Higher Power (Big Audio Dynamite album): Difference between revisions

Higher Power
Higher Power
Studio album by Big Audio
Released	8 November 1994
Genre	Alternative
Length	67:03
Label	Columbia
Producer	Mick Jones, André Shapps, Arthur Baker
Big Audio chronology
Singles from Higher Power
	"Looking for a Song"; Released: 1994;

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Higher Power is the seventh album by Big Audio Dynamite (renamed Big Audio), released in 1994.^[2]^[3] First released in the US on 8 November, it was then released in the UK the following week on 14 November 1994.^[4]^[5] "Looking for a Song" was released as a single; it peaked at No. 24 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart.^[6]^[7] The band supported the album with a North American tour.^[8]

Production

Many of its songs are about English middle class life.^[9] Mick Jones was inspired by Bob Marley to include uplifting messages in Higher Power's songs.^[10]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	^[11]
Calgary Herald	C−^[12]
Chicago Tribune	^[9]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music	^[13]
Entertainment Weekly	C−^[14]
Knoxville News Sentinel	^[15]

Trouser Press wrote that "Higher Power finds Jones and company operating at a decidedly lower level ... The hip dance-music sounds are there, but the tunes most certainly aren't."^[16] Entertainment Weekly thought that the album "continues Jones' bid for currency by experimenting with the sounds of London's dance clubs ... The result is neither good rave nor good rock."^[14]

The Knoxville News Sentinel called it "an alternative album at the core that absorbs a fun array of funk, pop and hip-hop influences for a distinctive and accessible blend."^[15] The Calgary Herald determined that "it just bops along with riffs that are pleasant enough but lack any edge, any passion."^[12]

Track listing

Side one
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Got to Wake Up"	Jones	4:51
2.	"Harrow Road"	Graham Fisher, Kenneth Hare, Jones, Stonadge	5:26
3.	"Looking for a Song"	Jones, Sergio Portaluri, David Sion, Fulvio Zefret	3:47

Side two
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
4.	"Some People"	Hawkins, Jones	4:55
5.	"Slender Loris"	Jones	6:10
6.	"Modern Stoneage Blues"	Jones, Stonadge	3:45

Side three
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
7.	"Melancholy Maybe"	Jones, Stonadge	5:43
8.	"Over the Rise"	Jones	4:57
9.	"Why Is It?"	Jones, Stonadge	5:00
10.	"Moon"	Jones	6:27

Side four
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
11.	"Lucan"	Hawkins, Jones, Stonadge	5:49
12.	"Light Up My Life"	Jones	4:35
13.	"Hope"	Jones, Stonadge	5:38

Personnel

Big Audio

Mick Jones - guitar, vocals, producer
Nick Hawkins - vocals, guitar, engineer
André Shapps - keyboards, producer, engineer
Gary Stonadge - bass, vocals
Chris Kavanagh - drums, vocals
Mickey Custance - DJ, vocals

Additional credits

Ranking Roger - vocals
Aki Omori, Loro Lucan - backing vocals on "Some People"
Heathcote Williams - biographical editor
John R.T. Davies - editing
Arthur Baker - co-producer of track 6
Würzel - photography

References

^ Thompson, Dave (15 July 2000). "Alternative Rock". Hal Leonard Corporation – via Google Books.
^ "Big Audio Dynamite Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
^ Thompson, Clifford (7 October 2020). "Contemporary World Musicians". Routledge – via Google Books.
^ "Upcoming Releases" (PDF). CMJ New Music Report. 31 October 1994. p. 60. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
^ "New Albums" (PDF). Music Week. 12 November 1994. p. 22. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
^ Buckley, Peter (15 July 2003). "The Rough Guide to Rock". Rough Guides – via Google Books.
^ Whitburn, Joel (15 July 2008). "Joel Whitburn Presents Rock Tracks 1981-2008". Hal Leonard Corporation – via Google Books.
^ Bream, Jon (30 November 1994). "ROCK the HALLS". Star Tribune. p. 1E.
^ ^a ^b Webber, Brad (24 November 1994). "Recordings". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 10.
^ Rutkoski, Rex (27 January 1995). "JONES MIXES HIS DYNAMITE WELL". USA Today.
^ Ruhlmann, William. Review: Higher Power. AllMusic. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
^ ^a ^b Muretich, James (20 November 1994). "Big Audio: Higher Power". Calgary Herald. p. D2.
^ Larkin, Colin (27 May 2011). "The Encyclopedia of Popular Music". Omnibus Press – via Google Books.
^ ^a ^b "Music Review: 'Higher Power'". EW.com.
^ ^a ^b Campbell, Chuck (11 November 1994). "'Higher Power', Big Audio". Detours. Knoxville News Sentinel. p. 3.
^ "Big Audio Dynamite". Trouser Press. Retrieved 15 July 2022.

[1] Thompson, Dave (15 July 2000). "Alternative Rock". Hal Leonard Corporation – via Google Books.

[2] "Big Audio Dynamite Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.

[3] Thompson, Clifford (7 October 2020). "Contemporary World Musicians". Routledge – via Google Books.

[4] "Upcoming Releases" (PDF). CMJ New Music Report. 31 October 1994. p. 60. Retrieved 18 October 2022.

[5] "New Albums" (PDF). Music Week. 12 November 1994. p. 22. Retrieved 18 October 2022.

[6] Buckley, Peter (15 July 2003). "The Rough Guide to Rock". Rough Guides – via Google Books.

[7] Whitburn, Joel (15 July 2008). "Joel Whitburn Presents Rock Tracks 1981-2008". Hal Leonard Corporation – via Google Books.

[8] Bream, Jon (30 November 1994). "ROCK the HALLS". Star Tribune. p. 1E.

[CT-9] Webber, Brad (24 November 1994). "Recordings". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 10.

[10] Rutkoski, Rex (27 January 1995). "JONES MIXES HIS DYNAMITE WELL". USA Today.

[Ruhlmann-11] Ruhlmann, William. Review: Higher Power. AllMusic. Retrieved 10 April 2010.

[CH-12] Muretich, James (20 November 1994). "Big Audio: Higher Power". Calgary Herald. p. D2.

[13] Larkin, Colin (27 May 2011). "The Encyclopedia of Popular Music". Omnibus Press – via Google Books.

[auto-14] "Music Review: 'Higher Power'". EW.com.

[KN-15] Campbell, Chuck (11 November 1994). "'Higher Power', Big Audio". Detours. Knoxville News Sentinel. p. 3.

[16] "Big Audio Dynamite". Trouser Press. Retrieved 15 July 2022.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
 {{Infobox album
-| name       = Higher Power
+| name         = Higher Power
-| type       = [[Album]]
+| type         = [[Album]]
-| artist     = [[Big Audio Dynamite|Big Audio]]
+| artist       = [[Big Audio Dynamite|Big Audio]]
-| cover      = Higherpower.jpg
+| cover        = Higherpower.jpg
-| alt        =
+| alt          =
-| released   = 1994
+| released     = 8 November 1994
-| recorded   =
+| recorded     =
-| venue      =
+| venue        =
-| studio     =
+| studio       =
-| genre      = [[Alternative music|Alternative]]
+| genre        = [[Alternative music|Alternative]]
-| length     = 67:03
+| length       = 67:03
-| label      = [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZHP-r9-eqdAC&pg=PA194|title=Alternative Rock|first=Dave|last=Thompson|date=15 July 2000|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|via=Google Books}}</ref>
+| label        = [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZHP-r9-eqdAC&pg=PA194|title=Alternative Rock|first=Dave|last=Thompson|date=15 July 2000|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|via=Google Books}}</ref>
-| producer   = [[Mick Jones (The Clash)|Mick Jones]], André Shapps, [[Arthur Baker (musician)|Arthur Baker]]
+| producer     = [[Mick Jones (The Clash)|Mick Jones]], André Shapps, [[Arthur Baker (musician)|Arthur Baker]]
-| prev_title = [[The Lost Treasure of Big Audio Dynamite I & II]]
+| prev_title   = [[The Lost Treasure of Big Audio Dynamite I & II]]
-| prev_year  = 1993
+| prev_year    = 1993
-| next_title = [[F-Punk]]
+| next_title   = [[F-Punk]]
-| next_year  = 1995
+| next_year    = 1995
-| misc       = {{Singles
+| misc         = {{Singles
  | name        = Higher Power
  | type        = studio
@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 }}
 }}
-'''''Higher Power''''' is the seventh album by [[Big Audio Dynamite]] (renamed Big Audio), released in 1994.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/big-audio-dynamite-mn0000763237/biography|title=Big Audio Dynamite Biography, Songs, & Albums|website=AllMusic}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qVYAEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT1319|title=Contemporary World Musicians|first=Clifford|last=Thompson|date=7 October 2020|publisher=Routledge|via=Google Books}}</ref> "Looking for a Song" was released as a single; it peaked at No. 24 on ''Billboard'''s [[Modern Rock Tracks]] chart.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7ctjc6UWCm4C&pg=PA90|title=The Rough Guide to Rock|first=Peter|last=Buckley|date=15 July 2003|publisher=Rough Guides|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_pbECYPYlZcC&pg=PA31|title=Joel Whitburn Presents Rock Tracks 1981-2008|first=Joel|last=Whitburn|date=15 July 2008|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|via=Google Books}}</ref>
+'''''Higher Power''''' is the seventh album by [[Big Audio Dynamite]] (renamed Big Audio), released in 1994.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/big-audio-dynamite-mn0000763237/biography|title=Big Audio Dynamite Biography, Songs, & Albums|website=AllMusic}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qVYAEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT1319|title=Contemporary World Musicians|first=Clifford|last=Thompson|date=7 October 2020|publisher=Routledge|via=Google Books}}</ref> First released in the US on 8 November, it was then released in the UK the following week on 14 November 1994.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=31 October 1994 |title=Upcoming Releases |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/CMJ/1994/CMJ-New-Music-Report-1994-10-31.pdf |magazine=[[CMJ|CMJ New Music Report]] |page=60 |access-date=18 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |date=12 November 1994 |title=New Albums |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-11-12.pdf |magazine=[[Music Week]] |page=22 |access-date=18 October 2022}}</ref> "Looking for a Song" was released as a single; it peaked at No. 24 on ''Billboard'''s [[Modern Rock Tracks]] chart.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7ctjc6UWCm4C&pg=PA90|title=The Rough Guide to Rock|first=Peter|last=Buckley|date=15 July 2003|publisher=Rough Guides|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_pbECYPYlZcC&pg=PA31|title=Joel Whitburn Presents Rock Tracks 1981-2008|first=Joel|last=Whitburn|date=15 July 2008|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|via=Google Books}}</ref> The band supported the album with a North American tour.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bream |first1=Jon |title=ROCK the HALLS |work=Star Tribune |date=30 Nov 1994 |page=1E}}</ref>
+==Production==
+Many of its songs are about English middle class life.<ref name=CT/> [[Mick Jones (The Clash guitarist)|Mick Jones]] was inspired by [[Bob Marley]] to include uplifting messages in ''Higher Power'''s songs.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rutkoski |first1=Rex |title=JONES MIXES HIS DYNAMITE WELL |work=USA Today |date=January 27, 1995}}</ref>
 ==Critical reception==
@@ Line 31: / Line 34: @@
 |rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
 |rev1score = {{Rating|1.5|5}}<ref name="Ruhlmann">Ruhlmann, William. [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r207859|pure_url=yes}} Review: ''Higher Power'']. [[AllMusic]]. Retrieved 10 April 2010.</ref>
-|rev2 = ''[[The Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]''
+|rev2 = ''[[Calgary Herald]]''
-|rev2score = {{rating|2|5}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_NNmFiUnSmUC&pg=PA2600|title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music|first=Colin|last=Larkin|date=27 May 2011|publisher=Omnibus Press|via=Google Books}}</ref>
+|rev2score = C−<ref name="CH">{{cite news |last1=Muretich |first1=James |title=Big Audio: Higher Power |work=Calgary Herald |date=20 Nov 1994 |page=D2}}</ref>
-|rev3 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
+|rev3 = ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''
-|rev3score = C–<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://ew.com/article/1994/11/18/music-review-higher-power/|title=Music Review: 'Higher Power'|website=EW.com}}</ref>
+|rev3score = {{rating|3|4}}<ref name="CT">{{cite news |last1=Webber |first1=Brad |title=Recordings |work=Chicago Tribune |date=24 Nov 1994 |department=Tempo |page=10}}</ref>
-|rev4 = ''[[Knoxville News Sentinel]]''
+|rev4 = ''[[The Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]''
-|rev4score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="KN">{{cite news |last1=Campbell |first1=Chuck |title='Higher Power', Big Audio |work=Knoxville News Sentinel |date=11 Nov 1994 |department=Detours |page=3}}</ref>
+|rev4score = {{rating|2|5}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_NNmFiUnSmUC&pg=PA2600|title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music|first=Colin|last=Larkin|date=27 May 2011|publisher=Omnibus Press|via=Google Books}}</ref>
+|rev5 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
+|rev5score = C−<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://ew.com/article/1994/11/18/music-review-higher-power/|title=Music Review: 'Higher Power'|website=EW.com}}</ref>
+|rev6 = ''[[Knoxville News Sentinel]]''
+|rev6score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="KN">{{cite news |last1=Campbell |first1=Chuck |title='Higher Power', Big Audio |work=Knoxville News Sentinel |date=11 Nov 1994 |department=Detours |page=3}}</ref>
 }}
-''[[Trouser Press]]'' wrote that "''Higher Power'' finds Jones and company operating at a decidedly lower level ... The hip dance-music sounds are there, but the tunes most certainly aren't."<ref>{{cite web |title=Big Audio Dynamite |url=https://trouserpress.com/reviews/big-audio-dynamite/ |website=Trouser Press |access-date=15 July 2022}}</ref> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' thought that the album "continues Jones' bid for currency by experimenting with the sounds of London's dance clubs ... The result is neither good rave nor good rock."<ref name="auto"/> The ''[[Knoxville News Sentinel]]'' called it "an alternative album at the core that absorbs a fun array of funk, pop and hip-hop influences for a distinctive and accessible blend."<ref name=KN/>
+''[[Trouser Press]]'' wrote that "''Higher Power'' finds Jones and company operating at a decidedly lower level ... The hip dance-music sounds are there, but the tunes most certainly aren't."<ref>{{cite web |title=Big Audio Dynamite |url=https://trouserpress.com/reviews/big-audio-dynamite/ |website=Trouser Press |access-date=15 July 2022}}</ref> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' thought that the album "continues Jones' bid for currency by experimenting with the sounds of London's dance clubs ... The result is neither good rave nor good rock."<ref name="auto"/>
+The ''[[Knoxville News Sentinel]]'' called it "an alternative album at the core that absorbs a fun array of funk, pop and hip-hop influences for a distinctive and accessible blend."<ref name=KN/> The ''[[Calgary Herald]]'' determined that "it just bops along with riffs that are pleasant enough but lack any edge, any passion."<ref name=CH/>
 ==Track listing==
@@ Line 106: / Line 115: @@
 ==Personnel==
+===Big Audio===
 * [[Mick Jones (The Clash)|Mick Jones]] - guitar, vocals, producer
 * [[Nick Hawkins (musician)|Nick Hawkins]] - vocals, guitar, engineer
@@ Line 112: / Line 122: @@
 * [[Chris Kavanagh (musician)|Chris Kavanagh]] - drums, vocals
 * Mickey Custance - DJ, vocals
+===Additional credits===
 * [[Ranking Roger]] - vocals
 * Aki Omori, Loro Lucan - backing vocals on "Some People"

v t e Big Audio Dynamite
Mick Jones Don Letts Dan Donovan Leo Williams Greg Roberts Nick Hawkins Gary Stonadge Chris Kavanagh André Shapps Michael "Zonka" Custance Darryl Fulstow Bob Wond Ranking Roger
Studio albums	This Is Big Audio Dynamite (1985) No. 10, Upping St. (1986) Tighten Up Vol. 88 (1988) Megatop Phoenix (1989) Kool-Aid (1990) The Globe (1991) Higher Power (1994) F-Punk (1995) Entering a New Ride (1997)
Compilation albums	The Lost Treasure of Big Audio Dynamite I & II Looking for a Song Planet B.A.D. Super Hits Big Audio Dynamite I & II The Best of Big Audio Dynamite
Singles	"The Bottom Line" "E=MC2" "Medicine Show" "C'mon Every Beatbox" "V. Thirteen" "Just Play Music!" "Other 99" "James Brown" "Rush" "The Globe"
Related articles	Discography The Clash The Beat London SS Dreadzone General Public Zoo TV Tour