Hitting the Ground


Hitting the Ground is Violent Femmes member Gordon Gano's debut solo studio album. It was produced by Warren Bruleigh and released in 2002. Gano wrote the songs for a film of the same name.
Each song was performed by a different artist. Gano says that the songs were written with no particular performer in mind, but he is very happy that each performer made his or her song his or her own. Lou Reed rewrote some of the lyrics, and was given partial writing credit for "Catch 'Em In the Act." Gordon's sister Cynthia Gayneau sang "Merry Christmas Brother" after Joan Baez turned it down. They Might Be Giants performed and produced their song, "Darlin' Allison," by themselves. John Cale recorded "Don't Pretend," solo on piano and vocals.

Critical reception

Hitting the Ground received mostly favorable reviews from critics. Some critics, however, did give it mixed reviews, such as Eric Carr, who wrote in Pitchfork that "none of these tracks are all that interesting beyond a listen or two."

Track listing

All songs written by Gordon Gano, except "Catch 'Em In the Act" by Gano and Lou Reed.
  1. "Hitting the Ground"
  2. * PJ Harvey - vocals and guitar solo
  3. "Oh Wonder"
  4. * Mary Lou Lord - acoustic guitar and vocals
  5. "Make It Happen"
  6. * Gordon Gano - vocals
  7. "Don't Pretend"
  8. * John Cale - piano and vocals
  9. "Catch 'Em In the Act"
  10. * Lou Reed - vocals and guitar
  11. "So It Goes"
  12. * Linda Perry - vocals
  13. "Run"
  14. * Frank Black - vocals
  15. "Darlin' Allison"
  16. * They Might Be Giants - vocals and all instruments
  17. "Merry Christmas Brother"
  18. * Cynthia Gayneaux - vocals
  19. "It's Money"
  20. * Gordon Gano - vocals, Martha Wainwright - vocals
  21. "Hitting the Ground"
  22. * Gordon Gano - vocals, PJ Harvey - guitar solo

    Personnel

Musicians, in addition to the above:
Production