4,000,000 Telephones’ second album (the first came out on their own Bunker label) marked a progression from their earlier style following extensive line-up changes. With only singer Richard left from the band that recorded the French Girls single, the music became more mainstream and melodic, and lost the hard-edged funk/noise element that had characterised their work until then. The inclusion of the ‘found sounds’ and snatches of tape remained from their previous recordings, and a re-recording of French Girls (now titled in the singular) and the percussive noisefest of Wait were reminders of their early work, while the introduction of melodic saxophone parts and more conventional use of guitar and keyboards lent the band a much more commercial pop/funk/jazz sound.

Tracks

It’s Dark
If It’s Not Quite Right
The Most Careful
This Time
No
French Girl
Miracle Workers
Each Minute
She’s There
Wait

Guitar, violin, tapes
Joel Burgess

Drums, percussion, programming
Nigel Lobley

Bass
Eddie Tatton

Vocals, keyboards, tapes, programming
Richard

with

Alto Sax
Gabrielle Sabran

Written and produced by 4,000,000 Telephones
Recorded at Farmhouse Studio, Goxhill, South Humberside
Engineered by Pete Kennedy
Graphic design by Charles Elliott
Photography by Paddy Burgess and Pearl Constance