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Misery Is a Butterfly
Studio album by Blonde Redhead
Released	March 15, 2004 (2004-03-15)
Recorded	March 16 – April 6, 2003
Studio	Long View Farm (North Brookfield, Massachusetts)
Genre	Art rock chamber pop dream pop indie rock
Length	44:54
Label	4AD
Producer	Guy Picciotto Ryan Hadlock
Blonde Redhead chronology
Mélodie Citronique (2000) Misery Is a Butterfly (2004) The Secret Society of Butterflies (2005)
Singles from Misery Is a Butterfly
"Elephant Woman" Released: February 23, 2004 "Equus" Released: May 24, 2004

Misery Is a Butterfly is the sixth studio album by American alternative rock band Blonde Redhead. The album was released on March 15, 2004, by 4AD. Much of the visual and lyrical imagery of the album is reflective of an accident in which lead singer Kazu Makino was trampled by a horse.

Critical reception

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2023)

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
Metacritic	78/100
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
The Boston Phoenix
Entertainment Weekly	B−
Mojo
Now	4/5
Pitchfork	7.9/10
Q
Rolling Stone
Spin	B
Uncut	9/10

CMJ ranked Misery Is a Butterfly as the 18th best album of 2004.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Blonde Redhead (Kazu Makino, Amedeo Pace and Simone Pace)

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.

Blonde Redhead

• Kazu Makino – vocals, clavinet, guitar, programming, string arrangements
• Amedeo Pace – vocals, guitar, baritone guitar, programming, string arrangements
• Simone Pace – drums, percussion, electronics, programming, string arrangements

Additional musicians

• Eyvind Kang – viola, violin, string arrangements
• Jane Scarpantoni – cello
• Skúli Sverrisson – bass

Production

• Greg Calbi – mastering
• Chris Evans – engineering (assistant)
• Juan Garcia – engineering (assistant)
• John Goodmanson – mixing, additional engineering
• Ryan Hadlock – recording, additional production
• Guy Picciotto – production

Design

• Chris Bigg – artwork guidance
• Blonde Redhead – art direction, design
• Jun Koike – initial artwork assistance
• Carlo Mollino – front cover photography
• Keiko Uenishi – initial artwork assistance

Charts

References

1. Edwards, Robin. "Blonde Redhead | Hungry Ghost". The Stranger. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
2. ^ Tate, David (March 18, 2014). "Fenster – The Pink Caves". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
3. "The 25 Best Dream Pop Albums of All Time". Paste. August 24, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
4. ^ Hunter, James (May 5, 2004). "Blonde Redhead: Misery Is a Butterfly". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 6, 2008. Retrieved April 9, 2016.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
5. "Blonde Redhead: 'Elephant Woman'". 4AD. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
6. "Elephant Woman – EP by Blonde Redhead". United States: Apple Music. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
7. "Watch the video for Equus". 4AD. May 14, 2004. Archived from the original on June 10, 2004. Retrieved March 8, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
8. "Blonde Redhead: 'Misery Is A Butterfly'". 4AD. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
9. Lobenfeld, Claire (July 12, 2013). "Blonde Redhead Albums From Worst To Best". Stereogum. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
10. "Misery Is A Butterfly by Blonde Redhead Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
11. Phares, Heather. "Misery Is a Butterfly – Blonde Redhead". AllMusic. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
12. Skruck, Jeff (April 9–15, 2004). "Blonde Redhead: Misery Is a Butterfly (4AD/Beggars Group)". The Boston Phoenix. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved November 4, 2016.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
13. Vincentelli, Elisabeth (March 19, 2004). "Misery Is a Butterfly". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 10, 2016. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
14. Chick, Stevie (May 2004). "Blonde Redhead: Misery Is a Butterfly". Mojo. No. 126. p. 106.
15. Young, Dylan (April 1, 2004). "Blonde Redhead". Now. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
16. Carr, Eric (April 12, 2004). "Blonde Redhead: Misery Is a Butterfly". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
17. "Blonde Redhead: Misery Is a Butterfly". Q. No. 214. May 2004. p. 98.
18. Day, Adrienne; Ganz, Caryn; Hermes, Will; Richardson, Sean; Ryan, Chris (June 2004). "Breakdown". Spin. Vol. 20, no. 6. p. 108. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
19. Pinnock, Tom (October 2016). "How to Buy... Blonde Redhead". Uncut. No. 233. p. 49.
20. "20 for 04 – 18. Blonde Redhead: Misery Is a Butterfly". CMJ New Music Monthly. No. 129. 2004. p. 30. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
21. Misery Is a Butterfly (liner notes). Blonde Redhead. 4AD. 2004. CAD 2409CD.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
22. "Lescharts.com – Blonde Redhead – Misery Is a Butterfly". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
23. "Italiancharts.com – Blonde Redhead – Misery Is a Butterfly". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
24. "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
25. "Blonde Redhead Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
26. "Blonde Redhead Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
27. "Blonde Redhead Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 2, 2017.

External links

• Misery Is a Butterfly at Discogs (list of releases)
• Misery Is a Butterfly at MusicBrainz (list of releases)

• 2004 albums
• Blonde Redhead albums
• Albums produced by Guy Picciotto
• Albums recorded at Long View Farm
• 4AD albums