RTFM (album)

RTFM is the fifth album by the American alternative rock band Poster Children, released in 1997.^[4][5] The title comes from the term RTFM, short for "Read The Fucking Manual".^[6] It was issued as an enhanced CD.^[7]

RTFM
Studio album by Poster Children
Released	April 22, 1997
Recorded	1996, Pogo Studio, Champaign, Illinois
Genre	Alternative rock
Length	44:58
Label	Reprise Records[1]
Producer	Bryce Goggin, Poster Children[2]
Poster Children chronology
Junior Citizen (1995) RTFM (1997) New World Record (1999)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[3]

The band supported the album by touring with Failure.^[8]

Production

The album was mixed using a Mac Quadra 650.^[9] The band recorded the album with the same lineup that recorded Junior Citizen; it was the first time in their existence that the exact same band members had appeared on two albums in a row.^[8]

Critical reception

The New York Times wrote: "Years on the club circuit have made the band's lyrics ever more sardonic; in "Music of America" from their new album, RTFM (Reprise), Poster Children mock 'AM/FM trash, recycled every hour and converted into cash.'"^[10] The Chicago Tribune thought that "the quartet fuses swaggering power chords, home-brewed techno-delia, pop melodies and dissonant clatter into a distinctive, inviting wail."^[11]

Track listing

1. "Blackdog" – 3:56
2. "Ofor1" – 3:35
3. "Music of America" – 2:24
4. "Dreamsmall" – 3:54
5. "Speed of Light" – 3:17
6. "King of the Hill" – 4:42
7. "21st Century" – 3:34
8. "Attack!" – 2:56
9. "Sleep" – 3:57
10. "Pearly Gates" – 4:50
11. "Afterglow" – 4:00
12. "Happenseveryday" – 3:53

Personnel

• Bryce Goggin – Producer, Engineer
• Rick Valentin – Vocals, Guitar
• Rose Marshack – Bass, vocals
• Jim Valentin – Guitar
• Howie Kantoff – Drums

References

1. "Poster Children". Trouser Press. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
2. Flick, Larry (Sep 6, 1997). "Poster Children: 0 For 1". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 36. p. 101.
3. "RTFM - Poster Children | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
4. "Poster Children Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
5. "Recommended". www.austinchronicle.com.
6. van der Vliet, Gina (May 3, 1997). "Reprise act considered Poster Children for ECD". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 18. p. 59.
7. Rodriguez, Kenn (26 Sep 1997). "Poster Children continue punk tradition on the road". Albuquerque Journal. p. E13.
8. Wolgamott, L Kent (4 May 1997). "Failure finds success in doing things its way". Lincoln Journal Star. p. H5.
9. Silberman, Steve. "Strange Attractors". Wired – via www.wired.com.
10. Pareles, Jon (May 23, 1997). "2d Echelon, With Cynicism". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
11. Reger, Rick (9 May 1997). "THE BEST BAR BANDS, BAR NONE". Chicago Tribune. Friday. p. 33.