For his comeback album and first new release in five years, Adam Ant turned to old Prince crony Andre Cymone, who transformed him into a dance music singer, producing and playing all the instruments on contemporary dance tracks, over which Ant's longtime partner Marco Pirroni played lead guitar and Ant himself contributed appropriately rhythmic vocals. Some of the lyrics had his old flair for mockery, but, like most dance music singers, he came off as only a part of the production, rather than its focus. Nevertheless, the makeover was good for a U.K./U.S. Top 20 hit in "Room at the Top" and respectable chart peaks of number 19 (England) and number 57 (America), a big improvement over 1985, when he looked washed up. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide
Manners & Physique is the fourth solo album from Adam Ant. It was released by March 1990 by MCA Records. The single "Room at the Top" peaked at number 13 in England and number 17 in America.[citation needed] "Rough Stuff" (US) and "Can't Set Rules About Love" (UK) were released afterwards.
Ant is credited with writing or co-writing all the tracks on the album, mostly in partnership with guitarist Marco Pirroni or André Cymone, who is credited with playing "Everything Else".
The album is dedicated to Ann Marie Dollard, Ant's "Dear Friend", 1956-1988.
On July, 20th, 2009 the album was re-released with remastered and bonus tracks.
Track listing
Original Release
"Room at the Top" – 4:43
"Rough Stuff" – 4:40
"If You Keep On" – 4:16
"Manners & Physique" – 3:30
"Can't Set Rules About Love" – 4:43
"U.S.S.A." – 4:27
"Bright Lights Black Leather" – 5:22
"Piccadilly" – 4:52
"Young Dumb and Full of It" – 3:32
"Anger, Inc." – 4:35
Re-release on Cherry Records
"Room at the Top" – 4:43
"Rough Stuff" – 4:40
"If You Keep On" – 4:16
"Manners & Physique" – 3:30
"Can't Set Rules About Love" – 4:43
"U.S.S.A." – 4:27
"Bright Lights Black Leather" – 5:22
"Piccadilly" – 4:52
"Young Dumb and Full of It" – 3:32
"Anger, Inc." – 4:35
"BRUCE LEE
"ROOM AT THE TOP (US REMIX)"
"ROUGH STUFF (7” EDIT)"
"ROOM AT THE TOP (HOUSE VOCAL)"
"ROUGH STUFF (12" VOCAL REMIX)"
Tracks 11 - 15 are bonus tracks from various 7" and 12" releases.
