3:47 EST is the debut album by the Canadian progressive rock group Klaatu, released in August 1976. The album was renamed Klaatu when released in the United States by Capitol Records. The album is notable for its Beatlesque psychedelia.[2] The Juno-nominated album cover was painted by a friend of Klaatu's members, a Canadian graphic artist, Ted Jones.
| 3:47 EST | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | August 11, 1976 | |||
| Recorded | January 1, 1973 – August 1975[1] | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 36:36 | |||
| Label | Daffodil, Capitol | |||
| Producer | Terry Brown, Klaatu | |||
| Klaatu chronology | ||||
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| Singles from 3:47 EST | ||||
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Rumours spread in the wake of the album's release that Klaatu were, in fact, a secretly reunited Beatles.[3] The album was moderately successful in the United States, largely as a result of the Beatles rumours.[4] Capitol Records seized the opportunity by giving elusive answers to press inquiries regarding the rumour, which further fueled media attention and publicity.
A remastered version of the album was released on Klaatu's indie record label "Klaatunes" in 2011. To accompany this release, a music video was made for the remastered version of "Calling Occupants".[5]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Dave Sleger, Allmusic (Klaatu/Hope two-in-one) |   [6] |
| Peter Kurtz, Allmusic | [7] |
Origin of the title
editIn the 1951 science fiction film The Day the Earth Stood Still, the alien emissary Klaatu arrives in Washington, D.C. at 3:47 in the afternoon Eastern Standard Time. According to a 1981 issue of the group's newsletter, "one of the band's member[s] viewed a screening ... and was immediately impressed by the appropriateness of the character Klaatu's arrival time on earth as the title of the band Klaatu's debut record album".[8]
Musical style
editAllMusic's Dave Sleger said "Klaatu frequently alternated between Beatlesque pop, the showy guitar rock and vocal theatrics of early Queen, and the electronic orchestral techniques pioneered by Wendy Carlos, or worked all three into the structure of a four- or five-minute song".[9] Peter Kutz observed surf music, ‘70s progressive rock, and children’s novelty song on the album.[10] Pitchfork described the album as “a wonderfully weird cross-section of Beatles-esque psych pop and '70s prog”.[11]
Goldmine called the album a collection of “well-produced pop-rock songs”, and noted similarities to the Beach Boys, Pink Floyd, Moody Blues, King Crimson, and the Beatles.[12] MusicHound, in its guide to rock music, observed baroque pop arrangements.[13]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft" | John Woloschuk, Terry Draper | 7:10 |
| 2. | "California Jam" | Woloschuk, Dino Tome | 3:03 |
| 3. | "Anus of Uranus" | Dee Long | 3:18 |
| 4. | "Sub-Rosa Subway" | Woloschuk, Tome | 4:34 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5. | "True Life Hero" | Long | 3:24 |
| 6. | "Doctor Marvello" | Woloschuk | 3:34 |
| 7. | "Sir Bodsworth Rugglesby III" | Woloschuk | 3:26 |
| 8. | "Little Neutrino" | Long | 8:07 |
| Total length: | 36:36 | ||
The album ends with a mouse squeak. Their following album, Hope, begins with a mouse squeak. CDs that feature both albums on one disc omit one of these squeaks.
Personnel
editThe first pressing, and most reissues of this album, do not list the names of the band members.[14]
- Klaatu
- John Woloschuk - vocals, piano, organ, mellotron, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, synthesizers, percussion
- Dee Long - vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, electric sitar, synthesizers, ukulele, mellotron
- Terry Draper - drums, percussion, tympani, vocals
- Additional musicians
- Doug Riley - strings, woodwind, and xylophone on "Sir Bodsworth Rugglesby III"
- Vern Dorge - chimes on "Sub Rosa Subway"
- Bruce Cassidy - trumpet on "Doctor Marvello"
- Dave Kennedy - guitars on "California Jam"
- Raymond Gassi - backing vocals on "California Jam" [15]
- Production
- Produced by Terry Brown & Klaatu
- Recorded & engineered by Steve Vaughn & Terry Brown
- Tape operators: Brian Bell & Paul Barker
Charts
edit| Chart (1976–1977) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[16] | 17 |
| Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[17] | 40 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[18] | 35 |
| US Billboard 200[19] | 32 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[20] | Gold | 20,000^ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[21] | Gold | 50,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ Woloschuk, John (June 21, 2006). "Klaatu Track Facts". Klaatu. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- ^ Vernon, Jamie (1990). "KLAATU "IT WAS 20 YEARS AGO TODAY..." GREAT WHITE NOISE Vol.1/No.4. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
- ^ "Klaatu Identities and Beatles Rumors". Klaatu.org. Retrieved 2011-09-03.
- ^ Dave Marsh and John Swenson, Rolling Stone Record Guide, Random House 1979
- ^ "Klaatu's official website homepage". Archived from the original on 2019-09-16. Retrieved 2013-11-01.
- ^ "Klaatu/Hope - Klaatu | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.
- ^ "3:47 EST - Klaatu | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.
- ^ The Morning Sun, Fall, 1981 - Issue No. V. Retrieved 2011-07-14 (Bastille Day).
- ^ https://www.allmusic.com/album/klaatu-hope-mw0000199578 "Klaatu/Hope". AllMusic.
- ^ "3:47 EST - Klaatu | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.
- ^ "6 Pitchfork Staffers on the Best Albums They Found Based on the Cover Art | Pitchfork". Pitchfork.
- ^ Stinnett, Conrad. "Being compared to The Beatles proved to be a mixed blessing for Klaatu". Goldmine.
- ^ Graff, Gary (1996). MusicHound rock: The Essential Album Guide. p. 392.
- ^ "The Official Klaatu Homepage".
- ^ "1997 Interview with John Woloschuk of Klaatu". Archived from the original on 2016-04-09. Retrieved 2017-11-05.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – Klaatu – Klaatu" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 5239a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Klaatu – Klaatu" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ "Klaatu Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ "Aussie Gold for GRT's Klaatu" (PDF). RPM. June 25, 1977. p. 4.
- ^ "Canadian album certifications – Klaltu – 3:47 EST". Music Canada. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
