Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars is the debut studio album by American alternative rock band Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, released on August 9, 1988, by Geffen Records. The album went double platinum in the United States.
"What I Am" was the lead single and hit from the album, reaching No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. The follow-up single, "Circle", was about strained relationships. Although described by author Brent Mann as "the perfect follow up single to 'What I Am'" and which "had 'smash' written all over it", it stalled at No. 48 on the Billboard Hot 100 and fared slightly better on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, reaching No. 32. Cash Box said of "Circle" that "The key to this gentle song is Brickell’s breathy intensity. Supported by an acoustic-slanted track, she manages to sell the unusually dark lyric shadings." Another song from the album, "Little Miss S." was inspired by Edie Sedgwick and reached No. 38 on the Mainstream Rock chart and No. 14 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart.
Reception
"Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars is almost impossible to be cynical about (I tried)," remarked Time Out, "and the band are so likeable it's almost unreal."Time Out, June 21–28, 1989
Track listing
Personnel The New Bohemians Edie Brickell – vocals Kenny Withrow – guitars Brad Houser – bass Brandon Aly – drums John Bush – percussion
with Paul "Wix" Wickens – keyboards Robbie Blunt – guitars Chris Whitten – drums John Henry – backing vocals
Both Chris Whitten and Paul "Wix" Wickens were/are members of Paul McCartney's band; Whitten from 1989 to 1990 and Wickens from 1989–present.
Production Pat Moran – producer, engineer George Marino – mastering at Sterling Sound (New York City, New York) Barry Diament – CD mastering at Barry Diament Mastering (New York City, New York) Gabrielle Raumberger – art coordinator Terry Robertson – CD design Edie Brickell – cover illustration Mark Abrahams – solo photography Bob Cook – band photography Tracks 6 & 8 published by Geffen Music-Withrow Publishing-Edie Brickell Songs. Tracks 11 & 12 published by Geffen Music-Edie Brickell Songs. All other tracks published by Geffen Music-Strangemind Productions-Enlightened Kitty-Withrow Publishing-Edie Brickell Songs.
Charts
Weekly charts ChartPositionAustralian Albums Chart31Austrian Albums Chart12Dutch Mega Albums Chart33German Media Control Albums Chart 29Italian Albums Chart5New Zealand Albums Chart10UK Albums Chart25United States Billboard 200[ Allmusic - Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums]4
Year-end charts Chart (1989)PositionAustralian Albums Chart81Canadian Albums Chart26Italian Albums Chart16U.S. Billboard 200 18
Certifications
References