Beat Noir is fourth studio album by Spahn Ranch, released on October 19, 1998 by Out of Line and Sub/Mission Records. It was reissued on November 24 of that year by Cleopatra Records. The final track "An Exit" was licensed to Cleopatra Records to be released on the various artists compilation The Black Bible in 1998.
Reception
AllMusic gave Beat Noir gave two and a half out of five possible stars. Music critic Dave Thompson said "from the infectious opening riff of "Fire Lives in the Hearts of All Men," to the near reverent melodies entwined within the synth structure of "Ride like Lightning Crash like Thunder," a tight, edgy, yet absolutely hummable album that is solid throughout." Ink 19 was negatively critical of the album's misdirected experimentation and claimed that Athan Maroulis' vocal choices were unsuited for the album's genre.
Track listing
Accolades
Personnel
Adapted from the Beat Noir liner notes.
Spahn Ranch
Matt Green – programming, keyboards, production, mixing
Harry Lewis – percussion
Athan Maroulis – lead vocals
Additional performers
David J – bass guitar (6, 10) Eric Powell – programming (1)