Dare to Be Surprised

Dare to Be Surprised is the second studio album by the Folk Implosion.^[1][2] It was released on Communion in 1997.^[3]

Dare to Be Surprised
Studio album by The Folk Implosion
Released	April 29, 1997 (1997-04-29)
Genre	Indie rock alternative rock lo-fi
Length	37:27
Label	Communion
Producer	Wally Gagel The Folk Implosion
The Folk Implosion chronology
Take a Look Inside (1994) Dare to Be Surprised (1997) One Part Lullaby (1999)
Singles from Dare to Be Surprised
"Insinuation" Released: 1997 "Pole Position" Released: 1997

Production

The liner notes state that the album was "recorded at Bliss onto videotape, 8-16 tracks," and that "no analog equipment was used in the production of this record (except for a couple of things)."

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[4]
Chicago Tribune	[5]
Robert Christgau	[6]
Pitchfork	8.2/10[7]
(The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide	[8]
Spin	6/10[9]

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic called the album "one of the finest items in their respective catalogs."^[4] Mark Binelli of Spin commented that "the record feels frigid, less a true attempt at seduction than a tepid toe-suck."^[9]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Lou Barlow and John Davis.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Pole Position"	2:46
2.	"Wide Web"	2:50
3.	"Insinuation"	4:26
4.	"Barricade"	2:36
5.	"That's the Trick"	1:58
6.	"Checking In"	3:13
7.	"Cold Night"	1:26
8.	"Park Dub"	1:39
9.	"Burning Paper"	4:13
10.	"(Blank Paper)"	1:55
11.	"Ball and Chain"	2:32
12.	"Fall into November"	2:57
13.	"Dare to Be Surprised"	2:10
14.	"River Devotion"	1:46
Total length:		37:27

Personnel

Credits adapted from liner notes.

The Folk Implosion

• Lou Barlow – bass guitar, drums, instruments, vocals
• John Davis – guitar, drums, instruments, vocals

Additional personnel

• Wally Gagel – drum programming, recording, engineering, mixing
• Gary Weissman – artwork, layout
• Tamara Bonn – photography
• JJ Gifford – digital manipulation