Sisters (The Bluebells album)

Sisters is the debut album by Scottish indie pop band the Bluebells, released in 1984.

Sisters
Studio album by The Bluebells
Released	10 July 1984
Studio	Highland Studios, Inverness Jam Studios, London
Genre	Indie pop new wave jangle pop
Label	London Records (UK) Sire Records (USA) Last Night From Glasgow
Producer	Colin Fairley, Bob Andrews, Elvis Costello, Alan Shacklock
The Bluebells chronology
The Bluebells (1983) Sisters (1984) Second (1992)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
The Rolling Stone Album Guide

The only "proper" full-length album released by the band during their short career (1983's The Bluebells was a mini-album released in the U.S. showcasing their singles), Sisters featured remixed versions of earlier singles "Cath" and "Everybody's Somebody's Fool" as well as the contemporary singles "I'm Falling" and "Young at Heart". The album reached No. 22 on the UK Albums Chart in August 1984.

In 2020, it was announced that the album would be re-released by Last Night From Glasgow, on their Past Night From Glasgow label, on vinyl and CD.

Critical reception

The Rolling Stone Album Guide called Sisters "highly accomplished and truly smart pop." Trouser Press deemed it "utterly wonderful," writing that the songs are "subtly shaded with country fiddles and mandolins, ringing guitars, a light bouncy beat and choruses that you’ll be humming all the way home." NME listed it as the 50th best album of 1984.

Track listing

All songs by Robert Hodgens, except where noted. All songs produced by Bob Andrews and Colin Fairley, except where noted.

Original release

1. "Everybody's Somebody's Fool" – 3:40
2. "Young at Heart" (Robert Hodgens, Bobby Valentino, Siobhan Fahey, Sara Dallin, Keren Woodward) – 3:24
3. "I'm Falling" (Robert Hodgens, Kenneth McCluskey) – 5:12
4. "Will She Always Be Waiting" – 4:10 Produced by Elvis Costello and Colin Fairley
5. "Cath" – 3:07
6. "Red Guitars" – 3:14
7. "Syracuse University" – 4:30
8. "Learn to Love" – 3:35 Produced by Alan Shacklock
9. "The Patriot Game" (Dominic Behan) – 4:00
10. "South Atlantic Way" – 5:38

Cassette version

The track "Holland" replaces for "Hope our love lasts and never dies".

Side one

1. "Everybody's Somebody's Fool" – 3:40
2. "Young at Heart" (Robert Hodgens, Siobhan Fahey, Sara Dallin, Keren Woodward) – 3:24
3. "I'm Falling" (Robert Hodgens, Kenneth McCluskey) – 5:12
4. "Will She Always Be Waiting" – 4:10 Produced by Elvis Costello and Colin Fairley
5. "Cath" – 3:07
6. "Holland" (Kenneth Mccluskey, David McCluskey) – 3:30

Side two

1. "Red Guitars" – 3:14
2. "Syracuse University" – 4:30
3. "Learn to Love" – 3:35 Produced by Alan Shacklock
4. "The Patriot Game" (Dominic Behan) – 4:00
5. "South Atlantic Way" – 5:38
6. "Aim in Life" (McCluskey) – 3.02 Produced by Elvis Costello

Personnel

• Kenneth McCluskey – lead vocals, harmonica
• Neil Baldwin – bass (2, 6, 7, 10)
• Robert Hodgens – vocals, guitar
• Craig Gannon – guitar (1, 6, 7, 10)
• David McCluskey – drums
• Bobby Valentino – violin
• Laurence Donegan – bass (2–5, 8, 9)
• Russell Irvine – guitar (2–5, 8, 9)
• Ray Russell – string arrangements

Technical

• Derek Ridgers, Paul Cox – photography
• Peter Barrett – artwork
• Recorded at Highland Studios, Inverness and Jam Studios, London; mixed at Abbey Road Studios and Red Bus Studios, London