The Art of Noise - In No Sense? Nonsense!

In No Sense? Nonsense! contains some of the Art of Noise's most compelling work. With this album, Anne Dudley and company expanded their new wave experiments to include more instrumental firepower. In addition to full rock band production (including electric guitars, drums, and synthesizers), this record makes use of brass band, orchestral, and choral music. The result is about as rich and complex as they ever got. In No Sense? Nonsense! is probably best known as the album that included their take on the theme from the '50s cop show Dragnet, used in the 1987 film version that starred Dan Akroyd and Tom Hanks. That track is certainly the most accessible on the record, but it somehow seems a little too punchy for the primary ambient pop surroundings. It might fit better on a different album. This record is more notable for tracks like "How Rapid?" and "Opus for Four" that engage in fanciful genre blending. At times, the sound almost begins to anticipate later ambient dance artists like Enigma and DJ Shadow. But the Art of Noise are aptly named and consequently limited. Their artful noise collage lacks the visceral impact afforded by those later bands. In No Sense? is more often interesting than beautiful. ~ Evan Cater, All Music Guide

Name Credits Adrian Hum Choir, Chorus Alan Dalziel Cello Alan David Photography Alastair Stout Choir, Chorus Alexander Costello Choir, Chorus Alistair Taylor Choir, Chorus Antonina Bialas Violin Arthur Wills Director Barry Clempson Engineer Barry Wilde Violin Benjamin Adderley Choir, Chorus Benjamin Dixon Choir, Chorus Benjamin Greatorex Choir, Chorus Bernard Partridge Violin Bob Kraushaar Engineer, Mixing Cathy Giles Cello Colin Sheen Trombone Dave Bronze Bass Dave Watt Tenor (Vocal), Vocals (Background) David James-Roll Choir, Chorus David Katz Violin Desmond Bradley Violin Dietmar Schillinger Mixing Assistant Donald Weekes Violin Douglas Bowen Choir, Chorus Ely Cathedral Choir ? Francis Ambrose Choir, Chorus Frank Ricotti Percussion Galina Solodchin Violin George Webley Bass Graeme Scott Viola Harold Lindsay Alto (Vocals), Vocals (Background) Howard Ball Violin Ian McKinnon Violin James Archer Violin Jay Bee Mixing Assistant John Bradbury Violin John Pasche Art Direction Jon Jacobs Mixing Jonathan Edge Choir, Chorus Keith Burrowes Choir, Chorus Lance Phillips Assistant Engineer Liz Edwards Violin Marilyn Sanson Cello Mark Thomas Violin Matthew Meynell Choir, Chorus Mike Brittain Double Bass Nicolas Varak Assistant Engineer, Mixing Assistant Norris Bosworth Viola Paul E. Smith Vocals (Background) Paul Robinson Drums Paul Smith Bass (Vocal) Peter Ahworth Photography Peter G. Hanson Violin Peter North Tenor (Vocal), Vocals (Background) Peter Oxer Violin Peter Rowan Voices Peter Willison Cello Quentin Williams Cello Richard Clover Vocals (Background), Bass (Vocal) Richard Lewzy Engineer Robert Abwai Guitar Robert Ahwai Guitar Robert Howe Choir, Chorus Robin Firman Cello Roger Dudley Engineer, Mixing Roger Garland Violin Rusen Gunes Viola Simon Harris Choir, Chorus Stuart Breed Engineer Ted Hayton Engineer, Mixing The Art of Noise Arranger, Producer Tim Barthope Vocals (Background), Alto (Vocals) Timothy Morgan Choir, Chorus Tony Fisher Trumpet Tony Harris Viola Tony Martin Double Bass