Bummed was the second album by British band Happy Mondays. It was released in November 1988.

Warner later released a 2CD Collector's Edition on . This release collected the original 1988 album with a second disc of remixes from the era.

Production

The album's sound is noticeably different from any preceding or succeeding albums in the Madchester genre. This can be explained by the producer, Martin Hannett, who was notable for pioneering use of electronics in music. What is most noticeable production-wise on this album is the use of echo and reverb on the drum sound; whilst some may appreciate this production work for being somewhat groundbreaking and unique, others criticise it for the almost claustrophobic effects it renders on the music.

Remixes

Several of the songs on this album were later remixed. These included "Mad Cyril," "Wrote For Luck," and "Lazyitis." "Mad Cyril" was remixed into "Mad Cyril (Hello Girls Mix)," "Wrote For Luck" was remixed twice, firstly into "WFL" and then "Wrote For Luck (Think About The Future Mix);" Vince Clarke remixed the former, Paul Oakenfold the latter. "Lazyitis" was remixed into "Lazyitis (One-Armed Boxer Remix)" which featured Country legend Karl Denver on guest vocals. Paul Oakenfold would become vastly important to The Happy Mondays when he produced their 1990 opus "Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches." These remixes are significant as they were a sign that The Happy Mondays were beginning to embrace the burgeoning rave scene, then taking place in the UK.

Cultural impact

This album arrived at a time when the Madchester genre was only beginning to formulate into what could be termed a "scene," closely connected to acid house. However, on this album The Happy Mondays played mostly pure rock music, with funk rhythms played on the drums and bass guitar and electronic flourishes showcased by the keyboard melodies. The real dance influence shone through when the songs were remixed by people such as Paul Oakenfold, as described above. This was when the band first made a cultural impact on a regional and national level.

Track listing

Original Release

1. "Country Song" – 3:24
2. "Moving in With" – 3:36
3. "Mad Cyril" – 4:36
4. "Fat Lady Wrestlers" – 3:25
5. "Performance" – 4:09
6. "Brain Dead" – 3:10
7. "Wrote for Luck" – 6:05
8. "Bring a Friend" – 3:45
9. "Do It Better" – 2:29
10. "Lazyitis" – 2:48
11. "Lazyitis" [*/mix] – 2:44
12. "W.F.L." [*/mix] – 5:47

2007 Collector's Edition

CD1

1. "Country Song" – 3:24
2. "Moving in With" – 3:36
3. "Mad Cyril" – 4:36
4. "Fat Lady Wrestlers" – 3:25
5. "Performance" – 4:09
6. "Brain Dead" – 3:10
7. "Wrote for Luck" – 6:05
8. "Bring a Friend" – 3:45
9. "Do It Better" – 2:29
10. "Lazyitis" – 2:48
11. "Lazyitis" [*/mix] – 2:44
12. "W.F.L." [*/mix] – 5:47

CD2

1. "Wrote For Luck" (7" Version)
2. "Hallelujah" (Club Mix)
3. "Wrote For Luck" (12" Version)
4. "Hallelujah" (MacColl Mix)
5. "Lazyitis (One Armed Boxer)" (Feat. Karl Denver)
6. "WFL" (Think About The Future)
7. "Hallelujah" (12" version)
8. "Kilamenjaro" (aka `Rave On')
9. "WFL" (Vince Clarke 12" Mix)
10. "Hallelujah" (Deadstock Mix)

Credits

Band

• Shaun Ryder - Vocals
• Paul "Horse" Ryder - Bass
• Mark "Cow" Day - Guitar
• Paul Davis - Keyboards
• Gary Whelan - Drums
• Mark "Bez" Berry - Percussion

Recorded

• August 1988
• At the Slaughterhouse, Great Driffeld, East Yorkshire
• Overdubs and Vocal tracking recorded at Strawberry Studios, Stockport, Greater Manchester.

Mixdown

• September 1988
• At Strawberry Studios, Stockport, Cheshire

Engineering Credits

• The Slaughterhouse
• Colin Richardson
• John Spence
• John Pennington.
• Strawberry
• Laurence Diana

Special Credits To

• Dave Hassall - Percussion
• Steve Hopkins - Piano
• Horseman - Banjo

Artwork

• Central Station Design
• Nylon Weatherproof BP Oil

External links

• Review from Stylus Magazine