Music for Babies
Studio album by
Howie B
Released1996
GenreElectronic
LabelPolydor Records[1]
Island Independent[2]
ProducerHowie B
Howie B chronology
Music for Babies
(1996)		 Turn the Dark Off
(1997)

Music for Babies is the debut album by British musician Howie B, released in 1996.[3][4] It is about becoming a father.[5][6]

Run Wrake produced an animated short to accompany the album.[7]

Production

The album was produced by Howie B. It incorporates strands of trip-hop, jazz, ambient house, and dub.[8]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[9]
Robert ChristgauD[10]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[1]
The Guardian[11]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide[12]
Muzik[13]

The Irish Times wrote that "the opening two tracks, beatless and bereft of rhythm, are gorgeous examples of extra chilled head music."[14] The Guardian called the album "superb," writing that it "is imbued throughout with a funky, chilled-out ambience."[11]

The Independent determined that the album "may well provide a softly comforting soundtrack to his new daughter's life, but the slowly modulated electronic tones and textures of Howie B's album struggle to offer any more substantial value."[15] Robert Christgau concluded that the musician "takes the aimless vapidity of ambient another step toward total stasis."[10]

AllMusic wrote that "though Music for Babies is one step ahead of most fill-in-the-dots trip-hop, its sleepy mood is a bit too infantile."[9] The Sunday Times deemed it "sweet but overrated."[16]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Music for Babies" 
2."Cry" 
3."Shag" 
4."Allergy" 
5."Away Again" 
6."How to Suckle" 
7."Here Comes the Tooth" 
8."On the Way" 

References

  1. 1 2 Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 1. MUZE. p. 336.
  2. ↑ "Dance Top 25". CMJ New Music Monthly (40): 52. December 1996.
  3. ↑ "Howie B Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  4. ↑ Ngaire-Ruth (20 April 1996). "Albums -- Music for Babies by Howie B". Melody Maker. 73 (16): 38.
  5. ↑ DeRogatis, Jim (1 January 2003). "Turn on Your Mind: Four Decades of Great Psychedelic Rock". Hal Leonard Corporation – via Google Books.
  6. ↑ Kaufman, Gil. "Howie B Kicks Depression With Atmospheric New Album". MTV News.
  7. ↑ Robinson, Chris (3 June 2010). "Animators Unearthed: A Guide to the Best of Contemporary Animation". A&C Black – via Google Books.
  8. ↑ Carter, David (January 2012). "'Reich remixed': Minimalism and DJ culture". Context: Journal of Music Research (37): 39.
  9. 1 2 "Music for Babies - Howie B | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  10. 1 2 "Howie B". Robert Christgau. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  11. 1 2 Martin, James (15 March 1996). "This week's pop cd releases". The Guardian. p. T10.
  12. ↑ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 56.
  13. ↑ Barnes, Jake (April 1996). "Howie B: Music For Babies" (PDF). Muzik. p. 104. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  14. ↑ Carroll, Jim (29 March 1996). "DANCE". The Irish Times. SOUND & VISION. p. 10.
  15. ↑ Gill, Andy (15 March 1996). "It may well provide a softly comforting...". The Independent. Pop Music. p. 12.
  16. ↑ Smith, Andrew (27 July 1997). "Rock - On Record". The Sunday Times. Culture. p. 18.
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