Creatures of Leisure is the fourth studio album released by Australian band, Mental As Anything. It was released in March 1983 and peaked at #8 on the Australian Album charts. NOTE: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1970 until ARIA created their own charts in mid-1988.
Reception AllMusic called it the Mentals' "best album to date" saying "it is a must have for pure pop fans, new wave fans, rock & roll fans, and Aussie rock fans" and noted similarities with Rockpile and Squeeze".
Rip It Up said "Album number four and the cracks are beginning to show, just a little. Not that this is a bad record. It's just that it gets the slightest bit dull and workmanlike. I'm afraid the title of the first track sums it up: 'Spirit Got Lost'."
Trouser Press said the album "reveals an overwhelmingly downcast band, singing wistful lyrics about romantic discord and a general lack of gumption. Even the music is depressed, playing in the same countryish style with barely a trace of enthusiasm. Without wallowing in self-pity or indulging in any overt declarations of misery, Creatures of Leisure is an enormously sad record."
Track listing
Australian edition
International Edition
The version of Creatures of Leisure released in North America dropped the tracks "Space to Let" and "Country in the Concrete", and added "Working for the Man" and "Seems Alright to Me". Additionally, "Nothing's Going Right Today" appeared in remixed form.
"Business & Pleasure", which was a completely unlisted track on the Australian release, was listed on the sleeve and on the label of the international edition, although it was not listed on the lyric sheet.
Personnel Musicians Martin Plaza — lead vocals, guitar Greedy Smith — lead vocals, keyboards, harmonica Reg Mombassa — guitar, vocals Peter O'Doherty — bass, guitar, vocals Wayne de Lisle — drums
Recording details Bruce Brown — producer, engineer Russell Dunlop — producer, engineer David Hemming — assistant producer, assistant engineer Frank DeLuna — mastering
Additional credits on international edition Mark Moffatt — producer (tracks: 7 & 9) Ricky Fataar — producer (tracks: 7 & 9) Tim Kramer — engineer (tracks: 7 & 9) Joe Raine — remix (track 6)
Art work Martin Plaza — artwork Syd Shelton — cover design, photography Reg Mombassa — drawings Ken Smith — finished art Jon Watkins — finished art Melanie Nissen — finished art
Charts Chart (1983)PeakpositionAustralian (Kent Music Report)8
Release history Region Date Label Format Catalogue Australia & New Zealand March 1983 Regular Records Vinyl LP RRLP1205 Canada 1983 Solid Gold Records Vinyl LP SGR1018 United States 1983 A&M Records Vinyl LP SP4946 UK & Europe 1983 A&M Records Vinyl LP AMLH64946 Japan 1983 A&M Records Vinyl LP AMP28094 Australia 1998 Festival Records CD D20209
References