Semi Detached (Blancmange album)

Semi Detached is the sixth studio album by English band Blancmange, released in 2015. The album was the first to be created without the involvement of original member Stephen Luscombe due to health reasons.[1] Neil Arthur commenced writing material for the album in 2013-14, with recording taking place during 2014.[2] The album reached No. 22 on the UK Independent Albums Chart.[3]

Semi Detached
Studio album by Blancmange
Released	23 March 2015[1]
Length	46:32
Label	Cherry Red Records
Producer	Neil Arthur
Blancmange chronology
Happy Families Too... (2013) Semi Detached (2015) Nil by Mouth (2015)

"Paddington" was released as the album's first single on 9 March 2015. A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by Tone Davies.[4] The second single, "Useless", was released on 15 May,[5] followed by "I Want More", released on 18 April as a limited edition 12" single for Record Store Day.[6][7]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[8]
The Arts Desk	[9]
Louder Than War	[10]
Mojo	[11]
MusicOMH	[12]
Q	[11]
Record Collector	[13]
Uncut	[11]

Upon release, David Jeffries of AllMusic considered the album to be a "very dark Blancmange album when compared to all the others, and quite emotionally heavy as well". He added: "Semi Detached is sincere in its distrust, distaste, and ire, and the album winds up a worthy companion for bad days or chucking it all."[8] Paul Scott-Bates of Louder Than War commented: "Arthur's Northern quirk is present throughout Semi Detached though the overall feel is darker. [It] is a modern day riposte to the Blancmange of the 80s. Still catchy, still infectious but now all grown up."[10]

Mark Elliott of Record Collector commented: "Semi Detached is a darker, icier project than any Blancmange have previously served up. A long distance from their frothier 80s form, it’s a set that shows Neil Arthur is more than capable of keeping this band on our radar for some time yet."[13] Graeme Marsh of MusicOMH wrote: "if you fancy a slightly off centre alternative to the mass appeal of more prominent electronic bands, despite a few wobbly bits here and there, then you won't go far wrong with giving this latest collection a chance."[12]

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"The Fall"	Neil Arthur, Graham Henderson	8:08
2.	"I Want More"	Michael Karoli, Irmin Schmidt, Holger Czukay, Jaki Liebezeit, Peter Gilmour	3:57
3.	"Paddington"	Arthur	3:56
4.	"It Didn't Take Long"	Arthur	4:24
5.	"MKS Lover"	Arthur	4:17
6.	"Like I Do"	Arthur	3:34
7.	"Deep in the Mine"	Arthur	4:43
8.	"Acid"	Arthur	4:23
9.	"Useless"	Arthur	3:27
10.	"Bloody Hell Fire"	Arthur	5:48

Deluxe edition - disc two

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"I Want Your Love (Extended Version)"	Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers	6:43
2.	"Silk Sea"	Arthur	3:29
3.	"That Worm"	Arthur	5:12
4.	"Paddington (Extended Version)"		5:36
5.	"I Want More (Extended Version)"		7:15
6.	"Like I Do (Extended Version)"		4:50
7.	"Useless (Extended Version)"		4:36
8.	"Paddington (Alternative Edit)"		4:04
9.	"I Want Your Love"		5:16

Chart performance

Chart (2015)	Peak position
UK Independent Albums Chart[3]	22

Personnel

• Neil Arthur - lead vocals, keyboards
• David Rhodes - guitar
• Jake Parker - backing vocals
• Eleanor Arthur - backing vocals (track 3), additional vocals (track 2)
• Helen Kincaid, Joe Arthur, Tony Brook, Harvey Brook, Reed Wilson, Rupert Howe - additional vocals (track 2)

Production

• Adam Fuest - mixing
• Neil Arthur - producer
• Tim Debney - mastering

Other

• Adam Yeldham - artwork
• Helen Kincaid - asteroid painting
• Steve Malins - management

References

1. "Semi Detached (Deluxe 2CD Edition)". Blancmange. Retrieved 2018-10-23.
2. "News | INTERVIEW: Blancmange". The Quietus. 2015-02-06. Retrieved 2018-10-23.
3. "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50 | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2018-10-23.
4. "Video exclusive – Blancmange lay Paddington bare in new video - Classic Pop Magazine". Classicpopmag.com. Retrieved 2018-10-23.
5. "Useless - Single by Blancmange on Apple Music". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2018-10-23.
6. "'I Want More' 12 inch for Record Store Day". Blancmange. Retrieved 2018-10-23.
7. "Blancmange - I Want More (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 2015-04-18. Retrieved 2018-10-23.
8. AllMusic Review by David Jeffries (2015-03-31). "Semi Detached - Blancmange | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2018-10-23.
9. https://theartsdesk.com/new-music/cd-blancmange-%E2%80%93-semi-detached
10. "Blancmange: Semi Detached - album review". Louder Than War. 2015-03-13. Retrieved 2018-10-23.
11. "Semi Detached by Blancmange Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. 2015-03-23. Retrieved 2018-10-23.
12. https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/blancmange-semi-detached
13. "Semi Detached - Record Collector Magazine". Recordcollectormag.com. Retrieved 2018-10-23.