Angelfish (album)

Angelfish
Studio album by
Angelfish
Released15 February 1994
RecordedMarch 1993
StudiosThe Clubhouse Music Studio, Connecticut, United States
GenreAlternative rock
Length35:51
LabelsRadioactive, MCA
Producers
Singles from Angelfish
  1. "Suffocate Me EP"
    Released: 8 June 1993
  2. "Heartbreak to Hate"
    Released: 8 March 1994

Angelfish is the 1994 debut and only studio album released by Scottish alternative rock group Angelfish, fronted by Shirley Manson.[1] The Angelfish album was born out of necessity when Goodbye Mr Mackenzie's record distributor MCA expressed interest in recording an album with Manson on lead vocals rather than furthering its commitment to the Mackenzies. The Mackenzies' record label boss Gary Kurfirst signed Manson as a solo artist, with the remaining Mackenzies performing as her backing band to circumvent the band's existing deal with MCA.[2]

Two releases promoted the album; the first an EP, Suffocate Me was released mid-1993, while the second, "Heartbreak to Hate", was released to radio at the time of the album's release.[1] The music video for "Suffocate Me" famously aired once by MTV during 120 Minutes, where it was seen by Garbage co-founder Steve Marker.[3] Manson was asked to join Garbage, and accepted.[4] The Angelfish side-project was dissolved, while Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie continued on for another two years without Manson.[1]

Recording

The songs that make up both Angelfish and the Mackenzie album Five were written at the same time, between June 1991 and December 1992. "Those albums," states Martin Metcalfe, "are brother and sister." The recording sessions for the album took ten days over March 1993, enough time to lay down backing tracks for seventeen songs.

Music

Sydney Taylor of Loudwire said the album's music "shimmer[s] with moody guitars and haunting atmospherics; but it was Manson’s voice — cool, venomous, and emotionally razor-sharp that cut through the haze."[5]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllmusicStarStarStarStar[6]

Angelfish received a positive response from contemporary music critics and journalists. Barry Egan of Creem wrote: "Their self-titled debut displays the kind of out-of-kilter charm and intensity that most artists can only lie about possessing... this is indeed a record that owes much to Scotland's Cocteau Twins as it does to Lou Reed's feel-good dark angels, The Velvet Underground."[7] In the Gavin Report trade publication, their alternative reviewer wrote "An interesting sound... one that recalls elements of early Blondie and Patti Smith".

Legacy

In 2025, Sydney Taylor of Loudwire wrote: "Angelfish were over before it really got started, but what they left behind is a criminally overlooked gem of ‘90s alt-rock. Angelfish weren’t just a launching pad, but a statement far too good to be forgotten.[8]

Track listing

All songs by Angelfish, except where noted.[9]

  1. "Dogs in a Cage" – 2:34
  2. "Suffocate Me" – 3:40
  3. "You Can Love Her" (Holly Vincent) – 3:48
  4. "King of the World" – 3:03
  5. "Sleep with Me" – 3:21
  6. "Heartbreak to Hate" – 4:15
  7. "The Sun Won't Shine" – 3:52
  8. "Mummy Can't Drive" – 3:57
  9. "Tomorrow Forever" – 3:30
  10. "The End" (Martin Metcalfe, Neil Baldwin, Derek Kelly) – 4:25

Personnel

Release history

Region Date Label
Japan 2 February 1994 MCA Victor MVCM 456
Canada 15 February 1994 MCA Canada RARD-10917
United States Radioactive Records RARD/C-10917
Europe 28 February 1994 MCA Records RARD-10917

In the United Kingdom, Angelfish remains an import-only release, distributed by Island Records. Most copies come with a "featuring Shirley Manson of Garbage" sticker.

On 23 February 2021, Angelfish was released worldwide to digital music/streaming platforms.

Charts and sales

Country Peak position Certification Sales
United States 196 None 10,000[10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 ""Garbage"". Record Collector. 1 February 1997.
  2. ↑ "Goodbye Mr Mackenzie - Biog". Blokshok Productions. Archived from the original on 13 April 2009. Retrieved 8 March 2009.
  3. ↑ "Garbage: Behind The Music". Behind The Music. 31 March 2002.
  4. ↑ 153 F.Supp.2d 462 RADIOACTIVE, J.V., Plaintiff, v. Shirley MANSON, Defendant. No. 01 Civ.1948(SAS). United States District Court, S.D. New York. (29 July 2001)
  5. ↑ "5 '90s Alternative Rock Bands That Should've Been Bigger". Loudwire. 13 April 2025. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  6. ↑ "Angelfish - Angelfish | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  7. ↑ Egan, Barry (1 April 1993). Shirley Manson of Angelfish. CREEM.
  8. ↑ "5 '90s Alternative Rock Bands That Should've Been Bigger". Loudwire. 13 April 2025. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  9. ↑ "toprow". 17 November 2001. Archived from the original on 17 November 2001. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  10. ↑ "Garbage sues Universal Music". Canoe – JAM! Music. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
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