In Ribbons

In Ribbons is the second studio album by British alternative rock band Pale Saints, released through 4AD on 23 March 1992.[3] It peaked at number 61 on the UK Albums Chart.[4]

In Ribbons
Studio album by Pale Saints
Released	23 March 1992
Recorded	October 1991–January 1992
Studio	Monnow Valley Studio Paladium Studios Blackwing Studios
Genre	Shoegazing[1]
Length	50:06
Label	4AD
Producer	Hugh Jones[2]
Pale Saints chronology
The Comforts of Madness (1990) In Ribbons (1992) Slow Buildings (1994)
Singles from In Ribbons
"Throwing Back the Apple" Released: 11 May 1992

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[5]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music	[6]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide	[7]
NME	9/10[8]

Trouser Press called the album "alluring and attractive, rich in complexity and raw emotion."[9] Martin C. Strong wrote that "the subtlety of its shredding chords and sporadic sonic dreamscapes were let loose all over the shop."[10] MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide wrote that the album "immaculately balances wide-screen guitars and soft melodies."[7]

In 2016, Pitchfork placed In Ribbons at number 34 on its "50 Best Shoegaze Albums of All Time" list.[1] Spin included the album on its list of "Essential" shoegaze albums.[11]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Pale Saints (Meriel Barham, Chris Cooper, Ian Masters, Graeme Naysmith), except where noted.

Original edition

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Throwing Back the Apple"	4:09
2.	"Ordeal"	3:58
3.	"Thread of Light"	4:05
4.	"Shell"	4:54
5.	"There Is No Day"	0:39
6.	"Hunted"	7:42
7.	"Hair Shoes"	5:48
8.	"Babymaker"	3:25
9.	"Liquid"	2:43
10.	"Neverending Night"	4:45
11.	"Featherframe"	4:38
12.	"A Thousand Stars Burst Open"	4:38
Total length:		50:06

US / Japanese edition

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Throwing Back the Apple"		4:09
2.	"Ordeal"		3:58
3.	"Thread of Light"		4:05
4.	"Shell"		4:54
5.	"There Is No Day"		0:39
6.	"Hunted"		6:28
7.	"Blue Flower"	Anthony Moore Peter Blegvad	5:37
8.	"Hair Shoes"		5:48
9.	"Babymaker"		3:25
10.	"Liquid"		2:43
11.	"Neverending Night"		4:45
12.	"Featherframe"		4:38
13.	"A Thousand Stars Burst Open"		4:38
Total length:			55:48

Personnel

Credits adapted from liner notes.

• Pale Saints (Meriel Barham, Chris Cooper, Ian Masters, Graeme Naysmith) – all instruments (except cello), arrangement
• Caroline Lavelle – cello
• Hugh Jones – production, arrangement, engineering
• Phil Ault – engineering
• Alan Branch – engineering
• Kevin Hurley – engineering
• Steve Bray – engineering
• Paul Tipler – engineering
• Goetz Botzenhardt – engineering
• John O'Donnell – engineering
• Chris Bigg – sleeve design
• Vaughan Oliver – sleeve design
• Matt Heslop – portrait photography
• Kevin Westenberg – still-life photography
• Pirate – modelmaking

Charts

Chart (1992)	Peak position
UK Albums (OCC)[4]	61

References

1. "The 50 Best Shoegaze Albums of All Time". Pitchfork. 24 October 2016. p. 2. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
2. Thompson, Dave (December 8, 2000). "Alternative Rock". Hal Leonard Corporation – via Google Books.
3. "Pale Saints: 'In Ribbons'". 4AD. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
4. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
5. Kellman, Andy. "In Ribbons – Pale Saints". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
6. Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Volume 6: MUZE. p. 389.CS1 maint: location (link)
7. MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 853.
8. Maconie, Stuart (14 March 1992). "Pale Saints: In Ribbons". NME.
9. "Pale Saints". Trouser Press. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
10. "PALE SAINTS biography". The Great Rock Bible.
11. "Essentials:Shoegaze". SPIN. SPIN Media LLC. August 8, 2007 – via Google Books.

External links

• In Ribbons at Discogs (list of releases)