Even Serpents Shine

Even Serpents Shine is the second studio album by English band the Only Ones, released in 1979 by Columbia Records.^[2] It was produced by Peter Perrett and Alan Mair.

Even Serpents Shine
Studio album by the Only Ones
Released	9 March 1979 (UK)
Genre	Punk rock, rock[1]
Length	35:11
Label	Columbia
Producer	Peter Perrett Alan Mair
The Only Ones chronology
The Only Ones (1978) Even Serpents Shine (1979) Special View (1979)

The album was re-released in the United Kingdom in 2009 on Sony Music Entertainment, featuring bonus content. The reissue was a CD which comprises 14-tracks. It includes the original album digitally remastered from the original 1/2" mix tapes; alongside three bonus tracks.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
The Irish Times	[3]
Record Collector	[4]
Spin Alternative Record Guide	9/10[5]

The album has consistently been praised by critics. In a retrospective review for AllMusic, critic Mark Deming wrote that "Even Serpents Shine doesn't boast an out-of-the-box classic tune along the lines of 'Another Girl, Another Planet' from the self-titled debut, but in many respects, this is the more consistent album, achieving a similar degree of thematic and melodic variety while generating a more coherent sound and feeling," adding that "they were one of the very few bands of their time and place who inarguably beat the sophomore slump."^[1]

Reviewing the album for BBC Music, Chris Jones wrote, "Musically the band were always a step ahead of the pack. Mike Kellie and Alan Mair – both seasoned pros on drums and bass – never falter, allowing John Perry's guitar to fly; while John 'Rabbit' Bundrick's organ adds just the right dollop of Al Kooper-isms."^[6]

Track listing

Side one

No.	Title	Length
1.	"From Here to Eternity"	3:07
2.	"Flaming Torch"	2:21
3.	"You've Got to Pay"	2:49
4.	"No Solution"	2:27
5.	"In Betweens"	3:57
6.	"Out There in the Night"	3:02

All tracks are written by Peter Perrett

Side two

No.	Title	Length
7.	"Curtains for You"	4:18
8.	"Programme"	2:11
9.	"Someone Who Cares"	3:11
10.	"Miles from Nowhere"	3:45
11.	"Instrumental"	4:03
Total length:		35:11

2009 remastered version bonus tracks

No.	Title	Length
12.	"Special View"	2:51
13.	"Oh No"	2:20
14.	"This Ain't All (It's Made to Be)"	3:45

Personnel

The Only Ones

• Peter Perrett – lead and background vocals, guitars
• John Perry – guitars, keyboards
• Alan Mair – bass guitars
• Mike Kellie – drums

Session musicians

• Adam Maitland – keyboards, saxophone
• John "Rabbit" Bundrick – keyboards
• Koulla Kakoulli – backing vocals

Production

• Peter Perrett – production
• Alan Mair – production
• Andy Lyden – engineering
• Kevin Dallimore – engineering
• Michael Beal – cover, art direction, design

Charts

Chart (1979)	Peak position
UK Albums (OCC)[7]	42

References

1. Deming, Mark. "Even Serpents Shine – The Only Ones". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
2. The Rough Guide to Rock (2nd ed.). Rough Guides. 1999. p. 710.
3. Clayton-Lea, Tony (14 August 2015). "The Only Ones: Even Serpents Shine | Album Review". The Irish Times. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
4. Peacock, Tim (October 2015). "The Only Ones – Even Serpents Shine". Record Collector. No. 445. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
5. Walsh, Jim (1995). "Only Ones". In Weisbard, Eric; Marks, Craig (eds.). Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. pp. 280–81. ISBN 0-679-75574-8.
6. Jones, Chris (30 January 2009). "The Only Ones Even Serpents Shine Review". BBC Music. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
7. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 November 2020.

External links

• Even Serpents Shine at Discogs (list of releases)