Even Serpents Shine

Even Serpents Shine is the second studio album by English power pop band The Only Ones, released in 1979 by Columbia Records. It was produced by Peter Perrett and Alan Mair.

Even Serpents Shine
Studio album by The Only Ones
Released	9 March 1979 (UK)
Genre	Power pop new wave punk rock
Length	35:11
Label	Columbia
Producer	Peter Perrett Alan Mair
The Only Ones chronology
The Only Ones (1978) Even Serpents Shine (1979) Special View (1979)

The album was re-released in the United Kingdom in 2009 on Sony Music Entertainment, featuring rare bonus content. The reissue was a CD which comprises 14-tracks. It includes the original album digitally remastered from the original 1/2" mix tapes; alongside three bonus tracks.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
The Irish Times	[2]
Record Collector	[3]
Spin Alternative Record Guide	9/10[4]

The album has consistently been praised by critics. In a retrospective review for AllMusic, critic Mark Deming wrote that "Even Serpents Shine doesn't boast an out-of-the-box classic tune along the lines of 'Another Girl, Another Planet' from the self-titled debut, but in many respects, this is the more consistent album, achieving a similar degree of thematic and melodic variety while generating a more coherent sound and feeling," adding that "they were one of the very few bands of their time and place who inarguably beat the sophomore slump."[1]

Reviewing the album for BBC Music, Chris Jones wrote, "Musically the band were always a step ahead of the pack. Mike Kellie and Alan Mair – both seasoned pros on drums and bass – never falter, allowing John Perry's guitar to fly; while John 'Rabbit' Bundrick's organ adds just the right dollop of Al Kooper-isms."[5]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Peter Perrett.

Side one

No.	Title	Length
1.	"From Here to Eternity"	3:07
2.	"Flaming Torch"	2:21
3.	"You've Got to Pay"	2:49
4.	"No Solution"	2:27
5.	"In Betweens"	3:57
6.	"Out There in the Night"	3:02

Side two

No.	Title	Length
7.	"Curtains for You"	4:18
8.	"Programme"	2:11
9.	"Someone Who Cares"	3:11
10.	"Miles from Nowhere"	3:45
11.	"Instrumental"	4:03
Total length:		35:11

2009 remastered version bonus tracks

No.	Title	Length
12.	"Special View"	2:51
13.	"Oh No"	2:20
14.	"This Ain't All (It's Made to Be)"	3:45

Personnel

The Only Ones

• Peter Perrett – lead and background vocals, guitars
• John Perry – guitars, keyboards
• Alan Mair – bass guitars
• Mike Kellie – drums

Session musicians

• Adam Maitland – keyboards, saxophone
• John "Rabbit" Bundrick – keyboards
• Koulla Kakoulli – backing vocals

Production

• Peter Perrett – production
• Alan Mair – production
• Andy Lyden – engineering
• Kevin Dallimore – engineering
• Michael Beal – cover, art direction, design

Charts

Chart (1979)	Peak position
UK Albums (OCC)[6]	42

References

1. Deming, Mark. "Even Serpents Shine – The Only Ones". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
2. Clayton-Lea, Tony (14 August 2015). "The Only Ones: Even Serpents Shine | Album Review". The Irish Times. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
3. Peacock, Tim (October 2015). "The Only Ones – Even Serpents Shine". Record Collector. No. 445. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
4. Walsh, Jim (1995). "Only Ones". In Weisbard, Eric; Marks, Craig (eds.). Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. pp. 280–81. ISBN 0-679-75574-8.
5. Jones, Chris (30 January 2009). "The Only Ones Even Serpents Shine Review". BBC Music. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
6. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 November 2020.

External links

• Even Serpents Shine at Discogs (list of releases)