Watts in a Tank
| Watts in a Tank | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1980 (Netherlands) 1981 (US) | |||
| Recorded | 1979 | |||
| Studio | DMC Studio (Baarn) | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length | 35:47 | |||
| Language | English | |||
| Label | Regency | |||
| Producer | Pim Koopman[1] | |||
| Diesel chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
Watts in a Tank is the first album released by the Dutch musical group Diesel. It was first released in the Netherlands in 1980 by Polydor,[3] and was released in the United States by Regency in 1981.[4] The album was reissued on compact disc by One Way in 2002.[4]
The album, in-between rock and power pop, contained several polished soft metal ballads and was compared by some to Tom Petty's work,[5][6] while the biggest hit from the album, "Sausalito Summernight" (which reached No. 1 in Canada and peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 25) has been compared to (and frequently misattributed to) the Steve Miller Band.[4] The album reached No. 68 on the US Billboard chart in 1981 but was not a commercial success.[7] Four of the tracks from this album (the aforementioned "Sausalito Summernight", "Goin' Back to China" (US No. 105), "Alibi", and "Down in the Silvermine") were released as singles.[3] Worldwide sales of 350,000 units were reported for Watts in a Tank in December 1981.[8]
The album charted at #68 in the U.S. and #19 for four weeks in Canada. It reached #38 in the Netherlands. The Canadian 1981 Year-end chart placed the album at #62.[9]
Record World said the single "Goin' Back to China" features "a big, bouncy beat, cute lyrics and ringing guitars."[10]
Track listing[edit]
- "Sausalito Summernight" – 5:08
- "Goin' Back to China" – 3:04
- "Alibi" – 2:48
- "My Kind of Woman" – 3:21
- "All Because of You" – 3:46
- "Down in the Silvermine" – 3:01
- "Good Mornin', Day" – 3:48
- "Ready for Love" – 2:33
- "The Harness" – 2:49
- "Remember the Romans" – 2:51
- "Bite Back" – 2:38[4]
Personnel[edit]
The Band[edit]
- Rob Vunderink – guitars, lead vocals
- Mark Boon – guitars, lead vocals
- Frank Papendrecht – bass guitars, backing vocals
- Pim Koopman – drums, keyboards, backing vocals
Additional contributors[edit]
- Moog synthesizer programming: Johan Timman[11]
References[edit]
- ^ Watts in a Tank, credits, Allmusic. Accessed on line December 28, 2007.
- ^ Allmusic review
- ^ a b (in Dutch) Diesel discografie, Nationaal Pop Instituut. Accessed on line December 28, 2007.
- ^ a b c d Watts in a Tank, overview, AllMusic. Retrieved December 28, 2007.
- ^ Diesel, Muze. Accessed on line December 28, 2007.
- ^ Watts in a Tank, review, AllMusic. Retrieved December 28, 2007.
- ^ Watts in a Tank, Charts & Awards, AllMusic. Accessed on line December 28, 2007.
- ^ Billboard Vol 93 #51 (26 December 1981) p.76
- ^ "RPM Top 100 Albums - December 26, 1981" (PDF).
- ^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. December 12, 1981. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
- ^ Back cover Liner notes of the Watts in a Tank vinyl album
