Excursion on the Version

The album was produced by Norman Cook. It was recorded in Brighton, England, at Esselle, Dyke Road.{{cite AV media | title = Excursion on the Version| people= Beats International| year = 1991| type = liner| publisher = Go! Discs}} The production of Excursion was influenced by ska, reggae, and dub.{{cite book |title=(The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide |date=2004 |publisher=Simon & Schuster |page=55}}

{{album ratings

|rev1 = AllMusic

|rev1score = {{rating|2.5|5}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/excursion-on-the-version-mw0000674786|title=Excursion on the Version|website=AllMusic}}

|rev2 = Calgary Herald

|rev2score = C−{{cite news |last1=Muretich |first1=James |title=Recent Releases |work=Calgary Herald |date=12 Apr 1992 |page=C4}}

|rev3 = Chicago Tribune

|rev3score = {{rating|2.5|4}}{{cite news |last1=May |first1=Mitchell |title=Recordings |work=Chicago Tribune |date=9 Apr 1992 |department=Tempo |page=7}}

|rev4 = Robert Christgau

|rev4score = {{Rating-Christgau|cut}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=Beats+International|title=Beats International|website=Robert Christgau}}

|rev5 = The Encyclopedia of Popular Music

|rev5score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite book |last1=Larkin |first1=Colin |title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music |date=2006 |publisher=MUZE |volume=1 |page=491}}

|rev6 = MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide

|rev6score = {{rating|2.5|5}}{{cite book |title=MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide |date=1999 |publisher=Visible Ink Press |page=562}}

|rev7 = The Rolling Stone Album Guide

|rev7score = {{rating|3.5|5}}{{cite book |title=The Rolling Stone Album Guide |date=1992 |publisher=Random House |page=45}}

}}

The Calgary Herald determined that "this is music for mall rats, for the beat(en) generation of feel-gooders who want reggae with none of the dirt of Trenchtown in its grooves, who want lines lifted from the Clash or MC5 with none of their nasty anger, who want a tribute tune to Al Green with none of that intrusive soul stuff." Robert Christgau praised "Brand New Beat".

The Times thought that "Cook indulges his latest passion for the dropped first and third beat... The experience is pleasant enough, but his songs lack clout and the lyrics are too literal."{{cite news |last1=Sinclair |first1=David |title=The beat goes on excursion |work=The Times |date=October 19, 1991 |department=Features}}

AllMusic wrote that "the music on this album isn't as explicitly derivative as that on the group's debut, Let Them Eat Bingo, but it's all generally derivative, especially of all-purpose ska and reggae grooves." The Rolling Stone Album Guide called the album "ephemeral but fun," and concluded that Excursion on the Version's "most affecting selection is a fairly straightforward reading of 'In the Ghetto'."

{{Track listing

| title1 = Brand New Beat

| writer1 = {{hlist|Cook|Edwards|Ray}}

| length1 = 4:00

| title2 = Change Your Mind

| writer2 = Cook

| length2 = 3:37

| title3 = Love Is Green

| writer3 = {{hlist|Cook|Noel}}

| length3 = 4:32

| title4 = Echo Chamber

| writer4 = {{hlist|Cook|Nelson}}

| length4 = 5:47

| title5 = The Sun Doesn't Shine

| writer5 = Cook

| length5 = 3:53

| title6 = Herman

| writer6 = {{hlist|Cook|Clark|Weekes}}

| length6 = 4:12

| title7 = Three Foot Skank

| writer7 = {{hlist|Cook|Wildski|Nelson}}

| length7 = 3:59

| title8 = No More Mr Nice Guy

| writer8 = {{hlist|Cook|Noel|Harris|Lewis}}

| length8 = 3:30

| title9 = Eyes on the Prize

| writer9 = {{hlist|Cook|Noel}}

| length9 = 4:16

| title10 = Ten Long Years

| writer10 = Cook

| length10 = 4:33

| title11 = In the Ghetto

| writer11 = Davis

| length11 = 4:00

| title12 = Come Home

| writer12 = {{hlist|Cook|Withers}}

| length12 = 3:27

| total_length = 49:13

}}

Credits adapted from liner notes.

• Norman Cook – production
• Simon Thornton – engineering
• Wayne Tracey – sleeve
• Blackie – sleeve
• Glen Luchford – photography

{{reflist}}

• {{Discogs master|53161|Excursion on the Version}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Beats International albums

Category:1991 albums

Category:Go! Discs albums