Start Packing

Start Packing is the debut album by Run On, released in 1996 through Matador Records.^[5][6]

Start Packing
Studio album by Run On
Released	March 12, 1996
Recorded	Soma, Chicago, Illinois Funhouse, Barton Boys' Ranch and Greene Street, New York,
Genre	Indie rock, art rock
Length	43:42
Label	Matador[1]
Producer	Run On[2]
Run On chronology
On/Off (1995) Start Packing (1996) No Way (1997)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[3]
Robert Christgau	[4]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide	[2]

Critical reception

Trouser Press wrote that "the first half is winsomely melodic, while a more abrasively experimental (but still accessible) sonic approach dominates the latter portion."^[7] Washington City Paper wrote that the album "bounces from combustible drone ’n’ squall ('Miscalculation') to dusty Velvet melancholy ('Doesn't Anybody Love the Dark') to sexy rhythmic grooves ('Go There')."^[8] The Stranger deemed it "some of the most complex and beautiful work of the era."^[9] The Chicago Reader called the album "superb," writing that "Sue Garner's sweet, languid, but most of all powerful vocals spin golden threads of melody while Alan Licht's nervy guitar rumbles beneath with purposeful noise and texture."^[10]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Run On.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Tried"	3:27
2.	"Baap"	3:15
3.	"Go There"	4:31
4.	"A to Z"	3:32
5.	"Miscalculation"	1:33
6.	"In Strength"	3:37
7.	"Xmas Trip"	1:56
8.	"Doesn't Anybody Love the Dark"	3:38
9.	"Tell Me"	3:01
10.	"You Said"	4:05
11.	"Coffee"	2:35
12.	"Surprise"	8:32

Personnel

Run On

• Rick Brown – drums, synthesizer, clarinet, vocals, percussion, programming
• Sue Garner – bass guitar, guitar, piano, organ, tambourine, vocals, cover art
• Alan Licht – guitar, bass guitar, piano, accordion, vocals
• David Newgarden – organ, synthesizer, trumpet, tuba, marimba, percussion

Production and additional personnel

• Tony Cenicola – photography
• Rod Hui – mixing, recording
• John McEntire – recording
• Anne McNeil – photography
• Jerry Teel – recording
• Wharton Tiers – mixing