The Book of Your Regrets
| The Book of Your Regrets | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1988 | |||
| Genre | Pop rock, country rock | |||
| Label | Epic | |||
| Producer | David Leonard | |||
| The Rave-Ups chronology | ||||
| ||||
The Book of Your Regrets is the second album by the American band the Rave-Ups, released in 1988.[1][2] They supported it by opening for the Church and then the Mighty Lemon Drops on North American tours.[3][4]
Production
The album was produced by David Leonard.[5] Its songs were written or cowritten by frontman Jimmer Podrasky, who was influenced by Bob Dylan, John Prine, and Hank Williams, among others.[6] He considered the songs to be pop music and conceded that the band tried to record a "safe" album.[7] "Mickey of Alphabet City" is about a drug addict in Alphabet City.[8] "Sue & Sonny" is a narrative about a man who commits suicide because of marital problems.[9]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | [10] |
| The Birmingham News | [9] |
| Robert Christgau | B+[11] |
| Houston Chronicle | [12] |
| LA Weekly | 6/10[13] |
| Los Angeles Times | [14] |
The St. Petersburg Times called the album "curiously mannered" and concluded, "Next time around, Podrasky should sneak a peek at the meaning of rave before he hits the studio. If that doesn't work, he could always write songs for the BoDeans".[15] The Chicago Tribune said it was "an energetic and uplifting triumph reminiscent at times of a revved-up Tom Petty or his influences [of] the Byrds and other country-rock-meets-British-Invasion groups."[16] Robert Christgau praised Terry Wilson's "indubitable guitar-banjo-lapsteel-keybs-etc."[11]
The Washington Post opined that "the first side ... often achieves an ingratiating balance between the quartet's pop-rock and country influences".[4] The Los Angeles Times concluded, "This is what John Cougar Mellencamp's Americana might sound like if his records were as smart as they are earnest."[14] The Pittsburgh Press panned the "too loud" mix and "isn't-life-gritty" lyrics.[17] The Houston Chronicle considered The Book of Your Regrets to be one of the best "pop or contemporary rock" albums of 1988.[12] The Capital Times listed it among the ten best albums of the year.[18]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Freedom Bound" | |
| 2. | "Sue & Sonny" | |
| 3. | "Please Take Her (She's Mine)" | |
| 4. | "Mickey of Alphabet City" | |
| 5. | "If Fun Was Not" | |
| 6. | "Knockin' at Your Door" | |
| 7. | "When the End Comes Before" | |
| 8. | "A Girl for Me" | |
| 9. | "Catching Moonbeams" | |
| 10. | "This House" | |
| 11. | "These Wishes" | |
| 12. | "Blue Carrot" |
References
- ^ Strong, Martin C. (2008). Lights, Camera, Sound Tracks: The Ultimate Guide to Popular Music in the Movies. Canongate. p. 273.
- ^ Brown, Mark (July 1, 1988). "Despite ecstatic reviews, Rave-Ups are late success". Star Tribune. p. 8E.
- ^ "News 'n' Notes". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. May 15, 1988. p. 96.
- ^ a b Jenkins, Mark (June 17, 1988). "When young L.A. bands...". Weekend. The Washington Post. p. 25.
- ^ The Trouser Press Record Guide (4th ed.). Collier Books. 1991. p. 536.
- ^ Brass, Kevin (May 18, 1988). "Rave-Ups scheduling dates around founder's first baby". San Diego Evening Tribune. p. D8.
- ^ Darling, Cary (January 6, 1989). "LA favorites the Rave-Ups put the hype on hold". Orange County Register. p. P33.
- ^ Gnerre, Sam. "L.A.'s Rave-Ups make most of first shot on major label". The News-Pilot. p. E10.
- ^ a b Ryan, Shawn (June 24, 1988). "Album Reviews". The Birmingham News. p. 7B.
- ^ "Book of Your Regrets Review by James Chrispell". AllMusic. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
- ^ a b "The Rave-Ups". Robert Christgau. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
- ^ a b Racine, Marty (May 29, 1988). "Records". Zest. Houston Chronicle. p. 11.
- ^ Lim, Gerrie (July 7, 1988). "Vinyl Verdict". LA Weekly. p. 53.
- ^ a b Willman, Chris (July 31, 1988). "Exciting Emigres". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 58.
- ^ Couture, Pete (May 22, 1988). "The Rave-Ups: The Book of Your Regrets". St. Petersburg Times. p. 2F.
- ^ Heim, Chris (June 3, 1988). "The Rave-Ups, The Book of Your Regrets". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. 70.
- ^ King, Peter B. (June 5, 1988). "Pop/Rock". The Pittsburgh Press. p. F8.
- ^ Rasmussen, Eric (December 24, 1988). "Just Rock". The Capital Times. p. 30.