Summary
This Is Fort Apache is a 1995 compilation album of songs recorded at Fort Apache Studios, a recording studio which has had several locations around the New England area. The alternative rock album was the first release of Fort Apache/MCA Records, a partnership between the studio and MCA Records.[1] The album's packaging work, by designer Tim Stedman, received a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Recording Package at the 38th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony,[2][3] losing to Robbie Cavolina and Joni Mitchell for Turbulent Indigo.[4] The album includes songs by the label's first signees Cold Water Flat[5] and studio silent partner Billy Bragg.[6]
| This Is Fort Apache | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Compilation album by various artists | |
| Released | 1995 |
| Studio | Fort Apache |
| Genre | Alternative rock |
| Length | 47:45 |
| Label | Fort Apache/MCA |
Style edit
The album is described as alternative rock.[1] De Volkskrant's Gert van Veen notes that the diverse styles of the different acts are unified by their use of a "nice and raw", "piercing" guitar sound which was "partly determined by the primitive conditions" of the studio in its early years, a sound which by the compilation's time had become standard with the popularity of grunge and post-grunge.[7]
Reception edit
Cashbox's Steve Baltin called the album an "impressive compilation" with an "attention-grabbing" opening track from Cold Water Flat and further strong showings from the Walkabouts, Buffalo Tom, and Treat Her Right.[8] Billboard called it a "welcome salute to one of the nation's most dynamic recording facilities".[6] The Heights' Brian J. DiMattia called the album "Boston indie rock at its best" which would have warranted a four-star rating if not for the record coming in poor packaging docking it half a star.[9]
AllMusic's Jonathan Lewis also noted Treat Her Right as a highlight, as well as Radiohead and Billy Bragg, while calling the work of other acts "standard". Lewis concluded that while the album features several "heavyweights" of early 1990s alt rock, it's the "lesser-known artists who manage to shine through."[10] The Washington Post's Mark Jenkins said few of the songs were catchy, with "Everyone Can Play Guitar" and "Off to One Side" being notable exceptions, but that those two songs are both available on their respective bands' albums so they wouldn't compel fans to purchase the compilation.[5]
Track listing edit
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Magnetic North Pole" |
| Cold Water Flat | 2:50 |
| 2. | "Not You Again" | J Mascis | Dinosaur Jr. | 2:28 |
| 3. | "Star" (alternate version of song from the album Star) | Tanya Donnelly | Belly | 3:00 |
| 4. | "Stove" (originally released on the album Lovey) | Evan Dando | The Lemonheads | 3:08 |
| 5. | "Murdering Stone" (originally released on the album New West Motel) | Chris Eckman | The Walkabouts | 3:12 |
| 6. | "Crutch" (originally released on the album Let Me Come Over) |
| Buffalo Tom | 4:02 |
| 7. | "Run Letter" (originally released on the album House Tornado) | Kristin Hersh | Throwing Muses | 5:03 |
| 8. | "The Freed Pig" (originally released on the album Sebadoh III) | Lou Barlow | Sebadoh | 3:08 |
| 9. | "Anyone Can Play Guitar" (originally released on the album Pablo Honey) | Radiohead | 3:37 | |
| 10. | "Here Comes the Pain" (B-side to the single "I See You") | Juliana Hatfield | Juliana Hatfield | 3:42 |
| 11. | "Sulk" | Billy Bragg | 3:47 | |
| 12. | "I Think She Likes Me" (originally released on the album Treat Her Right) | Mark Sandman | Treat Her Right | 3:41 |
| 13. | "Off to One Side" (originally released on the album 11:11) | Come | Come | 5:46 |
| Total length: | 47:45 | |||
External links edit
- Discogs entry for this album
References edit
- ^ a b "News / Schmooze". Cash Box. January 28, 1995. p. 32. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
- ^ "List of Grammy nominees". CNN. January 4, 1996. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
- ^ O'Neil, Thomas (1999). The Grammys. New York: Perigee Books. p. 611. ISBN 0399524770. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
- ^ Pareles, Jon (February 29, 1996). "Rookies' Win Big in the 38th Grammy Awards". New York Times. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
- ^ a b Jenkins, Mark (February 19, 1995). "Uneven Muse Releases". Washington Post. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
- ^ a b "Various Artists - This Is Fort Apache". Billboard. p. 58. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
- ^ van Veen, Gert (February 10, 1995). "Platen: Pop" [Plates: Pop]. De Volkskrant (in Dutch). Retrieved January 22, 2023.
- ^ Baltin, Steve (January 21, 1995). "Various Artists: This Is Fort Apache". Cashbox. p. 13. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
- ^ DiMattia, Brian J. (January 23, 1995). "Dumb and Dumber and Fort Apache offer variety of artists". The Heights. p. 24. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
- ^ Lewis, Jonathan. "Various Artists - This Is Fort Apache". AllMusic. Retrieved January 15, 2023.