Writing for Melody Maker, Simon Reynolds was impressed by how Saint Etienne's "learned eclecticism" and "pop-about-pop approach" had yielded a cohesive album instead of a "whimsical pick'n'mix", calling Foxbase Alpha "a record that charms you into a gooey stupor, rather than burns your eye with visionary vastness." In NME, Tim Southwell lauded the album as "touching, humorous and genuinely bloody interesting", crediting Saint Etienne for "pulling their influences together with a conviction all their own."

Foxbase Beta

In 2009, Foxbase Alpha was 're-produced' and remixed from the original multi-tracks by Richard X. This new version was called Foxbase Beta, and formed the basis of much of what was played during the band's May 2009 tour, which saw Foxbase Alpha played live in its entirety for the first time. Foxbase Beta was packaged with an additional CD titled Foxbase Extra, featuring a commentary on the album by Bob Stanley, Pete Wiggs and Richard X, and additional out-takes. A single disc version was sold at their 2009 shows and through Rough Trade Records in London.

25th Anniversary Edition

Available for pre-order in 2016, the 25th Anniversary Edition shipped in 2017. The set included the original album pressed on two 12" vinyl records, a second 12" vinyl record entitled Remains of the Day with additional tracks not previously available on vinyl, and a 7" single of Kiss and Make Up, featuring vocals by Moira Lambert. In addition to this, the special edition included a 12"x12" book, download code for the entire album in MP3 format, as well as reproductions of promotional material from the original release.

Track listing

1991 releases

2009 release

Personnel

The liner notes list the album's personnel as follows:

  • Saint Etienne – producer
  • Ian Catt – engineer (at Catt Music, Mitcham)
  • Sarah Cracknell – vocals
  • Bob Stanley – Roland Jupiter 4, Korg M1, tambourine
  • Pete Wiggs – SCI Prophet 5, Emax sampler, bongos
  • Ian Catt – guitars, keyboard programming
  • Moira Lambert – vocals on "Only Love Can Break Your Heart"
  • Harvey Williams – bass guitar on "Only Love Can Break Your Heart"
  • Pete Heller – additional programming on "Kiss and Make Up"
  • Bo Savage, Gazareth Sweeney, Uncle Vibes, Billy Nasty – The Inspirational Choir
  • Joe Dilworth – photography
  • Anthony Sweeney – sleeve design
  • Paul the Tailor – suits
  • Andrew Wickham – spin bowler
  • Jerry Jaffe – American psyche
  • Kate Askey – long leg
  • Martin Kelly – the cage
  • Celina Nash – girl with sign
  • Jon Savage – liner notes

B-sides

from "Only Love Can Break Your Heart"

  • "Only Love Can Break Your Heart (Version)"
  • "Only Love Can Break Your Heart (A Mix of Two Halves)" <small>(Remixed by Andrew Weatherall)</small>
  • "The Official Saint Etienne World Cup Theme"

from "Kiss and Make Up"

  • "Sky's Dead" (7-inch version)
  • "Kiss and Make Up (Extended Version)"
  • "Sky's Dead"
  • "Kiss and Make Up (Midsummer Madness Mix)" <small>(Remixed by Pete Heller)</small>
  • "Kiss and Make (Midsummer Dubness Mix)" <small>(Remixed by Pete Heller)</small>

from "Nothing Can Stop Us" / "Speedwell"

  • "Speedwell"
  • "Speedwell (Flying Mix)" <small>(Remixed by Dean Thatcher and Jagz)</small>
  • "Speedwell (Project Mix)" <small>(Remixed by Dean Thatcher and Jagz)</small>
  • "Nothing Can Stop Us (Instrumental)"
  • "3D Tiger"
  • "Nothing Can Stop Us (Single Remix)" <small>(Remixed by Masters at Work)</small>
  • "Nothing Can Stop Us (12" Remix)" <small>(Remixed by Masters at Work)</small>
  • "Nothing Can Stop Us (House Mix)" <small>(Remixed by Masters at Work)</small>
  • "Nothing Can Stop Us (Ken/Lou Dub)" <small>(Remixed by Masters at Work)</small>
  • "Nothing Can Stop Us (Masters at Work Dub)"

from "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" (re-release)

  • "Filthy"
  • "Only Love Can Break Your Heart (Single Remix)"
  • "Only Love Can Break Your Heart (KenLou B–Boy Mix)" <small>(Remixed by Masters at Work)</small>
  • "Stoned to Say the Least (Album Version)"
  • "Only Love Can Break Your Heart (Flowered Up Remix)"
  • "Only Love Can Break Your Heart (Masters at Work Dub)"
  • "Only Love Can Break Your Heart (Single-Album Version)"

Charts

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+ Chart performance for Foxbase Alpha

! scope="col"| Chart (1991)

! scope="col"| Peak<br />position

|-

|-

! scope="row"| UK Independent Albums (OCC)

| 2

|}

References