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The Beast Inside

The Beast Inside is the second studio album from British indie rock band Inspiral Carpets. It was released on 22 April 1991 on Mute Records.

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Jul 20, 2026
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The Beast Inside
Studio album by
Inspiral Carpets
Released22 April 1991 (1991-04-22)1
StudioRidge Farm, Surrey
GenreIndie rock, Madchester
Length56:11
LabelMute2
ProducerChris Nagle
Inspiral Carpets chronology
Life
(1990) 		The Beast Inside
(1991) 		Revenge of the Goldfish
(1992)
Singles from The Beast Inside
  1. "Caravan"
    Released: 18 March 19913
  2. "Please Be Cruel"
    Released: 1991

The Beast Inside is the second studio album from British indie rock band Inspiral Carpets.45 It was released on 22 April 1991 on Mute Records.

The album made the Top 10 in the United Kingdom.6

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStar7
The Encyclopedia of Popular MusicStarStarStar8
Entertainment WeeklyC+9
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album GuideStarStar10
The Rolling Stone Album GuideStarStarStar11
Select4/52

The Rolling Stone Album Guide called the album "a leap forward," writing that "Sleep Well Tonight" "recalled the Velvets at their most Teutonically romantic."11 Trouser Press called it "a misbegotten attempt at formula- tinkering that broadens the band’s dynamic net but doesn’t pull anything worthwhile in."12 The Los Angeles Times wrote that The Beast Inside "bears plenty of beat-heavy ecstasy, as well as sounds o’ the ‘60s (notably Clint Boon’s swirling organ)."5 The Chicago Tribune wrote that "few of the tunes are immediate powerhouses, but as the Carpets maintain their garage-rock energy while keeping the soundscapes changing ... they provide their eventual, if minor, rewards."13

Track listing

LP: Cow Records / DUNG 14 (UK)

  1. "Caravan" (4:17)
  2. "Please Be Cruel" (3:38)
  3. "Born Yesterday" (5:23)
  4. "Sleep Well Tonight" (5:10)
  5. "Grip" (3:16)
  6. "Beast Inside" (5:09)
  7. "Niagara" (7:10)
  8. "Mermaid" (4:29)
  9. "Further Away" (13:38)
  10. "Dreams Are All We Have" (4:01)
  • also released on CD (DUNG 14 CD) and MC (DUNG 14 MC)

Personnel

  • Clint Boon - organ, backing vocals
  • Craig Gill - drums
  • Tom Hingley - lead vocals
  • Graham Lambert - guitars
  • Martyn Walsh - bass

Charts

Chart (1991) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)14 157
UK Albums (Official Charts)15 5
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Scottish Albums (Official Charts)16 76
UK Independent Albums (Official Charts)17 37

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)18 Silver 60,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

References

  1. "New Releases". Music Week. 20 April 1991. p. 14.
  2. Griffiths, Nick (May 1991). "The Beastly Boys". Select. p. 70.
  3. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 16 March 1991. p. 19.
  4. "Inspiral Carpets Biography & History". AllMusic.
  5. "A New Weave from Manchester Lads". Los Angeles Times. 30 June 1991.
  6. Buckley, Peter (22 October 2003). The Rough Guide to Rock. Rough Guides. ISBN 9781843531050.
  7. "The Beast Inside Inspiral Carpets". AllMusic.
  8. Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 4. MUZE. p. 481.
  9. "The Beast Inside". Entertainment Weekly.
  10. MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 576.
  11. The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 344.
  12. "Inspiral Carpets". Trouser Press. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  13. Caro, Mark. "Inspiral Carpets The Beast Inside". Chicago Tribune.
  14. "Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing 12 August 1991". Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  15. "Official Albums Chart on 28/4/1991 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  16. "Official Scottish Albums Chart on 26/11/2021 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  17. "Official Independent Albums Chart on 26/11/2021 – Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  18. "British album certifications – Inspiral Carpets – The Beast Inside". British Phonographic Industry. Select albums in the Formats field. Type The Beast Inside Inspiral Carpets in the "Search:" field.