Say Something Good


Say Something Good is the debut studio album by River City People, released by EMI in Europe and Capitol in the US in 1989. Following a reissue in 1990, it reached No. 23 in the UK and remained in the charts for nine weeks.
River City People signed a recording contract with EMI in 1988, after Channel 4's The Chart Show commissioned a video for the band's song " Dreaming?". The band then recorded their debut album in Los Angeles during January–March 1989 with producer Don Gehman.
Six singles were released from the album, the first of which, " Dreaming?", was released in July 1989 and peaked at No. 70 in the UK. The follow-up, "Say Something Good", failed to chart and the third, "Walking On Ice", reached No. 62. The double A-side, "Carry the Blame"/"California Dreamin'", was released in June 1990 and gave the band a No. 13 hit. A remixed version of " Dreaming?" peaked at No. 40 and the final single, "When I Was Young", peaked at No. 62.

Reception

Upon release, Music & Media wrote: "The band seem to have their roots in the late 60s. The songs all have a distinct 60s feel for melodies and harmonies, which makes it a pleasant, if not lovable record." Billboard described the album as one which "merges London pop sensibilities with American rock vibes". They added: "Singer Siobhan Maher breathes dimension into sensitive and perceptive prose composed by bandmates/brothers Tim and Paul Speed." Mark Frith of Smash Hits wrote: "Virtually all the songs are excellent and the Rivers aren't afraid to use manic guitars on straight-forward pop songs. On top of all that, Siobhan Maher's vocals are positively the chirpiest in pop."
Anne Warren Murray of Dayton Daily News considered the album a "strong first effort" and added: "It's hard to say which side is better, since both are filled with alluring, melodic songs." She highlighted the "upbeat" tracks " Dreaming?" and "Walking On Ice", and the "more mellow" "No Doubt" and "When I Was Young". Steven Miller of The Daily Utah Chronicle wrote: "The ten cuts worth of quirky pop that owes a bit to All About Eve, vintage U2 and Laurie Anderson but stands out with an identity all its own."

Personnel

River City People
Additional musicians
Production
  • Don Gehman - producer, engineer
  • John Carter, Ed Thacker - engineer
  • Dan Bosworth, Pete Magdeleno, Robin Laine - assistant engineers
  • River City People - producers of "California Dreamin'" and "Huskisson St."
  • Nick Davis - producer, engineer and mixer on "California Dreamin'"
  • Ronnie Stone - producer of "Huskisson St."
  • Ronni O'Keefe - producer of "Find a Reason"
Other