" – 4:14
  3. "Little Tears of Love" – 3:23
  4. "You're a Miracle" – 3:00
  5. "Mother" – 4:20
  6. "Troublesome Thing" – 4:21

Personnel

  • Toyah Willcox – vocals, producer
  • Tim Elsenburg – guitars and backing vocals, producer, mixing
  • Jon Cotton – keyboards, producer, mixing
  • Anthony Bishop – bass guitar and backing vocals
  • Alistair Hamer – drums
  • David Singleton – mastering

References

  1. ^ Paul Taylor (23 May 2003). "Toyah - Velvet Lined Shell (Vertical Species Records)". ManchesterOnline. Archived from the original on 27 May 2003. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  2. ^ David Sheppard (August 2003). "Toyah: Velvet Lined Shell". Q. No. 205. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  3. ^ a b c "Toyah Discography: Velvet Lined Shell". Toyah Willcox Official Website. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  4. ^ "'Ananova' - New album from Toyah". toyah.net. 19 April 2003. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  5. ^ "'Manchester Online' / 'Daily Express' - VLS Reviews". toyah.net. 2 June 2003. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  6. ^ "Velvet Lined Shell (Purple Vinyl 10″)". Demon Music Group. Retrieved 31 October 2022.