Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
Unjustly savaged by fans and critics alike upon its initial release, with the benefit of hindsight Thirteen has revealed itself an eminently worthy follow-up to the classic Bandwagonesque; though not as consistent or refreshing as its predecessor, the album takes simultaneous steps backward and forward, retreating to a darker, sludgier guitar sound reminiscent of their debut effort A Catholic Education even as it blossoms to incorporate lilting string arrangements and glowing harmony vocals. Despite taking its title from Big Star's most gentle and optimistic moment, the record not only expands its horizons far beyond Alex Chilton-inspired pop but also maintains an emotional tenor that's largely bitter and disillusioned -- titles like "Song to the Cynic," "120 Mins," and, especially, "Commercial Alternative" reflect the band's disenchantment with both its former flavor-of-the-month status and the growing creative malaise rampant throughout the alt-rock community (then at its commercial zenith). Although Gerard Love and Raymond McGinley make memorable contributions, Thirteen is first and foremost a showcase for the peerless pop genius of Norman Blake -- the should-have-been hits "Norman 3" and "Ret Liv Dead" boast a crunchy, lumbering sound heavily indebted to Neil Young's records with Crazy Horse, while the soaring "Commercial Alternative" evokes vintage Byrds, a reference point further driven home by the epic closer "Gene Clark." [Original pressings of Thirteen included no fewer than six unlisted bonus cuts assembled from British singles -- the material is consistently excellent, highlighted by the McGinley original "Golden Glades" as well as reverent covers of Phil Ochs' "Chords of Fame" and the Flying Burrito Brothers' "Older Guys."]
© Jason Ankeny /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From $10.83/month
Teenage Fanclub, Producer, MainArtist - Gerard Love, ComposerLyricist - Andy MacPherson, Producer
℗ 1993 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Teenage Fanclub, Producer, MainArtist - Norman Blake, ComposerLyricist - Andy MacPherson, Producer
℗ 1993 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Teenage Fanclub, Producer, MainArtist - Gerard Love, ComposerLyricist - Andy MacPherson, Producer
℗ 1993 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Teenage Fanclub, Producer, MainArtist - Norman Blake, ComposerLyricist - Andy MacPherson, Producer
℗ 1993 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Teenage Fanclub, Producer, MainArtist - Gerard Love, ComposerLyricist - Andy MacPherson, Producer
℗ 1993 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Teenage Fanclub, Producer, MainArtist - Raymond McGinley, ComposerLyricist - Andy MacPherson, Producer
℗ 1993 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Teenage Fanclub, Producer, MainArtist - Raymond McGinley, ComposerLyricist - Andy MacPherson, Producer
℗ 1993 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Teenage Fanclub, Producer, MainArtist - Norman Blake, ComposerLyricist - Andy MacPherson, Producer
℗ 1993 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Teenage Fanclub, Producer, MainArtist - Gerard Love, ComposerLyricist - Andy MacPherson, Producer
℗ 1993 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Teenage Fanclub, Producer, MainArtist - Raymond McGinley, ComposerLyricist - Andy MacPherson, Producer
℗ 1993 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Teenage Fanclub, Producer, MainArtist - Norman Blake, ComposerLyricist - Andy MacPherson, Producer
℗ 1993 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Teenage Fanclub, Producer, MainArtist - Brendan O'Hare, ComposerLyricist - Andy MacPherson, Producer
℗ 1993 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Teenage Fanclub, Producer, MainArtist - Gerard Love, ComposerLyricist - Andy MacPherson, Producer
℗ 1993 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Album review
Unjustly savaged by fans and critics alike upon its initial release, with the benefit of hindsight Thirteen has revealed itself an eminently worthy follow-up to the classic Bandwagonesque; though not as consistent or refreshing as its predecessor, the album takes simultaneous steps backward and forward, retreating to a darker, sludgier guitar sound reminiscent of their debut effort A Catholic Education even as it blossoms to incorporate lilting string arrangements and glowing harmony vocals. Despite taking its title from Big Star's most gentle and optimistic moment, the record not only expands its horizons far beyond Alex Chilton-inspired pop but also maintains an emotional tenor that's largely bitter and disillusioned -- titles like "Song to the Cynic," "120 Mins," and, especially, "Commercial Alternative" reflect the band's disenchantment with both its former flavor-of-the-month status and the growing creative malaise rampant throughout the alt-rock community (then at its commercial zenith). Although Gerard Love and Raymond McGinley make memorable contributions, Thirteen is first and foremost a showcase for the peerless pop genius of Norman Blake -- the should-have-been hits "Norman 3" and "Ret Liv Dead" boast a crunchy, lumbering sound heavily indebted to Neil Young's records with Crazy Horse, while the soaring "Commercial Alternative" evokes vintage Byrds, a reference point further driven home by the epic closer "Gene Clark." [Original pressings of Thirteen included no fewer than six unlisted bonus cuts assembled from British singles -- the material is consistently excellent, highlighted by the McGinley original "Golden Glades" as well as reverent covers of Phil Ochs' "Chords of Fame" and the Flying Burrito Brothers' "Older Guys."]
© Jason Ankeny /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 13 track(s)
- Total length: 00:49:28
- Main artists: Teenage Fanclub
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: DGC
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock Alternative & Indie
© 1993 Geffen Records Inc. ℗ 1993 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Improve album informationWhy buy on Qobuz?
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalog with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets, and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.