Boys Outside by Steve Mason - Uhune

ALBUM

From the first few seconds of Steve Mason's first full-length under his own name (following one as King Biscuit Time and one as Black Affair), the results could be a Beta Band reunion in full force, with all the crushing beats and junk-shop audio detritus to boot. But it soon becomes clear that Mason's production partner, Richard X, is having a subtle influence, one that pushes Boys Outside into adult alternative territory. While that may be worrisome for Mason's long-time fans, it bodes well for those who have long wondered whether his voice would always remain one of the best-kept secrets in the alternative/indie world. Compared to Beta Band material, the songs here are given a sharper touch but also a softer focus, and Mason's vocals (always a highlight of the records he appeared on) are given the foreground. His vocals still evoke some sort of Scottish high lonesome sound, although his range hasn't expanded much in a dozen years of music-making. (Considering his dearth of material over the past eight years, most listeners will be thankful for this.) His lyrical themes remain bewildered and self-indicting. It's easy to get the feeling that the cover, which is completely black, is an act of fatalistic self-resignation; when he sings "The river runs baby, and it calls for me," the unavoidable impression is that he'll soon be floating along in it, face down. Mason and Richard X do an excellent job of sanding off the rough edges of Mason's past Beta Band material, leaving listeners with more melodic and harmonic treats to enrich their discovery of his many lyrical delicacies. Mason's career has been one of constant starts and stops and side-project misdirections (for his fans, at least), so the straightforwardly eccentric Boys Outside is clearly a record to treasure.

1. Understand My Heart

Primary Artist: Steve Mason; Main Performer
Composer: Steve Mason; Composer
Lyricist: Steve Mason; Composer
Mixing: Pete Hofmann; Production
Producer: Steve Mason
Richard X; Production

2. Am I Just A Man

Primary Artist: Steve Mason; Main Performer
Composer: Steve Mason; Composer
Lyricist: Steve Mason; Composer
Mixing: Pete Hofmann; Production
Producer: Steve Mason
Richard X; Production

3. The Letter

Primary Artist: Steve Mason; Main Performer
Composer: Steve Mason; Composer
Lyricist: Steve Mason; Composer
Mixing: Pete Hofmann; Production
Producer: Steve Mason
Richard X; Production

4. Yesterday

Primary Artist: Steve Mason; Main Performer
Composer: Steve Mason; Composer
Lyricist: Steve Mason; Composer
Mixing: Pete Hofmann; Production
Producer: Steve Mason
Richard X; Production

5. Lost And Found

Primary Artist: Steve Mason; Main Performer
Composer: Steve Mason; Composer
Lyricist: Steve Mason; Composer
Mixing: Pete Hofmann; Production
Producer: Steve Mason
Richard X; Production

6. I Let Her In

Primary Artist: Steve Mason; Main Performer
Composer: Steve Mason; Composer
Lyricist: Steve Mason; Composer
Mixing: Pete Hofmann; Production
Producer: Steve Mason
Richard X; Production

7. Stress Position

Primary Artist: Steve Mason; Main Performer
Composer: Steve Mason; Composer
Lyricist: Steve Mason; Composer
Mixing: Pete Hofmann; Production
Producer: Steve Mason
Richard X; Production

8. All Come Down

Primary Artist: Steve Mason; Main Performer
Composer: Steve Mason; Composer
Lyricist: Steve Mason; Composer
Mixing: Pete Hofmann; Production
Producer: Steve Mason
Richard X; Production

9. Boys Outside

Primary Artist: Steve Mason; Main Performer
Composer: Steve Mason; Composer
Lyricist: Steve Mason; Composer
Mixing: Pete Hofmann; Production
Producer: Steve Mason
Richard X; Production

10. Hound On My Heel

Primary Artist: Steve Mason; Main Performer
Composer: Steve Mason; Composer
Lyricist: Steve Mason; Composer
Mixing: Pete Hofmann; Production
Producer: Steve Mason
Richard X; Production

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

10 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

40 minutes and 57 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 1013x1013 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

6/10 tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

2/10 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Alternative, Indie Rock, Electronic, Rock, Prog-Rock, Art Rock, Adult Alternative, R&B, Soul, Post-Modern Pop

Label

Double Six Records

Music Distribution Service

Domino Record Co Ltd [UK]

Country

United Kingdom

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

May 2, 2010

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

801396602768