Misery Is a Butterfly

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.^[8] 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.^[9]

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[1][2] chamber pop[2] dream pop[3] indie rock[4]
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[5][6] "Equus" Released: May 24, 2004[7]

Kazu Makino's Horse Accident Influenced the Album

Much of the album's emotional and lyrical content reflects Makino's 2003 horseback accident, which required facial reconstructive surgery and months of rehabilitation including relearning how to sing. Tracks like “Elephant Woman” and “Equus” make direct lyrical and rhythmic references to this event

Third Album to Feature Orchestral Arrangements

Continuing the sonic evolution that began with 2000's Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons, the album integrates lush string arrangements (viola, violin, cello) and clavichords, giving it a cinematic, chamber-pop feel. Contributors include Eyvind Kang and Jane Scarpantoni

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
Metacritic	78/100[10]
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[11]
The Boston Phoenix	[12]
Entertainment Weekly	B−[13]
Mojo	[14]
Now	4/5[15]
Pitchfork	7.9/10[16]
Q	[17]
Rolling Stone	[4]
Spin	B[18]
Uncut	9/10[19]

CMJ ranked Misery Is a Butterfly as the 18th best album of 2004.^[20]

Track listing

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

No.	Title	Lead vocals	Length
1.	"Elephant Woman"	Makino	4:49
2.	"Messenger"	A. Pace	3:21
3.	"Melody"	Makino	4:36
4.	"Doll Is Mine"	A. Pace	3:06
5.	"Misery Is a Butterfly"	Makino	5:07
6.	"Falling Man"	A. Pace	3:26
7.	"Anticipation"	Makino	4:04
8.	"Maddening Cloud"	A. Pace	3:20
9.	"Magic Mountain"	Makino	3:02
10.	"Pink Love"	A. Pace Makino	6:13
11.	"Equus"	Makino	3:50
Total length:			44:54

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.^[21]

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

Chart (2004)	Peak position
French Albums (SNEP)[22]	77
Italian Albums (FIMI)[23]	50
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[24]	41
US Billboard 200[25]	180
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[26]	10
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[27]	11