Quirk

Description

Quirk is the third full-length studio album by the British alternative pop band Fat and Frantic, released on ICY Records (I’ll Call You Records) in 1990, marketed and distributed by the Total Record Company via BMG (UK) Ltd. The album was recorded at Wildlife Studios in Ipswich, England; with Nigel Palmer and the band co-producing (except tracks 3, 6, and 13 produced by Ken Watts, Steve Fairnie, and the band). All songs written, arranged, and performed by Fat and Frantic.

Fat and Frantic features Silas Crawley (washboard, vocals), Jim Harris (trumpet, vocals), Jon Soper (guitar, vocals), Craig McLeish (bass, vocals), and Simon Saunders (drums, vocals).

Surely many a dull morning has been brightened in past months by the sound of Fat and Frantic’s latest single, «Last Night My Wife Hoovered My Head». This band have managed to capture on this, and previous albums, a sense of humour which is refreshing and sometimes touching. ‘Quirk’ has not got quite the spontaneity or recorded-in-the-kitchen feel to it of earlier offerings, but has gained commercial quality, hence the reasonable success of the single. Don’t get the idea that the band aren’t serious about a few issues. «Africa» is a indictment of the exploitation of black Africans, while «Darling Doris» laments the passing of a red telephone box (in the cause of progress). Using humorous style to convey a serious message is not a case of sugaring the pill. In the same way that Tony Campolo, for instance, tells amusing stories to relax his audience, Fat and Frantic seem to want to sneak the message, almost unnoticed, into the lyrics. It works. What’s more it’s enjoyable, and the catchy snatches of Tijuana-style brass and accapella mean the music is definitely not reserved for Christians-only company. My only reservation is that the vocals occasionally lean towards the crass drone of the Smiths (especially on «Aggressive Sunbathing»), which is a shame, as the band (FAF) are a lot more interesting! [Ian Bosworth, Cross Rhythms, April 1991]

Fat and Frantic step up into the world of CDs with this release, even though it was also released on vinyl and cassette as well. According to Discogs, six of the songs here also appeared on a 1989 demo, but I haven’t heard that demo to see if the songs are the same versions here or not. It feels like their punk skiffle sound is taken to the next level here, mixing in even more influences while also congealing into their own sound even more. «Last Night My Wife Hovered My Head» previously appeared on a single the year before this, as well as on their 1988 tape Live at the Wonky Donkey Bar and Grill. «The Senator’s Daughter» also previously on their debut Waxing a Hottie in 1986. These two songs were also co-produced by Steve Fairnie. The CD version has two bonus tracks not on the tape or vinyl: «It’s You» (also on the «Last Night My Wife Hovered My Head» single) and «A River». Also of interesting note is that «Aggressive Sunbathing» appears here but not on the tape of the same name from 1987. «I’m Sorry», «I Don’t Want to Say Goodbye», «Darling Doris», and «It’s You» were later re-recorded on the Sing the Very Best of Wendy Craig live album in 1991. [Christian Tape Underground, May 26, 2025]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/quirk-remastered/265127149)

CD tracklist:

01. Too Late
02. If I Could Be (Your Milkman)
03. Last Night My Wife Hoovered My Head
04. Aggressive Sunbathing
05. Rise Up
06. The Senator’s Daughter
07. Who’s Your Friend Eddy?
08. I’m Sorry
09. I Don’t Want To Say Goodbye
10. I Wish
11. Africa
12. Darling Doris
CD Bonus Tracks:
13. It’s You
14. A River

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD, with the CD edition featuring two bonus tracks: “It’s You” and “A River”.

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