Recovering the Satellites
Encyclopedia
Recovering the Satellites is the second album by Counting Crows
, released on October 14, 1996 in the United Kingdom and two days later in the United States. Released three years (and two years of relentless worldwide touring) after their debut album, it reached #1 in the United States and was a top seller in Australia, Canada, and the UK as well.
For this album, the quintet became a sextet, with fellow San Franciscan Dan Vickrey
added, contributing a second guitar as well as sharing in songwriting credits on four of the fourteen tracks. Steve Bowman
was replaced as drummer by Ben Mize.
Counting Crows brought in famed producer Gil Norton
for Recovering the Satellites.
, Anthony DeCurtis
gave the album a star rating of four out of five stars. He said that the band's second album develops the sounds of August and Everything After
and that they "largely achieve their serious ambitions". He praised Adam Duritz
' lyrics and called the album "deeply satisfying".
In a review for Allmusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine
gave the album a rating of four stars out of five. He called it a "self-consciously challenging response" to their successful debut album. He described the songs as "slightly more somber" than those on the first album but "more affecting". He noted an occasional "pretentiousness" on the album but praised "A Long December
" as particularly articulate.
Andy Gill from The Independent
gave the album a more negative review. He criticized Duritz' song-writing as "self-pity[ing]" and called him a "classic solipsistic soul-barer, he just won't shut up about himself". He called the album "bland" with "obvious" influences (including R.E.M.
, Bruce Springsteen
and Lynyrd Skynyrd
). Gill had some praise for producer Gil Norton
's work on the album.
In a review for Entertainment Weekly
, Ken Tucker also had negative feelings about the album, and gave it a "C" grade. He criticized Duritz' "yowling" and "moans" and called Counting Crows a "pastiche of its influences".
unless otherwise indicated
Additional musicians
Singles
Dutch duo Nick & Simon covered Angels Of The Silences for the limited edition of their 2010 album Fier.
Counting Crows
Counting Crows is an American rock band originating from Berkeley, California. Formed in 1991, the group gained popularity following the release of its debut album in 1993, August and Everything After, which featured the hit single "Mr. Jones"...
, released on October 14, 1996 in the United Kingdom and two days later in the United States. Released three years (and two years of relentless worldwide touring) after their debut album, it reached #1 in the United States and was a top seller in Australia, Canada, and the UK as well.
For this album, the quintet became a sextet, with fellow San Franciscan Dan Vickrey
Dan Vickrey
Daniel Vickrey is an American musician. He has performed since 1994 as a lead guitarist in the alternative rock band, Counting Crows...
added, contributing a second guitar as well as sharing in songwriting credits on four of the fourteen tracks. Steve Bowman
Steve Bowman
Steve Bowman is an American rock drummer and songwriter. He was a founding member and drummer for the Counting Crows during the recording and period of time following their debut album, August and Everything After. The band's unexpected success led them to performancess on Late Night with David...
was replaced as drummer by Ben Mize.
Counting Crows brought in famed producer Gil Norton
Gil Norton
Gil Norton is a British record producer known for his work with such bands as Pixies, Echo & the Bunnymen, Foo Fighters, Tribe, Jimmy Eat World, Dashboard Confessional, Feeder, The Distillers, Maxïmo Park, Counting Crows, Terrorvision, The Triffids, Del Amitri, James, The Feelers, The Beekeepers,...
for Recovering the Satellites.
Reception
Writing for Rolling StoneRolling 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...
, Anthony DeCurtis
Anthony DeCurtis
Anthony DeCurtis is an American author and music critic, who has written for Rolling Stone, The New York Times, Relix and other publications.-Career:...
gave the album a star rating of four out of five stars. He said that the band's second album develops the sounds of August and Everything After
August and Everything After
August and Everything After is the first commercially released album of the American rock band Counting Crows, released September 14, 1993....
and that they "largely achieve their serious ambitions". He praised Adam Duritz
Adam Duritz
Adam Fredric Duritz is an American musician, songwriter, record producer, and film producer. He is best known for his role as frontman and vocalist for the rock band Counting Crows, in which he is a founding member and principal composer of their catalogue of songs.Duritz has recorded solo...
' lyrics and called the album "deeply satisfying".
In a review for Allmusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Stephen Thomas Erlewine is a senior editor for Allmusic. He is the author of many artist biographies and record reviews for Allmusic, as well as a freelance writer, occasionally contributing liner notes. He is also frontman and guitarist for the Ann Arbor-based band Who Dat?Erlewine is the nephew...
gave the album a rating of four stars out of five. He called it a "self-consciously challenging response" to their successful debut album. He described the songs as "slightly more somber" than those on the first album but "more affecting". He noted an occasional "pretentiousness" on the album but praised "A Long December
A Long December
"A Long December" is a song by American alternative rock band Counting Crows. It is the second single and thirteenth track from their second album, Recovering The Satellites . The song peaked at number five on the U.S. Hot Modern Rock Tracks....
" as particularly articulate.
Andy Gill from The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
gave the album a more negative review. He criticized Duritz' song-writing as "self-pity[ing]" and called him a "classic solipsistic soul-barer, he just won't shut up about himself". He called the album "bland" with "obvious" influences (including R.E.M.
R.E.M.
R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
, Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
and Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band prominent in spreading Southern Rock during the 1970s.Originally formed as the "Noble Five" in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964, the band rose to worldwide recognition on the basis of its driving live performances and signature tune, Freebird...
). Gill had some praise for producer Gil Norton
Gil Norton
Gil Norton is a British record producer known for his work with such bands as Pixies, Echo & the Bunnymen, Foo Fighters, Tribe, Jimmy Eat World, Dashboard Confessional, Feeder, The Distillers, Maxïmo Park, Counting Crows, Terrorvision, The Triffids, Del Amitri, James, The Feelers, The Beekeepers,...
's work on the album.
In a review for Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
, Ken Tucker also had negative feelings about the album, and gave it a "C" grade. He criticized Duritz' "yowling" and "moans" and called Counting Crows a "pastiche of its influences".
Track listing
All tracks written by Adam DuritzAdam Duritz
Adam Fredric Duritz is an American musician, songwriter, record producer, and film producer. He is best known for his role as frontman and vocalist for the rock band Counting Crows, in which he is a founding member and principal composer of their catalogue of songs.Duritz has recorded solo...
unless otherwise indicated
- "Catapult" (Duritz, David Bryson, Charlie GillinghamCharlie GillinghamCharlie Gillingham is best known for his performance on the Hammond B-3 organ, accordion, piano, and keyboards for the band Counting Crows...
, Matt Malley, Dan VickreyDan VickreyDaniel Vickrey is an American musician. He has performed since 1994 as a lead guitarist in the alternative rock band, Counting Crows...
, Ben Mize) – 3:34 - "Angels of the SilencesAngels of the Silences"Angels of the Silences" is a song by American alternative rock band Counting Crows. It is the lead single and second track from their second album, Recovering the Satellites . The song peaked at number three on the U.S. Modern Rock Tracks chart, making it the highest-placing single from the...
" (Duritz, Gillingham) – 3:39 - "Daylight FadingDaylight Fading"Daylight Fading" is a single by the American rock band Counting Crows. It is the third single and also the third track of their second album Recovering the Satellites . This song, along with previous releases such as "Mr. Jones" and "A Long December," had video rotation on MTV and VH1.The single...
" (Duritz, Vickrey, Gillingham) – 3:50 - "I'm Not Sleeping" – 4:57
- "Goodnight Elisabeth" – 5:20
- "Children in Bloom" – 5:23
- "Have You Seen Me Lately?" – 4:11
- "Miller's Angels" (Duritz, Vickrey) – 6:33
- "Another Horsedreamer's Blues" – 4:32
- "Recovering the Satellites" – 5:24
- "Monkey" – 3:02
- "Mercury" – 2:48
- "A Long DecemberA Long December"A Long December" is a song by American alternative rock band Counting Crows. It is the second single and thirteenth track from their second album, Recovering The Satellites . The song peaked at number five on the U.S. Hot Modern Rock Tracks....
" – 4:57 - "Walkaways" (Duritz, Vickrey) – 1:12
Personnel
Counting Crows- David Bryson – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s, DobroDobroDobro is a registered trademark, now owned by Gibson Guitar Corporation and used for a particular design of resonator guitar.The name has a long and involved history, interwoven with that of the resonator guitar...
, tambourine, vocals - Adam DuritzAdam DuritzAdam Fredric Duritz is an American musician, songwriter, record producer, and film producer. He is best known for his role as frontman and vocalist for the rock band Counting Crows, in which he is a founding member and principal composer of their catalogue of songs.Duritz has recorded solo...
– pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, tambourine, WurlitzerElectronic organAn electronic organ is an electronic keyboard instrument which was derived from the harmonium, pipe organ and theatre organ. Originally, it was designed to imitate the sound of pipe organs, theatre organs, band sounds, or orchestral sounds....
, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Charlie GillinghamCharlie GillinghamCharlie Gillingham is best known for his performance on the Hammond B-3 organ, accordion, piano, and keyboards for the band Counting Crows...
– Hammond B-3Hammond organThe Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard...
, piano, MellotronMellotronThe Mellotron is an electro-mechanical, polyphonic tape replay keyboard originally developed and built in Birmingham, England in the early 1960s. It superseded the Chamberlin Music Master, which was the world's first sample-playback keyboard intended for music...
, Wurlitzer, accordionAccordionThe accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist....
, harmonicaHarmonicaThe harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
, vocals, stringString instrumentA string instrument is a musical instrument that produces sound by means of vibrating strings. In the Hornbostel-Sachs scheme of musical instrument classification, used in organology, they are called chordophones...
arrangements on 3, 4, 9 - Matt Malley – electric bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, double bassDouble bassThe double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2...
, vocals - Ben Mize – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, tambourineTambourineThe tambourine or marine is a musical instrument of the percussion family consisting of a frame, often of wood or plastic, with pairs of small metal jingles, called "zils". Classically the term tambourine denotes an instrument with a drumhead, though some variants may not have a head at all....
, light bulbs, Zippo lighterPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
, vocals - Dan VickreyDan VickreyDaniel Vickrey is an American musician. He has performed since 1994 as a lead guitarist in the alternative rock band, Counting Crows...
– guitars, vocals
Additional musicians
- Paul BuckmasterPaul BuckmasterPaul John Buckmaster is a Grammy Award-winning English artist, arranger and composer.He began learning the cello at the age of 4 and graduated from the Royal College of Music at age 16....
– Orchestra conductorConductingConducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
on 3, 4, 9 - David ImmerglückDavid ImmerglückDavid Immerglück is an American multi-instrumentalist who is best known as a guitarist in the alternative rock bands Counting Crows, Camper Van Beethoven and the Monks of Doom...
– pedal steel guitarPedal steel guitarThe pedal steel guitar is a type of electric guitar that uses a metal bar to "fret" or shorten the length of the strings, rather than fingers on strings as with a conventional guitar. Unlike other types of steel guitar, it also uses pedals and knee levers to affect the pitch, hence the name "pedal"...
on 8, octave mandolinOctave mandolinThe octave mandolin is a fretted string instrument with four pairs of strings tuned in 5ths, G, D, A, E , an octave below a mandolin. It has a 20 to 23 inch scale length and its construction is similar to other instruments in the mandolin family...
on 8 - Marvin Etzione – mandolinMandolinA mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
on 12
Charts
Album| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | The Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... 200 |
1 |
| UK Albums Chart | 4 | |
| Australian Albums Chart | 7 | |
| 1997 | Billboard Top Canadian Albums | 19 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | "Angels of the Silences" | Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks | 4 |
| Billboard Modern Rock Tracks | 3 | ||
| "A Long December" | Billboard Adult Top 40 | 6 | |
| Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks | 9 | ||
| Billboard Modern Rock Tracks | 5 | ||
| Billboard Top 40 Mainstream | 7 | ||
| 1997 | "Daylight Fading" | Billboard Adult Top 40 | 20 |
| Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks | 24 | ||
| Billboard Modern Rock Tracks | 26 | ||
| Billboard Top 40 Mainstream | 26 | ||
| Billboard Top 40 Adult Recurrents | 2 | ||
| "Have You Seen Me Lately?" | Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks | 34 | |
| Billboard Modern Rock Tracks | 34 |
Certifications
| Organization | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| RIAA – U.S. | Gold | December 19, 1996 |
| Platinum | ||
| Double Platinum | June 6, 1997 | |
| BPI British Phonographic Industry The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies... – UK |
Gold | March 1, 1997 |
Covers
The song Goodnight Elisabeth has been covered by the Dutch duo 'Acda & De Munnik' as 'Slaap zacht, Elisabeth' for their 1998 album Naar Huis.Dutch duo Nick & Simon covered Angels Of The Silences for the limited edition of their 2010 album Fier.