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1995 studio album by Aztec Camera From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Frestonia is the sixth and final studio album by the Scottish band Aztec Camera, released in 1995.[4][5] Roddy Frame's subsequent releases would be under his own name. The title of the album refers to the community of Frestonia, in the Notting Hill district of London.
Frestonia | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 6 November 1995[1] | |||
Recorded | April–August 1995 | |||
Length | 48:33 | |||
Label | Reprise[2] | |||
Producer | Clive Langer, Alan Winstanley[3] | |||
Aztec Camera chronology | ||||
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Frestonia was the lowest-charting Aztec Camera album in the United Kingdom, reaching No. 100 and at number 187 on the Australian ARIA Charts.[6]
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Alternative Rock | 7/10[8] |
Robert Christgau | ![]() |
New Straits Times | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Martin C. Strong | 5/10[11] |
The Virgin Encyclopedia of Eighties Music | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Wall of Sound | 80/100[13] |
The Independent determined that "apart from one or two highlights ... it's pretty dull fare, with desultory, predictable arrangements doing their best to avoid trampling over the lyrics."[14] The Record deemed the album "a repulsive bit of narcissism that can't even make a claim for tragic portent; instead, it just sounds like the work of a poser."[15] Author Dave Thompson wrote in his book Alternative Rock (2000) that Frame comes across as "bruised, battered, and a bit disillusioned by time, but he's still a hopeless romantic at heart." He added that the album "perfectly captures that state as the vividly emotional lyrics and delivery take centrestage and the evocative melodies complete the perfect tableaus."[8]
In 2021, Pitchfork wrote: "Less musically adventurous than its predecessor, Aztec’s 1995 album Frestonia is strongest in its softest moments, trading the sonic ambition of Dreamland for a classic approach to solo songwriting."[16]
All tracks written by Roddy Frame.