Days in Europa
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Days in Europa
| type = studio
| artist = Skids
| cover = Skids - Days In Europa - Initial (withdrawn) release.jpg
| alt =
| released = {{Start date|1979|10|12|df=y}} (withdrawn)
{{Start date|1980|03|07|df=y}}
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
- Rockfield, Rockfield
- Basing Street, London
- The Manor, London
| genre = New wave
| length =
| label = Virgin
| producer = Bill Nelson
| prev_title = Scared to Dance
| prev_year = 1979
| next_title = The Absolute Game
| next_year = 1980
| misc = {{Extra album cover
| header = Alternative cover
| type = studio
| cover = Skids - Days In Europa - Second release.jpg
| border =
| alt =
| caption = Second edition album cover, 1980
}}
}}
Days in Europa is the second album by Scottish punk rock and new wave band Skids. It was released in 1979 by record label Virgin.
Writing
Track #3 on Side 1 is 'Dulce et Decorum Est (Pro Patria Mori)'. A rough translation is "It is a sweet and glorious thing (to die for one's country)". Dulce et Decorum Est is a poem by Wilfred Owen.
Track #3 on Side 2 is Thanatos, the Greek word for "death" and the name of the ancient Greek god of death. It is used in Freudian psychology to refer to the death wish/destructive urge, as opposed to Eros, the reproductive urge.
The album features lyrical references to both World War I and World War II.
Reception
{{music ratings
| rev1 = AllMusic
| rev1score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/days-in-europa-mw0000216681 |title=Days in Europa – The Skids
| rev2 = Music Week
| rev2score = {{Rating|4|4}}{{Cite magazine|date=November 17, 1979|title=Album Reviews: Skids — Days in Europa|magazine=Music Week|page=20|publisher=Pensord Press Ltd.|location=Gwent|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1979/Music-Week-1979-11-17.pdf#page=20|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240907203428/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1979/Music-Week-1979-11-17.pdf#page=20|archive-date=September 7, 2024|access-date=April 6, 2025|via=WorldRadioHistory.com}}
| rev3 = Smash Hits
| rev3score = 8/10{{cite journal |last=Starr |first=Red |date=18 October 1979 |title=Albums |journal=Smash Hits |page=29}}
}}
Days in Europa has received a generally mixed response from critics. Ira Robbins of Trouser Press wrote: "In polishing and refining the band's sound even a little, [producer Bill Nelson] smoothed off the vital edge."{{cite web |url=http://www.trouserpress.com/entry.php?a=skids |title=trouserpress.com :: Skids |last=Robbins |first=Ira |website=Trouser Press |accessdate=31 December 2014}} The Globe and Mail noted that "the record is new wave in tone, with some heavy metal tendencies."{{cite news |last1=McGrath |first1=p |title=Days in Europa Skids |work=The Globe and Mail |date=5 July 1980 |page=F6}}
Track listing
{{track listing
| all_writing = Richard Jobson and Stuart Adamson, except "Home of the Saved", written by Adamson
| headline = Side A
| title1 = Animation
| length1 = 4:51
| title2 = Charade
| length2 = 3:53
| title3 = {{-'}}Dulce et Decorum Est (Pro Patria Mori){{'-}}
| length3 = 4:08
| title4 = Pros and Cons
| length4 = 3:19
| title5 = Home of the Saved
| length5 = 5:05
}}
{{track listing
| headline = Side B
| title6 = Working for the Yankee Dollar
| length6 = 4:53
| title7 = The Olympian
| length7 = 3:32
| title8 = Thanatos
| length8 = 4:06
| title9 = A Day in Europa
| length9 = 3:01
| title10 = Peaceful Times
| length10 = 5:05
}}
{{track listing
| headline = 2001 reissue bonus tracks
| title11 = Masquerade
| length11 = 2:46
| note11 = non-album single A-side, 1979
| title12 = Out of Town
| length12 = 4:08
| note12 = 1980 re-recording from The Absolute Game
| title13 = Another Emotion
| length13 = 3:00
| note13 = "Masquerade" single B-side, 1979
| title14 = Aftermath Dub
| length14 = 3:00
| note14 = "Masquerade" single B-side, 1979
| title15 = Grey Parade
| length15 = 4:45
| note15 = "Charade" single B-side, 1979, composed Jobson, Adamson and Nelson
| title16 = Working For the Yankee Dollar
| length16 = 3:39
| note16 = single A-side remix, 1979
| title17 = Vanguard's Crusade
| length17 = 4:42
| note17 = "Working For the Yankee Dollar" single B-side, 1979
}}
= 1980 re-release =
{{track listing
| headline = Side A
| title1 = Animation
| length1 = 4:27
| title2 = Charade
| length2 = 4:00
| title3 = {{-'}}Dulce et Decorum Est (Pro Patria Mori){{'-}}
| length3 = 4:34
| title4 = The Olympian
| length4 = 3:22
| title5 = Home of the Saved
| length5 = 4:26
}}
{{track listing
| headline = Side B
| title6 = Working for the Yankee Dollar
| length6 = 3:52
| title7 = Thanatos
| length7 = 4:02
| title8 = Masquerade
| length8 = 2:44
| title9 = A Day in Europa
| length9 = 2:56
| title10 = Peaceful Times
| length10 = 5:00
}}
Personnel
; Skids
- Richard Jobson – vocals
- Stuart Adamson – guitar, vocals, keyboards
- William Simpson – bass guitar, vocals
; Additional personnel
- Rusty Egan – drums
- Bill Nelson – keyboards
- Thomas Kellichan – drums on "Masquerade" (second version only)
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Discogs master|83278}}
{{Skids}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Days in Europa}}