Double Allergic
Encyclopedia
Double Allergic is the second studio album
by Australian alternative rock
band
Powderfinger
. Released in Australia on 2 September 1996 Polydor
, the album was produced by Tim Whitten
and widely considered Powderfinger's mainstream breakthrough.
Four singles were released from the album: "Pick You Up
", "D.A.F.
", "Living Type
", and "Take Me In
". "Pick You Up" was the most successful single from the album, and Powderfinger's first moderate success, reaching #23 on the ARIA charts
. "D.A.F." also charted as a moderate success; it reached #39 on the Australian music charts. Both "Living Type" and "Take Me In" did not chart officially, but "Living Type" was voted into the Triple J Hottest 100
in 1996.
Critics were generally favorable in their reviews of Double Allergic. It was praised by Allmusic reviewer Jonathan Lewis as "a cohesive and mature effort". It has also been certified platinum
three times, with over 200,000 copies sold. Double Allergic was also nominated for five ARIA awards, with singles from the album nominated for an additional four, however, it won none of the awards it was nominated for.
Darren Middleton
described it as "by far the best thing we've done", an analogy that would be often made when comparing the album to its predecessor, Parables for Wooden Ears
. Middleton praised the album because the band knew how they wanted the record to sound before they began to record; he also described it as "the most concise continuation of who we are down on record".
Lead singer Bernard Fanning
noted that another important element of the album was that there "was more space in the songs, it wasn't overcrowded". However, Fanning commented that Powderfinger had not intended to greatly change their sound in creating Double Allergic, instead, the change in sound came as a natural progression. Guitarist Ian Haug
agreed, stating the music was "more melodic and sort of simpler", without "so many different time signatures and things". Rolling Stone
author Tracey Grimson also commented on this, stating that "Powderfinger have become practical advocates of space" and lauding their acknowledgment that the "absence of sound can be lush, evocative". She noted that even in the "rockers" on the album—songs like "Pick You Up
" and "Skinny Jean"—the band were still able to pull back and give the songs additional space.
Powderfinger spent less money in producing Double Allergic than on their previous works. Previously, the band had worked with Tony Cohen
, whom Fanning stated was expensive due to his success in the industry. For Double Allergic the band chose Tim Whitten
, a less well known producer, and because the band knew what they intended to do as they entered the studio, they managed to spend less money despite the improved sound. Middleton commented on Whitten's capabilities in the recording studio, saying "He's what a band looks for in a producer/engineer, because he's got his own ideas", but stating that Whitten would also listen to and appreciate the band's ideas.
record label
. It entered the ARIA chart at #7, and spent ten weeks in the top ten. Over 200,000 copies were sold, and the album is currently certified 3x platinum, asserting at least 210,000 sales. The album finished 1996 at #44 on the ARIA
end of year albums chart, and finished 1997 at #53.
"Pick You Up
", the first single
, was released on 13 April 1996, and entered the ARIA singles chart at #34. By its fifth week, on 30 June, it had reached its peak at #23 - it spent a further seven weeks on the chart before dropping out. "Pick You Up" was described as having a "very professional sound". The song appeared at #6 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 1996
. "D.A.F.
", the second single, was released on 5 August 1996. It spent four weeks on the ARIA chart, peaking at #39. The title of the song was taken from its chord
progression, in the words of bassist
John Collins
"because we were stupid". The song appeared at #18 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 1996
.
"Living Type
" was the third single, released on 11 November 1996. The song peaked at #42 on the ARIA charts and stayed in the top 50 for three weeks. "Living Type" was written by Fanning about the Manson Family cult
, and came with an X-Files style music video
. The song appeared at #32 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 1996
. The fourth single, "Take Me In
", was released on 12 May 1997. It failed to chart, and was the least noted single from the album. Fanning wrote "Take Me In" as a response to hypocrisy
by police
, which he had read about in newspaper
s.
The album contains three secret tracks placed onto the twelfth track after silence that follows the track's primary song "(The Return of) The Electric Horseman". The first of these is called "Vladimir" which, according to Fanning is about a transvestite. The second song is called "SS" which refers to Australian cricket bat manufacturer Stuart Surridge
, which is often known as SS. The song refers in part to the bat itself, though mostly to cricket in general, with lyrics "Then we'll race like jets for the fading moon; Then we all fall down", which refers to running for the opposite crease following striking the ball, and then diving to the ground to secure the run
. The third and final secret track is called "Come Away" which also featured as a B-side for the single of "Pick You Up". In a first for the group, it featured guitarist Darren Middleton as lead vocalist, while a spoken sound sample at the end of the song features bass guitarist John Collins' voice.
Sputnikmusic reviewer blueyxd, had mixed feelings about the album. The level of experimentation in the album was praised, with the reviewer stating that "the instrument playing and some of the unusual styles used" were beneficial. However, the main concern was that there wasn't enough experimentation, and that the album was rather "solid", thus earning it its score of 3.5.
Juice magazine
reviewed Double Allergic positively, calling it a much more mature album than its predecessor, Parables for Wooden Ears
. The "band's mellowing tone", compared to the "aggression" in past works, was also commended, with the review stating that "the result is an album filled with potential and character." The experimentation on "JC", "Glimpse", and "Oipic" was again praised, with comparisons to Motown drawn. The review summarised the album as "proof of a band maturing, streets ahead of anything they've previously recorded".
" & "(Return Of) The Electric Horseman" lyrics by Fanning/Middleton.
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by Australian alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
Powderfinger
Powderfinger
Powderfinger was an Australian rock band that formed in Brisbane in 1989. From 1992 until their breakup the band lineup consisted of vocalist Bernard Fanning, guitarists Darren Middleton and Ian Haug, bassist John Collins, and drummer Jon Coghill....
. Released in Australia on 2 September 1996 Polydor
Polydor Records
Polydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone...
, the album was produced by Tim Whitten
Tim Whitten
Tim Whitten is an Australian record producer, audio engineer, and mixer. He has worked with numerous successful Australian musicians, in a career spanning 1990—present. Whitten's first recording was Boxcar's Vertigo, where he joined Adrian Bolland as engineer...
and widely considered Powderfinger's mainstream breakthrough.
Four singles were released from the album: "Pick You Up
Pick You Up
"Pick You Up" is the first single released from Powderfinger's second album Double Allergic. The single was released on 13 April 1996, and was Powderfinger's first moderate success both on commercial and Indie radio stations, and the most successful single from the album reaching #23 on the ARIA...
", "D.A.F.
D.A.F. (song)
"D.A.F." is a song by Australian alternative rock band Powderfinger, released as a single from their second studio album, Double Allergic, on 5 August 1996."D.A.F." reached #39 on the Australian music chart...
", "Living Type
Living Type
"Living Type" is the third single released from Powderfinger's second album Double Allergic. The single was released on 11 November 1996. The song, written by Bernard Fanning, the band's lead singer, concerned the victims of Charles Manson. The song was well received by the public, who voted it...
", and "Take Me In
Take Me In
"Take Me In" is the fourth and final single released from Powderfinger's second album Double Allergic. The single was released on 12 May 1997 , and received a warm response from fans, although it was not as successful as the prior singles from the album...
". "Pick You Up" was the most successful single from the album, and Powderfinger's first moderate success, reaching #23 on the ARIA charts
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
. "D.A.F." also charted as a moderate success; it reached #39 on the Australian music charts. Both "Living Type" and "Take Me In" did not chart officially, but "Living Type" was voted into the Triple J Hottest 100
Triple J Hottest 100
The Triple J Hottest 100 is an annual music poll, based on the votes of national Australian radio station Triple J listeners, in order to determine their favourite song of the year. Voting is conducted by the internet and begins roughly two weeks prior to the new year for the previous year's songs...
in 1996.
Critics were generally favorable in their reviews of Double Allergic. It was praised by Allmusic reviewer Jonathan Lewis as "a cohesive and mature effort". It has also been certified platinum
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
three times, with over 200,000 copies sold. Double Allergic was also nominated for five ARIA awards, with singles from the album nominated for an additional four, however, it won none of the awards it was nominated for.
Recording and production
Double Allergic contained material that had been written by Powderfinger in 1995 and 1996. Prior to its release, guitaristGuitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Darren Middleton
Darren Middleton
Darren Stuart Middleton is an Australian lead guitarist for alternative rock band Powderfinger. He is also the lead singer for Drag....
described it as "by far the best thing we've done", an analogy that would be often made when comparing the album to its predecessor, Parables for Wooden Ears
Parables for Wooden Ears
Parables for Wooden Ears was the debut studio album released by the Australian band Powderfinger. It was released on 18 July 1994 by Polydor Records, after recording at Melbourne's Metropolis Studios in February 1994....
. Middleton praised the album because the band knew how they wanted the record to sound before they began to record; he also described it as "the most concise continuation of who we are down on record".
Lead singer Bernard Fanning
Bernard Fanning
Bernard Joseph Fanning is a musician and singer-songwriter. He is best known as the lead singer and frontman of Australian alternative rock band Powderfinger from its formation in 1989 to its dissolution in 2010....
noted that another important element of the album was that there "was more space in the songs, it wasn't overcrowded". However, Fanning commented that Powderfinger had not intended to greatly change their sound in creating Double Allergic, instead, the change in sound came as a natural progression. Guitarist Ian Haug
Ian Haug
Ian David Haug is a lead guitarist and backing vocalist in the Australian rock band Powderfinger. Mainstays Haug and bass guitarist John Collins formed the band in Brisbane in 1989. During a hiatus in Powderfinger's career, Haug worked on a side project, The Predators, with Collins and original...
agreed, stating the music was "more melodic and sort of simpler", without "so many different time signatures and things". Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
author Tracey Grimson also commented on this, stating that "Powderfinger have become practical advocates of space" and lauding their acknowledgment that the "absence of sound can be lush, evocative". She noted that even in the "rockers" on the album—songs like "Pick You Up
Pick You Up
"Pick You Up" is the first single released from Powderfinger's second album Double Allergic. The single was released on 13 April 1996, and was Powderfinger's first moderate success both on commercial and Indie radio stations, and the most successful single from the album reaching #23 on the ARIA...
" and "Skinny Jean"—the band were still able to pull back and give the songs additional space.
Powderfinger spent less money in producing Double Allergic than on their previous works. Previously, the band had worked with Tony Cohen
Tony Cohen
Tony Cohen is an acclaimed Australian record producer and sound engineer based in Melbourne, best known for his work with The Birthday Party and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds in the 1980s...
, whom Fanning stated was expensive due to his success in the industry. For Double Allergic the band chose Tim Whitten
Tim Whitten
Tim Whitten is an Australian record producer, audio engineer, and mixer. He has worked with numerous successful Australian musicians, in a career spanning 1990—present. Whitten's first recording was Boxcar's Vertigo, where he joined Adrian Bolland as engineer...
, a less well known producer, and because the band knew what they intended to do as they entered the studio, they managed to spend less money despite the improved sound. Middleton commented on Whitten's capabilities in the recording studio, saying "He's what a band looks for in a producer/engineer, because he's got his own ideas", but stating that Whitten would also listen to and appreciate the band's ideas.
Album and single releases
Double Allergic was released on 2 September 1996 in Australia on the PolydorPolydor Records
Polydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone...
record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
. It entered the ARIA chart at #7, and spent ten weeks in the top ten. Over 200,000 copies were sold, and the album is currently certified 3x platinum, asserting at least 210,000 sales. The album finished 1996 at #44 on the ARIA
Australian Recording Industry Association
The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956...
end of year albums chart, and finished 1997 at #53.
"Pick You Up
Pick You Up
"Pick You Up" is the first single released from Powderfinger's second album Double Allergic. The single was released on 13 April 1996, and was Powderfinger's first moderate success both on commercial and Indie radio stations, and the most successful single from the album reaching #23 on the ARIA...
", the first single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, was released on 13 April 1996, and entered the ARIA singles chart at #34. By its fifth week, on 30 June, it had reached its peak at #23 - it spent a further seven weeks on the chart before dropping out. "Pick You Up" was described as having a "very professional sound". The song appeared at #6 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 1996
Triple J Hottest 100, 1996
The 1996 Triple J Hottest 100, counted down in January 1997, was a countdown of the most popular songs of the year, according to listeners of the Australian radio station Triple J. A CD featuring 31 of the songs was released. A countdown of the videos of most of the songs was also shown on the ABC...
. "D.A.F.
D.A.F. (song)
"D.A.F." is a song by Australian alternative rock band Powderfinger, released as a single from their second studio album, Double Allergic, on 5 August 1996."D.A.F." reached #39 on the Australian music chart...
", the second single, was released on 5 August 1996. It spent four weeks on the ARIA chart, peaking at #39. The title of the song was taken from its chord
Chord (music)
A chord in music is any harmonic set of two–three or more notes that is heard as if sounding simultaneously. These need not actually be played together: arpeggios and broken chords may for many practical and theoretical purposes be understood as chords...
progression, in the words of bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
John Collins
John Collins (Australian musician)
John Andrew Collins is the mainstay bass guitarst for Australian rock band Powderfinger since 1989. He is one of the founding members of the band, along with guitarist Ian Haug, forming at their high school, Brisbane Grammar School as a three piece. Powderfinger has released seven studio albums, a...
"because we were stupid". The song appeared at #18 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 1996
Triple J Hottest 100, 1996
The 1996 Triple J Hottest 100, counted down in January 1997, was a countdown of the most popular songs of the year, according to listeners of the Australian radio station Triple J. A CD featuring 31 of the songs was released. A countdown of the videos of most of the songs was also shown on the ABC...
.
"Living Type
Living Type
"Living Type" is the third single released from Powderfinger's second album Double Allergic. The single was released on 11 November 1996. The song, written by Bernard Fanning, the band's lead singer, concerned the victims of Charles Manson. The song was well received by the public, who voted it...
" was the third single, released on 11 November 1996. The song peaked at #42 on the ARIA charts and stayed in the top 50 for three weeks. "Living Type" was written by Fanning about the Manson Family cult
Cult
The word cult in current popular usage usually refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre. The word originally denoted a system of ritual practices...
, and came with an X-Files style music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
. The song appeared at #32 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 1996
Triple J Hottest 100, 1996
The 1996 Triple J Hottest 100, counted down in January 1997, was a countdown of the most popular songs of the year, according to listeners of the Australian radio station Triple J. A CD featuring 31 of the songs was released. A countdown of the videos of most of the songs was also shown on the ABC...
. The fourth single, "Take Me In
Take Me In
"Take Me In" is the fourth and final single released from Powderfinger's second album Double Allergic. The single was released on 12 May 1997 , and received a warm response from fans, although it was not as successful as the prior singles from the album...
", was released on 12 May 1997. It failed to chart, and was the least noted single from the album. Fanning wrote "Take Me In" as a response to hypocrisy
Hypocrisy
Hypocrisy is the state of pretending to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that one does not actually have. Hypocrisy involves the deception of others and is thus a kind of lie....
by police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
, which he had read about in newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
s.
The album contains three secret tracks placed onto the twelfth track after silence that follows the track's primary song "(The Return of) The Electric Horseman". The first of these is called "Vladimir" which, according to Fanning is about a transvestite. The second song is called "SS" which refers to Australian cricket bat manufacturer Stuart Surridge
Stuart Surridge
Walter Stuart Surridge was a cricketer who played for Surrey. He was born at Herne Hill in south London, educated at Emanuel School, and died at Glossop in Derbyshire....
, which is often known as SS. The song refers in part to the bat itself, though mostly to cricket in general, with lyrics "Then we'll race like jets for the fading moon; Then we all fall down", which refers to running for the opposite crease following striking the ball, and then diving to the ground to secure the run
Run (cricket)
In the sport of cricket, a run is the basic unit of scoring. Runs are scored by a batsman, and the aggregate of the scores of a team's batsmen constitutes the team's score. A batsman scoring 50 or 100 runs , or any higher multiple of 50 runs, is considered a particular achievement...
. The third and final secret track is called "Come Away" which also featured as a B-side for the single of "Pick You Up". In a first for the group, it featured guitarist Darren Middleton as lead vocalist, while a spoken sound sample at the end of the song features bass guitarist John Collins' voice.
Critical response
Double Allergic was well received by Allmusic, with reviewer Jonathan Lewis claiming that Powderfinger "managed to successfully create an album of melodic pop songs coupled with noisy guitars". The album was summarised as "a cohesive and mature effort".Sputnikmusic reviewer blueyxd, had mixed feelings about the album. The level of experimentation in the album was praised, with the reviewer stating that "the instrument playing and some of the unusual styles used" were beneficial. However, the main concern was that there wasn't enough experimentation, and that the album was rather "solid", thus earning it its score of 3.5.
Juice magazine
Magazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
reviewed Double Allergic positively, calling it a much more mature album than its predecessor, Parables for Wooden Ears
Parables for Wooden Ears
Parables for Wooden Ears was the debut studio album released by the Australian band Powderfinger. It was released on 18 July 1994 by Polydor Records, after recording at Melbourne's Metropolis Studios in February 1994....
. The "band's mellowing tone", compared to the "aggression" in past works, was also commended, with the review stating that "the result is an album filled with potential and character." The experimentation on "JC", "Glimpse", and "Oipic" was again praised, with comparisons to Motown drawn. The review summarised the album as "proof of a band maturing, streets ahead of anything they've previously recorded".
Track listing
All music written and arranged by Powderfinger. All lyrics by Fanning, except "Boing Boing" lyrics by Fanning/Haug, "JC" & "Come Away" lyrics by Middleton, "Take Me InTake Me In
"Take Me In" is the fourth and final single released from Powderfinger's second album Double Allergic. The single was released on 12 May 1997 , and received a warm response from fans, although it was not as successful as the prior singles from the album...
" & "(Return Of) The Electric Horseman" lyrics by Fanning/Middleton.
- "Skinny Jean" – 3:57
- "Turtle's Head" – 3:23
- "Pick You UpPick You Up"Pick You Up" is the first single released from Powderfinger's second album Double Allergic. The single was released on 13 April 1996, and was Powderfinger's first moderate success both on commercial and Indie radio stations, and the most successful single from the album reaching #23 on the ARIA...
" – 4:19 - "D.A.F.D.A.F. (song)"D.A.F." is a song by Australian alternative rock band Powderfinger, released as a single from their second studio album, Double Allergic, on 5 August 1996."D.A.F." reached #39 on the Australian music chart...
" – 3:30 - "Boing Boing" – 3:37
- "Give" – 2:28
- "Oipic" – 4:09
- "Living TypeLiving Type"Living Type" is the third single released from Powderfinger's second album Double Allergic. The single was released on 11 November 1996. The song, written by Bernard Fanning, the band's lead singer, concerned the victims of Charles Manson. The song was well received by the public, who voted it...
" – 3:25 - "JC" – 2:50
- "Glimpse" – 1:43
- "Take Me InTake Me In"Take Me In" is the fourth and final single released from Powderfinger's second album Double Allergic. The single was released on 12 May 1997 , and received a warm response from fans, although it was not as successful as the prior singles from the album...
" – 2:51 - "(Return of) The Electric Horseman" – 18:57 (actual track time 3:47)
- Hidden tracks (included in 18:57 track time):
- "Vladmir" - 4:47
- "SS" - 3:26
- "Come Away" - 3:55
- Hidden tracks (included in 18:57 track time):
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Album/Single | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Album of the Year | Double Allergic | Nominated |
| Highest Selling Album | Double Allergic | Nominated | |
| Best Alternative Release | Double Allergic | Nominated | |
| Producer of the Year | Double Allergic | Nominated | |
| Best Group | Double Allergic | Nominated | |
| Single of the Year | "D.A.F." | Nominated | |
| Song of the Year | "D.A.F." | Nominated | |
| 1996 | Single of the Year | "Pick You Up" | Nominated |
| Song of the Year | "Pick You Up" | Nominated |