You Turn Me On

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For the Ian Whitcomb song, see You Turn Me On (song). For the Ed Bruce song, see You Turn Me On (Like a Radio).
You Turn Me On
Studio album by
Beat Happening
Released1992
Recorded1992
Genre
Length45:29
LabelK/Sub Pop[2]
ProducerStuart Moxham/Steve Fisk
Beat Happening chronology
Dreamy
(1991) 		You Turn Me On
(1992) 		Crashing Through
(2002)

You Turn Me On is the fifth and final album by the American band Beat Happening, released in 1992.[3][4][5][6] The band supported the album with a North American tour.[7]

Background and production[edit]

Beat Happening released their fifth studio album Dreamy in 1991; as their popularity rose, the members seemed less interested in the band. Following this, their own label, K Records, was thriving; frontman Calvin Johnson became an important figure in the International Pop Underground Festival, held for the first time in their hometown of Olympia, Washington. In addition, Johnson formed the Halo Benders, with their producer Steve Fisk, and Dub Narcotic Sound System. Beat Happening issued the "Seahunt" single in 1991 prior to their next album.[8]

You Turn Me On was produced by Stuart Moxham of Young Marble Giants and Fisk.[9][10] As with every Beat Happening album, it was Calvin Johnson's goal to write the perfect pop song.[11] The band employed multitrack recording and extended many of the songs.[12][13]

Critical reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[6]
Alternative Rock7/10[8]
Pitchfork8.0/10[1]

Rolling Stone wrote that, "as with any truly good rock band, it's vision—not mere chops—that drives their engine... The group's songs combine the spooky-sparse quality of early rockabilly with the naive sound of Sixties teen-beat pop."[5] The Washington Post stated that the "do-it-yourself tunes combine the irresistible hummability of bubblegum with the stripped-down dirges of punk."[14]

AllMusic deemed the album "a mature record of tremendous breadth and complexity" and "a masterpiece."[6] Author Dave Thompson, in his book Alternative Rock (2000), wrote that it sounded "still determinedly minimalistic, Turn is indeed a turning point, as Beat Happening exhibit a maturity and sound quality never dreamt of in the past."[8]

Track listing[edit]

All tracks written by Beat Happening.

  1. "Tiger Trap" – 6:53
  2. "Noise" – 3:23
  3. "Pinebox Derby" – 3:07
  4. "Teenage Caveman" – 4:35
  5. "Sleepy Head" – 4:07
  6. "You Turn Me On" – 4:10
  7. "Godsend" – 9:28
  8. "Hey Day" – 3:25
  9. "Bury the Hammer" – 6:04

References[edit]

Citations

  1. ^ a b Moreland, Quinn (December 9, 2019). "Beat Happening: We Are Beat Happening Album Review | Pitchfork Media". pitchfork.com. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  2. ^ MacDonald 1992, p. 8
  3. ^ Schutzbank 1992, p. 122
  4. ^ Rogers 1992, p. 44
  5. ^ a b Azerrad 1993, pp. 68–69
  6. ^ a b c Ankeny, Jason. "You Turn Me On - Beat Happening | AllMusic". allmusic.com. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  7. ^ "Beat Happening Music For Everyone". Exclaim. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  8. ^ a b c Thompson 2000, p. 182
  9. ^ Blair; Bucciero 2017, p. 123
  10. ^ Azerrad, Michael (2012). Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground, 1981-1991. Little, Brown. ISBN 9780316247184.
  11. ^ Cromelin 1992, p. F6
  12. ^ Earles 2014, p. 31
  13. ^ "Beat Happening". Trouser Press. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  14. ^ Jenkins 1992, p. N12

Sources

  • Azerrad, Michael (Feb 4, 1993). "You Turn Me On by Beat Happening". Rolling Stone. No. 649.
  • Blair, Michael; Bucciero, Joe (2017). Young Marble Giants' Colossal Youth. Bloomsbury Publishing.
  • Cromelin, Richard (19 Dec 1992). "It's Happening at K". Los Angeles Times.
  • Earles, Andrew (2014). Gimme Indie Rock: 500 Essential American Underground Rock Albums 1981-1996. Voyageur Press.
  • Jenkins, Mark (16 Oct 1992). "Sweet & Sour Pop". The Washington Post.
  • MacDonald, Patrick (August 28, 1992). "Olympia's Beat Happening Is a Happening Band". Tempo. The Seattle Times.
  • Rogers, Ray (Nov 1992). "You Turn Me On by Beat Happening". Interview. 22 (11).
  • Schutzbank, Carol (Nov 1992). "Folk — You Turn Me On by Beat Happening". Utne Reader (54).
  • Thompson, Dave (2000). Alternative Rock. Third Ear: The Essential Listening Companion. San Francisco, California: Miller Freeman Books. ISBN 0-87930-607-6.

External links[edit]

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