Back in Denim

Back in Denim is the debut album by the band Denim.

Background and composition

Following the break-up of Felt in 1989, British frontman Lawrence moved to New York in early 1990. Lawrence soon grew homesick and eventually moved to London. He signed to the dance-oriented record label Boy's Own Recordings, who had signed a deal with London Records. Whereas Felt's albums were recorded using a minuscule budget for small independent labels, Lawrence had "the chance to make the album I'd always wanted" for a major label. Between May 1990 and July 1992, Back in Denim was recorded and mixed with producer John Leckie. At one point, Lawrence was banned from the studio and had pushed Leckie to the breaking point, resulting in Leckie stating, "I've worked with Phil Spector and John Lennon and Syd Barrett, but I can't take this any more. You're madder than any of them." Eventually, before threatening to disown the recording, he finished the proceedings with Brian O'Shaughnessy.

The album's sound has been described as glam rock and pop. Tim Sendra of AllMusic claimed that for Back in Denim, Lawrence "channeled his love of simple punk, huge hooks, novelty songs, and slagging everyone".Mojo review Roy Wilkinson commented that the album's "wistful examination of Britain and knowing adoption of pop styles from other eras" laid the groundwork for Britpop. The album was complete with "glam and pop hooks machined to perfection with the best in 1990s recording science".