Play Dead (Amanda Richards album)

Play Dead is the third full-length studio album released by Amanda Richards. It was recorded at Digital MX Studios in Portland, OR. It was initially slotted for a short run of 400 CD's in 2011, but was later reissued in LP format in the summer of 2012. Press releases from Amanda and her band, The Hardly Hards, describe the concept album as "a collection of old-school country songs about the zombie apocalypse written from the perspective of the soon-to-be last person on Earth who happens to be a country singer and a feminist"^[1] and concerts in the Portland area in support of the album often feature the band dressing up as zombies, Amanda herself doused in fake blood playing what appears to be a damaged guitar, and various other theatrical effects that reflect the dramatic and comedic themes of the music.

In 2012, the album won an Independent Music Award for "Best Concept Album".^[2]

Track listing

All songs written and performed by Amanda Richards.

1. "Intro"
2. "Quarantine"
3. "Don't Leave Your Woman (When There's Walking Dead)"
4. "Is That Lipstick?"
5. "Undead in My Bed"
6. "Zombie Baby"
7. "Play Dead"
8. "No Fear, No Pain"
9. "Walking Among the Dead"
10. "Feast of Flesh"
11. "Zombyodel"
12. "Rest in Pieces"

Personnel

• Amanda Richards - vocals & acoustic guitar
• Max Skewes - banjo
• Mark Powers - drums & spoons
• Dan Sullivan - bass guitar
• Doug Jones - pedal steel
• Liz Chihucos - fiddle
• Chris Viola - lead guitar
• Carrie Cunningham - background vocals
• Simon Lucas - jug blowing & knee slapping

Production

• Amanda Richards - producer
• Duane Miller - engineer and co-producer
• Justin Phelps - mastering
• Communications Factory, Inc. - art direction

References