User:Qwoa/No New Messages

No New Messages is the fifth studio album by New Zealand band Strawpeople, released in 2000 through Epic Records. Produced by Strawpeople member Paul Casserly as well as Joost Langeveld, the album reached No. 10 in New Zealand. Casserly and Langeveld were nominated for Best Producer at the 2001 New Zealand Music Awards for their work on No New Messages but ultimately lost to David Long for his work on Fur Patrol's Pet.

Development and composition
No New Messages reverted back to Strawpeople's usual style of rotating vocalists and including cover songs, which had been abandoned on their previous album Vicarious that only featured singer Fiona McDonald and original songs. McDonald did not feature at all on No New Messages as she had began a solo career. Instead, previous Strawpeople collaborators Leza Corban, Victoria Kelly, and Stephanie Tauevihi returned to provide vocals alongside well-established New Zealand singer Bic Runga and other newcomers such as Michelle Crompton and Anika Moa. The latter, although not well-known at the time, would soon begin a very successful career.

Casserly described the album, which mostly formed from rhythm tracks he had developed over a two year period, as being "definitely more solid rhythmically" than its predecessor.

Release and reception
Two singles were released from No New Messages. The first, a cover of The Cars' "Drive" sung by Runga, peaked at No. 7 in the New Zealand charts, making it Strawpeople's only top 10 hit to date. The second single, an adapted version of Greg Johnson's "Scared of Flying" sung by Corban, did not perform as well, only charting for one week at No. 45.

The album was well-received by critics. The New Zealand Herald described it as described it as "luxuriant electropop" and "swish, poised, and technically impressive." Kelvin Hayes, writing for AllMusic, also gave a positive review but felt that it "focused too closely on a late-night jazz mood."

Track listing
Sources: Spotify and CD liner.

Personnel

 * Musicians
 * Miranda Adams – violin (2, 5, 8)
 * Rodd Bauman – viola (2, 5, 8)
 * Wayne Bell – drums (1-3, 5)
 * Sam Benge – acoustic guitar (7)
 * Mark Bennett – violin (2, 5, 8)
 * Mark de Clive-Lowe – electric piano (9)
 * Leza Corban – vocals (2, 8)
 * Michelle Crompton – vocals (4)
 * Stacey Edwards – vocals (10)
 * Chris van de Geer – guitar (2, 9), electric guitar (1, 10)
 * Godfrey de Grut – saxophone (4)
 * Gordon Hill – bass (2, 5, 8)
 * Mark Hughes – bass (2, 3)
 * Greg Johnson – keyboards
 * Gareth Kayes – acoustic bass (8)


 * Victoria Kelly – vocals (3, 7), keyboards, string arrangements
 * Anika Moa – vocals (9)
 * Anne Rodda – cello (2, 5, 8)
 * Bic Runga – vocals (1)
 * Dan Sperber – guitar (4)
 * Stephanie Tauevihi – vocals (6)
 * Technical & design
 * Paul Casserly – production, mixing (2, 3, 5, 8), programming
 * Joost Langeveld – production, mixing (2, 3, 5, 8), programming
 * Wayne Bell – additional production
 * Chris van de Geer – additional production, mixing (1, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10)
 * Victoria Kelly – additional production
 * Jubt Avery – sample consulting
 * Gavin Bortica – mastering
 * Wayne Conway – art direction, cover design

Source: CD liner.