Last Splash#Original 1993 release
{{short description|1993 studio album by the Breeders}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2012}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Last Splash
| type = studio
| artist = the Breeders
| cover = TheBreedersLastSplash.jpg
| alt =
| released = August 30, 1993
| recorded = 1990–93
| venue =
| studio = {{plain list|*Coast Recorders, North Hollywood
- Brilliant Studios, San Francisco
- Refraze Recording Studio, Dayton}}
| genre = {{hlist|Alternative rock{{cite web|date=July 25, 2013|title=10 Essential '90s Alt-Rock Albums|url=https://www.treblezine.com/10-best-alternative-rock-albums-of-the-90s/|access-date=May 3, 2021|website=Treble}}|experimental|indie rock|noise pop|pop rock|surf rock{{cite web|last= Pitchfork Staff |title= The 150 Best Albums of the 1990s |website= Pitchfork |date= September 28, 2022 |url= https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-best-albums-of-the-1990s/|quote= Last Splash thrust the Breeders...into the surf-grunge sunshine.|accessdate= April 26, 2023}}|grunge{{cite web|last= Pitchfork Staff |title= The 150 Best Albums of the 1990s |website= Pitchfork |date= September 28, 2022 |url= https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-best-albums-of-the-1990s/|quote= Last Splash thrust the Breeders...into the surf-grunge sunshine.|accessdate= April 26, 2023}}}}
| length = 39:38
| label = 4AD/Elektra Records
| producer = {{hlist|Kim Deal|Mark Freegard}}
| prev_title = Safari
| prev_year = 1992
| next_title = Head to Toe
| next_year = 1994
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Last Splash
| type = studio
| single1 = Cannonball
| single1date = August 9, 1993
| single2 = Divine Hammer
| single2date = October 25, 1993
| single3 = Saints
| single3date = 1994
| single4 = No Aloha
| single4date = 1994
}}
}}
{{Album ratings
| MC = 86/100{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/lsxx-last-splash-20th-anniversary-edition/the-breeders/critic-reviews|title=Critic Reviews for LSXX [Last Splash: 20th Anniversary Edition]|work=Metacritic|access-date=August 10, 2021}}
| rev1 = AllMusic
| rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/last-splash-mw0000618655 |title=Last Splash – The Breeders |website=AllMusic |access-date=August 20, 2015 |last=Phares |first=Heather}}
| rev2 = Blender
| rev2score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine |url=http://www.blender.com/guide/new/55361/last-splash.html |title=The Breeders: Last Splash |magazine=Blender |issue=76 |date=December 2008 – January 2009 |access-date=October 19, 2015 |last=Dolan |first=Jon |page=86 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090420141221/http://www.blender.com/guide/new/55361/last-splash.html |archive-date=April 20, 2009}}
| rev3 = Chicago Tribune
| rev3score = {{Rating|3.5|4}}{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1993/09/10/veil-of-noise/ |title=Veil Of Noise |work=Chicago Tribune |date=September 10, 1993 |access-date=October 24, 2015 |last=Kot |first=Greg |author-link=Greg Kot}}
| rev4 = Entertainment Weekly
| rev4score = A−{{cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/article/1993/08/27/breeders-last-splash |title=The Breeders' Last Splash |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=August 27, 1993 |access-date=August 20, 2015 |last=Frost |first=Deborah}}
| rev5 = NME
| rev5score = 6/10{{cite web |url=http://thequietus.com/articles/13063-the-breeders-last-splash-anniversary-review |title=20 Years On: The Breeders' Last Splash Revisited |work=The Quietus |date=August 12, 2013 |access-date=August 20, 2015 |last=Mackay |first=Emily}}
| rev6 = Pitchfork
| rev6score = 9.0/10{{cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/17942-the-breeders-lsxx/ |title=The Breeders: LSXX |work=Pitchfork |date=May 15, 2013 |access-date=October 30, 2013 |last=Zoladz |first=Lindsay}}
| rev7 = Rolling Stone
| rev7score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/thebreeders/albums/album/321336/review/5944997/last_splash |title=The Breeders: Last Splash |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=October 14, 1993 |access-date=August 20, 2015 |last=Rust |first=Ned |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213060229/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/thebreeders/albums/album/321336/review/5944997/last_splash |archive-date=February 13, 2009}}
| rev8 = The Rolling Stone Album Guide
| rev8Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite book |chapter=The Breeders |last=Wolk |first=Douglas |author-link=Douglas Wolk |title=The New Rolling Stone Album Guide |editor1-last=Brackett |editor1-first=Nathan |editor2-last=Hoard |editor2-first=Christian |publisher=Simon & Schuster |edition=4th |year=2004 |isbn=0-7432-0169-8 |page=[https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac/page/104 104] }}
| rev9 = Spin
| rev9score = 9/10{{cite magazine |url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/the-breeders-last-splash-4adelektra/ |title=The Breeders, 'Last Splash' (4AD/Elektra) |magazine=Spin |date=May 15, 2013 |access-date=May 15, 2013 |last=Sutton |first=Terri}}
| rev10 = The Village Voice
| rev10score = A−{{cite magazine |url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cgv993-93.php |title=Consumer Guide |magazine=The Village Voice |date=September 28, 1993 |access-date=August 20, 2015 |last=Christgau |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Christgau}}
}}
Last Splash is the second album by American alternative rock band the Breeders, released on August 30, 1993. Originally formed as a side project for Pixies bassist Kim Deal, the Breeders quickly became her primary recording outlet. Last Splash peaked at number 33 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, and by June 1994, the album had been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments in excess of one million units.
The title of the album is taken from a lyric from its lead single, "Cannonball". The video for "Cannonball" was directed by Spike Jonze and Kim Gordon, and the video for the album's second single "Divine Hammer" was directed by Jonze, Gordon and Richard Kern.
A looped guitar sample of "S.O.S." was used by the English electronic music band the Prodigy in their 1996 hit single "Firestarter". A sample from "I Just Wanna Get Along" was used in another track by the Prodigy called "World's on Fire" from the Invaders Must Die album.
In 2003, Pitchfork listed the album at number 64 on their list of the Top 100 Albums of the 1990s.{{cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/5923-top-100-albums-of-the-1990s/4/ |title=Staff Lists: Top 100 Albums of the 1990s |work=Pitchfork |date=November 17, 2003 |access-date=May 5, 2016}} In 2020, Rolling Stone ranked the album number 293 in their revised list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (after not including it in the original 2003 list or the 2012 revision).{{cite magazine |title=The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time |date=2020-09-22 |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827100914/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-all-time-1062063/the-breeders-last-splash-3-1062940/ |archive-date=2022-08-27 |url-status=live |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-all-time-1062063/the-breeders-last-splash-3-1062940/}}
On May 13, 2013, 4AD released LSXX, a deluxe 20th anniversary version of the album,{{cite web |url=http://4ad.com/news/336 |title=The Breeders: Out Now: The Breeders – LSXX |publisher=4AD |access-date=May 5, 2016}} and on September 22, 2023, 4AD released Last Splash (30th Anniversary Original Analog Edition),{{cite web |url=https://www.4ad.com/releases/1009 |title=4AD |publisher=4AD |access-date=September 27, 2023}} with additional tracks "Go Man Go" and "Divine Mascis".
Composition
Last Splash has been seen as one of alternative rock's "most enduring masterpieces", as well as indie rock,{{Cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1453302/last-splash-turns-20/reviews/the-anniversary/|author=Tom Breihan|date=August 30, 2013|title=Last Splash Turns 20|work=Stereogum|access-date=August 9, 2021}} noise pop and "effervescent" pop rock.
It is also considered "wildly", "willingly" experimental,{{Cite web|url=https://louderthanwar.com/the-breeders-lsxx-last-splash-20th-anniversary-edition-album-review/|author=Jake Kennedy|date=April 23, 2013|title=LSXX: Last Splash 20th Anniversary Edition - Record Collector Magazine|work=Louder Than War|access-date=August 9, 2021}} sporting art rock textures, "pure", "twisted" pop, and Hawaiian surf music.{{Cite web|url=https://drownedinsound.com/releases/4801/reviews/4502-|author=Alex Wisgard|date=August 2, 2002|title=Album Review: The Breeders - Last Splash / Releases / Releases // Drowned in Sound|work=Drowned in Sound|access-date=August 10, 2021}} The latter genre is seen in the "tiki bar twang" of "No Aloha" and the "gonzo" surf rock of instrumental "Flipside".{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/8vd3/|author=Stevie Chick|title=BBC - Music - Review of the Breeders - Last Splash|work=BBC|access-date=August 10, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.uncut.co.uk/reviews/the-breeders-last-splash-lsxx-1763/|date=April 26, 2013|title=The Breeders - Last Splash: LSXX|work=Uncut|access-date=August 10, 2021}} "I Just Wanna Get Along" takes on "spiky" pop-punk, while cover "Drivin' on 9" pulls in acoustic and country sounds.
Legacy and impact
Last Splash is regarded as one of the most iconic albums in early '90s alternative rock. Dubbed one of its "most enduring masterpieces", it's been praised for "perfectly encapsulat[ing] all that was great and wonderful" about the genre's explosion in that era.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/the-breeders-last-splash-lsxx|last=Ferguson|first=Jason|date=May 14, 2013|title=The Breeders: Last Splash LSXX|work=Paste|access-date=July 26, 2024}} Nashville Scene{{'}}s Sean L. Maloney saw Splash both "[distill] the zeitgeist into perfect alt-pop nuggets", but also serve as "the last gasp of alternative music as an actual alternative to the mainstream".{{Cite web|url=https://www.nashvillescene.com/music/alt-rock-heroes-the-breeders-celebrate-the-20th-anniversary-of-i-last-splash-i-with/article_c817fadb-281e-5e31-bdab-bdf480fdf560.html|last=L. Maloney|first=Sean|date=May 9, 2013|title=Alt-rock heroes The Breeders celebrate the 20th anniversary of Last Splash with a deluxe reissue and tour|work=Nashville Scene|access-date=August 17, 2022}} The Quietus{{'}} Emily Mackay considered it "a key album" for the genre's mainstream crossover.
In a retrospective review of it 20 years on, Stereogum{{'}}s Tom Breihan called it "a warm, homemade, deeply and consciously odd" record.
=Accolades=
Track listing
= Original 1993 release =
{{Track listing
| all_writing = Kim Deal, except where noted
| title1 = New Year
| length1 = 1:56
| title2 = Cannonball
| length2 = 3:33
| title3 = Invisible Man
| length3 = 2:48
| title4 = No Aloha
| length4 = 2:07
| title5 = Roi
| length5 = 4:11
| title6 = Do You Love Me Now?
| writer6 = {{hlist|Kim Deal|Kelley Deal}}
| length6 = 3:01
| title7 = Flipside
| length7 = 1:59
| title8 = I Just Wanna Get Along
| writer8 = {{hlist|Kim Deal|Kelley Deal}}
| length8 = 1:44
| title9 = Mad Lucas
| length9 = 4:36
| title10 = Divine Hammer
| length10 = 2:41
| title11 = S.O.S.
| length11 = 1:31
| title12 = Hag
| length12 = 2:55
| title13 = Saints
| length13 = 2:32
| title14 = Drivin' on 9
| writer14 = {{hlist|Dom Leone|Steve Hickoff}}
| length14 = 3:22
| title15 = Roi (Reprise)
| length15 = 0:42
}}
= ''LSXX'' track listing =
There are two versions of LSXX: a 3-CD package and a 7-disc vinyl set.[http://4ad.com/news/1/3/2013/thebreedersannouncefurtherdetailsoflastsplash20thanniversaryvinylandcdsets 4AD] The CD and vinyl formats have the same track listings.
The vinyl set contains the following vinyl:
- Last Splash
- "The Stockholm Syndrome" (partially previously released as Live in Stockholm 1994)
- Demos, rare tracks & session versions
- Safari EP
- Cannonball EP
- Divine Hammer
- Head to Toe EP
The track listing below is for the 3-CD set. All songs are by Kim Deal except where noted.
Disc 1 – Last Splash
:The first disc contains the original release track listing.
{{Track listing
| headline = Disc 2 – Singles, B-Sides, and Demos
| title1 = Do You Love Me Now?
| writer1 = Kim Deal, Kelley Deal
| note1 = previously released on "Safari" EP
| title2 = Don't Call Home
| writer2 = Kim Deal, John Murphy
| note2 = previously released on "Safari" EP
| title3 = Safari
| note3 = previously released on "Safari" EP
| title4 = So Sad About Us
| writer4 = Pete Townshend
| note4 = previously released on "Safari" EP
| title5 = Cro-Aloha
| note5 = previously released on the "Cannonball" single
| title6 = Lord of the Thighs
| writer6 = Steven Tyler
| note6 = previously released on the "Cannonball" single
| title7 = 900
| writer7 = Josephine Wiggs
| note7 = previously released on the "Cannonball" single
| title8 = Divine Hammer (Single Version)
| note8 = previously released on the "Divine Hammer" single
| title9 = Hoverin{{'-}}
| writer9 = Kim Deal, John Murphy
| note9 = previously released on the "Divine Hammer" single
| title10 = I Can't Help It (If I'm Still in Love with You)
| writer10 = Hank Williams
| note10 = previously released on the "Divine Hammer" single
| title11 = Do You Love Me Now Jr?
| writer11 = Kim Deal, Kelley Deal
| note11 = previously released on the "Divine Hammer" single
| title12 = Head to Toe
| writer12 = Josephine Wiggs
| note12 = previously released on the "Head to Toe" EP
| title13 = Shocker in Gloomtown
| writer13 = Robert Pollard
| note13 = previously released on the "Head to Toe" EP
| title14 = Freed Pig
| writer14 = Lou Barlow
| note14 = Sebadoh cover previously released on the "Head to Toe" EP
| title15 = Saints (Head to Toe Version)
| note15 = Last Splash demo, November 1992
| title16 = New Year
| note16 = Last Splash demo, November 1992
| length16 = 2:04
| title17 = Grunggae
| note17 = Last Splash demo, November 1992
| length17 = 2:34
| title18 = Invisible Man
| note18 = Last Splash demo, previously released on the "13 Year Itch" 4AD compilation CD
| length18 = 2:44
| title19 = No Aloha
| note19 = Last Splash demo, November 1992
| length19 = 2:34
| title20 = I Just Wanna Get Along
| writer20 = Kim Deal, Kelley Deal
| note20 = Last Splash demo, November 1992
| length20 = 1:41
| title21 = Mad Lucas
| note21 = Last Splash demo, November 1992
| length21 = 2:29
| title22 = S.O.S.
| note22 = Last Splash demo, November 1992
| length22 = 1:37
| title23 = Saints
| note23 = Last Splash demo, November 1992
| length23 = 2:10
| title24 = 900
| writer24 = Josephine Wiggs
| note24 = Last Splash demo, November 1992
| length24 = 3:15
| title25 = Iris (Live Version)
| note25 = previously released on the No Alternative compilation
| length25 = 3:44
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Disc 3 – Live in Stockholm & BBC Sessions
| title1 = Shocker in Gloomtown
| writer1 = Robert Pollard
| note1 = Live in Stockholm
| length1 = 2:20
| title2 = New Year
| note2 = Live in Stockholm
| length2 = 2:05
| title3 = Hellbound
| note3 = Live in Stockholm
| length3 = 2:24
| title4 = Saints
| note4 = Live in Stockholm
| length4 = 2:31
| title5 = Hag
| note5 = Live in Stockholm
| length5 = 3:44
| title6 = I Just Wanna Get Along
| writer6 = Kim Deal, Kelley Deal
| note6 = Live in Stockholm
| length6 = 1:52
| title7 = S.O.S.
| note7 = Live in Stockholm
| length7 = 1:44
| title8 = Roi
| note8 = Live in Stockholm
| length8 = 2:35
| title9 = Head to Toe
| writer9 = Josephine Wiggs
| note9 = Live in Stockholm
| length9 = 2:18
| title10 = Happiness Is a Warm Gun
| writer10 = John Lennon, Paul McCartney
| note10 = Live in Stockholm
| length10 = 2:28
| title11 = Cannonball
| note11 = Live in Stockholm
| length11 = 3:49
| title12 = Invisible Man
| note12 = Live in Stockholm
| length12 = 2:50
| title13 = Doe
| writer13 = Kim Deal, Ray Halliday
| note13 = Live in Stockholm
| length13 = 2:39
| title14 = Drivin' on 9
| writer14 = Dom Leone, Steve Hickoff
| note14 = Live in Stockholm
| length14 = 3:55
| title15 = Don't Call Home
| writer15 = Kim Deal, John Murphy
| note15 = Live in Stockholm
| length15 = 3:20
| title16 = Limehouse
| note16 = Live in Stockholm
| length16 = 1:52
| title17 = No Aloha
| note17 = BBC Session
| length17 = 2:26
| title18 = Flipside
| note18 = BBC Session
| length18 = 1:58
| title19 = Divine Hammer
| note19 = BBC Session
| length19 = 2:36
| title20 = Hag
| note20 = BBC Session
| length20 = 2:33
}}
Personnel
File:Kelley Deal's Sewing Machine at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.jpg sewing machine from Kelley Deal's unusual performance credit (on "S.O.S."). On display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.]]
The Breeders
- Kim Deal – lead vocals, guitar, Moog, Casiotone
- Kelley Deal – guitar, Kenmore 12-stitch, lap steel, mandolin, vocals, lead vocals on "I Just Wanna Get Along"
- Jim MacPherson – drums, bass on "Roi"
- Josephine Wiggs – bass guitar, double bass, vocals, cello, drums on "Roi"
- Tanya Donelly – vocals and guitar on Safari EP tracks
Artwork
- Jason Love – photography
- Paul MoMenamin – design assistant
- Vaughan Oliver – art direction, design
- Kevin Westenberg – portraits
Additional musicians
- Carrie Bradley – violin, additional vocals
Production
- Kim Deal – producer
- Mark Freegard – production, engineering
- Sean Leonard – assistant engineering
- Daniel Presley – engineering on "Divine Hammer"
- Andy Taub – assistant engineering
Chart positions
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
= Singles =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:left;"
! scope="col" style="width:2em" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" style="width:10em" rowspan="2"| Single ! scope="col" style="width:22em" colspan="7"| Peak positions |
| scope="col" style="width:2em; font-size:75%"| US Main ! scope="col" style="width:2em; font-size:75%"| US Main Rock ! scope="col" style="width:2em; font-size:75%"| US Mod Rock ! scope="col" style="width:2em; font-size:75%"| AUS ! scope="col" style="width:2em; font-size:75%"| FR ! scope="col" style="width:2em; font-size:75%"| NLD ! scope="col" style="width:2em; font-size:75%"| UK |
|---|
| scope="row" rowspan="2"| 1993
| "Cannonball" | style="text-align:center;"| 44 | style="text-align:center;"| 32 | style="text-align:center;"| 2 | style="text-align:center;"| 58 | style="text-align:center;"| 8 | style="text-align:center;"| 35 | style="text-align:center;"| 40 |
| "Divine Hammer"
| style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| 28 | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| 59 |
| scope="row" rowspan="1"| 1994
| "Saints" | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| 12 | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — |
| scope="col" style="text-align:center" colspan="9"| "—" denotes a release that did not chart. |
{{col-2}}
= Certifications =
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Australia|artist=The Breeders|title=Last Splash|award=Gold|relyear=1993|certref=}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Canada|artist=The Breeders|title=Last Splash|award=Gold|relyear=1994}}
{{certification Table Entry|title=Last Splash|type=album|artist=The Breeders|relyear=1993|certyear=1994|region=France|award=Gold}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United Kingdom|artist=The Breeders|title=Last Splash|award=Silver|relyear=1993|certyear=1995|id=3740-1937-2}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United States|artist=The Breeders|title=Last Splash|award=Platinum}}
{{Certification Table Bottom}}
{{col-end}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{MusicBrainz release|mbid=dc750ced-b1e0-4bc6-a344-df15a9c84f57|name=Last Splash}}
{{The Breeders}}
{{Authority control}}