Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 8, 2026

Manic Compression

Manic Compression is the second studio album by American post-hardcore band Quicksand. It was first released on February 24, 1995 on vinyl through Revelation Records, before being given a widespread CD release through Island Records on February 28, 1995. The album influenced many post-hardcore and alternative metal bands. It peaked at number 135 on the Billboard 200.

Last revised
Jul 8, 2026
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≈ 3 min
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Manic Compression
Studio album by
Quicksand
ReleasedFebruary 24, 1995 (1995-02-24)
Studio
Genre
Length38:26
45:04 (Japan)
LabelIsland
Producer
Quicksand chronology
Slip
(1993) 		Manic Compression
(1995) 		Interiors
(2017)
Singles from Manic Compression
  1. "Divorce"
    Released: 1994
  2. "Delusional"
    Released: 19954
  3. "Thorn in My Side"
    Released: April 3, 19955a
  4. "Landmine Spring"
    Released: July 17, 19957
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStarHalf star8
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal6/109
The Encyclopedia of Popular MusicStarStarStar10
Kerrang!StarStarStarStar11

Manic Compression is the second studio album by American post-hardcore band Quicksand. It was first released on February 24, 1995 on vinyl through Revelation Records, before being given a widespread CD release through Island Records on February 28, 1995.12131415 The album influenced many post-hardcore and alternative metal bands.16 It peaked at number 135 on the Billboard 200.17

It was Quicksand's last studio album before their initial breakup, leading to a 22-year gap in output until the release of Interiors, in 2017.18 In the meantime, a follow-up album was conceptualized during their brief 1997–1999 reunion, but it never materialized.19

A vinyl version of the album was released in early 2013 by Shop Radio Cast.17 It incorrectly lists "Landmine Spring" as the first song on the B-side on the cover, when the song is the last song pressed on the A-side.

Critical reception

The Encyclopedia of Popular Music called Manic Compression "another bracing collection of cerebral punk songs."10 Trouser Press wrote that "producers Wharton Tiers ... and Don Fury condense the sonics considerably on tracks like the writhing 'Divorce' and the brittle 'Thorn in My Side.'"3

Track listing

All tracks are written by Quicksand.

No.TitleLength
1."Backward"1:43
2."Delusional"4:05
3."Divorce"1:44
4."Simpleton"2:35
5."Skinny (It's Overflowing)"2:27
6."Thorn in My Side"2:37
7."Landmine Spring"3:21
8."Blister"2:30
9."Brown Gargantuan"4:04
10."East 3rd St."4:01
11."Supergenius"2:52
12."It Would Be Cooler If You Did"6:27
Total length:38:26
Japanese bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
12."Shovel"3:07
13."Voice Killer"3:31
Total length:45:04

Personnel

  • Quicksand
  • George Marino – mastering
  • Don Fury – production (1, 2, 4–6, 9), mixing
  • Wharton Tiers – production (3, 7, 8, 10–14)
  • Melinda Beck – illustration
  • Joseph Cultice – photography
  • Satoru Igarashi – design
Notes

Notes

  1. A limited edition 7-inch vinyl split single with "Thorn in My Side" and Stanford Prison Experiment's "You're the Vulgarian" was released later in 1995.6
References

References

  1. Pell, Nicholas (July 3, 2012). "Top Five Best Post-Hardcore Records". LA Weekly. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  2. "Top 20 Emo Albums in History: Complete List". LA Weekly. October 10, 2013. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  3. Sprague, Deborah. "Quicksand". Trouser Press. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  4. McCormack, Holly (February 3, 1995). "Hard Hitters — Top Picks: Quicksand, "Delusional" (Island)" (PDF). The Hard Report. No. 409. p. 52. Retrieved July 7, 2026 – via worldradiohistory.com. The first sample from the upcoming Manic Compression release (hitting stores on February 28) is 'Delusional'…
  5. "Quicksand: Manic Compressions" (PDF). The Hard Report. No. 417. March 31, 1995. p. 5. Retrieved July 2, 2026 – via worldradiohistory.com. Go!! 'Thorn In My Side' — The New Single and Video Going for Adds April 3!
  6. "Hard Hitters: Filings" (PDF). The Hard Report. No. 434. July 28, 1995. p. 48. Retrieved July 7, 2026. Keep your eyes peeled for the arrival of a Stanford Prison Experiment (World Domination)/Quicksand (Polydor) shared limited edition, red vinyl 7". Stanford have donated 'You're The Vulgarian', while Quicksand offer up 'Thorn In My Side'.
  7. "New Music For July: Week Of July 17" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1101. June 30, 1995. p. 71. Retrieved July 5, 2026 – via worldradiohistory.com.
  8. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Manic Compression - Quicksand | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  9. Popoff, Martin (2007). The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 3: The Nineties. Burlington, Ontario, Canada: Collector's Guide Publishing. p. 357. ISBN 978-1-894959-62-9.
  10. Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 6. MUZE. p. 715.
  11. Brannigan, Paul (April 15, 1995). "Albumz". Kerrang!. No. 541. EMAP. p. 47.
  12. Rowe, Chris (December 7, 2000). "Manic Compression". quicksand.net. Archived from the original on March 5, 2001. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  13. Blush, Steven (October 4, 2016). New York Rock: From the Rise of The Velvet Underground to the Fall of CBGB. St. Martin's Publishing Group. ISBN 978-1-25008-362-3 – via Google Books.
  14. Prato, Greg. "Quicksand Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  15. Modell, Josh (September 24, 2013). "Quicksand made two near-perfect records, then disappeared". The A.V. Club. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  16. Harris, Chris (February 28, 2020). "Quicksand's "Manic Compression" Turns 25: Geoff Rickly and More Reflect on Album's Influence". Spin. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  17. "QUICKSAND's 'Manic Compression' To Be Made Available On Colored Vinyl". Blabbermouth.net. January 16, 2013. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  18. Maine, Samantha (August 22, 2017). "Quicksand announce new album – their first in 22 years". NME. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  19. Sharpe-Young, Garry (December 26, 2005). New Wave of American Heavy Metal. Zonda Books Limited. ISBN 978-0-95826-840-0 – via Google Books.