Clairvoyance is the debut studio album by the rock band Screaming Trees, released on February 13, 1986 through Velvetone Records, produced by Steve Fisk. The album helped the band earn a contract with SST Records. While it is very much a combination of psychedelic and garage rock, it bears many similarities to early grunge. It was original limited to a pressing of 2,500 copies, which included full size, double sided inserts. In January 2005, it was re-issued on CD by Hall of Records.
Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil listed Clairvoyance as one of his favourite grunge albums, stating:
“I like Clairvoyance for the song “Clairvoyance,” but my favorite song on there is probably “I See Stars” followed by “Orange Airplane.” After this album, they kind of fattened up their sound.”
Steve Fisk stated that after completing the record he attempted to book a tour for the band and sent their album to local radio stations with little to no traction, stating that “No one wanted to hear about a band from Eastern Washington”.
Tracklist:
- Orange Airplane
- You Tell Me All These Things
- Standing on the Edge
- Forever
- Seeing and Believing
- I See Stars
- Lonely Girl
- Strange Out Here
- The Turning
- Clairvoyance
Credits:
Screaming Trees
Mark Lanegan: lead vocals, violin on “Strange Out Here”
Gary Lee Conner: guitar, backing vocals, organ
Van Conner: bass, backing vocals
Mark Pickerel: percussion, drums
Additional musicians
Joey Conner: backing vocals on “Orange Airplane”
Joanne Conner: backing vocals on “Clairvoyance”
Steve Fisk: producer, piano on “Lonely Girl” and “Clairvoyance,” organ on “The Turning”
Michael Peterson: backing vocals on “Lonely Girl”
Additional personnel
Sam Albright: cover design
John Golden: mastering
Mark Lanegan (November 25, 1964 – February 22, 2022)
Van Conner (March 17, 1967 – January 18, 2023).
