Sextet (A Certain Ratio album)

Sextet is the third album by English band A Certain Ratio, released in 1982 by record label Factory. It is the first album by the band not to be produced by Martin Hannett.

Sextet
Studio album by
A Certain Ratio
Released1982 (1982)
StudioRevolution Studios, Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire
Genre
 · world music
Length37:13
LabelFactory
ProducerA Certain Ratio
A Certain Ratio chronology
To Each...
(1981)		 Sextet
(1982)		 I'd Like to See You Again
(1982)

The album spent eleven weeks in the UK Independent Chart, peaking at number 1.[5]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[3]
Pitchfork8.1/10[4]
StylusA–[2]
Uncut4/5[6]

The album generally received critical acclaim. The Quietus called it "a visionary musical statement" and "arguably their greatest moment [...] Not since PIL's dominant 'Metal Box' had a band so seamlessly traversed such an unexpectedly broad musical landscape."[7] Stylus called the album "a masterpiece [...] a mesmerizing blend of ethnic rhythms and ghostly production that really sounds like nothing else."[2] Douglas Wolk of Pitchfork thought that the album "still sounds like no other record: either that era's creepiest, boggiest dance album or its funkiest smear of brittle art-noise."[8] Uncut magazine praised the record for its "taut, abrasive swagger," as well as its blend of funk and world music influences.[6] Exclaim! critic Kevin Hainey described it as "a strong ACR album from start to finish", and wrote that Tilson's vocals "give the band a somewhat airier, more soulful feel, and the added attention to African rhythms only slightly relieves their trademark tension."[9]

Nevertheless, Trouser Press gave an unfavourable review to the album, writing: "There's no real focus to the discoid beats and wailing female vocals (Martha Tilson); ACR don't seem especially motivated by the music they're making."[10] AllMusic critic Keith Farley thought that the record "upped the energy of A Certain Ratio's dour minimalist dance." Farley also stated "the electronics and rhythms are still curiously apart from song structure for the most part, making for an oddly distanced record."[3]

Track listing

All tracks composed by A Certain Ratio

  1. "Lucinda" – 3:56
  2. "Crystal" – 2:55
  3. "Gum" – 2:59
  4. "Knife Slits Water" – 7:34
  5. "Skipscada" – 2:10
  6. "Day One" – 6:12
  7. "Rub Down" – 3:43
  8. "Rialto" – 3:45
  9. "Below the Canal" – 3:59

Personnel

Album personnel as adapted from album liner notes.[11]

Chart positions
Album
Charts (1982) Peak
position
UK Albums Chart[12] 53
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References
  1. McFarlane, Dean. "A Certain Ratio - I'd Like to See You Again". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  2. Hutlock, Todd (October 14, 2004). "A Certain Ratio – Sextet – Review – Stylus Magazine". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original on 12 November 2006. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  3. Farley, Keith. "Sextet – A Certain Ratio | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  4. Wolk, Douglas (3 November 2014). "A Certain Ratio - Sextet". Pitchfork. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  5. Lazell, Barry (1997) Indie Hits 1980–1989, Cherry Red Books, ISBN 0-9517206-9-4, p. 1
  6. "A Certain Ratio – Sextet". Uncut. 1 September 2004. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  7. Middles, Mick (September 26, 2014). "The Quietus | Reviews | A Certain Ratio". The Quietus. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  8. Wolk, Douglas. ""A Certain Ratio - Sextet"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  9. Hainey, Kevin (30 September 2004). "A Certain Ratio - Sextet". Exclaim!. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  10. Flashner, Graham; Sheridan, David. "TrouserPress.com :: A Certain Ratio". TrouserPress.com. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  11. A Certain Ratio – Sextet album liner notes
  12. "A Certain Ratio album charts". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
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