Radiance (Athenaeum album)

Radiance
Studio album by
Athenaeum
Released1998
RecordedJanuary 1997
StudiosMaster Control, Burbank, California
GenresPop, pop rock
LabelAtlantic
ProducerGavin McKillop
Athenaeum chronology
Athenaeum
(1995)		 Radiance
(1998)		 Athenaeum
(2001)

Radiance is the debut album by the American band Athenaeum, released in 1998.[1][2] "What I Didn't Know" and "Flat Tire" were released as singles.[3][4] The band supported the album with a North American tour.[5]

Production

Produced by Gavin McKillop, the album was recorded in January 1997 at Master Control Studios in Burbank, California; Athenaeum admired McKillop's work with Toad the Wet Sprocket.[6][7] It is named for a street in the band's hometown of Greensboro, North Carolina.[6] The majority of the album's songs, which are primarily about romantic relationships, were written over a period of four year by frontman Mark Kano.[8][6] Some of the songs first appeared on the band's 1995 independent album.[9] Athenaeum was influenced by the Sex Pistols and fellow North Carolina band Dillon Fence.[10] Greg Leisz played pedal steel on "Spotlight".[7] Radiance's release was delayed so that the band could remix all of the tracks.[11]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStar[12]
Robert Christgau(dud)[13]
The Indianapolis StarStarStarHalf star[14]
Winston-Salem JournalStarStarHalf star[15]

Billboard said that Radiance "will surely be considered one of the best albums of 1998, its instantly arresting tunefulness buttressed by a broody but bracing lyrical and instrumental momentum".[6] The Rocky Mountain News stated that it contained "immediately accessible pop gems with ringing guitars and hooks as solid as granite".[16] The Wisconsin State Journal called it "one of the most radio-ready debuts of the year... It's hooky and familiar".[17]

The Daily Press stated that the band "quartet plays well-crafted guitar pop that's closer in style and attitude to California's Toad the Wet Sprocket than to any of the Tobacco Road rockers."[18] The Indianapolis Star opined that Athenaeum "churns out a pop-infested, gratifying form of rock that emulates [Matthew] Sweet at times."[14] Stereo Review concluded that "the bottom line is that Athenaeum's well-manicured pop/rock is lissome, likable, and ear-catching."[19] The Winston-Salem Journal panned the production, likening the sound to "aural wallpaper".[15]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."What I Didn't Know" 
2."Flat Tire" 
3."On My Mind" 
4."Lifeline" 
5."Spotlight" 
6."Away" 
7."Unnoticed" 
8."No One" 
9."So Long" 
10."Different Situation" 
11."Anyone" 
12."Radiance" 

References

  1. ↑ Rowe, Jeri (April 24, 1997). "It's homecoming for Athenaeum". City Life. News & Record. p. 21.
  2. ↑ "Nightlife". Star Time. Fort Worth Star-Telegram. April 17, 1998. p. 12.
  3. ↑ Bell, Carrie (May 23, 1998). "The Modern Age". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 21. p. 83.
  4. ↑ Nelson, Shawn (April 23, 1998). "Athenaeum getting noticed on its first big tour". Ticket. Florence Morning News. p. 7.
  5. ↑ Jenkins, Mark (May 8, 1998). "Athenaeum 'Radiance'". Weekend. The Washington Post. p. 21.
  6. 1 2 3 4 White, Timothy (March 28, 1998). "The 'radiance' of Athenaeum". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 13. p. 3.
  7. 1 2 Purivs, Adam (April 9, 1998). "Never Too Far from Home". Weekend. Columbia Missourian. p. 6.
  8. ↑ Rowe, Jeri (April 3, 1998). "On the brink of stardom?". News & Record. p. D1.
  9. ↑ Lambert, Yon (May 1, 1998). "Athenaeum ready for pop's big leagues". Weekend. The State. p. 5.
  10. ↑ Findlay, Prentiss (September 17, 1998). "Attic band Athenaeum to help Rock the Dock". The Post and Courier. p. E19.
  11. ↑ Patterson, Donald W. (September 25, 1997). "Athenaeum: poised for big time". City Life. News & Record. p. 9.
  12. ↑ "Radiance Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine". AllMusic. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Athenaeum". Robert Christgau. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  14. 1 2 Slosarek, Steve (June 21, 1998). "Record Picks". The Indianapolis Star. p. I5.
  15. 1 2 Bumgardner, Ed (April 17, 1998). "Not So Radiant". Winston-Salem Journal. p. E7.
  16. ↑ Mehle, Michael (April 17, 1998). "Athenaeum Debut Bursting with Pop". The Rocky Mountain News. p. 20D.
  17. ↑ Thompson, Stephen (June 4, 1998). "Great Terrace Lineup Rolls On". Rhythm. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 10.
  18. ↑ McDonald, Sam (June 19, 1998). "Not Just Another North Carolina Band". Daily Press. p. D12.
  19. ↑ Puterbaugh, Parke (August 1998). "Radiance". Stereo Review. Vol. 63, no. 8. p. 80.
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