Fear (John Cale album)

Recording and content

Fear is the first of three albums for Island Records, all of which were released in a period of just over a year. During this time Cale was also producing records for other artists, working on albums such as Horses by Patti Smith, one of the most influential of all protopunk records.

In addition to his lead vocals on Fear, Cale also played keyboards, guitars, viola, violin and bass, and was joined by Richard Thompson, Roxy Music's Brian Eno and Phil Manzanera, and other artists signed to Island.

"Gun" features an unusual two-man guitar solo from Manzanera and Eno, with the latter using a synthesizer to process the former's guitar playing in real-time. The promotional album for Fear released by Island Records contained an interview with Cale. He announced cover versions of "Jerusalem", "Girl from the North Country" (Bob Dylan), "Eight Miles High" (The Byrds) and "I Can See for Miles" (The Who).

Keith Morris was responsible for the sleeve photography.

Release

Fear was released on 1 October 1974. "The Man Who Couldn't Afford to Orgy" b/w "Sylvia Said" was released as a single.

The album was remastered in 1996 as part of the 2CD release The Island Years, containing also Slow Dazzle and Helen of Troy. It contained the following bonus track "Sylvia Said (Remix)" making the single version of "Sylvia Said" unissued on CD (as of 2017).

Reception

Trouser Press called it "a brilliant record full of neat surprises and great, unsettling songs."

Track listing

All tracks composed by John Cale..

1. "Fear is a Man's Best Friend" – 3:53
2. "Buffalo Ballet" – 3:29
3. "Barracuda" – 3:48
4. "Emily" – 4:23
5. "Ship of Fools" – 4:38

6. "Gun" – 8:05
7. "The Man Who Couldn't Afford to Orgy" – 4:35
8. "You Know More Than I Know" – 3:35
9. "Momamma Scuba" – 4:24
10. "Sylvia Said (Remix)" – 4:09 (The Island Years bonus track)

Personnel