| ex:el | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 4 March 1991[1] | |||
| Recorded | September – December 1990 | |||
| Studio | Revolution Studios | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length |
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| Label | ||||
| 808 State chronology | ||||
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| Singles from ex:el | ||||
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| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [4] |
| Drowned in Sound | 7/10[5] |
| Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [6] |
| Entertainment Weekly | B+[7] |
| The Line of Best Fit | 82%[8] |
| MusicHound | 4.5/5[9] |
| Q | [10] |
| Record Mirror | 8/10[11] |
| Select |   [12] |
| Tom Hull – on the Web | B+ ( )[13] |
ex:el is the third studio album by808 State, released on 4 March 1991 byZTT Records.[10] In contrast to the band's previous work, the album features more catchy melodies and heavieracid techno beats and percussion, "embracing earlier flirtations withhip-hop andindustrial music".[4]
The album also features the guest vocals ofBernard Sumner ofJoy Division andNew Order, who sings on "Spanish Heart".[10] In addition,Björk sings on "Qmart" and "Ooops", and is credited with co-writing both;[2] this album marked the start of a long-running working relationship between Björk andGraham Massey.[10]
It is considered to be the first major release to feature the sample from the filmWilly Wonka & the Chocolate Factory of the phrase "we are the music makers", which became one of the most common vocal samples in electronic music. It is also the first electronic album to feature guest vocals by importantalternative rock artists on selected tracks, which became commonplace too on later pop-oriented electronic albums.[4]
Phil Sutcliffe inQ Magazine called the album "irresistibly full of fun"[10]
The album is last to feature founding member Martin Price, who left the group in October 1991 to perform solo production work, eventually forming his own label, Sun Text.[14]
In 2025,The Guardian included the album in their list of "1000 Albums to Hear Before You Die".[15]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "San Francisco" | 4:56 |
| 2. | "Spanish Heart" (featuringBernard Sumner) | 3:51 |
| 3. | "Leo Leo" | 4:01 |
| 4. | "Qmart" (featuringBjörk) | 4:58 |
| 5. | "Nephatiti" | 4:50 |
| 6. | "Lift" | 5:12 |
| 7. | "Ooops" (featuring Björk) | 4:41 |
| 8. | "Empire" | 4:20 |
| 9. | "In Yer Face" | 4:54 |
| 10. | "Cubik" | 3:44 |
| 11. | "Lambrusco Cowboy" | 4:05 |
| 12. | "Techno Bell" | 4:56 |
| 13. | "Olympic" | 4:21 |
In September 2008,ex:el was re-released as a 'deluxe edition'. The original album was remastered by Graham Massey, andIan Peel and Graham Massey compiled a bonus disc of remixes and unreleased tracks which included:[16]
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)[17] | 109 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[18] | 4 |
But it wasEx:El, released at the height of Madchester, that was 808's electronic dance masterpiece...
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