Jollification

Jollification
Studio album by The Lightning Seeds
Released	5 September 1994
Recorded	1993–1994
Genre	Alternative rock, Britpop, pop rock
Length	40:29
Label	Epic (477237)
Producer	Ian Broudie, Simon Rogers
The Lightning Seeds chronology
Sense (1992) Jollification (1994) Pure (1996)
Singles from Jollification
"Lucky You" Released: 8 August 1994 "Change" Released: 2 January 1995 "Marvellous" Released: 3 April 1995 "Perfect" Released: 10 July 1995 "Lucky You" Released: 9 October 1995

Jollification is the third album by The Lightning Seeds. All songs were written by Ian Broudie, with contributions on some tracks from Alison Moyet, Ian McNabb and Terry Hall.

Four tracks from the album were released as singles in the UK: "Lucky You", "Marvellous", "Change" and "Perfect". The album attracted positive reviews. It peaked at number 12 in the UK Albums Chart, and gained platinum certification in December 1995.

Background

In 1989 Ian Broudie began recording alone under the name Lightning Seeds and achieved success with the psychedelic and synthpop hit "Pure", from the album Cloudcuckooland, which reached the UK Top 20. The same year "Joy" and "All I Want" were also released but failed to make an impression. "Pure" had some success in the United States Billboard Top 40, reaching No. 32. Both "Pure" and "All I Want" also reached the Modern Rock Tracks top 10. In 1991 Broudie returned to song-writing and moved labels from Rough Trade to Virgin.

Writing and recording

By the end of 1993, Broudie had completed the third Lightning Seeds album Jollification, which included contributions from Terry Hall, Simon Rogers, Alison Moyet and Ian McNabb. A promotional tour began in August 1994 with their line-up consisting of, guitarist Paul Hemmings, drummer Chris Sharrock, bassist Martyn Campbell and keyboardist Ali Kane. The tour benefited from the success of the second single from the album "Change", which reached No. 13 in the UK Singles Chart, becoming Lightning Seeds' second UK top twenty hit. The album Jollification became a critical success^[1] and the other singles taken from this album ("Lucky You", "Marvellous" and "Perfect") all made noticeable impact. Mark Farrow's album cover featured the use of computer graphics to create an enormous strawberry and depicting seeds with superimposed human faces.

Release and reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[2]

Jollification was released in the UK on 5 September 1994 and in the US on 20 December 1994.^[2] The album attracted positive reviews. Rating the album 4 out of 5, Jason Damas for AllMusic commented:

Ian Broudie wrote his strongest batch of songs yet and managed to return to the top of the British charts. At ten tracks, Jollification is overly brief; eight of the ten tracks are genuine keepers and rank amongst the band's best work. "Lucky You," "Marvelous," "Perfect," and "Change" ... were all modern British pop gems that arrived at the height of Brit-pop. While the album is occasionally too produced – this is especially pronounced in the more synthesizer-driven songs – the melodies dominate despite their occasional stiffness. Jollification is Broudie's most cohesive and consistent album to date.^[2]

The track "Change" got some recognition in the US due to its appearance in the 1995 film Clueless^[2] and on the film's soundtrack album.

Track listing

All songs written by Ian Broudie (except where stated).

1. "Perfect" – 3:28
2. "Lucky You" – 4:20 (Broudie/Terry Hall)
3. "Open Goals" – 3:49
4. "Change" – 4:03
5. "Why Why Why" – 4:14
6. "Marvellous" – 5:31
7. "Feeling Lazy" – 3:55 (Broudie/Ian McNabb)
8. "My Best Day" – 5:00 (Broudie/Alison Moyet)
9. "Punch & Judy" – 3:17
10. "Telling Tales" – 2:52

Personnel

Charts

Singles

Certifications

• United Kingdom (BPI): Silver (1 July 1995), Gold (1 August 1995), Platinum (1 December 1995)^[3]

References