30 Something is the second album by Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine, released in 1991 on Rough Trade Records. It was recorded in 20 days on 8-track, costing only £4,000. The album was given a 10/10 review in NME, which described 30 Something as a "brilliant, bold record". It was prefaced with a single "Anytime Anyplace Anywhere", which was a major indie hit and also included on the album. The success of the album coincided with the renewed success of the "Sheriff Fatman" single, which generated more sales. It reached number eight in the UK charts on its original release, and number 21 when re-issued in early 1992. The album was certified Gold by the British Phonographic Industry. The other single from the album, "Bloodsport For All", an attack on racism and bullying in the army, was released at the start of the Gulf War and was denied airplay by the BBC.
Music and lyrics
An alternative dance and grebo album heavy on puns and sampling, 30 Something was described by Ned Raggett of Allmusic as being largely similar to their debut album 101 Damnations, but showing "a growing sophistication that fleshed out both sound and lyrics." He said that its primary similarity with the former album is "the typical Carter trappings still running rampant: puns explode everywhere without restraint, musical and lyrical references creep in from the Clash and David Bowie to traditional football chants, and so forth," as well as "the still cheap-and-cheery sound of the band's keyboards, drum machines and more," but said that the differences show the band "a little more comfortable in the studio here. The two are able to whip up their surging numbers to a higher level–the group's stated fondness for Queen actually makes a little more sense here, while "Billy's Smart Circus" is flawless in its soaring, anthemic power. Meanwhile, their bluer moods get more gently evocative accompaniment, often addressing getting addicted to the bottle and the unfortunate results." Opening instrumental "Surfin' USM" opens with a sampled monologue of Chris Barrie in character as Rimmer in Red Dwarf Series 3 episode "Bodyswap" talking about getting fat with age–described by Raggett as "a great snippet about what growing old really means"–which then gives way to a crowd chanting ‘You Fat Bastard’. The track is an instrumental indie dance track with chainsaw guitars and a David Bowie sample. "My Second to Last Will and Testament" shows Bob "settling affairs all around, down to organ donation" with the lyrics "They can take my lungs and kidneys/But my heart belongs to Daphne." Melding genres, the song sees a similar aesthetic to the opener, although with "snarling punk vocals from Jim Bob juxtaposing with some lovely harmonising from Fruitbat. The whole thing builds to a massive chorus before ending abruptly with Jim Bob throatily yelling "...die."" Samples of Michael Caine's character Alfie appear on several tracks.
Critical reception
NME gave the album 10/10, saying "this brilliant, bold record will still be among the best 10 albums of the year come the end of '91: testimony to how Carter, the unlikely lads of the past two years, have nailed down their instinctive feel for pop with a hookline and point of view." New Internationalist, who give different ratings for different components of the albums they review, rated the album four stars out of five based on "Politics" and three stars out of five based on "Entertainment." The magazine said "1991 appears to belong to Carter. They are that rare thing, a band that wholeheartedly addresses its time, that truly belongs to it." They were very favourable towards the band's lyrics, saying "Carter's bluff, seedy ebullience is a welcome antidote to the rather fey self-regard that's dominated indie pop over the last decade, from the Jesus and Mary Chain to the current blissed-out hedonism of Happy Mondays and their baggy ilk," but did however note that "it has to be said that Carter's musical style is limited in the extreme – for the most part, a ragged thrash that happens to be played largely on sequencers rather than guitars. The music and the rasping vocals give diminishing returns – the real pleasure has to be sought in the pun-laden lyrics."
Legacy
At the end of 1991, NME ranked the album at number 8 in their list of the top 50 "Albums of the Year", ahead of My Bloody Valentine's Loveless, whilst Melody Maker ranked it at number 21 in their own 1991 "End of Year Critic's List" for the top 50 albums of the year. Vox included the album in their list "Vox 50 Albums of 1991." In 2014, NME included in their list of "21 1990s Albums NME Has Given 10/10." Recalling the era, Andrew Collins of The Guardian said:
Track listing
All songs written and composed by Morrison and Carter. ;Notes
