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A Maximum High
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| A Maximum High | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1 April 1996[1] | |||
| Recorded | 1995–1996 | |||
| Studio | RAK, Master Rock (London, England) | |||
| Genre | Rock, Britpop | |||
| Length | 50:31 | |||
| Label | Polydor | |||
| Producer | Chris Sheldon | |||
| Shed Seven chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from A Maximum High | ||||
A Maximum High is the second studio album by the British rock band Shed Seven, released in April 1996 via Polydor Records. The album was written by all four band members at the time of release; Rick Witter, Paul Banks, Tom Gladwin and Alan Leach. The album title comes from lyrics in the song "Parallel Lines".
Background and recording
[edit]Shed Seven held writing and rehearsal sessions at a local potato plant, RS Cockerill's of York,[7] prior to recording the album. One of the first tracks recorded, with their new producer Chris Sheldon, was the lead single, "Where Have You Been Tonight?", written in late 1994 and debuting live at the band's Christmas show on 23 December.[8] It was one of five tracks completed during a three-week recording session at RAK Studios in February 1995, before the band departed midway through the mixing process at Metropolis to embark on their first tour of Japan, satisfied with what they had achieved;[8]
We walked away from these recordings feeling completely happy. They perfectly capture the sound of Shed Seven.
— Paul Banks, 1995
Along with the lead single, they completed a further four songs during their first stint in the recording studio; "This Day Was Ours", "Bully Boy", an untitled track, which was said to be the first Shed Seven song to feature drummer Alan Leach on lead vocals,[8] and "Lies". This version of "Lies" was previewed on an NME compilation cassette given away free with their 6 May 1995 issue,[8] almost a year before the album was released. Following gigs in Spain and Japan, the band headed back to the studio in May 1995 to begin work on further material for inclusion on the album, which, at that point, was titled In Colour.[8] Numerous tracks recorded in this period feature the highly renowned session musicians, The Kick Horns and The Phantom Horns,[7] adding a brassier undertone to the featured songs and marking a notable change in sound to that of the band's previous output.
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [9] |
| The Guardian | [10] |
| NME | 8/10[11] |
| Select |   [12] |
A Maximum High garnered a generally positive response from critics upon release. Ian Harrison of Select drew a number of comparisons with the Smiths in his review, summarising the album as "sexy, Smiths-fuelled and superb";[12]
(I)t's apparent that Shed Seven's closest inspiration isn't Northside or The Railway Children, but The Smiths. Of all the contenders to be the heirs to The Hated Salford Ensemble, this band pull it off with the best spirit and the fewest groaning timbers. Continually there're the lilting/grinding guitars à la Marr, while Rick's voice twists and soars like Moz pre-Brendan Behan look-alike period.
He went on to liken the "jugular-directed guitar attacks" to that of their debut album, but also noted a distinct change "of a band trying new moves and a richer sound".[12] This change of sound was also noted by Mark Sutherland, writing for the NME in April 1996, who stated that "the Sheds have rocketed on so far from '94's 'Change Giver', they could actually rewrite the traditional album reviewers lexicon" and went on to compare the band to The Stone Roses;[11]
Certainly, the tough, ultra-confident, tune-stuffed 'outfit' here are, Witter's emotional foghorn vocals apart, barely recognisable from the scruffy tykes on the flashy, but ultimately unsatisfying, 'Change Giver'. Indeed, parts of it are good enough to pass as someone else's second album: chiefly, the record The Stone Roses should have made instead of 'The Second Coming'.
Writing for The Guardian in April 1996, Caroline Sullivan labelled A Maximum High "good, but not outstanding", as she praised guitarist Paul Banks's "exultant jangling", but found fault with the album's lyrical content.[10] The LP has also been referred to as "the band's most consistently engaging album (...) full of inspirational anthems [and] excellent shout-along, arena-ready numbers."[9]
Alternate editions
[edit]
A limited edition double CD version of the album titled A Maximum High Special Edition was released in September 1996, five months after the regular issue.[13] It featured a bonus disc of many of the band's b-sides from their first 9 single releases, along with an alternate piano version of the album track "Out by My Side" and an expanded album cover with additional lyrics and photographs. The Special Edition was released for the first time on vinyl to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the album in 2021.
Aside from the two UK releases, the French limited edition was issued with a free bonus disc in a cardboard slipcase featuring two live tracks—"Mark" and "Dolphin"[14]—recorded at the Hanover Grand, London on 30 January 1996. The former track was later issued in the UK in May 1996 as a b-side to "Bully Boy" – the fourth single taken from A Maximum High – whilst the latter remains exclusive to the bonus disc. The Japanese version of the album also featured additional material, a bonus track titled "Song Seven", which was to be found as a b-side on the band's UK single "Getting Better", released in January 1996.
Chart performance
[edit]Album
[edit]A Maximum High spent a total of 26 weeks in the UK album chart,[13] peaking at number 8 on 13 April 1996,[13] with the Special Edition reissue peaking at number 13.[13] Discounting the band's singles compilation which reached number 7 three years later,[15] chart-wise, A Maximum High is Shed Seven's most successful album to date. It has sold 186,325 copies in the United Kingdom as of November 2017.
Singles
[edit]The album spawned five Top 40 UK hit singles for the band in "Where Have You Been Tonight?", "Getting Better", "Going For Gold", "On Standby" and "Bully Boy". Each single release entered the chart at number 23 or higher,[16] including their biggest hit to date, "Going For Gold", which peaked at number 8 in March 1996.[17]
Track listing
[edit]All tracks written by Witter/Banks/Gladwin/Leach.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Getting Better" | 4:12 |
| 2. | "Magic Streets" | 4:05 |
| 3. | "Where Have You Been Tonight?" | 3:44 |
| 4. | "Going for Gold" | 4:25 |
| 5. | "On Standby" | 3:54 |
| 6. | "Out by My Side" | 2:28 |
| 7. | "Lies" | 4:12 |
| 8. | "This Day Was Ours" | 3:23 |
| 9. | "Ladyman" | 4:15 |
| 10. | "Falling from the Sky" | 3:55 |
| 11. | "Bully Boy" | 3:15 |
| 12. | "Parallel Lines" | 8:43 |
| 13. | "Song Seven" | 3:16 |
Track 13 is bonus track included on the Japanese edition of the album.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Long Time Dead" (New Version) | 4:02 |
| 2. | "Around Your House" | 3:08 |
| 3. | "Swing My Wave" | 4:43 |
| 4. | "Out by My Side" (Piano Version) | 2:34 |
| 5. | "Immobilise" | 3:20 |
| 6. | "Killing Time" | 4:21 |
| 7. | "This Is My House" | 2:34 |
| 8. | "Sensitive" | 4:21 |
| 9. | "Barracuda" | 3:53 |
| 10. | "Mobile 10" | 2:36 |
| 11. | "Stepping on Hearts" | 3:40 |
| 12. | "Never Again" | 3:40 |
| 13. | "Song Seven" | 3:16 |
| 14. | "Making Waves" | 4:34 |
| 15. | "Sleep Easy" | 3:23 |
| 16. | "Only Dreaming" | 5:35 |
- Track 4 is exclusive to this album release.
- Tracks 1, 6 and 11 are taken from the 1996 single, "On Standby".
- Track 2 is taken from the 1994 single, "Speakeasy".
- Tracks 3 and 7 are taken from the 1995 single, "Where Have You Been Tonight?".
- Track 5 is taken from the 1994 single, "Dolphin".
- Tracks 8, 12 and 15 are taken from the 1994 single, "Ocean Pie".
- Tracks 9 and 14 are taken from the 1996 single, "Going For Gold".
- Track 10 is taken from the 1994 double A side single, "Mark/Casino Girl".
- Tracks 13 and 16 are taken from the 1996 single, "Getting Better".
- Production on the tracks included on the Special Edition bonus disc was done by Shed Seven, Chris Sheldon, Jessica Corcoran, Tim Lewis and Simon Wall.
Special Edition originally released 16 September 1996
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Killing Time" (B-side to on Standby) | |
| 2. | "This Is My House" (B-side to Where Have You Been Tonight?) | |
| 3. | "Swing My Wave" (B-side to Where Have You Been Tonight?) | |
| 4. | "Barracuda" (B-side to Going For Gold) | |
| 5. | "Only Dreaming" (B-side to Getting Better) | |
| 6. | "Where Have You Been Tonight?" (Mark Radcliffe BBC Session) | |
| 7. | "Bully Boy" (live at Glastonbury 1995) | |
| 8. | "Parallel Lines" (live at Leeds Sound City 1996, incorrectly listed as 1995) | |
| 9. | "Getting Better" (demo version) | |
| 10. | "On Standby" (demo version) | |
| 11. | "Out by My Side" (demo version) | |
| 12. | "Magic Streets" (demo version) | |
| 13. | "Going For Gold" (A Maximum High 15th Anniversary EP version 2011) |
2014 Edition released 4 August 2014
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Dirty Soul" | |
| 2. | "Around Your House" | |
| 3. | "Long Time Dead" | |
| 4. | "Bully Boy" | |
| 5. | "Where Have You Been Tonight?" | |
| 6. | "Dolphin" | |
| 7. | "Song Seven" | |
| 8. | "Going For Gold" | |
| 9. | "Speakeasy" | |
| 10. | "Getting Better" |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Getting Better (Demo)" | |
| 2. | "Magic Streets (Demo)" | |
| 3. | "Where Have You Been Tonight (Demo)" | |
| 4. | "Going For Gold (Acoustic)" | |
| 5. | "On Stand By (Demo)" | |
| 6. | "Out By My Side (Demo)" | |
| 7. | "Lies (Demo)" | |
| 8. | "This Day Was Ours (Killing Me Softly)" | |
| 9. | "Lady Man (Acoustic)" | |
| 10. | "Falling From The Sky (Acoustic)" | |
| 11. | "Bully Boy (Instrumental)" | |
| 12. | "Parallel Lines (Instrumental)" | |
| 13. | "Instrumental Demo '95 One" | |
| 14. | "Instrumental Demo '95 Two" | |
| 15. | "Instrumental Demo '95 Three" |
25th Anniversary Edition released 26 November 2021
Personnel
[edit]
|
|
References
[edit]- ^ "New Releases: Albums". Music Week. 20 March 1996. p. 34.
- ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 29 April 1995. p. 39.
- ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 13 January 1996. p. 31.
- ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 9 March 1996. p. 31.
- ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 4 May 1996. p. 35.
- ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 17 August 1996. p. 35.
- ^ a b A Maximum High sleevenotes
- ^ a b c d e Shed Seven Newsletter, April 1995
- ^ a b Damas, Jason. "Review: A Maximum High". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 June 2009.
- ^ a b Sullivan, Caroline. "Review: Shed Seven – A Maximum High (Polydor)". Friday Review (5 April 1996): 10.
- ^ a b Sutherland, Mark. "Ace of Spaced". NME (30 March 1996): 52.
- ^ a b c Harrison, Ian. "Review: A Maximum High". Select (June 1996): 90.
- ^ a b c d "A Maximum High at OfficialCharts.com". Retrieved 16 April 2009.
- ^ "French 2 trk promo". Archived from the original on 28 August 2008. Retrieved 14 June 2009.
- ^ "Going for Gold – The Greatest Hits at OfficialCharts.com". Retrieved 16 April 2009.
- ^ "Shed Seven at OfficialCharts.com". Retrieved 16 April 2009.
- ^ "Going For Gold at OfficialCharts.com". Retrieved 16 April 2009.
External links
[edit]- A Maximum High (re-presents) at YouTube (streamed copy where licensed)
A Maximum High
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Production
Background and development
A Maximum High is the second studio album by the English rock band Shed Seven, released in 1996 following their debut Change Giver in 1994, which had established the band's presence in the Britpop scene through successful singles such as "Mark" and "Dolphin". Building on this early momentum, the band—consisting of vocalist Rick Witter, guitarist Paul Banks, bassist Tom Gladwin, and drummer Alan Leach—aimed to expand their sound while maintaining the energetic, guitar-driven style that defined their initial breakthrough. The album's development marked a pivotal phase for the group, as they sought to craft a more polished collection of songs amid growing expectations from fans and critics alike.[7] All tracks on A Maximum High received songwriting credits to the full band lineup of Witter, Banks, Gladwin, and Leach, reflecting a collaborative process where initial ideas often originated from Witter and Banks at home before being refined collectively. This shared authorship underscored the band's tight-knit dynamic, with contributions spanning lyrics, melodies, and arrangements to create a cohesive body of work. The album's title itself draws directly from the lyrics of "Parallel Lines," a track from their debut album Change Giver, specifically the refrain "It's a maximum high / With my parallel lines," symbolizing the euphoric and interconnected themes that permeated their music.[8][9] To foster a focused creative environment away from distractions, Shed Seven conducted writing and rehearsal sessions at RS Cockerill's potato processing plant in York, England, utilizing a disused office space within the facility. This unconventional venue, suggested by a local fan whose father owned the plant, provided an isolated setting that encouraged experimentation and camaraderie during the summer of 1995, allowing the band to develop core ideas for the album's songs. These pre-production efforts laid the groundwork for the subsequent recording sessions in London studios.[10]Recording
The recording of A Maximum High took place from late 1995 to early 1996 at RAK Studios and Master Rock Studios in London.[11][12] Producer Chris Sheldon oversaw the sessions, with the band's first collaboration with him beginning in 1995 on the lead single "Where Have You Been Tonight?", featuring initial work in February 1995 and additional sessions in May 1995.[13][14] To enhance the album's sound, brass sections were incorporated by The Kick Horns and The Phantom Horns on select tracks, contributing to a fuller, more layered arrangement.[7] The resulting album runs for a total of 50:31 minutes, showcasing a richer production approach compared to the band's debut Change Giver, with greater emphasis on orchestral elements and dynamic mixes.[15][5] The songs originated from songwriting by the band members during this period.Composition
Musical style
A Maximum High is characterized by its fusion of Britpop and alternative rock, featuring prominent jangly guitar riffs and anthemic choruses that draw heavily from the influence of The Smiths.[16][15][7] The album's sound incorporates scuzzy electric guitars layered over melodic structures, creating a distinctly British indie rock aesthetic with 1990s production values that emphasize catchy hooks and energetic rhythms.[16][5] Compared to the band's debut album Change Giver, A Maximum High showcases a more polished evolution, with fuller arrangements that incorporate brass elements in select tracks, such as the trumpet in "Going for Gold", for added texture and depth.[5][2][16][17] Tracks such as "Getting Better" and "Going for Gold" exemplify this shift, delivering upbeat, stadium-ready Britpop anthems built around soaring melodies and driving percussion.[2][15] The album's influences stem from the broader 1990s British indie scene, blending accessible pop sensibilities with raw rock energy to produce a vibrant, crowd-pleasing sound.[16][5] This combination results in a cohesive collection that captures the era's optimistic guitar-driven ethos.[5]Lyrics and themes
A Maximum High explores predominant themes of emotional highs, relationships, and youthful escapism, drawing from frontman Rick Witter's personal experiences to capture the exuberance and uncertainties of young adulthood.[17] Witter's songwriting often centers on relatable human emotions, including love, loss, and desire, which infuse the album with a sense of intimate confession amid celebratory energy.[17] Rick Witter's vocals convey an introspective yet triumphant tone, blending vulnerability with defiance in lines that address personal confrontations. For instance, in "Bully Boy," the narrator recounts being physically and emotionally knocked down—"You knocked me off my feet / And I fell face first on the concrete"—before resolving to fight back resiliently: "I'll fight you to the death."[18] This track exemplifies the album's motif of standing firm against adversity in interpersonal dynamics. The lyrics also delve into personal growth and the allure of nightlife, evoking the hedonistic spirit of mid-1990s Britpop through vivid urban imagery. "Magic Streets" paints a picture of nocturnal escapism on the "darkest side of town" where "all the ladies hang around / And all the loving can be found," while urging the listener to "put your anorak on / And go out and find yourself some fun" at the "price of an education."[19] Such portrayals reflect a pursuit of fleeting highs and self-discovery amid the era's cultural revelry. Cohesive songwriting from the band's core—primarily Witter on lyrics and guitarist Paul Banks on music—maintains a narrative thread of anticipation and relational strain across the record. In "On Standby," Witter pleads for reliability in a moment of regret: "Would you stay here on standby? / Because I need another alibi," culminating in a haunting chorus of existential doubt—"It's like I've never been born"—that underscores themes of waiting, guilt, and emotional limbo in romantic entanglements.[20][17]Release and promotion
Singles
The album A Maximum High was supported by five singles in the UK, all of which reached the Top 40 of the UK Singles Chart, helping to build momentum following the band's 1994 debut Change Giver. The lead single, "Where Have You Been Tonight?", was released nearly a year before the album and served as a bridge between the two records, while the subsequent releases aligned closely with the album's launch on 1 April 1996. These singles featured various formats including CD, cassette, and vinyl, often with exclusive B-sides, remixes, and live recordings that appealed to fans and radio programmers.| Single | Release Date | UK Peak Position | Weeks on Chart | Notable B-sides/Formats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Where Have You Been Tonight?" | 1 May 1995 | 23 | 2 | "This Is My House", "Swing My Wave"; CD, 7" vinyl |
| "Getting Better" | 15 January 1996 | 14 | 3 | "Only Dreaming"; CD, limited edition colored vinyl |
| "Going for Gold" | 11 March 1996 | 8 | 5 | "Making Waves", "Barracuda"; CD with remixes, 7" vinyl |
| "Bully Boy" | 6 May 1996 | 22 | 3 | Live versions of "Mark", "Ocean Pie", "Getting Better" (recorded at The Hanover Grand); CD, cassette |
| "On Standby" | 19 August 1996 | 12 | 4 | "Killing Time"; CD, 7" vinyl |
Marketing and tour
A Maximum High was released on 1 April 1996 by Polydor Records, with promotional strategies focused on the burgeoning Britpop scene, including targeted advertising in influential music publications like NME and extensive radio airplay on stations such as BBC Radio 1.[9][24] The campaign leveraged the band's rising profile within the genre, utilizing print ads and sampler CDs distributed to media outlets to generate buzz among fans and critics. A notable element of the marketing was a television advertisement aired in the UK, showcasing clips from the album's tracks to highlight its energetic sound.[25] To mark the launch, Shed Seven participated in several album release events, including in-store appearances and industry showcases in key cities like London and York. Television promotion played a central role, with the band making multiple appearances on Top of the Pops to perform tracks from the album, capitalizing on the show's prominence in promoting Britpop acts during the mid-1990s.[26] These efforts were complemented by press coverage in music weeklies, emphasizing the album's role in the band's evolution toward a more polished sound. The success of lead singles further amplified anticipation, drawing larger audiences to promotional activities.[27] In support of the album, Shed Seven undertook an extensive UK tour in 1996, performing at over 90 venues ranging from mid-sized theaters like the Cambridge Corn Exchange to larger halls such as The Great Hall in Aberystwyth.[28] The tour, often billed under the A Maximum High banner, consisted of approximately 49 dedicated shows, allowing the band to connect directly with fans across England, Scotland, Wales, and festival stages. Setlists were predominantly composed of new material from the album, including staples like "Getting Better" and "Going for Gold," interspersed with select tracks from their debut to maintain variety while prioritizing the latest release.[29] This approach helped solidify the band's live reputation during the peak of Britpop fervor. The album's cover art, designed by Stylorouge, featured abstract, vibrant imagery with bold colors and dynamic patterns symbolizing the "high" energy and euphoric themes central to the record's aesthetic. The front cover incorporated photographic elements of the band amid a kaleidoscopic backdrop, evoking a sense of movement and intensity that aligned with the promotional narrative of youthful exuberance.Commercial performance
Chart positions
A Maximum High entered the UK Albums Chart on 13 April 1996, peaking at number 8 and spending a total of 37 weeks in the Top 100.[3] The album's chart run was intermittent, comprising three separate periods: 9 weeks from April to June 1996, 14 weeks from August to November 1996, and 14 weeks from November 1996 to February 1997.[3] The album re-entered the chart at number 59 in December 2021 for 1 week following the 25th anniversary reissue, for a total of 38 weeks on the UK Albums Chart.[3] In Scotland, it achieved a higher peak of number 7 on the Scottish Albums Chart, with 18 weeks in the Top 100.[3] The album's five singles all performed well on the UK Singles Chart, contributing to its visibility. "Going for Gold" reached number 8, marking the band's highest-charting single at the time and spending 5 weeks on the chart.[4] "On Standby" peaked at number 16 with 4 weeks, "Bully Boy" at number 22 for 3 weeks, "Getting Better" at number 14 for 3 weeks, and "Where Have You Been Tonight?" at number 23 for 2 weeks.[4] All five singles landed in the UK Top 40, reflecting strong domestic support during the album's promotional cycle. (Detailed singles performance is covered in the Singles subsection.)| Chart (1996) | Peak Position | Weeks on Chart |
|---|---|---|
| UK Albums (OCC) | 8 | 38 (including 2021 re-entry) |
| Scottish Albums (OCC) | 7 | 18 |
| UK Singles: "Going for Gold" (OCC) | 8 | 5 |
| UK Singles: "On Standby" (OCC) | 16 | 4 |
| UK Singles: "Bully Boy" (OCC) | 22 | 3 |
| UK Singles: "Getting Better" (OCC) | 14 | 3 |
| UK Singles: "Where Have You Been Tonight?" (OCC) | 23 | 2 |
Sales figures
A Maximum High has sold in excess of 100,000 copies in the United Kingdom, qualifying for a Gold certification by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI; 100,000 units). The album received a significant commercial boost from its five Top 40 singles—"Where Have You Been Tonight?", "Getting Better", "Going for Gold", "Bully Boy", and "On Standby"—which collectively drove its success and established it as one of Shed Seven's most commercially successful albums.[32] Following the band's peak in 1996, physical album sales declined in line with broader industry trends, though the title experienced a resurgence through streaming platforms and the 2021 25th anniversary reissue, which included expanded editions and contributed to renewed interest.[33] In comparison, Shed Seven's later albums, such as A Matter of Time and Liquid Gold, topped the UK charts in 2024, but detailed lifetime sales figures for A Maximum High reflect its enduring sales from the 1990s.[34]Critical reception
Contemporary reviews
Upon its release in 1996, A Maximum High received generally positive reviews from music critics, who viewed it as a marked improvement over Shed Seven's debut album Change Giver, with praise centered on its energetic Britpop sound and more polished production.[15] Select magazine scored it 3 out of 5 stars, drawing comparisons to the Smiths and describing the album as "sexy, Smiths-fuelled and superb."[35] Despite some reservations about originality, the consensus positioned A Maximum High as a strong sophomore effort that solidified Shed Seven's place in the Britpop scene.Retrospective reviews
Upon its 25th anniversary in 2021, the reissue of A Maximum High as a multi-format box set, including a super deluxe edition, was praised for its remastering, which brought fresh vitality to the original tracks and enhanced their bombastic energy.[1] Reviewers noted that the updated production highlighted the album's singalong anthems and guitar-driven hooks, making it resonate anew with contemporary listeners.[36] A 2009 retrospective assessment on Sputnikmusic echoed this, awarding it 4 out of 5 stars and deeming it the band's strongest collection of melodic, Smiths-influenced rock.[16] The album has solidified its recognition as a Britpop staple, with user aggregators like Rate Your Music showing an average score of 3.4 out of 5 from over 300 ratings, often lauded for its unpretentious fun and hit-laden tracklist.[5] In a 2022 anniversary reflection, it was hailed as one of the great indie pop records, countering earlier dismissals and emphasizing its enduring riotous charm.[37] While initial 1996 reviews varied, these later views underscore a growing appreciation for its consistency over time.Legacy and reissues
Cultural impact
A Maximum High played a pivotal role in establishing Shed Seven as a key player in the Britpop scene, positioning the band alongside major acts like Oasis and Blur within the movement's broader landscape, though often in the secondary tier.[38] The album's lead single, "Going for Gold," emerged as a quintessential festival anthem, frequently featured in compilations dedicated to such tracks and celebrated for its anthemic energy during live performances that evoke the era's communal spirit.[17] This track, in particular, helped solidify the band's reputation for delivering uplifting, guitar-driven rock that resonated with Britpop's emphasis on accessible, crowd-pleasing melodies.[39] Widely regarded as Shed Seven's crowning achievement and their strongest album to date, A Maximum High is praised for elevating the band's sound to a more polished and consistent level compared to their debut, influencing subsequent waves of indie rock through its blend of pop hooks and rock vigor.[36] Critics have highlighted it as a peak of Britpop brilliance, contributing to the genre's revival in nostalgic contexts by exemplifying the era's indie pop ethos.[37] The album's enduring fanbase loyalty has been instrumental in Shed Seven's remarkable 2024 chart resurgence, with the band securing two number-one albums—A Matter of Time and Liquid Gold—marking their first such successes after three decades.[40] This devotion is evident in multi-generational audiences at sold-out shows, where tracks from A Maximum High remain staples in live sets, sustaining the band's relevance decades later.[38][39] In October 2025, Shed Seven announced a special one-off performance at The Piece Hall in Halifax on June 6, 2026, to celebrate the album's 30th anniversary by playing A Maximum High in full, highlighting its lasting legacy.[6] In UK media, A Maximum High is frequently referenced as emblematic of 1990s youthful optimism, capturing the Britpop era's euphoric and escapist vibe through its nostalgic anthems that transport listeners back to a time of cultural whirlwind and unbridled energy.[38][39]Reissues
In September 1996, a limited edition Special Edition of A Maximum High was released as a double CD set, comprising the original album on the first disc and a bonus disc featuring B-sides from the band's 1994–1996 singles, including tracks such as "Magic Streets," along with two newly recorded songs.[33][1] The Japanese edition, released on April 25, 1996, via Polydor, included an additional bonus track, "Song Seven," extending the standard 12-track album to 13 tracks.[41] To mark the album's 25th anniversary, a remastered edition was issued on November 26, 2021, reimagining the 1996 Special Edition format with over 25 tracks across multiple discs and LPs; this included a limited 3LP box set pressed on colored "bowling ball" vinyl (comprising orange neon marbled, blue marbled, and yellow marbled discs) and an exclusive single orange neon marbled LP available through HMV, all remastered from the original quarter-inch tapes at Abbey Road Studios.[33][42][43] No additional physical reissues have been released since 2021, though digital streaming versions, such as the 2014 "Re-Presents" edition, compile the original tracks alongside bonus content from the Special Edition for broader accessibility.[44]Album credits
Track listing
The standard edition of A Maximum High, released on CD and vinyl, features 12 tracks.[2]| No. | Title | Duration | Writer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Getting Better" | 4:12 | Witter/Banks/Gladwin/Leach |
| 2. | "Magic Streets" | 4:05 | Witter/Banks/Gladwin/Leach |
| 3. | "Where Have You Been Tonight?" | 3:44 | Witter/Banks/Gladwin/Leach |
| 4. | "Parallel Lines" | 4:50 | Witter/Banks/Gladwin/Leach |
| 5. | "Bully Boy" | 4:38 | Witter/Banks/Gladwin/Leach |
| 6. | "In A Hole" | 3:09 | Witter/Banks/Gladwin/Leach |
| 7. | "Hang On" | 3:49 | Witter/Banks/Gladwin/Leach |
| 8. | "Tended by Some Blind Force..." | 2:25 | Witter/Banks/Gladwin/Leach |
| 9. | "Going for Gold" | 4:25 | Witter/Banks/Gladwin/Leach |
| 10. | "Sensation Feeling" | 2:27 | Witter/Banks/Gladwin/Leach |
| 11. | "On Standby" | 3:43 | Witter/Banks/Gladwin/Leach |
| 12. | "Chasing Rainbows" | 4:15 | Witter/Banks/Gladwin/Leach |