Even Serpents Shine is the second studio album by English band the Only Ones, released in 1979 by Columbia Records.[2] It was produced by Peter Perrett and Alan Mair.

Even Serpents Shine
Studio album by
Released9 March 1979 (UK)
GenrePunk rock, rock[1]
Length35:11
LabelColumbia
Producer
The Only Ones chronology
The Only Ones
(1978)
Even Serpents Shine
(1979)
Special View
(1979)

The album was re-released in the United Kingdom in 2009 on Sony Music Entertainment, featuring bonus content. The reissue was a CD which comprises 14-tracks. It includes the original album digitally remastered from the original 1/2" mix tapes; alongside three bonus tracks.

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [1]
The Irish Times     [3]
Record Collector     [4]
Spin Alternative Record Guide9/10[5]

The album has consistently been praised by critics. In a retrospective review for AllMusic, critic Mark Deming wrote that "Even Serpents Shine doesn't boast an out-of-the-box classic tune along the lines of 'Another Girl, Another Planet' from the self-titled debut, but in many respects, this is the more consistent album, achieving a similar degree of thematic and melodic variety while generating a more coherent sound and feeling," adding that "they were one of the very few bands of their time and place who inarguably beat the sophomore slump."[1]

Reviewing the album for BBC Music, Chris Jones wrote, "Musically the band were always a step ahead of the pack. Mike Kellie and Alan Mair – both seasoned pros on drums and bass – never falter, allowing John Perry's guitar to fly; while John 'Rabbit' Bundrick's organ adds just the right dollop of Al Kooper-isms."[6]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Peter Perrett

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."From Here to Eternity"3:07
2."Flaming Torch"2:21
3."You've Got to Pay"2:49
4."No Solution"2:27
5."In Betweens"3:57
6."Out There in the Night"3:02
Side two
No.TitleLength
7."Curtains for You"4:18
8."Programme"2:11
9."Someone Who Cares"3:11
10."Miles from Nowhere"3:45
11."Instrumental"4:03
Total length:35:11
2009 remastered version bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
12."Special View"2:51
13."Oh No"2:20
14."This Ain't All (It's Made to Be)"3:45

Personnel

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The Only Ones
Session musicians
Production

Charts

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Chart (1979) Peak
position
UK Albums (OCC)[7] 42

References

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  1. ^ a b c Deming, Mark. "Even Serpents Shine – The Only Ones". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  2. ^ The Rough Guide to Rock (2nd ed.). Rough Guides. 1999. p. 710.
  3. ^ Clayton-Lea, Tony (14 August 2015). "The Only Ones: Even Serpents Shine | Album Review". The Irish Times. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  4. ^ Peacock, Tim (October 2015). "The Only Ones – Even Serpents Shine". Record Collector. No. 445. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  5. ^ Walsh, Jim (1995). "Only Ones". In Weisbard, Eric; Marks, Craig (eds.). Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. pp. 280–81. ISBN 0-679-75574-8.
  6. ^ Jones, Chris (30 January 2009). "The Only Ones Even Serpents Shine Review". BBC Music. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  7. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
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