Construction For The Modern Idiot by The Wonder Stuff - DeepRiffs

ALBUM

Released concurrently with the announcement of the band's dissolution, the Wonder Stuff's fourth and final album is by far their weakest effort. Largely dropping the playful folk-rock feel of 1991's excellent Never Loved Elvis (multi-instrumentalist Martin Bell tends to be pushed into the background) in favor of a lackluster return to the kind of speedy guitar pop that introduced the group on 1988's The Eight-Legged Groove Machine -- without that album's youthful energy -- Construction for the Modern Idiot feels like the group is treading over already-plowed ground. The real change is in singer/songwriter Miles Hunt's lyrics, which have gone from clever and sassy to painfully obvious. Though it's easy to sympathize with the anti-pedophilia sentiment of "I Wish Them All Dead," it's a pretty trite and annoying song, and "Your Big-Assed Mother" and the Charles Bukowski tribute "A Great Drinker" are just lame. Breaking up was clearly the right thing to do. ~ Stewart Mason

1. Change Every Light Bulb

by The Wonder Stuff

Banjo: Martin Bell; Performer
Primary Artist: The Wonder Stuff; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Paul Clifford; Performer
Drums: Martin Gilks; Performer
Guitar: Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece; Performer
Performer: Martin Gilks
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Bell; Performer
Violin: Martin Bell; Performer
Vocals: Miles Hunt; Performer
Composer: Miles Hunt
Martin Gilks
Martin Bell
Paul Clifford
Malcolm Treece; Composer
Lyricist: Martin Bell
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Gilks; Composer
Mixing: Mark 'spike' Stent; Production
Producer: Pat Collier; Production
Studio Personnel: Mark 'spike' Stent; Production

2. I Wish Them All Dead

by The Wonder Stuff

Banjo: Martin Bell; Performer
Primary Artist: The Wonder Stuff; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Paul Clifford; Performer
Drums: Martin Gilks; Performer
Guitar: Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece; Performer
Performer: Martin Gilks
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Bell; Performer
Violin: Martin Bell; Performer
Vocals: Miles Hunt; Performer
Composer: Miles Hunt
Martin Gilks
Martin Bell
Paul Clifford
Malcolm Treece; Composer
Lyricist: Martin Bell
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Gilks; Composer
Mixing: Mark 'spike' Stent; Production
Producer: Pat Collier; Production
Studio Personnel: Mark 'spike' Stent; Production

3. Cabin Fever

by The Wonder Stuff

Banjo: Martin Bell; Performer
Primary Artist: The Wonder Stuff; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Paul Clifford; Performer
Drums: Martin Gilks; Performer
Guitar: Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece; Performer
Performer: Martin Gilks
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Bell; Performer
Violin: Martin Bell; Performer
Vocals: Miles Hunt; Performer
Composer: Miles Hunt
Martin Gilks
Martin Bell
Paul Clifford
Malcolm Treece; Composer
Lyricist: Martin Bell
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Gilks; Composer
Mixing: Mark 'spike' Stent; Production
Producer: Pat Collier; Production
Studio Personnel: Mark 'spike' Stent; Production

4. Hot Love Now!

by The Wonder Stuff

Banjo: Martin Bell; Performer
Primary Artist: The Wonder Stuff; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Paul Clifford; Performer
Drums: Martin Gilks; Performer
Guitar: Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece; Performer
Performer: Martin Gilks
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Bell; Performer
Violin: Martin Bell; Performer
Vocals: Miles Hunt; Performer
Composer: Miles Hunt
Martin Gilks
Martin Bell
Paul Clifford
Malcolm Treece; Composer
Lyricist: Martin Bell
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Gilks; Composer
Mixing: Mark 'spike' Stent; Production
Producer: Pat Collier; Production
Studio Personnel: Mark 'spike' Stent; Production

5. Full Of Life (Happy Now)

by The Wonder Stuff

Banjo: Martin Bell; Performer
Primary Artist: The Wonder Stuff; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Paul Clifford; Performer
Drums: Martin Gilks; Performer
Guitar: Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece; Performer
Performer: Martin Gilks
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Bell; Performer
Violin: Martin Bell; Performer
Vocals: Miles Hunt; Performer
Composer: Miles Hunt
Martin Gilks
Martin Bell
Paul Clifford
Malcolm Treece; Composer
Lyricist: Martin Bell
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Gilks; Composer
Mixing: Mark 'spike' Stent; Production
Producer: Pat Collier; Production
Studio Personnel: Mark 'spike' Stent; Production

6. Storm Drain

by The Wonder Stuff

Banjo: Martin Bell; Performer
Primary Artist: The Wonder Stuff; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Paul Clifford; Performer
Drums: Martin Gilks; Performer
Guitar: Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece; Performer
Performer: Martin Gilks
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Bell; Performer
Violin: Martin Bell; Performer
Vocals: Miles Hunt; Performer
Composer: Miles Hunt
Martin Gilks
Martin Bell
Paul Clifford
Malcolm Treece; Composer
Lyricist: Martin Bell
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Gilks; Composer
Mixing: Mark 'spike' Stent; Production
Producer: Pat Collier; Production
Studio Personnel: Mark 'spike' Stent; Production

7. On The Ropes

by The Wonder Stuff

Banjo: Martin Bell; Performer
Primary Artist: The Wonder Stuff; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Paul Clifford; Performer
Drums: Martin Gilks; Performer
Guitar: Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece; Performer
Performer: Martin Gilks
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Bell; Performer
Violin: Martin Bell; Performer
Vocals: Miles Hunt; Performer
Composer: Miles Hunt
Martin Gilks
Martin Bell
Paul Clifford
Malcolm Treece; Composer
Lyricist: Martin Bell
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Gilks; Composer
Mixing: Mark 'spike' Stent; Production
Producer: Pat Collier; Production
Studio Personnel: Mark 'spike' Stent; Production

8. Your Big Assed Mother

by The Wonder Stuff

Banjo: Martin Bell; Performer
Primary Artist: The Wonder Stuff; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Paul Clifford; Performer
Drums: Martin Gilks; Performer
Guitar: Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece; Performer
Performer: Martin Gilks
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Bell; Performer
Violin: Martin Bell; Performer
Vocals: Miles Hunt; Performer
Composer: Miles Hunt
Martin Gilks
Martin Bell
Paul Clifford
Malcolm Treece; Composer
Lyricist: Martin Bell
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Gilks; Composer
Mixing: Mark 'spike' Stent; Production
Producer: Pat Collier; Production
Studio Personnel: Mark 'spike' Stent; Production

9. Swell

by The Wonder Stuff

Banjo: Martin Bell; Performer
Primary Artist: The Wonder Stuff; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Paul Clifford; Performer
Drums: Martin Gilks; Performer
Guitar: Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece; Performer
Performer: Martin Gilks
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Bell; Performer
Violin: Martin Bell; Performer
Vocals: Miles Hunt; Performer
Composer: Miles Hunt
Martin Gilks
Martin Bell
Paul Clifford
Malcolm Treece; Composer
Lyricist: Martin Bell
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Gilks; Composer
Mixing: Mark 'spike' Stent; Production
Producer: Pat Collier; Production
Studio Personnel: Mark 'spike' Stent; Production

10. A Great Drinker

by The Wonder Stuff

Banjo: Martin Bell; Performer
Primary Artist: The Wonder Stuff; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Paul Clifford; Performer
Drums: Martin Gilks; Performer
Guitar: Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece; Performer
Performer: Martin Gilks
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Bell; Performer
Violin: Martin Bell; Performer
Vocals: Miles Hunt; Performer
Composer: Miles Hunt
Martin Gilks
Martin Bell
Paul Clifford
Malcolm Treece; Composer
Lyricist: Martin Bell
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Gilks; Composer
Mixing: Mark 'spike' Stent; Production
Producer: Pat Collier; Production
Studio Personnel: Mark 'spike' Stent; Production

11. Hush

by The Wonder Stuff

Banjo: Martin Bell; Performer
Primary Artist: The Wonder Stuff; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Paul Clifford; Performer
Drums: Martin Gilks; Performer
Guitar: Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece; Performer
Performer: Martin Gilks
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Bell; Performer
Violin: Martin Bell; Performer
Vocals: Miles Hunt; Performer
Composer: Miles Hunt
Martin Gilks
Martin Bell
Paul Clifford
Malcolm Treece; Composer
Lyricist: Martin Bell
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Gilks; Composer
Mixing: Mark 'spike' Stent; Production
Producer: Pat Collier; Production
Studio Personnel: Mark 'spike' Stent; Production

12. Sing The Absurd

by The Wonder Stuff

Banjo: Martin Bell; Performer
Primary Artist: The Wonder Stuff; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Paul Clifford; Performer
Drums: Martin Gilks; Performer
Guitar: Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece; Performer
Performer: Martin Gilks
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Bell; Performer
Violin: Martin Bell; Performer
Vocals: Miles Hunt; Performer
Composer: Miles Hunt
Martin Gilks
Martin Bell
Paul Clifford
Malcolm Treece; Composer
Lyricist: Martin Bell
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Gilks; Composer
Mixing: Mark 'spike' Stent; Production
Producer: Mick Glossop; Production
Studio Personnel: Mark 'spike' Stent; Production

13. Something For Sammy

by The Wonder Stuff

Banjo: Martin Bell; Performer
Primary Artist: The Wonder Stuff; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Paul Clifford; Performer
Drums: Martin Gilks; Performer
Guitar: Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece; Performer
Performer: Martin Gilks
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Bell; Performer
Violin: Martin Bell; Performer
Vocals: Miles Hunt; Performer
Composer: Miles Hunt
Martin Gilks
Martin Bell
Paul Clifford
Malcolm Treece; Composer
Lyricist: Martin Bell
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Gilks; Composer
Mixing: Mark 'spike' Stent; Production
Producer: Pat Collier; Production
Studio Personnel: Mark 'spike' Stent; Production

14. Hank & John

by The Wonder Stuff

Banjo: Martin Bell; Performer
Primary Artist: The Wonder Stuff; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Paul Clifford; Performer
Drums: Martin Gilks; Performer
Guitar: Malcolm Treece
Miles Hunt; Performer
Performer: Martin Gilks
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Bell; Performer
Violin: Martin Bell; Performer
Vocals: Miles Hunt; Performer
Composer: Miles Hunt
Martin Gilks
Martin Bell
Paul Clifford
Malcolm Treece; Composer
Lyricist: Martin Bell
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Gilks; Composer
Producer: Pat Collier; Production

15. Closer To Fine

by The Wonder Stuff

Banjo: Martin Bell; Performer
Primary Artist: The Wonder Stuff; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Paul Clifford; Performer
Drums: Martin Gilks; Performer
Guitar: Malcolm Treece
Miles Hunt; Performer
Performer: Martin Gilks
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Bell; Performer
Violin: Martin Bell; Performer
Vocals: Miles Hunt; Performer
Composer: Emily Saliers; Composer
Lyricist: Emily Saliers; Composer
Producer: Al Stone
The Wonder Stuff; Production

16. I Think I Must've Had Something Really Useful To Say

by The Wonder Stuff

Banjo: Martin Bell; Performer
Primary Artist: The Wonder Stuff; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Paul Clifford; Performer
Drums: Martin Gilks; Performer
Guitar: Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece; Performer
Performer: Martin Gilks
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Bell; Performer
Violin: Martin Bell; Performer
Vocals: Miles Hunt; Performer
Composer: Miles Hunt
Martin Gilks
Martin Bell
Paul Clifford
Malcolm Treece; Composer
Lyricist: Martin Bell
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Gilks; Composer
Mixing: Pat Collier; Production
Producer: Pat Collier; Production
Studio Personnel: Pat Collier; Production

17. Room 512, All The News That's Fit To Print

by The Wonder Stuff

Banjo: Martin Bell; Performer
Primary Artist: The Wonder Stuff; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Paul Clifford; Performer
Drums: Martin Gilks; Performer
Guitar: Malcolm Treece
Miles Hunt; Performer
Performer: Martin Gilks
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Bell; Performer
Violin: Martin Bell; Performer
Vocals: Miles Hunt; Performer
Composer: Martin Bell
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Gilks; Composer
Lyricist: Martin Bell
Miles Hunt
Malcolm Treece
Paul Clifford
Martin Gilks; Composer
Producer: The Wonder Stuff
Al Stone; Production

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

17 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

1 hour, 2 minutes and 40 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 1423x1423 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

15/17 tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

14/17 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Rock, Adult Alternative, Brit Pop, Brit Rock, Power Pop

Label

UMC (Universal Music Catalogue)

Music Distribution Service

UMG Global

Country

United Kingdom

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Oct 4, 1993

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

731454926621