RTFM (album)

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title: "RTFM (album)" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["poster-children-albums", "1997-albums", "warner-records-albums"] topic_path: "arts/music" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RTFM_(album)" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox album"]

Field	Value
name	RTFM
type	Album
artist	Poster Children
cover	PosterChildrenRTFMCover.gif
released	April 22, 1997
recorded	1996, Pogo Studio, Champaign, Illinois
genre	Alternative rock
length	44:58
label	Reprise Records
producer	Bryce Goggin, Poster Children
prev_title	Junior Citizen
prev_year	1995
next_title	New World Record
next_year	1999
::

| name = RTFM | type = Album | artist = Poster Children | cover = PosterChildrenRTFMCover.gif | alt = | released = April 22, 1997 | recorded = 1996, Pogo Studio, Champaign, Illinois | venue = | studio = | genre = Alternative rock | length = 44:58 | label = Reprise Records | producer = Bryce Goggin, Poster Children | prev_title = Junior Citizen | prev_year = 1995 | next_title = New World Record | next_year = 1999 | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1Score = RTFM is the fifth album by the American alternative rock band Poster Children, released in 1997. The title comes from the term RTFM, short for "Read The Fucking Manual". It was issued as an enhanced CD.

The band supported the album by touring with Failure.

Production

The album was mixed using a Mac Quadra 650. The band recorded the album with the same lineup that recorded Junior Citizen; it was the first time in their existence that the exact same band members had appeared on two albums in a row.

Critical reception

The New York Times wrote: "Years on the club circuit have made the band's lyrics ever more sardonic; in "Music of America" from their new album, RTFM (Reprise), Poster Children mock 'AM/FM trash, recycled every hour and converted into cash.'" The Chicago Tribune thought that "the quartet fuses swaggering power chords, home-brewed techno-delia, pop melodies and dissonant clatter into a distinctive, inviting wail."

Track listing

1. "Blackdog" – 3:56
2. "Ofor1" – 3:35
3. "Music of America" – 2:24
4. "Dreamsmall" – 3:54
5. "Speed of Light" – 3:17
6. "King of the Hill" – 4:42
7. "21st Century" – 3:34
8. "Attack!" – 2:56
9. "Sleep" – 3:57
10. "Pearly Gates" – 4:50
11. "Afterglow" – 4:00
12. "Happenseveryday" – 3:53

Personnel

• Bryce Goggin – Producer, Engineer
• Rick Valentin – Vocals, Guitar
• Rose Marshack – Bass, vocals
• Jim Valentin – Guitar
• Howie Kantoff – Drums

References

References

1. "Poster Children".
2. (Sep 6, 1997). "Poster Children: 0 For 1".
3. "RTFM - Poster Children | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic".
4. "Poster Children Biography, Songs, & Albums".
5. "Recommended".
6. (May 3, 1997). "Reprise act considered Poster Children for ECD".
7. (26 Sep 1997). "Poster Children continue punk tradition on the road". Albuquerque Journal.
8. Silberman, Steve. "Strange Attractors".
9. (4 May 1997). "Failure finds success in doing things its way". Lincoln Journal Star.
10. Pareles, Jon. (May 23, 1997). "2d Echelon, With Cynicism". The New York Times.
11. (9 May 1997). "THE BEST BAR BANDS, BAR NONE". Chicago Tribune.

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