Fireboy
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Fireboy
| type = studio
| artist = Grant McLennan
| cover = McLennan fireboy.jpg
| alt =
| released = 1993
| recorded = Paradise Studios, Sydney, Platinum Studios, Melbourne
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = Alternative rock
| length = 52:42
| producer = Dave Dobbyn
| prev_title = Watershed
| prev_year = 1991
| next_title = Horsebreaker Star
| next_year = 1994
}}
Fireboy is the second solo album by Grant McLennan, a member of the Go-Betweens.{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/grant-mclennan-mn0000661443/biography|title=Grant McLennan Biography, Songs, & Albums|website=AllMusic}}{{cite magazine |last1=Mathur |first1=Paul |title=Fireboy by GW McLennan |magazine=Melody Maker |date=Mar 6, 1993 |volume=69 |issue=10 |page=29}} It was released in 1993.{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7ctjc6UWCm4C&pg=PA430|title=The Rough Guide to Rock|first=Peter|last=Buckley|date=20 September 2003|publisher=Rough Guides|via=Google Books}} In the album's liner notes McLennan said the songs were for Gloria Swanson, Kenneth Slessor, Brett Whiteley and Dean Martin. Produced by Dave Dobbyn, it was recorded in Woolloomooloo.{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=Bridget |title=PRINCE TAKES SHINE TO SOME LOCAL TALENT |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=May 21, 1992 |department=Eastern Herald |page=5}} The first single was "Surround Me".{{cite news |last1=Kearns |first1=Lisa |title=Dancing towards oblivion |work=The Age |date=April 2, 1993 |department=News |page=10}}
Critical reception
{{album ratings
|rev1 = Calgary Herald
|rev1score = B+{{cite news |last1=Muretich |first1=James |title=G.W. McLennan: Fireboy |work=Calgary Herald |date=4 Apr 1993 |page=C2}}
|rev2 = Robert Christgau
|rev2score = {{Rating-Christgau|hm2}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist2.php?id=537|title=Robert Christgau: CG: Grant McLennan|website=www.robertchristgau.com}}
}}
Trouser Press called the album "a near-perfect convergence of observant, passionate words and jangly, surging tunes."{{cite web |title=G.W. McLennan |url=https://trouserpress.com/reviews/g-w-mclennan/ |website=Trouser Press |access-date=20 September 2022}} The Calgary Herald wrote that McLennan "sings with conviction [and] poetic insight."
AllMusic wrote: "If there are hints of older rock styles here and there, McLennan's singing in particular still has the sharp, modern edge that helped make the Go-Betweens great, all while not losing his trademark warmth."{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/fireboy-mw0002016239|title=Grant McLennan - Fireboy Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic|via=www.allmusic.com}}
Track listing
All tracks written by Grant McLennan, except where noted.
- "Lighting Fires" – 3:36
- "Surround Me" – 3:55
- "One Million Miles From Here" – 3:45
- "The Dark Side of Town" – 3:46
- "Things Will Change" – 2:45
- "The Pawnbroker" – 8:12
- "Whose Side Are You On?" – 3:09
- "Fingers" (Grant McLennan, Dave Dobbyn)– 3:34
- "Signs of Life" – 4:23
- "The Day My Eyes Came Back" – 4:08
- "Bathe (in the Water)" – 3:30
- "When I Close My Eyes" – 1:24
- "Riddle in the Rain" – 6:29
Personnel
- Grant McLennan – vocals, guitars, tambourine, maracas
- Dave Dobbyn – guitars, keyboards, backing vocals
- Ian Belton – bass
- Pedro Bull – organ, piano
- Michael Barclay – drums, backing vocals
- Penny Flanagan – vocals ("Surround Me", "Bathe")
- Julia Richardson – vocals ("Surround Me", "Bathe")
- Karin Jansson – vocals ("The Dark Side of Town", "Things Will Change")
- Mae Moore – vocals ("Bathe")
- Nicky Ferguson – vocals ("Lighting Fires")
- Stephen Hurley – organ ("Bathe")
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Grant McLennan}}
{{Authority control}}