Handcream for a Generation
{{good article}}
{{Short description|2002 studio album by Cornershop}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Handcream for a Generation
| type = studio
| artist = Cornershop
| cover = Handcream for a Generation cover.jpeg
| alt = A red-tinted image of woman with a robot's head against a black background
| released = 1 April 2002
| recorded = 2000–2001
| studio = {{flatlist|
- West Orange, Preston
- Eastcote, Ladbroke Grove
}}
| genre = Punjabi rock, electro-funk
| length = 60:52
| label = Wiiija
| producer = Tjinder Singh, Rob Swift
| prev_title = When I Was Born for the 7th Time
| prev_year = 1997
| next_title = Judy Sucks a Lemon for Breakfast
| next_year = 2009
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Handcream for a Generation
| type = studio
| single1 = Lessons Learned from Rocky I to Rocky III
| single1date = 4 March 2002
| single2 = Staging
| single2date = 19 August 2002
}}
}}
Handcream for a Generation is the fourth studio album to be recorded by the British rock band Cornershop. It was released on 1 April 2002 by Wiiija. Following the release of their third studio album When I Was Born for the 7th Time (1997), the band abstained from touring for the majority of 1998. During their hiatus, frontman Tjinder Singh and guitarist Ben Ayres worked as disc jockeys (DJs), formed the side project Clinton and released an album under that moniker while Singh was suffering from fatigue. Between mid-2000 and June 2001, Cornershop recorded their next album at West Orange Studios in Preston, Lancashire, and Eastcote Studios in Ladbroke Grove, London. Singh produced the album and Rob Swift co-produced two of the songs.
Handcream for a Generation recounts the Punjabi rock of When I Was Born for the 7th Time and the electro-funk of Clinton's sole album. One critic considered it a concept album about Singh's dismissal with the way modern music is consumed. Throughout it, the guitar tone recalls the sound of Oasis member Noel Gallagher; the music overall includes Punjabi instrumentation such as sitar and tabla. The individual songs on the album vary in genre from the soul-funk of opener and closer "Heavy Soup" and the Daft Punk-aping disco house of "Music Plus 1" to the psychedelic number "Spectral Mornings" and the dance sound of "Slip the Drummer One".
Music critics, many of whom commented on the array of musical styles, gave Handcream for a Generation generally favourable reviews. The album reached number 30 on the UK Albums Chart, while "Lessons Learned from Rocky I to Rocky III" peaked at number 37 and "Staging" peaked at number 80 on the UK Singles Chart. In March 2002, "Lessons Learned from Rocky I to Rocky III" was released as the album's lead single, after which Cornershop toured the United Kingdom and the United States until May that year. After Cornershop appeared at the festivals Fleadh Nua and Summer Sundae, and supported Oasis at a one-off show, "Staging the Plaguing of the Raised Platform" was released as the album's second single under the title "Staging" in August 2002. To promote the single, Cornershop performed at the Reading and Leeds Festivals but by October 2002, their record label had released the band from their contract.
Background and recording
Cornershop released their third studio album When I Was Born for the 7th Time in September 1997.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/when-i-was-born-for-the-7th-time-mw0000026847|title=When I Was Born for the 7th Time - Cornershop / Songs, Reviews, Credits|publisher=AllMusic|author=Erlewine, Stephen Thomas|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|access-date=13 March 2022|archive-date=15 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215131623/https://www.allmusic.com/album/when-i-was-born-for-the-7th-time-mw0000026847|url-status=live}} Its lead single "Brimful of Asha" (1997) became a commercial success after it was remixed by Fatboy Slim, reaching number one in several territories. This led to a supporting slot for Oasis on their headlining US tour.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/cornershop-mn0000121746/biography|title=Cornershop Biography, Songs, & Albums|publisher=AllMusic|author=Huey, Steve|access-date=13 March 2022|archive-date=26 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726075507/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/cornershop-mn0000121746/biography|url-status=live}} In 1998, Cornershop took a break from touring for most of the year, though in July they appeared at some European festivals.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/cornershop-21-1387824|title=Cornershop's "Crap" Release|work=NME|date=23 June 1998|access-date=13 March 2022|archive-date=17 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517141301/https://www.nme.com/news/music/cornershop-21-1387824|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/cornershop-20-1387072|title=Cornershop Not Open for V98 Business|work=NME|date=20 July 1998|access-date=13 March 2022|archive-date=16 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516180239/https://www.nme.com/news/music/cornershop-20-1387072|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/cornershop/articles/story/5927041/health_problems_force_cornershop_to_miss_gig|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060827104152/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/cornershop/articles/story/5927041/health_problems_force_cornershop_to_miss_gig|title=Health Problems Force Cornershop To Miss Gig|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=10 July 1998|archive-date=27 August 2006|access-date=14 March 2022|url-status=dead}} Also in 1998, they released remixes of "Good Shit" and "Candyman" as vinyl-only singles. During the band's hiatus, frontman Tjinder Singh and guitarist Ben Ayres worked as DJs for some venues and radio stations.
Singh and Ayres spent some time working on their funk side-project Clinton, and started their own record label Meccio Records, on which they released music by artists they liked.{{cite web|url=http://www.musicomh.com/interviews/cornershop.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051126233151/http://www.musicomh.com/interviews/cornershop.htm|title=Cornershop - Full To The Brimful|work=musicOMH|author=Hubbard, Michael|date=March 2002|archive-date=26 November 2005|access-date=14 March 2022}} Clinton released their debut studio album Disco and the Halfway to Discontent in January 2000.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/disco-and-the-halfway-to-discontent-mw0000051526|title=Disco and the Halfway to Discontent - Clinton / Songs, Reviews, Credits|publisher=AllMusic|author=Phares, Heather|access-date=13 March 2022|archive-date=6 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206100159/https://www.allmusic.com/album/disco-and-the-halfway-to-discontent-mw0000051526|url-status=live}} Singh said he was suffering from fatigue and was dealing with personal issues. Around this time, Cornershop left their American label Luaka Bop, which had switched distribution from Warner Bros. Records to Virgin Records. Singh said the label was going through a restructuring process, which he did not want to deal with.Morris 2002, p. 16 In June 2000, Cornershop were rehearsing guitar-led material for the next album, and had finished four songs by this point.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/cornershop-19-1386671|title=Top 'Shop|work=NME|date=16 June 2000|access-date=13 March 2022|archive-date=13 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313182212/https://www.nme.com/news/music/cornershop-19-1386671|url-status=live}}
Handcream for a Generation was recorded at West Orange Studios in Preston, Lancashire, and Eastcote Studios in Ladbroke Grove, London, between mid-2000 and June 2001, with Singh as producer. The band would alternate between these studios, spending a few days at each. They would play the songs while driving on the motorway, which helped them come up with new ideas. Rob Swift of the X-Ecutioners co-produced and mixed "Wogs Will Walk" and "Slip the Drummer One"; Singh said Swift was "very simplistic, no messing about, just getting to a groove". Singh wanted songs that worked well in a live setting, which meant recording a bass guitar for the first time. Partway through the sessions, Singh's father died and Singh's wife gave birth to their first child. Alan Gregson and Philip Bagenal served as executive engineers; and Mike Marsh mastered the album at The Exchange.
Composition and lyrics
Handcream for a Generation returns to the Punjabi rock of When I Was Born for the 7th Time and the electro-funk of Clinton's sole album. Singh said he came up with the album's title two years earlier and used it as a lyric in two of the songs.{{cite web|url=http://www.dotmusic.com/artists/Cornershop/interviews/April2002/interviews24692.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030107091737/http://www.dotmusic.com/artists/Cornershop/interviews/April2002/interviews24692.asp|title=Cornershop Interviews|work=Dotmusic|author=Gilbert, Ben|date=15 April 2002|archive-date=7 January 2003|access-date=14 March 2022}} Matt Cibula of PopMatters referred to it as a concept album that was "made to express Singh's disapproval of the way modern music is handled". AllMusic reviewer Stephen Thomas Erlewine said throughout the album, Singh borrows the guitar sound of Oasis member Noel Gallagher "and winds up with a record that is hipper, looser, and funkier than [Oasis'] Be Here Now, but weirdly reminiscent of it all the same". Los Angeles Times{{'}} Natalie Nichols noted Cornershop had "always fused disparate elements", this time expanding on the sound of their last album with "such Punjabi staples as sitar and tabla, along with squiggly electronica, vampy glam-rock, funk riffs, dub reggae, soul grooves and more".
The album opens with the soul-funk of "Heavy Soup", on which Otis Clay is the MC, backed by Memphis-styled horns.Julian Argüelles played bass clarinet, Ian Hooper played keyboards and Mick Greenwood played trumpet. "Staging the Plaguing of the Raised Platform", which features a children's choir, and strings and bass played by West Orange Studios owner Alan Gregson, comes across as a remake of "Brimful of Asha". "Music Plus 1" copies the disco house sound of Daft Punk, and blends dance beats, techno, electro-funk and jangly guitar work. For "Lessons Learned from Rocky I to Rocky III", Singh compared learning lessons from the Rocky film series to learning about the music industry. The lyrics include comments on the nu metal trend and the state of the music industry, which Singh said was "saddening to see what has happened to it – for it to be more manufactured, to see more managers running it, to see less artistry". The song features Paul McGuigan of Oasis on bass, and its rhythm is reminiscent of "Rocks" (1994) by Primal Scream.{{cite web|url=http://www.dotmusic.com/artists/Cornershop/reviews/March2002/reviews24497.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030107064520/http://www.dotmusic.com/artists/Cornershop/reviews/March2002/reviews24497.asp|title=Cornershop - reviews - 'Handcream For A Generation'|work=Dotmusic|author=Koch, Christian|date=28 March 2002|archive-date=7 January 2003|access-date=14 March 2022}}
{{multiple image
| footer = Noel Gallagher (left) and Sheema Mukherjee (right) played guitar and sitar, respectively, on the 14-minute long track "Spectral Mornings".
| image1 = Noel Gallagher3.jpg
| alt1 = A man standing while playing a guitar
| width1 = 130
| image2 = Sheema Mukherjee.jpg
| alt2 = A woman sitting while playing a sitar
| width2 = 129
}}
"Wogs Will Walk" evokes Cornershop's early songs, especially the material on their early Extended Plays (EPs), with its garage-soul organ, electronic sounds and chanted vocals that are fed through a boombox; it drew comparisons to There's a Riot Goin' On (1971) by Sly Stone. Scratching from Swift interrupts a repeating, two-note organ pattern that is heard throughout.{{cite web|url=https://chicagoreader.com/arts-culture/cornershop/|title=Cornershop|work=Chicago Reader|author=Margasak, Peter|date=16 May 2002|access-date=14 March 2022|archive-date=14 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314165427/https://chicagoreader.com/arts-culture/cornershop/|url-status=live}} "Motion the 11" is a roots reggae song, with elements of Punjabi music that is accompanied by Greenwood on flugelhorn, Gregson on bass and Doreen Edwards on vocals. It opens with Rastafarin chanting from London-based reggae toasters Jack Wilson and Kojak of the Nazralites. "People Power" is cover of the Clinton song of the same name, set to Orange Juice-esque music. "Sounds Super Recordings" is a faux-radio advertisement detailing the death of an Indian musician, with tabla and breakbeats.
"The London Radar" is an audio collage of clipped speech,{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2002/04/24/cornershops-handcream-cogitate-after-opening/3fba25ea-fb14-43cf-b47d-043c54575b5c/|title=Cornershop's 'Handcream': Cogitate After Opening|newspaper=The Washington Post|author=Wartofsky, ALona|date=24 April 2002|access-date=14 March 2022|archive-date=13 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313162552/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2002/04/24/cornershops-handcream-cogitate-after-opening/3fba25ea-fb14-43cf-b47d-043c54575b5c/|url-status=live}} which recites aeroplane protocols,{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/c/cornershop-handcream.shtml |access-date=14 March 2022|title=Motioning the 11 With Tjinder; Or, The Beauty of the Transitional Album |last=Cibula |first=Matt |date=14 June 2002|work=PopMatters |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302072449/http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/c/cornershop-handcream.shtml |archive-date=2 March 2009 |url-status=dead}} recalling Daft Punk's sound and the work of the Chemical Brothers.Weingarten 2002, p. 48 "Spectral Mornings" is an 14-minute psychedelic song, which channels the 1960s work of Grateful Dead, and George Harrison{{Cite web |date=2020-09-15 |title=Revisit the culturally significant moment Cornershop covered The Beatles song ‘Norwegian Wood’ - Far Out Magazine |url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/cornershop-cover-the-beatles-norwegian-wood/ |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=faroutmagazine.co.uk |language=en-US}} The song, which attempts to recall "7:20am Jullandar Shere" from the band's second studio album Woman's Gotta Have It (1995), features Sheema Mukherjee on sitar and Gallagher on guitar. When touring with Oasis, Gallagher would perform with Cornershop and wanted to collaborate with them. A failed attempt occurred when Clinton was working on their debut while Gallagher was working on an Oasis album. The first demo of "Spectral Mornings" ran for 40 minutes; Singh said it "would have been longer, but the tape ran out".{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1453461/gump-like-cornershop-learn-lessons-from-rocky-on-new-lp/|title=Gump-Like Cornershop Learn Lessons From "Rocky" On New LP|publisher=MTV|author=Moss, Corey|date=17 April 2002|access-date=13 March 2022|archive-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808180041/http://www.mtv.com/news/1453461/gump-like-cornershop-learn-lessons-from-rocky-on-new-lp/|url-status=dead}} "Slip the Drummer One" is a dance track that includes scratching sounds from Swift. The album concludes with a reprise of "Heavy Soup".
{{clear}}
Release and promotion
In August 2001, Cornershop released "Motion the 11" on a promotional seven-inch vinyl record after a DJ set in London.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/cornershop-7-1368973|title=Free Gift from the 'Shop|work=NME|date=29 August 2001|access-date=13 March 2022|archive-date=13 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313180122/https://www.nme.com/news/music/cornershop-7-1368973|url-status=live}} On 8 January 2002, Handcream for a Generation was announced for release in three months and its track listing was posted online.{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1451684/members-of-oasis-x-ecutioners-have-a-hand-in-cornershops-handcream/|title=Members Of Oasis, X-ecutioners Have A Hand In Cornershop's Handcream|publisher=MTV|author=Moss, Corey|date=8 January 2002|access-date=13 March 2022|archive-date=14 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314165419/https://www.mtv.com/news/1451684/members-of-oasis-x-ecutioners-have-a-hand-in-cornershops-handcream/|url-status=dead}} "Lessons Learned from Rocky I to Rocky III" was made available for streaming through Dotmusic{{'s}} website on 1 February 2002.{{cite web|url=http://www.dotmusic.com/artists/Cornershop/news/February2002/news23735.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020220121436/http://www.dotmusic.com/artists/Cornershop/news/February2002/news23735.asp|title=Cornershop Come Out Fighting|work=Dotmusic|date=1 February 2002|archive-date=20 February 2002|access-date=14 March 2022}} Later that month, the band were expected to preview songs from the forthcoming album at a performance at Scala Theatre, London.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/cornershop-6-1379867|title='Shop Open for Business!|work=NME|date=15 January 2002|access-date=13 March 2022|archive-date=13 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313180113/https://www.nme.com/news/music/cornershop-6-1379867|url-status=live}} The day before the show, a continuously changing remix of "Spectral Mornings" was posted on the band's website.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/cornershop-16-1378257|title='Shop Opening Times Extended|work=NME|date=25 January 2002|access-date=13 March 2022|archive-date=1 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301021209/https://www.nme.com/news/music/cornershop-16-1378257|url-status=live}}
"Lessons Learned from Rocky I to Rocky III" was released as the album's lead single on 4 March 2002.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/lessons-learned-from-rocky-i-to-rocky-iii-cd-1--mr0001897617|title=Lessons Learned from Rocky I to Rocky III [CD #1] - Cornershop / Release Info|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=13 March 2022|archive-date=14 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314165357/https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/lessons-learned-from-rocky-i-to-rocky-iii-cd-1--mr0001897617|url-status=live}} Two versions were released on CD; the first includes "Returning from the Wreckage" and a remix of "Lessons Learned from Rocky I to Rocky III" by Osymyso,{{cite AV media notes|title="Lessons Learned from Rocky I to Rocky III"|author=Cornershop|year=2002|type=sleeve|publisher=Wiiija|id=WIJ 129CD}} while the second includes remixes of "Lessons Learned from Rocky I to Rocky III" by Midfield General and Detroit Grand Pubahs.{{cite AV media notes|title="Lessons Learned from Rocky I to Rocky III"|author=Cornershop|year=2002|type=sleeve|publisher=Wiiija|id=WIJ 129CD2}} The music video for "Lessons Learned from Rocky I to Rocky III" was directed by Douglas Avery, based on an idea from Singh, and filmed in South Africa. It follows a rock star as he performs on a stage, as well as being in a hot tub, riding an airplane and unwinding in a hotel room.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds1bS_Wwphc|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810224716/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds1bS_Wwphc|title=Cornershop - Lessons Learned from Rocky I to Rocky III (original & official)|author=Cornershop|date=19 February 2011|archivedate=10 August 2021|accessdate=27 August 2022|via=YouTube}} All of the remixes were released on 12-inch singles; two for the UK{{cite AV media notes|title="Lessons Learned from Rocky I to Rocky III"|author=Cornershop|year=2002|type=sleeve|publisher=Wiiija|id=Root 22}}{{cite AV media notes|title="Lessons Learned from Rocky I to Rocky III"|author=Cornershop|year=2002|type=sleeve|publisher=Wiiija|id=Root 23}} and one for the US.{{cite AV media notes|title="Lessons Learned from Rocky I to Rocky III"|author=Cornershop|year=2002|type=sleeve|publisher=V2 Records|id=63881-27741-1}}
Handcream for a Generation was released on 1 April 2002 through Wiiija; the album was intended to be promoted with a UK tour the same month,{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/cornershop-11-1374601|title=All Over the Shop!|work=NME|date=7 March 2002|access-date=13 March 2022|archive-date=13 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313153610/https://www.nme.com/news/music/cornershop-11-1374601|url-status=live}} and a US tour that was expected to last until the end of May.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/cornershop-8-1369478|title=Cornershop's 'Rocky' Road Round US|work=NME|date=22 March 2002|access-date=13 March 2022|archive-date=13 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313153605/https://www.nme.com/news/music/cornershop-8-1369478|url-status=live}} On 23 April 2002,Anon. 2002, p. 64 the US edition was released through BMG and distributed by V2 Records.{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/cornershop-supplies-handcream-for-a-generation-76014/|title=Cornershop Supplies 'Handcream For A Generation'|work=NME|date=24 April 2002|access-date=14 March 2022|archive-date=14 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314165357/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/cornershop-supplies-handcream-for-a-generation-76014/|url-status=live}} The following week, the band were announced to perform at the Coachella festival in the US.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-charlatans-172-1373491|title='Ella of a Line Up!|work=NME|date=26 February 2002|access-date=1 February 2023}} In May 2002, "Lessons Learned from Rocky I to Rocky III" was released to modern rock radio stations in the US. Before returning to the UK, Cornershop planned to perform at Fleadh Nua, a festival in Ireland.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/cornershop-17-1378121|title=Fleadh 'Shops Around|work=NME|date=17 May 2002|access-date=13 March 2022|archive-date=13 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313153610/https://www.nme.com/news/music/cornershop-17-1378121|url-status=live}} In July, the band were announced to support Oasis for one show in London, and were expected to co-headline the festival Summer Sundae.{{cite web|url=http://www.dotmusic.com/artists/Cornershop/news/April2002/news24823.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030107053410/http://www.dotmusic.com/artists/Cornershop/news/April2002/news24823.asp|title=Cornershop - news - Summer Sundae 2002|work=Dotmusic|date=25 April 2002|archive-date=7 January 2003|access-date=14 March 2022}}
"Staging the Plaguing of the Raised Platform" was released as single on 19 August 2002 under the title "Staging".{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/cornershop-9-1371561|title=Cornershop Find New 'Platform'|work=NME|date=3 July 2002|access-date=13 March 2022|archive-date=13 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313153605/https://www.nme.com/news/music/cornershop-9-1371561|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.musicomh.com/singles/cornershop-2.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060908200228/http://www.musicomh.com/singles/cornershop-2.htm|title=Cornershop - Staging (Wiiija)|work=musicOMH|author=Hubbard, Michael|archive-date=8 September 2006|access-date=14 March 2022}} Two versions were released on CD: the first included "Green P's" and the music video for "Lessons Learned from Rocky I to Rocky III",{{cite AV media notes|title="Staging"|author=Cornershop|year=2002|type=sleeve|publisher=Wiiija|id=WIJ 130CD}} while the second CD included "Straight Aces", and remixes of "Staging" and "Motion the 11".{{cite AV media notes|title="Staging"|author=Cornershop|year=2002|type=sleeve|publisher=Wiiija|id=WIJ 130CD2}} In June, the band were expected to perform at Reading and Leeds Festivals.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/cornershop-13-13755481|title='Shop on Site|work=NME|date=6 June 2002|access-date=13 March 2022|archive-date=14 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314165421/https://www.nme.com/news/music/cornershop-13-1375548|url-status=live}} In October 2002, it was announced Wiiija had released Cornershop from their contract because of poor album sales;{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/cornershop-15-1376404|title=Shop Closed?|work=NME|date=1 October 2002|access-date=13 March 2022|archive-date=13 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313153605/https://www.nme.com/news/music/cornershop-15-1376404|url-status=live}} Singh later dismissed rumours Cornershop had disbanded.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/cornershop-14-1376198|title=Cornershop Slam Split Claims|work=NME|date=2 October 2002|access-date=13 March 2022|archive-date=13 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313153608/https://www.nme.com/news/music/cornershop-14-1376198|url-status=live}}
Reception
{{Album reviews
| MC = 78/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/handcream-for-a-generation/cornershop/critic-reviews|title=Critic Reviews for Handcream For A Generation|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=13 March 2022|archive-date=14 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714225816/https://www.metacritic.com/music/handcream-for-a-generation/cornershop/critic-reviews|url-status=live}}
| rev1 = AllMusic
| rev2 = Entertainment Weekly
| rev2Score = B{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,252230,00.html |access-date=2014-10-19 |title=Handcream for a Generation; In Our Gun; Transmission; Bloodsport |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |last=Burr |first=Ty |date=3 May 2002|page=88 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070619120647/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,252230,00.html |archive-date=19 June 2007|url-status=dead}}
| rev3 = The Guardian
| rev3score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2002/mar/29/popandrock.shopping |title=CD of the week: Cornershop, Handcream for a Generation |work=The Guardian |last=Petridis |first=Alexis |author-link=Alexis Petridis |date=29 March 2002 |access-date=13 March 2022 |archive-date=21 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621143328/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2002/mar/29/popandrock.shopping |url-status=live }}
| rev4 = Los Angeles Times
| rev4score = {{rating|3.5|4}}{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-apr-07-ca-rack7-story.html |access-date=13 March 2022 |title=Cornershop "Handcream for a Generation" Beggars Group |work=Los Angeles Times |last=Nichols |first=Natalie |date=7 April 2002 |archive-date=14 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314165415/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-apr-07-ca-rack7-story.html |url-status=live }}
| rev5 = NME
| rev6 = Pitchfork
| rev6Score = 7.6/10{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/1612-handcream-for-a-generation/ |access-date=14 March 2022|title=Cornershop: Handcream for a Generation |work=Pitchfork |last=Mitchum |first=Rob |date=21 May 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024042254/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/1612-handcream-for-a-generation/ |archive-date=24 October 2012|url-status=live}}
| rev7 = Q
| rev7Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite journal|title=Cornershop: Handcream for a Generation |journal=Q |date=April 2002 |issue=189 |page=109}}
| rev8 = Rolling Stone
| rev9 = Spin
| rev9score = 6/10Kun 2002, pp. 122–3
| rev10 = The Village Voice
| rev10score = A{{cite web |url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2002/04/16/music-113/ |access-date=14 March 2022 |title=Music |work=The Village Voice |last=Christgau |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Christgau |date=16 April 2002 |archive-date=6 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306205619/https://www.villagevoice.com/2002/04/16/music-113/ |url-status=live }}
}}
Music critics gave Handcream for a Generation a generally favourable reception. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 78 based on 23 reviews.
In a review for The Guardian, Alexis Petridis complimented the variety of musical styles, writing; "[w]hat should be an incoherent jumble is held together by sheer exuberance". Though akin to Sandinista! (1980) by the Clash, the album's "ambitions are occasionally overreaching", saying "Spectral Mornings" is "pushing it a bit" and "Slip the Drummer One" "meanders about in a directionless, potheaded haze". Nichols said while "these lush tracks may at any instant recall Booker T., the Velvet Underground, XTC, T. Rex or countless other acts, they're indisputably Cornershop". Tim Kessler of NME said the album "lifts the soul with a joyful infusion of psychedelic thinking and brilliant rhythmic cross-genre filching". Pitchfork contributor Rob Mitchum said with the album's "effortless genre-hopping and EPCOT cultural sampling, [it] is the most globalist musical statement" since the music video for "Black or White" (1991) by Michael Jackson.
David Fricke of Rolling Stone called the album "a festive crash of cultures, a Babel of loops and ethnic body language. Dixie R&B, Bollywood kitsch, Crooklyn hip-hop, Eurotrash electronics ... Singh shakes 'em up like rats in a box." Robert Christgau in The Village Voice praised Singh as someone who "comes to the idea of world music naturally" and described the album's mood as "[h]ow to be conscious and happy at the same time". Erlewine said while the album "all flows well", there is "no hiding that for all their political stances and past reputation, Cornershop doesn't really have all that much to say this time around". In a review for Spin, Josh Kun said it "often feels mapless", compared to the subdued nature of their previous album. Ian McCaleb and Brad Reno of Trouser Press said the album is a "very bad" sequel to Clinton's debut because it "focuses almost entirely on energetic grooves, proving that all the momentum in the world is worthless if it's not headed in a specific direction".{{cite web|url=https://trouserpress.com/reviews/cornershop/|title=Cornershop|work=Trouser Press|author1=McCaleb, Ian|author2=Reno, Brad|access-date=14 March 2022|archive-date=26 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726075505/https://trouserpress.com/reviews/cornershop/|url-status=live}} Chart Attack writer Elizabeth Chorney-Booth criticized Cornershop for leaving "us waiting for nearly five years for something this mediocre" that had "too much filler".{{cite web|url=http://www.chartattack.com/DAMN/2002/04/0201.cfm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060630165955/http://www.chartattack.com:80/DAMN/2002/04/0201.cfm|title=CD Reviews: Edwin, 54-40, Cornershop and many more|work=Chart Attack|author=Chorney-Booth, Elizabeth|date=2 April 2002|archive-date=30 June 2006|url-status=usurped|access-date=14 March 2022}}
Handcream for a Generation peaked at number 30 on the UK Albums Chart. "Lessons Learned from Rocky I to Rocky III" and "Staging the Plaguing of the Raised Platform" peaked at 37 and 80 on the UK Singles Chart, respectively.{{cite web|last=Zywietz|first=Tobias|date=May 7, 2011|title=Chart Log UK|url=http://zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_C.HTM|url-status=live|access-date=25 August 2021|website=zobbel.de|archive-date=13 August 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070813225821/http://zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_C.HTM}}
Track listing
All songs written by Tjinder Singh.
- "Heavy Soup" – 3:21
- "Staging the Plaguing of the Raised Platform" – 4:35
- "Music Plus 1" – 4:46
- "Lessons Learned from Rocky I to Rocky III" – 4:24
- "Wogs Will Walk" – 4:54
- "Motion the 11" – 5:46
- "People Power" – 3:54
- "Sounds Super Recordings" – 1:30
- "The London Radar" – 4:07
- "Spectral Mornings" – 14:24
- "Slip the Drummer One" – 3:42
- "Heavy Soup (Outro)" – 2:13
- "Bonus Track" – 3:16
Personnel
Personnel per booklet.{{cite AV media notes|title=Handcream for a Generation|author=Cornershop|year=2002|type=booklet|publisher=Wiiija|id=7243 8120732 1}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
Cornershop
- Tjinder Singh – vocals, guitar, keyboard, turntables
- Ben Ayres – guitar, synthesizer
- Anthony Saffery – guitar
- Nick Simms – drums
- Peter Bengry – percussion
Production and design
- Tjinder Singh – producer
- Alan Gregson – executive engineer
- Philip Bagenal – executive engineer
- Mike Marsh – mastering
- Rob Swift – co-producer (track 5 and 11), mixing (track 5 and 11)
- Nick Edwards – artwork
{{col-2}}
Additional musicians
- Rob Swift – scratches (tracks 1, 5 and 11)
- Otis Clay – vocals (track 1)
- Julian Argüelles – bass clarinet (track 1)
- Ian Hooper – keyboards (track 1)
- Mick Greenwood – trumpet (track 1), flugelhorn (tracks 1 and 6)
- Paul McGuigan – bass (track 4)
- Alan Gregson – bass (tracks 2 and 6), Rhodes (track 13)
- Joy Ellison – violin (track 2)
- Grace Winder – violin (track 2)
- Richard Curran – violin (track 2)
- Penny Holt – cello (track 2)
- Lydia Jenkins – backing vocals (track 2)
- Saskia Hippolyte – backing vocals (track 2)
- Max Clayton-Cloves – backing vocals (track 2)
- Lydia Bakelmun – backing vocals (track 2)
- Imogen Bakelmun – backing vocals (track 2)
- Alice Clayton – backing vocals (track 2)
- Doreen Edwards – backing vocals (tracks 3, 4 and 6)
- Jack Wilson – vocals (track 6)
- Kojak – vocals (track 6)
- Sheema Mukherjee – sitar (track 10)
- Noel Gallagher – guitar (track 10)
{{col-end}}
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Chart performance for Handcream for a Generation |
| scope="col"| Chart (2002)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| {{album chart|UK2|30|date=20020407|rowheader=true|refname=UKchart}} |
References
Citations
{{reflist}}
Sources
{{refbegin}}
- {{cite journal|author=Anon.|title=Justout|journal=CMJ New Music Monthly|date=May 2002|issue=101|issn=1074-6978|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7ikEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA64|access-date=14 March 2022|archive-date=14 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314165408/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=7ikEAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA64&pg=PA64|url-status=live}}
- {{cite journal|last=Kun|first=Josh|author-link=Josh Kun|title=Reviews|journal=Spin|date=May 2002|volume=18|issue=5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M4CHp9FEZRgC&pg=PA122|issn=0886-3032|access-date=10 June 2019|archive-date=14 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314165357/https://books.google.com/books?id=M4CHp9FEZRgC&pg=PA122|url-status=live}}
- {{cite magazine|last=Morris|first=Chris|title=Cornershop Shifts to V2, Beggars Banquet for 'Handcream'|magazine=Billboard|date=27 April 2002|volume=114|issue=17|issn=0006-2510|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1BAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA16|access-date=14 March 2022|archive-date=14 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314165422/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=1BAEAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA16&pg=PA16|url-status=live}}
- {{cite journal|last=Weingarten|first=Christopher R.|title=Reviews|journal=CMJ New Music Monthly|date=March 2002|issue=100|issn=1074-6978|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8SkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA48|access-date=14 March 2022|archive-date=14 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314165401/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=8SkEAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA48&pg=PA48|url-status=live}}
{{refend}}
External links
- [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mvEmzvCRPqsbKwin0PkMaJMANqVRxY0dc Handcream for a Generation] at YouTube (streamed copy where licensed)
- {{Discogs master|105335|Handcream for a Generation}}
{{Cornershop}}
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