Description
Saint Etienne – Good Humor – Vinyl Record
Released on May 26, 1998, Good Humor is the fourth studio album by Saint Etienne, marking a significant departure from their earlier electronic and house-infused sound. Known for blending dance-pop, indie pop, and club culture influences, the British trio—Sarah Cracknell, Bob Stanley, and Pete Wiggs—took a more organic, retro-inspired approach on this record, shifting towards a lush, sophisticated, and Scandinavian-flavored indie pop sound. The album was recorded in Sweden with producer Tore Johansson, best known for his work with The Cardigans, giving Good Humor a distinctly warm, polished, and guitar-driven aesthetic, in contrast to the band’s more electronic-heavy earlier albums like Foxbase Alpha (1991) and So Tough (1993).
While previous Saint Etienne records incorporated house beats, breakbeats, and club-friendly textures, Good Humor strips things down, replacing synth-driven arrangements with jangly guitars, live drums, and rich orchestration, while still maintaining the band’s signature melodic elegance and bittersweet lyricism. Songs like “Sylvie” and “Lose That Girl” feature bright, infectious melodies and crisp arrangements, echoing 1960s pop influences like The Beach Boys and Burt Bacharach, but with a cool, modern twist. Meanwhile, tracks like “Been So Long” and “Postman” showcase a smoother, lounge-like vibe, demonstrating the band’s versatility in crafting breezy, effortless pop. The album also retains subtle electronic touches, particularly on the melancholic “Split Screen”, which balances downtempo grooves with cinematic string arrangements.
Although Good Humor wasn’t as commercially successful as some of the band’s earlier releases, it received widespread critical acclaim, praised for its mature songwriting, refined production, and elegant fusion of classic and contemporary influences. Over time, it has become regarded as one of Saint Etienne’s finest and most cohesive albums, a perfect showcase of their ability to reinvent themselves while maintaining their signature charm. With its timeless pop sensibility and Scandinavian indie aesthetics, Good Humor remains a standout in the band’s discography and an essential listen for fans of sophisticated, melodic pop music.
Good Humor faithful reissue of the 1998 album complete with original inner sleeve artwork includes download code
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Woodcabin
Sylvie
Split Screen
Mr Donut
Goodnight Jack
Lose That Girl
The Bad Photographer
Been So Long
Postman
Erica America
Dutch TV
