Artificial Intelligence (John Cale album)

Artificial Intelligence is the tenth solo studio album by Welsh musician John Cale, released on 6 September 1985 by Beggars Banquet.[1][2]

Artificial Intelligence
Studio album by
John Cale
Released6 September 1985 (1985-09-06)
RecordedStrongroom Studios, London, England
Genre
Length42:07
LabelBeggars Banquet
ProducerJohn Cale
John Cale chronology
John Cale Comes Alive
(1984)		 Artificial Intelligence
(1985)		 Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (live 1979)
(1987)
Singles from Artificial Intelligence
  1. "Dying on the Vine"
    Released: 1985
  2. "Satellite Walk"
    Released: 1985

Background and recording

Artificial Intelligence was originally titled Black Rose. The title and some changes to the tracks delayed the album being released for five weeks.

Having produced Nico's solo album Camera Obscura, Cale recorded this album at Strongroom Studios with her backing band, the Faction, with a couple of additional musicians. The duo of Gill O'Donovan and Susie O'List who performed backing vocals on this album had previously performed backing vocals on tours with Eurythmics.

Following the chaotic period during which the album (and the previous two) were recorded, John and Risé Irushalmi Cale's daughter Eden was born, which promptly caused Cale to kick his addictions to alcohol and cocaine, and to temporarily abandon recording studio albums and performing live in favour of other projects (until 1989's Words for the Dying).

Release

Artificial Intelligence was released on 6 September 1985 by Beggars Banquet. "Dying on the Vine" was released as a single in the UK and "Satellite Walk" (Remix by Carl Beatty) in the UK and Germany. The otherwise unavailable instrumental track "Crash Course in Harmonics" on the B-side of "Dying on the Vine".

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[3]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[4]
The New Rolling Stone Album Guide[5]

In a retrospective review for AllMusic, critic Stewart Mason described the album as "an encouraging partial return to form."[3] Trouser Press wrote: "Moody and contained, but energetic and occasionally stimulating, A.I. is a reasonable if unspectacular addition to Cale’s extensive catalogue."[6]

Track listing

All tracks are written by John Cale and Larry Sloman, except where noted.

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Everytime the Dogs Bark"
4:17
2."Dying on the Vine" 5:18
3."The Sleeper" 5:53
4."Vigilante Lover"
  • Cale
  • Sloman
  • Young
4:27
5."Chinese Takeaway (Hong Kong 1997)" 3:44
Side two
No.TitleLength
6."Song of the Valley"5:06
7."Fadeaway Tomorrow"3:25
8."Black Rose"4:58
9."Satellite Walk"4:58
Total length:42:07

Personnel

Adapted from the Artificial Intelligence liner notes.[7]

Production

  • John Cale – producer
  • David Young – associate producer
  • Dennis P. Nechvatal – design; artwork from the painting Warrior
  • Karin Preus – artwork; graphics
  • Phil Bodger – mixing; recording
  • Alan Jakoby – recording

See also

References
  1. "JOHN CALE: 'ECCENTRIC BALLADEER'". Los Angeles Times. August 16, 1985.
  2. Howard, David N. (June 3, 2004). Sonic Alchemy: Visionary Music Producers and Their Maverick Recordings. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 9780634055607 – via Google Books.
  3. Artificial Intelligence at AllMusic
  4. Larkin, Colin (May 27, 2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. ISBN 9780857125958 – via Google Books.
  5. Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian David (June 3, 2004). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9780743201698 – via Google Books.
  6. "John Cale".
  7. Artificial Intelligence (CD booklet). John Cale. Beggars Banquet Records. 1985.CS1 maint: others (link)
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