Expecting to Fly is the debut studio album by the Bluetones. It was released on 12 February 1996, knocking Oasis's (What's the Story) Morning Glory? off the number-one spot in the UK Albums Chart for a week. The album is certified Platinum by the BPI. Its singles were "Bluetonic", "Slight Return" and "Cut Some Rug". A 2 CD Expanded Edition of the album was released on 9 March 2009.

Production

The majority of Expecting to Fly was recorded at Ridge Farm Studios in mid 1995, except for "Talking to Clarry", which was done in late 1995. Hugh Jones produced the sessions, and mixed the recordings with engineer Helen Woodward. The album was later mastered by Geoff Pesche.

Reception

Sam Taylor in Q wrote, "Perhaps the most accomplished rock debut album since The Stone Roses in 1989, Expecting to Fly avoids the usual primitive drive of first recordings, in favour of technical brilliance and adventurous songwriting... a classic rock album." List journalist Brian Donaldson likened The Bluetones to "a Squeeze for the 90s", and noted that the record has "excellence exhibited throughout". David Sinclair of Rolling Stone called the album "an accomplished and varied collection of guitar-based tunes with a solid charm rooted in the best traditions of English alternative pop—no more, but certainly no less." Melody Maker placed it at no. 19 on their list of 1996's Albums of the Year. NME ranked the LP at no. 11 in their 1996 critic poll.

Commercial performance

Expecting to Fly entered the UK Albums Chart at number one on first-week sales of 82,000. The album was certified platinum by the BPI in March 1998 for sales of 300,000.

Track listing

All tracks written by Morriss, Chesters, Devlin, Morriss, except where noted. Collector's edition disc 2

Personnel

Personnel per booklet. The Bluetones Additional musicians Production Design

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts