Saturn Strip
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Background and production
Before the recording began, Vega signed to his first major label Elektra Records that would release Saturn Strip.[4]
"Kid Congo" is a homage to Kid Congo Powers, evolving from a soundcheck abstraction called "Bongo Bongo".Script error: No such module "Unsubst". "Every 1's a Winner" is a cover of the Hot Chocolate song.[4]
It was produced by Ric Ocasek, known for his work with Suicide and The Cars. The song "Saturn Drive" features a then-unknown synth-pop musician Alain Jourgensen who provided synthesizer sounds.[4]
Composition
Saturn Strip is characterized as a synth-pop album.[4]
The songs' composition have been described by Victor W. Valdivia (AllMusic) as concise, around four-minutes long, structually straightforward, and polished production-wise. Comparing Saturn Strip to Alan Vega's previous work, Valdivia called it less self-indulgent and musically robust, which allows "Vega's talent for evocative lyrics and clever melodies comes across clearly".[4]
Billboard highlighted the differences in mood between Saturn Strip and Vega's earlier work. He "largely dropped the morbidity [....] letting cheerful, Cars-style synth burbles lead the way".[5]
Release
The album wasn't commercially upon its release.[4]
The album was reissued on CD in 2004 by Wounded Bird, which also included the Just a Million Dreams album.[6]
Critical reception and legacy
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MGMT made a cover of “Goodbye Darling”, as a tribute to Alan Vega.[7]
Track listing
All tracks composed by Alan Vega; except where indicated
- "Saturn Drive" (Al Jourgensen, Alan Vega) - 5:36
- "Video Babe" - 3:17
- "American Dreamer" (Ric Ocasek, Vega) - 5:04
- "Kid Congo" - 2:37
- "Goodbye Darling" (Mark Kuch, Vega) - 2:38
- "Wipeout Beat" - 5:59
- "Je T'Adore" - 3:40
- "Angel" - 5:06
- "Every 1's a Winner"[8] (Errol Brown) - 4:10
Personnel
- Alan Vega - vocals
- Mark Kuch - guitar
- Larry Chaplin - bass
- Sesu Coleman - drums
- Stephen George - drums on "Saturn Drive", "American Dreamer" and "Wipeout Beat"
- Ric Ocasek - guitar, keyboards
- Al Jourgensen - keyboards on "Saturn Drive"
- Greg Hawkes - synthesizer, saxophone on "Wipeout Beat"
- Technical
- Michael Zilkha - executive producer
References
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