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Head Trip in Every Key is the second album released by alternative/punk rock band Superdrag on Elektra Records in 1998.
History
After the surprising success of the band's 1996 album Regretfully Yours, they were given more financial support from their recording label Elektra Records, on the condition that they created more radio-friendly songs. It was co-produced (along with the band) by Jerry Finn. The album was recorded at Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, CA. The music, contrary to previous recordings by the band, contained a combination of string orchestras, pianos, sitars, organs, and other out-of-the-ordinary instrumentation.
The label believed that the intent of the band was to go purposely against their will with the overall sound of the album and not create any "hit songs," and did not expect the fully orchestrated sound the band conveyed on this album. (The band has admitted as much later that they were taking advantage of the money Elektra provided to them in order to create the best studio album they could, regardless of the label's demands for radio hits, knowing that they might never have that kind of funding again.)
To date the album is considered their most accomplished album, but many critics considered it radio-unfriendly. Only one song, "Do the Vampire", received even minimal radio play and, as expected, the label subsequently cut most of the band's further funding.
The album also received very little publicity and therefore sold poorly, subsequently causing the label to drop the band from the label.
Almost no touring was done in support of the album, and it remains unheard by many, although most die-hard fans consider it to be their greatest release.
On July 9, 2014, SideOneDummy Records, which previously released Regretfully Yours on vinyl for the first time, announced a double-LP vinyl pressing of the album, along with a double-LP compilation of demos recorded prior, to be released August 12.
Track listing
All songs written by John Davis.
- "I'm Expanding My Mind" - 4:34
- "Hellbent" - 3:03
- "Sold You an Alibi" - 3:13
- "Do the Vampire" - 3:40
- "Amphetamine" - 4:22
- "Bankrupt Vibration" - 4:54
- "Mr. Underground" - 2:44
- "Annetichrist" - 3:24
- "She is a Holy Grail" - 5:12
- "Pine Away" - 2:50
- "Shuck & Jive" - 2:50
- "Wrong vs. Right Doesn't Matter" - 2:56
- "The Art of Dying" - 6:16
Personnel
- John Davis: Vocals, Guitars, Piano, Organ, Mellotron, Sitar, Theremin
- Brandon Fisher: Guitars
- Tom Pappas: Bass
- Don Coffey, Jr.: Drums
Additional
- Chris Botticelli: trumpet, arrangements
- Andy Snitzer: tenor saxophone
- Michael Davis: trombone
- Roger Rosenberg: baritone saxophone
- Peter Schwartz: string arrangement
- Gregor Kitzis: string conductor
Trivia
- On the inside of the CD case is a list of 23 songs with various check-list columns showing progress for each song in the recording process (i.e. drums, electric bass, etc.), even though there are only 13 on the album. Subsequently, 5 actual songs appeared on later releases: "Take Your Spectre Away" on Greetings from Tennessee; "My Day Will Come," "She Says," "Here We Come," on Changing Tires on the Road to Ruin; "Senorita" on Stereo 360 Sound.