The Backyard is the second release by the American alternative rock band Miracle Legion, released in 1984 on Rough Trade Records.

Release

Released on both 12" vinyl and cassette,[1] the six song EP The Backyard was recorded at Presence Studios and released under Rough Trade Records in 1984.[a] The songs were composed by Mark Mulcahy and Ray Neal.[2]

The eponymous title track "The Backyard" became a staple on college radio charts following its release,[2] and there was a music video for it which received regular rotation on MTV.[3] The lyrics to "The Backyard" focus on Mulcahy's youth.[4]

A tribute album to Mulcahy, Ciao My Shining Star: The Songs of Mark Mulcahy, was released in 2009 by Shout! Factory and features a cover of "The Backyard" by alternative rock band Dinosaur Jr.[5]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]
Robert ChristgauB+[6]

Drawing comparison to R.E.M.,[6] the record received much acclaim.[7] Music critic Robert Christgau writing positively on Mulcahy's lyrics says that they are of "dazzled childhood and yearning adolescence," and likens the vocals to Loudon Wainwright III.[6] The album has been called a "landmark" by Trouser Press, and calls the title track "sheer brilliance."[8]

Track listing

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."The Backyard"4:01
2."Butterflies"4:45
3."Closer To The Wall"4:06
Side two
No.TitleLength
4."Just Say Hello"4:56
5."The Heart Is Attached"4:14
6."Steven Are You There?"4:07

Personnel

  • Joel Potocsky - bass guitar
  • Mark Mulcahy - vocals
  • Jeff Wiederschall - drums
  • Ray Neal - guitar

References

Notes

  1. ^ Information provided by The Backyards liner notes.

Citations

  1. ^ a b Cleary Allmusic.
  2. ^ a b Janovitz Allmusic.
  3. ^ Billboard 1986, p. 53.
  4. ^ Melis 2011.
  5. ^ Brandon 2009.
  6. ^ a b c Christgau 1990, p. 277.
  7. ^ Maximum Rock 'n' Roll 1987.
  8. ^ Gethers, Stenger & Reno.

Sources

Online sources

Allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Backyard_(EP)
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