Making Waves (The Nolans album)

The Nolans began working on Making Waves shortly after their name change (from The Nolan Sisters) in early 1980. The single "Don't Make Waves", taken from the album and released in April 1980, reached number 12 on the UK charts.[2] In mid-1980, Anne left the group and Coleen became an official member of the group, and recorded the remainder of the songs with them for Making Waves, including "Gotta Pull Myself Together," which would later take the No.9 spot on the UK charts.[2]

The album was released in October 1980, and tracks "Who's Gonna Rock You" and "Attention to Me" went on to be released from the album, both of them becoming UK top 20 hits.[2] The album was a similar success, peaking at No.11 and spending 33 weeks in the charts, their longest run in the UK.[3] It was certified gold by the BPI for sales of over 100,000.[4] The album reached No.1 in Japan – their biggest market, where it was released as 恋のハッピー・デート (Happy Dating Love).[5] It became the ninth biggest-selling album of 1981 there.[6] In Australia, the album was released with an earlier single "I'm in the Mood for Dancing" included, which also featured on the Japanese version, replacing "Sexy Music", which instead was the title track to their next album (a compilation).[7][8] In Australia the album was a success, being awarded double platinum.[9]

The songs were produced separately by two producers, Ben Findon, who was responsible for the pop-orientated tracks like "Gotta Pull Myself Together" and "Attention to Me", while Nicky Graham produced the more disco-themed songs such as "Who's Gonna Rock You" and "Lead Me On". Significant other songs included "Touch Me in the Morning", a cover of the Diana Ross hit, "Get Ready", a cover of The Temptations hit and "Sexy Music", which was released as a single in Japan after winning the 1981 Tokyo Music Festival.

The album was re-released on Compact disc in June 2009 by Cherry Red Records in a double-pack with their previous album.[10]

Side One

1. "Gotta Pull Myself Together" (Findon / Myers / Puzey) 2:43
2. "Don't Make Waves" (Findon / Myers / Puzey) 3:40
3. "Touch Me in the Morning" (Michael Masser / Ronald Miller) 4:16
4. "Don't Stoke the Fire" (Findon / Myers / Puzey) 2:46
5. "Better Late than Never" (Findon / Myers / Puzey) 2:57
6. "Sexy Music" (Findon / Myers / Puzey) 3:37

Side Two

1. "Who's Gonna Rock You" (Billy Ocean / Ken Gold) 3:32
2. "Attention to Me" (Findon / Myers / Puzey) 3:07
3. "Old Feelings Again" (Findon / Myers / Puzey) 2:35
4. "Lead Me On" (Allee Willis / David Lasley) 3:07
5. "Directions of Love" (Findon / Myers / Puzey) 2:54
6. "Get Ready" (Smokey Robinson) 3:45

Producers:

• Ben Findon: Side One, tracks 1,2,4,5,6, Side Two tracks 2,3,5
• Nicky Graham: Side One, track 3, Side Two, tracks 1,4,6