Hours in Pain
| Hours in Pain | ||||
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| 📅 Released | February 22, 1991 | |||
| 🎙️ Recorded | October - December 1990 | |||
| ⏳ Length | 37:10 | |||
| 🏷️ Label | Atlantic | |||
| 🤑 Producer | Marvin McNeil | |||
| Ten Inch Men chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Hours in Pain | ||||
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Buy this album Hours in Pain or listen to it on amazon
Hours in Pain is the debut studio album by the american rock band Ten Inch Men, released in 1991.
The album achieved moderate success, releasing the singles "Flower Power", "My Arms Are Open Wide", "Good for the Soul" and a cover of "Mellow Yellow" by Donovan.
Music[edit]
The album kicks off with the powerful track "Flower Power", an anthem that not only showcases Dave Coutts' emotive vocals but also features the band's ability to create a sonic landscape that resonates with the spirit of the grunge scene. This track, marked with an asterisk as a single release, became a notable hit, drawing attention to the band's unique sound.
"My Arms Are Open Wide", another single from the album, further demonstrates Ten Inch Men's ability to craft emotionally charged songs. The collaboration between Dave Coutts and Templin on songwriting is evident in the seamless blend of lyrics and music, a hallmark of the grunge genre.
As the album progresses, tracks like Back to Blue and Brick Wall showcase the band's versatility. Templin's guitar work adds a gritty edge to the music, complementing Dave Coutts' vocals and creating a dynamic sound that keeps listeners engaged. The incorporation of Schumacher's keyboards adds depth to the compositions, creating a sonic landscape that goes beyond traditional grunge expectations.
The title track, "Hours in Pain", serves as a centerpiece for the album, encapsulating the overall mood and themes explored by Ten Inch Men. The raw emotion and lyrical introspection found in this track resonate with the angst-ridden ethos of the grunge movement.
The inclusion of tracks like "Mellow Yellow" (a cover by Donovan), "Bars of Time", and "Good for the Soul", all marked with asterisks denoting their status as singles, highlights the band's knack for creating songs with commercial appeal without compromising their grunge authenticity. These tracks showcase the band's ability to balance accessibility with the raw and unfiltered sound that defines grunge.
Reception[edit]
Hours in Pain received a mixed but generally positive reception from critics and fans alike. The album, with its raw and unpolished grunge sound, garnered attention for its authenticity within the genre.
Critics praised the band's ability to capture the essence of the grunge movement. The gritty guitar work of Templin and the emotive vocals of Dave Coutts were frequently highlighted as standout features. The album's production, overseen by Jack Endino, was commended for maintaining a balance between the unrefined energy of a live performance and the controlled environment of a studio recording.
"Flower Power" and "My Arms Are Open Wide", both released as singles, received particular acclaim for their catchy hooks and memorable melodies. These tracks showcased the band's potential for commercial success without compromising the integrity of their grunge roots. The singles gained airplay on alternative rock radio stations, contributing to the band's visibility within the music scene.
The title track, "Hours in Pain", was often cited as a poignant and central piece on the album. Critics appreciated the emotional depth of the lyrics and the sonic intensity that characterized the track, solidifying its place as a focal point of the record.
However, some critics pointed out that the album, while strong in its representation of grunge, did not necessarily break new ground within the genre. Comparisons to other prominent grunge acts of the time were inevitable, and some argued that Ten Inch Men's sound, while authentic, lacked the innovation seen in releases by their contemporaries.
Commercially, Hours in Pain achieved moderate success, reaching a dedicated fan base but not attaining the widespread recognition achieved by some of the more mainstream grunge acts. Nevertheless, the album has gained retrospective appreciation as a hidden gem within the grunge catalog, with fans and collectors recognizing its contribution to the diverse landscape of early '90s alternative rock.
In the years since its release, Hours in Pain has maintained a cult following among fans of grunge and alternative rock. The album stands as a testament to Ten Inch Men's place in the history of the genre, offering a snapshot of the band's creative energy and the distinctive sound that defined a crucial era in the evolution of rock music.
Track listing[edit]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Flower Power" | Dave Coutts, Mark Templin, Jim Schumacher | 4:18 |
| 2. | "Back to Blue" | D. Coutts, Templin | 3:25 |
| 3. | "High Society" | Rusty Riopelle | 4:03 |
| 4. | "My Arms Are Open Wide" | D. Coutts, Templin | 3:21 |
| 5. | "Brick Wall" | D. Coutts, Schumacher | 3:51 |
| 6. | "Hours in Pain" | D. Coutts, Templin | 3:15 |
| 7. | "Mellow Yellow" | Donovan | 2:58 |
| 8. | "Bars of Time" | D. Coutts, Templin | 3:54 |
| 9. | "New Eyes" | D. Coutts, Riopelle | 1:27 |
| 10. | "Pink Champagne" | D. Coutts, Templin, Riopelle | 3:37 |
| 11. | "Good for the Soul" | D. Coutts, Templin, Schumacher | 4:00 |
| Total length: | 37:10 | ||
Personnel[edit]
- Dave Coutts – lead vocals, acoustic guitar, tambourine
- Mark Templin - lead guitar, acoustic guitar
- Rusty Riopelle - bass guitar, backing vocals
- Jim Schumacher - keyboards, backing vocals
- Steve Coutts - drums, cowbell
