Artificial Paradise is the tenth album by the Canadian rock band the Guess Who. It was released by RCA Records in 1973. This was the first album by the group to feature bassist Bill Wallace.
Musically, Artificial Paradise finds the Guess Who showcasing a variety of styles: rockers ("Orly", "All Hashed Out", "Rock and Roller Steam"), ballads ("Samantha's Living Room", "Lost and Found Town"), and even world music ("Hamba Gahle-Usalang Gahle").
The album is likely best remembered for its record jacket and inner sleeve, which is an extensive lampoon of direct mail advertising. The cover mentions The Guess Who only in passing.
Release history In addition to the usual 2 channel stereo version the album was also released by RCA in a 4 channel quadraphonic version on 8-track tape.
Reception AllMusic's Joe Viglione: "Artificial Paradise may be the most consistent album project by the post-Randy Bachman Guess Who, a solid offering of strong melodies, superb production, and focused artistic vision. (Despite the memorable cover art—or, perhaps, because of it) ...did much to sink this fine effort."
The album peaked at number 102 on the Billboard 200 in March 1973.
Track listing Side one "Bye Bye Babe" (Winter, Wallace) - 2:50 "Samantha's Living Room" (McDougall) - 3:26 "Rock and Roller Steam" (Winter, Wallace) - 3:19 "Follow Your Daughter Home" (The Guess Who) - 3:42 "Those Show Biz Shoes" (Cummings) - 6:49 Side two "All Hashed Out" (Cummings, Winter, Wallace) - 4:41 "Orly" (Cummings) - 2:54 "Lost and Found Town" (McDougall) - 3:49 "Hamba Gahle-Usalang Gahle" (Cummings, Winter, Wallace) - 4:53 "The Watcher" (Wallace, Cummings) - 3:10
Personnel The Guess Who Burton Cummings - lead vocals, keyboards, flute, harpsichord Kurt Winter - lead guitar Donnie McDougall - rhythm and acoustic guitar, backing vocals; lead vocals on "Samantha's Living Room" and "Lost and Found Town" Bill Wallace - bass, backing vocals; lead vocals on "Bye Bye Babe" and "All Hashed Out" (duet) Garry Peterson - drums
Additional personnel Bob Zimmitti - percussion, congas on "Follow Your Daughter Home" Stanley Winistock - fiddle on "Orly"
Production Jack Richardson - producer Brian Christian - engineer Dennis Smith - technician Vic Anesini - mastering Ralph Chapman - liner notes Pacific Eye & Ear - concept Marty Slick - liner notes Lorrie Sullivan - photography Ron Thompson - writer
Charts Chart (1973) Peakposition
References