Rubbing Doesn't Help

''Rubbing Doesn't Help'' is the third album by Magnapop, released in 1996.

Recording

The sessions for ''Rubbing Doesn't Help'' were produced by Geza X at City Lab Studios in Hollywood, Los Angeles, Hollywood, California in late 1995. Drummer David McNair left the group prior to recording, so they hired session musician Josh Freese to fill in on drums. This would be the band's final album for almost a decade; their record label folded while promoting ''Rubbing Doesn't Help'' and they were contractually barred from recording under that name. The band (along with Freese) also went to Plus Four Recordings Studios, in Sherman Oaks, California with Audio engineering, engineers Sandy Solomon and Bernie Zwass in June 1995 to record their cover of Tom Waits' "Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis" for the compilation album ''Step Right Up: The Songs of Tom Waits''. The title of the album comes from a Ben-Gay slogan.

Reception

The album received mostly positive reviews, with some mixed responses. Positive critics noted the album's emotionally powerful lyrics in addition to its aggressive instrumentation—particularly the guitar. Ambivalent reviewers criticized the lack of variety between this album and Magnapop's previous efforts, as well as a lack of focus in the production.

Track listing

All songs written by Linda Hopper and Ruthie Morris, except where noted.
#"This Family" – 3:28
#"I Don't Care" – 2:40
#"Open the Door (Magnapop song), Open the Door" – 3:37
#"Come on Inside" – 2:43
#"Down on Me" – 3:24
#"An Apology" – 3:04
#"My Best Friend" – 3:26
#"Juicy Fruit" – 2:18
#"Firebrand" – 2:29
#"Cherry Bomb" – 2:15
#"Radio Waves" – 2:32
#"Snake" (Hopper, Morris, and Shannon Mulvaney) – 5:00
#"Dead Letter" – 3:32
:Also includes the hidden track "Suck It Up"

;Japanese edition bonus tracks:
#

"Hold You Down" (New Mix) – 2:43
#"Voice Without a Sound" – 2:41

The Dutch edition of the album has a slightly different track listing, with "Hold You Down" (3:29) as the fourth track and omitting "Cherry Bomb".

''Tracks from Rubbing Doesn't Help''

A promotional Extended play, EP entitled ''Tracks from Rubbing Doesn't Help'' was released by Play It Again Sam in the United States in 1996 (catalogue number PROMOBIAS 033 CD) with the following track listing:

#"This Family" – 3:28
#"An Apology" – 3:04
#"Open the Door" – 3:37
#"My Best Friend" – 3:26
#"Juicy Fruit" – 2:18
#"Snake" – 5:00

Personnel

;Magnapop
*Linda Hopper – Lead vocalist, lead Singing, vocals, art direction, photography
*Ruthie Morris – Lead guitar, lead guitar, Backing vocalist, backing vocals, lead vocals on "Hold You Down" and "Suck It Up", dobro on "Dead Letter", art direction, photography
*Shannon Mulvaney – bass guitar

;Additional personnel
*Jerry Finn – Audio mixing (recorded music), mixing on "Come on Inside"
*Sherry Rae Etheredge – photography
*Josh Freese – Drum kit, drums
*Geza X – Record producer, production, Audio engineering, engineering
*Maggie Magarian – design
*Nancy Ogami – Typography, lettering
*Eddie Shryer of Future Disc – Audio mastering, mastering
*Art Shoji – design
*Steve Snow – sound design on "Come On Inside"
*Thom Wilson – mixing

Release history

The album was initially released on Priority Records in the United States and Play It Again Sam Records, Play It Again Sam in Europe, with the Japanese edition published by King Records (Japan), King.

†Special edition with bonus tracks

Sales chart performance

References

External links

Official site
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{{Authority control

1996 albums
Albums produced by Geza X
King Records (Japan) albums
Magnapop albums
PIAS Recordings albums
Priority Records albums