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Stray (album)
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Stray (album)
Stray is the fourth album by Scottish group Aztec Camera, released in June 1990 on WEA in the UK and on Sire Records in the US.
Stray was praised for its diversity of songs and styles, and for the assured nature of Roddy Frame's lyrics (which had been considered the weak-point of some of his earlier material). Its understated production was also received positively, particularly coming after the group's previous album Love, which sold well in the United Kingdom but had been criticised by some[by whom?] for being too sanitised and glossy.
Stray peaked at No. 22 in the UK Albums Chart. The single "Good Morning Britain", a collaboration with Mick Jones, reached No. 19 in the UK Singles Chart. The album peaked at number 107 on the Australian ARIA Charts.
For Stray, Aztec Camera returned to a conventional band line-up consisting of frontman Roddy Frame, bassist Paul Powell, drummer Frank Tontoh, and keyboardist Gary Sanctuary, compared to the session musicians on Love.
Talking retrospectively of the band's catalogue in 1999 to The Scotsman, Roddy expanded upon his vision for the album as a reflection of his record collection:
"At the time, all I really wanted to do was reflect my record collection on one album. It's quite easy to hear where each song comes from. 'Over My Head' comes from Wes Montgomery and Chet Baker. 'Good Morning Britain' is obviously from listening to The Clash and hanging out with Mick Jones, that was a big dream come true for me, because I went to see them at The Apollo when I was 13, and 'The Crying Scene' has got that Johnny Thunders guitar solo on it. It's an album about my favourite guitarists, really, if you think about it. A little nod of the head to all those guys."
To promote Stray, the band embarked on a brief tour of the United States in late 1990, followed by an acoustic tour of the UK in mid-1991.
In a 2013 review of Aztec Camera reissues, Uncut called Stray "the most inventive and durable Aztec Camera LP. Diverse, yes, but it’s exhilarating to hear Frame switching-up from plaintive balladry ('Over My Head') to the BAD-influenced 'Good Morning Britain.'" The Rolling Stone Album Guide called the album "leaner and more melodic" and praised the "fine jazz-inflected numbers." Author Dave Thompson wrote in his book Alternative Rock (2000) that "The Crying Scene" and "Notting Hill Blues" "alone repair the damage of Love's big sheen over-production," going on to highlight "Good Morning Britain" for its charm.
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Stray (album)
Stray is the fourth album by Scottish group Aztec Camera, released in June 1990 on WEA in the UK and on Sire Records in the US.
Stray was praised for its diversity of songs and styles, and for the assured nature of Roddy Frame's lyrics (which had been considered the weak-point of some of his earlier material). Its understated production was also received positively, particularly coming after the group's previous album Love, which sold well in the United Kingdom but had been criticised by some[by whom?] for being too sanitised and glossy.
Stray peaked at No. 22 in the UK Albums Chart. The single "Good Morning Britain", a collaboration with Mick Jones, reached No. 19 in the UK Singles Chart. The album peaked at number 107 on the Australian ARIA Charts.
For Stray, Aztec Camera returned to a conventional band line-up consisting of frontman Roddy Frame, bassist Paul Powell, drummer Frank Tontoh, and keyboardist Gary Sanctuary, compared to the session musicians on Love.
Talking retrospectively of the band's catalogue in 1999 to The Scotsman, Roddy expanded upon his vision for the album as a reflection of his record collection:
"At the time, all I really wanted to do was reflect my record collection on one album. It's quite easy to hear where each song comes from. 'Over My Head' comes from Wes Montgomery and Chet Baker. 'Good Morning Britain' is obviously from listening to The Clash and hanging out with Mick Jones, that was a big dream come true for me, because I went to see them at The Apollo when I was 13, and 'The Crying Scene' has got that Johnny Thunders guitar solo on it. It's an album about my favourite guitarists, really, if you think about it. A little nod of the head to all those guys."
To promote Stray, the band embarked on a brief tour of the United States in late 1990, followed by an acoustic tour of the UK in mid-1991.
In a 2013 review of Aztec Camera reissues, Uncut called Stray "the most inventive and durable Aztec Camera LP. Diverse, yes, but it’s exhilarating to hear Frame switching-up from plaintive balladry ('Over My Head') to the BAD-influenced 'Good Morning Britain.'" The Rolling Stone Album Guide called the album "leaner and more melodic" and praised the "fine jazz-inflected numbers." Author Dave Thompson wrote in his book Alternative Rock (2000) that "The Crying Scene" and "Notting Hill Blues" "alone repair the damage of Love's big sheen over-production," going on to highlight "Good Morning Britain" for its charm.