''Babble'' is the second

album An album is a collection of audio recordings (e.g., music) issued on a medium such as compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl (record), audio tape (like 8-track cartridge, 8-track or Cassette tape, cassette), or digital distribution, dig ...

by the

Northern Irish The people of Northern Ireland are all people born in Northern Ireland and having, at the time of their birth, at least one parent who is a British Nationality Law, British citizen, an Irish nationality law, Irish citizen or is otherwis ...

band

That Petrol Emotion That Petrol Emotion was a London-based rock band formed in 1984 by musicians from Northern Ireland with an American vocalist. They recorded five albums between 1986 and 1994, exploring an eclectic fusion of indie rock, post-punk, garage rock and ...

, released in 1987. The album was re-released in 2001 and in 2010. It peaked at No. 30 in the UK. The band supported the album with a North American tour.

Production

The album was produced by Roli Mosimann. The liner notes include an essay about the Prevention of Terrorism Acts. Singer Steve Mack was influenced by

the Isley Brothers The Isley Brothers ( ) are an American soul group originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, that began as a vocal trio consisting of the brothers O'Kelly Isley Jr., Rudolph Isley and Ronald Isley in the 1950s. With a career spanning over seven decades, ...

, who melded political messages to danceable music.

Critical reception

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'' wrote: "Guitar riffs like corkscrews, like barbed wire, like punching bags and like trampolines animate the music of That Petrol Emotion, a five-man Irish band with a fiercely defiant streak." ''

The Philadelphia Inquirer ''The Philadelphia Inquirer'', often referred to simply as ''The Inquirer'', is a daily newspaper headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded on June 1, 1829, ''The Philadelphia Inquirer'' is the third-longest continuously operating da ...

'' noted that the "abrasiveness is held in check by strong guitar playing and clear melodies." The ''

Vancouver Sun The ''Vancouver Sun'', also known as the ''Sun'', is a daily broadsheet newspaper based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The newspaper is currently published by the Pacific Newspaper Group, a division of Postmedia Network, and is the larg ...

'' called " Big Decision" "one of the year's great singles." The ''

Los Angeles Times The ''Los Angeles Times'' is an American Newspaper#Daily, daily newspaper that began publishing in Los Angeles, California, in 1881. Based in the Greater Los Angeles city of El Segundo, California, El Segundo since 2018, it is the List of new ...

'' determined that, "though characterized by stun guitar, howling vocals and brutal beats, the album always keeps you on your toes with an eclectic though unrefined array of styles." ''

The Washington Post ''The Washington Post'', locally known as ''The'' ''Post'' and, informally, ''WaPo'' or ''WP'', is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C., the national capital. It is the most widely circulated newspaper in the Washington m ...

'' deemed it "a fierce yet tuneful postpunk landmark." '' The Gazette'' concluded that "this is about being alive in Northern Ireland, and it's no day on the beach... Bracing stuff." The ''

Windsor Star The ''Windsor Star'' is a daily newspaper based in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Owned by Postmedia Network, it is published Tuesdays through Saturdays. History The paper began as the weekly ''Windsor Record'' in 1888, changing its name to the ''Bor ...

'' listed it among the best albums of 1987. '' MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide'' praised the "smart, angry songs" and "eclectic sound."

Track listing

Personnel

;That Petrol Emotion * Steve Mack - vocals * John O'Neill - guitar * Raymond O'Gorman - guitar *

Damian O'Neill Stephen Damian O'Neill (born 15 January 1961) is the lead guitarist in the pop music, pop-punk rock, punk musical ensemble, band, The Undertones. He joined the band following the departure of his older brother, Vincent, in 1976, and remained wit ...

- bass guitar * Ciaran McLaughlin - drums

References

{{Authority control That Petrol Emotion albums 1987 albums Polydor Records albums Albums produced by Roli Mosimann