Against Nature is the debut album by Irish rock band the Fatima Mansions. It was released in September 1989, receiving almost universal critical acclaim, described by NME as "staggering in its weight of ideas...never loses its capacity to suddenly stun you",Larkin, Colin (1998) The Virgin Encyclopedia of Indie & New Wave, Virgin Books, , p.162 and also described as "a startlingly well-rounded debut".Buckley, Peter (2003) The Rough Guide to Rock, Rough Guides, , p.363 A review from AllMusic stated, "Coughlan's lyrics are similarly aggressive throughout, with actions of overt and implicit violence in nearly every song and a grouchily misanthropic, almost nihilistic lyrical world-view throughout".
Against Nature reached No. 12 in the UK Indie Chart.Lazell, Barry (1997) Indie Hits 1980-1989, Cherry Red Books, , p.85
The album would later be compiled with other pre-Viva Dead Ponies work of the Fatima Mansions on the 1992 Come Back My Children compilation album, while "Only Losers Take the Bus" would also feature on the American edition of Viva Dead Ponies.
Track listing All tracks composed and arranged by Cathal Coughlan "Only Losers Take the Bus" (3:08) "The Day I Lost Everything" (4:16) "Wilderness on Time" (3:15) "You Won't Get Me Home" (3:01) "13th Century Boy" (4:00) "Bishop of Babel" (2:53) "Valley of the Dead Cars" (3:19) "Big Madness/Monday Club Carol" (4:38)
Personnel Cathal Coughlan – vocals, keyboards, programming Andrías Ó Grúama – guitar Zac Woolhouse – keyboards John Fell – bass guitar Nicholas Tiompan Allum – drums, wind Technical Bill Gill, Jamie Lane, Martin Harrison, Ralph Jezzard - engineer Lawrence Bogle - cover illustration
References