Good Humor [Extended Edition ] [2 CD]

GOOD HUMOR contains a bonus CD that is limited to the first 10,000 copies.
Saint Etienne: Sarah Cracknell (vocals, percussion); Bob Stanley, Pete Wiggs (keyboards, synthesizers).
Additional personnel: Jez Williams (guitar); Tore Johansson (harmonica, bass); Sven Andersson (saxophone); Petter Lidgard (trumpet); Jens Lindgard (trombone); Gerard Johnson (piano, keyboards, vibraphone); Mats Larsson (piano); Rasmus Kihlberg (drums); Debsey (background vocals).
Audio Remasterer: Guy Davie.
Liner Note Author: Gail O'Hara.
Photographer: Paul Kelly .
St. Etienne's fourth album, GOOD HUMOR, abandons the dance elements of earlier releases to focus on the ultra-melodic Bacharach/Wilson/Beatles pop that has always been at the root of the band's music. The record sounds swoon-inducingly gorgeous. Leslied keyboards, vibes, and real strings and horns color Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs' arrangements. Sarah Cracknell's underrated voice, always the band's strongest feature, has matured into a fine instrument pitched somewhere between Dusty Springfield's soulful English Rose and Petula Clark's young sophisticate.
The achingly lovely "Erica America" is the immediate highlight, though the near-conversational "Mr. Donut" comes very close. The groovier "Sylvie" and "The Bad Postman" recall earlier club hits but with a lighter touch. All 11 songs, from "Woodcabin" to "Dutch TV," are frothy, melodic, and magnificent pop. GOOD HUMOR is one of the best albums of 1998. Original US copies included a bonus disc of singles and remixes.