Foxbase Alpha

Foxbase Alpha
Studio album by
Released16 September 1991 (1991-09-16)
Recorded1990–1991
StudioCat Music (London)
Genre
Length48:27
LabelHeavenly
ProducerSaint Etienne
Saint Etienne chronology
Foxbase Alpha
(1991)
So Tough
(1993)
Singles from Foxbase Alpha
  1. "Only Love Can Break Your Heart"
    Released: May 1990
  2. "Kiss and Make Up"
    Released: September 1990
  3. "Nothing Can Stop Us"
    Released: May 1991
  4. "Only Love Can Break Your Heart (reissue)"
    Released: August 1991

Foxbase Alpha is the debut studio album by English band Saint Etienne, released on 16 September 1991 by Heavenly Recordings.[3]

The album was recorded in a style which drew on the club culture and house music of the time, but also incorporates the group's characteristic love of 1960s pop, with tracks also bridged by samples from films or by short songs. At the time of recording, Sarah Cracknell was not fully part of the group, and as a result she does not sing on "Only Love Can Break Your Heart", which is sung by Moira Lambert.

Foxbase Alpha was on the short list of nominees for the 1992 Mercury Prize. It was accompanied by several successful singles, including "Nothing Can Stop Us". The album was also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.[4]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Harvell was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Nina Corcoran (27 October 2022). "The 25 Best Indie Pop Albums of the '90s". Pitchfork.
  3. ^ Richards, Sam (16 September 2016). "Was September 1991 the best month ever for albums?". BBC Music. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  4. ^ Stanley, Rod (2006). "Saint Etienne: Foxbase Alpha". In Dimery, Robert (ed.). 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. Universe Publishing. p. 668. ISBN 978-0-7893-1371-3.