Stray (album)

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Stray
Aztecstray.jpg
Studio album by
Aztec Camera
Released10 July 1990
RecordedDecember 1989 – April 1990
GenreRock
Length41:11
LabelSire
ProducerRoddy Frame, Eric Calvi[1]
Aztec Camera chronology
Love
(1987) 		Stray
(1990) 		Dreamland
(1993)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic4/5 stars[2]
Robert ChristgauB+[3]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide3.5/5 stars[4]

Stray is the fourth album by Scottish group Aztec Camera, released in 1990 on Sire Records.[1]

Stray was praised for its diversity of songs and styles, and for the assured nature of Roddy Frame's lyrics (which had been considered the weak-point of some of his earlier material). Its understated production was also received positively, particularly coming after the group's previous album Love, which sold well in the United Kingdom but had been criticised by some[by whom?] for being too sanitised and glossy.

Stray peaked at No. 22 in the UK Albums Chart.[5] The single "Good Morning Britain", a collaboration with Mick Jones, reached No. 19 in the UK Singles Chart.

Critical reception[]

In a 2013 review of Aztec Camera reissues, Uncut called Stray "the most inventive and durable Aztec Camera LP. Diverse, yes, but it’s exhilarating to hear Frame switching-up from plaintive balladry ('Then Over My Head') to the BAD-influenced 'Good Morning Britain.'"[6] The Rolling Stone Album Guide called the album "leaner and more melodic" and praised the "fine jazz-inflected numbers."[4]

Track listing[]

All tracks written by Roddy Frame.

  1. "Stray" 5:34
  2. "The Crying Scene" 3:34
  3. "Get Outta London" 3:41
  4. "Over My Head" 5:53
  5. "Good Morning Britain" 4:02
  6. "How It Is" 4:00
  7. "The Gentle Kind" 5:32
  8. "Notting Hill Blues" 6:41
  9. "Song for a Friend" 2:27

Singles[]

  • "The Crying Scene" (UK No. 70)
  • "Good Morning Britain" (UK No. 19)

Personnel[]

  • Roddy Frame – Guitars, Vocals
  • Gary Sanctuary – Keyboards
  • Paul Powell – Bass Guitar
  • Frank Tontoh – Drums

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "TrouserPress.com :: Aztec Camera". www.trouserpress.com.
  2. ^ "Stray - Aztec Camera - Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
  3. ^ "Robert Christgau: CG: Artist 88". www.robertchristgau.com.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 28.
  5. ^ Thompson, Dave (22 May 2000). Alternative Rock. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 9780879306076 – via Google Books.
  6. ^ "Aztec Camera - reissues". 2 January 2013.
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