Midnight Cleaners
{{Italic title}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Midnight Cleaners
| type = studio
| artist = the Cleaners from Venus
| cover = The album cover for album Midnight Cleaners by the Cleaners from Venus.png
| alt =
| released = December 1982
| recorded = July – October 1982
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = {{flatlist|
}}
| length = 35:37
| label = Man at the Off License, Calypso Now
| producer =
| chronology = Cleaners from Venus
| prev_title = On Any Normal Monday
| prev_year = 1982
| next_title = In the Golden Autumn
| next_year = 1983
}}
{{Album ratings
| rev1 = AllMusic
| rev1score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite web |title=Midnight Cleaners - Cleaners from Venus at AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/midnight-cleaners-mw0000885510 |website=AllMusic |publisher=AllMusic, Netaktion |accessdate=10 July 2020}}
| rev2 = Pitchfork
}}
Midnight Cleaners is the third album by Indie pop artist The Cleaners from Venus, self-released in December 1982. The album was reissued and remastered by Captured Tracks in 2012,{{cite web |last1=Pelly |first1=Jean |title=Captured Tracks to Reissue Three Cleaners From Venus Albums |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/44342-captured-tracks-to-reissue-three-cleaners-from-venus-albums/ |website=Pitchfork |date=19 October 2011 |accessdate=11 July 2020}} although the album was given a small reissue on CD-r in 2001 on JARMusic.{{cite web |title=Cleaners From Venus - Midnight Cleaners (2001, CDr) |url=https://www.discogs.com/Cleaners-From-Venus-Midnight-Cleaners/release/4679686 |website=Discogs |accessdate=11 July 2020}}{{cite web |url=http://jarmusic.apwb.com/cleaners/mc_cd.html |website=jarmusic |accessdate=11 July 2020|title=JARMusic - "Midnight Cleaners" CD }}
Background
After releasing two albums, drummer Lol Elliott moved 200 miles away to live with his girlfriend at the time, effectively leaving the band. Newell continued recording music around this obstacle, which resulted in a heavier use of drum machines and home-made percussion instruments.{{cite web |url=https://img.discogs.com/3wZzKctoTc8UjOgaGhjUBBvd-bw=/fit-in/600x600/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-3566575-1598034422-2056.jpeg.jpg |website=Discogs |title=Vinyl insert |accessdate=23 August 2020}} The album was recorded entirely onto a 4-track tape in Newell's bedroom. The album cover was drawn and coloured by Newell as well.{{cite web |title=Cleaners From Venus - Midnight Cleaners (1982, C40, Cassette) |url=https://www.discogs.com/Cleaners-From-Venus-Midnight-Cleaners/release/2121357 |website=Discogs |date=December 1982 |accessdate=10 July 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Naftule |first1=Ashley |title=A Guide to the Brilliant DIY Pop of The Cleaners From Venus |url=https://daily.bandcamp.com/lists/martin-newell-cleaners-from-venus-list |website=bandcamp |date=20 July 2018 |accessdate=10 July 2020}}
Reception
Track listing
{{tracklisting
|headline="Pop Side"
|all_writing=Martin Newell
|title1=This Rainy Decade
|title2=Time in Vain
|title3=Only a Shadow
|title4=Corridor of Dreams
|title5=Wivenhoe Bells II
|length1=2:17
|length2=3:02
|length3=3:31
|length4=5:10
|length5=4:22
}}
{{tracklisting
|headline="Art Side"
|title1=Midnight Cleaners
|title2=Factory Boy
|title3=A Wretched Street
|title4=Don't You Worry About the Ads
|length1=5:16
|length2=3:29
|length3=3:40
|length4=4:50
|total_length=35:37
}}
{{tracklisting
|headline=2001 JARMusic CD-r bonus tracks
|title1=Ilya Kuryakin Looked at Me (Electric Version)
|title2=Wunderbarmaid
|title3=Bus Stop
|length1=
|length2=
|length3=
|length4=
|total_length=
}}
Personnel
Adapted from 2012 remastered edition liner notes.
- Martin Newell – vocals, guitar, bass, drum machines, keyboards, electronics, glockenspiel
- Lawrence "Lol" Elliott – "some drums and ideas"
- Mick Brannan – saxophone
- "Celia" – additional vocals on "Only a Shadow"