Ghosts of Princes in Towers

Ghosts of Princes in Towers is the only studio album by British band Rich Kids, released in August 1978 by record label EMI.[2] It was produced by Mick Ronson.

Ghosts of Princes in Towers
Studio album by
ReleasedAugust 1978
Recorded1978
Genre
Length47:48
LabelEMI
ProducerMick Ronson
Singles from Ghosts of Princes in Towers
  1. "Rich Kids"
    Released: 13 Jan 1978
  2. "Marching Men"
    Released: 19 May 1978
  3. "Ghosts of Princes in Towers"
    Released: 25 Aug 1978

Release and reception

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Ghosts of Princes in Towers was released in August 1978. The album featured their hit single "Rich Kids", which reached number 24 in the UK Singles Chart.[3] Two other singles, "Marching Men" and "Ghosts of Princes in Towers", were released. The album itself reached number 51 in the UK Albums Chart.[3]

Reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [4]
Head Heritagefavourable[1]
Trouser Pressfavourable[5]

A point of criticism for the album was its production. In its retrospective review, AllMusic wrote that the album "failed to live up to the promise of the single ["Ghosts of Princes in Towers"], in most cases trading punky power-pop in favor of more dirge-like hard rock – muddy sound doesn't help matters either."[4] Trouser Press wrote that "despite abysmal sound, the band's talent emerges, and Ghosts is an extraordinary album of daring experimental rock/pop".[5] Head Heritage described it as "an outstanding album that is head and shoulders above anything The Jam or Buzzcocks had yet released at the time."[1]

Track listing

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Side A
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Strange One"Glen Matlock, Steve New4:24
2."Hung on You"Matlock2:55
3."Ghosts of Princes in Towers"Matlock, New3:23
4."Cheap Emotions"Matlock, New4:03
5."Marching Men"Midge Ure3:50
Side B
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
6."Put You in the Picture" (Originally recorded by PVC2)Ure, Billy McIsaac2:44
7."Young Girls"Ure2:48
8."Bullet-Proof Lover"Matlock, Alex McDowell3:09
9."Rich Kids"Matlock2:55
10."Lovers and Fools"Ure2:34
11."Burning Sounds"Matlock, New3:38
Bonus tracks on CD reissue
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
12."Empty Words" (B-side to "Rich Kids")Matlock, New3:00
13."Here Comes the Nice (live)" (Small Faces cover, B-side to "Marching Men")Steve Marriott, Ronnie Lane3:01
14."Only Arsenic" (B-side to "Ghosts of Princes in Towers")Matlock4:49

Personnel

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Rich Kids

with:

Technical
  • Rocking Russian – cover design
  • Peter Lavery – cover photography

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Furgess, Dave (27 October 2007). "Julian Cope Presents Head Heritage | Unsung | Reviews | The Rich Kids – Ghosts of Princes in Towers". Head Heritage. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  2. ^ Gimarc, George (2005). Punk Diary: The Ultimate Trainspotter's Guide to Underground Rock, 1970-1982 - George Gimarc. ISBN 9780879308483. Retrieved 2015-07-22.
  3. ^ a b "Rich Kids | Full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  4. ^ a b Woodstra, Chris. "Ghosts of Princes in Towers – The Rich Kids | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  5. ^ a b Robbins, Ira. "TrouserPress.com :: Rich Kids". TrouserPress.com. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
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