Holy Smoke (Peter Murphy album)

Holy Smoke is the fourth solo studio album by English musician Peter Murphy. It was released on 14 April 1992 through Beggars Banquet Records. Produced by Mike Thorne, the album features contributions from Alison Limerick, Jonathan Carney, Audrey Riley and The Hundred Men, his backing band since 1988's Love Hysteria album.[3]

Holy Smoke
Studio album by
Peter Murphy
Released14 April 1992
RecordedMaison Rouge Studios, London; The Stereo Society, New York
GenreAlternative rock, gothic rock, art rock
Length48:46
LabelBeggars Banquet
ProducerMike Thorne, Peter Murphy
Peter Murphy chronology
Deep
(1989)		 Holy Smoke
(1992)		 Cascade
(1995)
Singles from Peter Murphy
  1. "You're So Close"
    Released: 1992
  2. "The Sweetest Drop"
    Released: 1992
  3. "Hit Song"
    Released: 1992
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]
Entertainment WeeklyB[2]

Although the album didn't meet with the commercial success of its predecessor, Deep (1990),[4] it peaked at number 108 on Billboard 200 chart.[5] The lead single off the album, "The Sweetest Drop", peaked at number 2 on Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.[6]

Critical reception

Ned Raggett of Allmusic was mixed in his assessment of the album. He stated: "Released in the initial craze of the grunge/alternative mega-crossover, Smoke's elegant ballads and angular, arty rockers simply didn't fit in." Nevertheless, he also described the album as "quite a strong release, due to "avoiding any cloning of Deep or "Cuts You Up" in favor of a different approach meant to bring out the band's live power more directly." He also praised Mike Thorne's production work, commenting that it gives the album "a crisp, solid punch throughout, even during its quieter moments."[1] Bill Wyman of Entertainment Weekly also praised the albums "sophisticated" production, calling it as "lush and very adult." He also wrote: "When the music and lyrics come together, it's almost touching, as on the sardonically named "Hit Song", which sounds to me like a vampire pleading for his mortality back."[2]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Peter Murphy and Paul Statham except where noted.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Keep Me From Harm" 4:26
2."Kill the Hate"Murphy4:48
3."You're So Close" 5:30
4."The Sweetest Drop" 6:55
5."Low Room"Murphy, Eddie Branch, Peter Bonas, Terl Bryant4:23
6."Let Me Love You"Murphy3:33
7."Our Secret Garden"Murphy5:46
8."Dream Gone By" 6:05
9."Hit Song"Murphy, The Hundred Men5:32
10.Untitled (hidden track) 0:48
Total length:48:46

Personnel
  • Peter Murphy – vocals, production, composition, guitar (6); keyboards (7)
The Hundred Men
  • Terl Bryant – drums, percussion
  • Eddie Branch – bass
  • Paul Statham – bass (6); acoustic guitar (7); keyboards
  • Peter Bonas – guitar, acoustic guitar
Additional musicians
Other personnel
  • Mike Thorne – production, synclavier
  • Jason Appleton – production assistant
  • Jack Skinner – mastering
  • Fernando Kral – engineering, mixing
  • Anton Corbijn – photography
  • Stuart Every – assistant engineer
  • Laura Janisse – production assistant

Chart positions
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References
  1. Raggett, Ned. "Peter Murphy - Holy Smoke". Allmusic. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  2. Wyman, Bill (29 May 1992). "Holy Smoke (1992) - Peter Murphy". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  3. Raggett, Ned. "Peter Murphy - Love Hysteria". Allmusic. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  4. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Peter Murphy". Allmusic. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  5. "Peter Murphy- Billboard 200 chart". Billboard. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  6. "Peter Murphy- Alternative songs chart". Billboard. Retrieved 11 April 2014.


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