The Beast Inside is the second studio album from British indie rock band Inspiral Carpets.[9][10] It was released on 22 April 1991 on Mute Records.
| The Beast Inside | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 22 April 1991[1] | |||
| Recorded | Ridge Farm Studios, Surrey | |||
| Genre | Indie rock, Madchester | |||
| Length | 56:11 | |||
| Label | Mute[2] | |||
| Producer | Chris Nagle | |||
| Inspiral Carpets chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from The Beast Inside | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [4] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [5] |
| Entertainment Weekly | C+[6] |
| MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide | [7] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [8] |
| Select | 4/5[2] |
The album made the Top 10 in the United Kingdom.[11]
Critical reception
editThe Rolling Stone Album Guide called the album "a leap forward," writing that "Sleep Well Tonight" "recalled the Velvets at their most Teutonically romantic."[8] Trouser Press called it "a misbegotten attempt at formula- tinkering that broadens the band’s dynamic net but doesn’t pull anything worthwhile in."[12] The Los Angeles Times wrote that The Beast Inside "bears plenty of beat-heavy ecstasy, as well as sounds o’ the ‘60s (notably Clint Boon’s swirling organ)."[10] The Chicago Tribune wrote that "few of the tunes are immediate powerhouses, but as the Carpets maintain their garage-rock energy while keeping the soundscapes changing ... they provide their eventual, if minor, rewards."[13]
Track listing
editLP: Cow Records / DUNG 14 (UK)
edit- "Caravan" (4:17)
- "Please Be Cruel" (3:38)
- "Born Yesterday" (5:23)
- "Sleep Well Tonight" (5:10)
- "Grip" (3:16)
- "Beast Inside" (5:09)
- "Niagara" (7:10)
- "Mermaid" (4:29)
- "Further Away" (13:38)
- "Dreams Are All We Have" (4:01)
- also released on CD (DUNG 14 CD) and MC (DUNG 14 MC)
Personnel
edit- Clint Boon - keyboards, backing vocals
- Craig Gill - drums
- Tom Hingley - lead vocals
- Graham Lambert - guitars
- Martyn Walsh - bass
Charts
edit| Chart (1991) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)[14] | 157 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[15] | 5 |
| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[16] | 76 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[17] | 37 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[18] | Silver | 60,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ "New Releases". Music Week. 20 April 1991. p. 14.
- ^ a b Griffiths, Nick (May 1991). "The Beastly Boys". Select: 70.
- ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 16 March 1991. p. 19.
- ^ "The Beast Inside - Inspiral Carpets | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 4. MUZE. p. 481.
- ^ "The Beast Inside". EW.com.
- ^ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 576.
- ^ a b The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 344.
- ^ "Inspiral Carpets | Biography & History". AllMusic.
- ^ a b "SUMMER ALBUM ROUNDUP : A New Weave From Manchester Lads : *** INSPIRAL CARPETS "The Beast Inside" Mute/Elektra". Los Angeles Times. 30 June 1991.
- ^ Buckley, Peter (22 October 2003). The Rough Guide to Rock. Rough Guides. ISBN 9781843531050 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Inspiral Carpets". Trouser Press. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
- ^ Caro, Mark. "Inspiral CarpetsThe Beast Inside (Mute/Elektra) (STAR)(STAR)(STAR)Inspiral Carpets..." chicagotribune.com.
- ^ "Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing 12 August 1991". Retrieved 12 August 2022.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
- ^ "British album certifications – Inspiral Carpets – The Beast Inside". British Phonographic Industry.