Be Human | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | 20 April 2009 | |||
Recorded | August–December 2008 | |||
Studio | Treehouse Studios, Chesterfield and AIR Studios, London | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 46:13(Original) 59:03 (Deluxe) | |||
Label | Search and Destroy/PIAS | |||
Producer | Carl Bown, Fightstar | |||
Fightstar chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Be Human | ||||
|
Be Human is the third studio album by English alternative rock band Fightstar, released on 20 April 2009 through independent label Search and Destroy Records, itself distributed by PIAS Recordings. The album was recorded between August and December 2008 in Chesterfield and London, with the band co-producing alongside Laruso guitarist Carl Bown. Additional recording took place Air Studios with string composer Audrey Riley. Unlike their first two studio releases, Daniel Conway did not contribute to the album's artwork, instead the band approached Ryohei Hase who digitally painted the cover art. [4]
Four singles were released from Be Human, including "The English Way" and "Mercury Summer" prior to the album's release. Drawing praise from many critics, the album entered the UK Albums Chart at number 20, making it their highest charting album to date. [5] The iTunes digital download includes a bonus track which is an acoustic version of "Unfamiliar Ceilings", the final track on the band's previous studio album, performed with former XFM presenter Katie P. [6] A deluxe edition was later re-released on 1 March 2010, including four newly recorded tracks, a DVD of the band's live unplugged performance at the Picturedrome Theatre in Northampton, new cover art and also a revised track listing.[ citation needed ]
The band first mentioned that they were working on new material back in March 2008. They confirmed that after completing their tour with Brigade, they would begin writing during the summer and would be posting updates for fans with video diaries from the studio. [7] Recording took place, for the most part, at Treehouse Studios in Chesterfield, the personal studio of co-producer and friend, Carl Bown. Drum tracks for the album were recorded at Steelworks Studios in Sheffield, and split between Omar and Charlie due to Omar suffering from a broken wrist. [8] Recording sessions began in August 2008, and were due to finish in November. The band's vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Charlie Simpson confirmed tentative working titles as "War Machine", "English Way" and "Mercury Summer". He mentioned the former would have a distinct "rock opera" feel to it with heavy string sections. [9]
After the bulk of recording had been completed, the band went to Air Studios (where film scores for Pirates of the Caribbean and Batman Begins had been composed) to record the string sections with Audrey Riley. Simpson later commented that "it was great to bring that element, that classical side, into it. It adds so much." [10] Leading up to the album's release, the band indicated that the sound would be "quite different" to their earlier material with the inclusion of orchestral and choral parts. Despite this, it was noted that it would still remain "Fightstar", with their trademark dark and heavy elements. [11] The band also regarded the lyrical content as their "most positive" to date and were pleased that the finished product was "everything we wanted". [12]
The first single from the album was "The English Way", released along with a music video on 3 November 2008. It marked a degree of experimentation for the band, with the addition of choir vocals for the first time. [13] The CD single had a demo titled "Colours Bleed", which had its name changed to "Colours Bleed to Red" for the release of the album. "Mercury Summer" was made available for streaming on 17 February 2009. [14] The video for the second single, "Mercury Summer", premiered on 25 February, [15] whilst the physical CD single release was on 6 April. The song further showcased a more experimental direction, with a more upbeat and melodic sound than found in older material. [16]
In a live web chat with fans on the official Fightstar forum on 9 April 2009, the band confirmed that the next single is expected to be "Never Change". Throughout April, the band went on a UK tour with In Case of Fire and Laruso. Be Human was released on 20 April. [15] The band shot the video for "Never Change" on 3 May, as the band confirmed at their gig in Exeter Lemon Grove on 4 May. It was released on 20 July 2009, [17] with the band working alongside the same directors for the video as they did with "Mercury Summer". [18] They appeared at the Reading and Leeds Festivals in August 2009. [19]
The band confirmed in late 2009 that Be Human would be re-released as a deluxe version containing four or five new songs. One of the new songs could be a cover version of Jordin Sparks' "Battlefield", which the band performed informally earlier in the year in the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge. The cover was met with great approval and Sparks herself said on radio that she was a fan of Fightstar and believed they should cover the song. [20]
On 12 October the band posted pictures on their Myspace site from their latest music video shoot for new song "A City on Fire". [21] The song subsequently was played for the first time during Fearne Cotton's show on Radio 1 on 19 October and the official video premiered on the band's MySpace on 24 October, which was directed by the team at Sitcom Soldiers. [22] The single was released as a digital download on 20 December, [23] while the band have since confirmed the deluxe re-release of Be Human will be available in February 2010. [24]
On 13 January, guitarist Alex Westaway posted an update on the band's official website. He confirmed that the deluxe re-release is scheduled for release on or around 1 March 2010. [25] He also confirmed he had personally designed new artwork for the repackaging and that a live DVD would also be included. [25] The band's unplugged performance was shot in December 2009 at the Picturedome in Northampton (Westaway's home town). The DVD also includes the music videos for "The English Way", "Mercury Summer", "Never Change" and "A City on Fire". [25] The four newly recorded tracks were confirmed as, "A City on Fire", "Its Blood Is Black", "28k Resolution" and "Mvua Nyeusi", with the whole track listing re-organised. [25]
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AbsolutePunk | 84% [26] |
Big Cheese | [27] |
God is in the TV | [28] |
In the News | 9/10 [29] |
Kerrang! | [30] |
Melodic.net | [1] |
Q | [31] |
Rock Sound | 8/10 [32] |
Sputnikmusic | 4.5/5 [2] |
The album was met with positive critical response upon its release, with many reviews praising the band for experimenting with the orchestration elements and ultimately, expanding their sound as a whole.
Anton Djamoos of AbsolutePunk rated the album 84% and stated that it's time for the US to "finally take notice of Fightstar". Commenting on the band's progression, he stated; "Be Human is a departure from the general body of work we've seen in the past from the band. They break from their own norm with several orchestral elements to make the album sound more full and let the music hit even harder; they're pushing their creative boundaries and it works for the most part". He also added that Fightstar "is poised to finally see some long-overdue respect". [26] In the News writer Lewis Bazley was highly favourable in his review and awarded a score of 9/10. He described the album as, "Bold, grandiose - a career high". He also stated the album would have huge reply value and summarised his review by adding; "With Fightstar having released this LP themselves and the aforementioned orchestra appearing on almost every track, it's a 50-minute statement of intent, a dozen songs in which the four-piece declare 'this is the band we've always wanted to be'. From the opening, orchestral burst of 'Calling on All Stations', the Death Cab-meets-Cure emotional theatrics of 'Give Me the Sky' and the mournful movie script ending of 'Follow Me into the Darkness', immersing yourself in the bipolar world of Be Human is an exhilarating, sometimes heartstopping journey to revisit for years to come". [29]
Emma Johnston, a critic for British rock magazine Kerrang! , awarded the album an "excellent" four K rating and commented the band had "created a huge-hearted, earnest, wonderfully over the top album". She was particularly impressed with the variety offered on the record; "Be Human is a record glorying in its own bombast, as Fightstar throw as many orchestral and choral flourishes as their muscular, solemnly heavy rock as it could take without drowning". [30] Victoria Durham of Rock Sound stated, "By now, we know that Fightstar are capable of great things and they're back in business, with nothing less than Hollywood movie scores in their sights". Awarding the album 8/10, she made comparisons with Biffy Clyro and Silverchair whilst complimenting the broad range found among the songs; "If 'Chemical Blood' and 'Damocles' are the pummelling rock epics, then 'Tonight We Burn' and 'Give Me The Sky' are the experimental, pop-fuelled gems. Fightstar have always been ambitious; now they’re on their way to becoming truly brilliant". [32] Matt Mason of Q magazine, while awarding the album an "excellent" four star review, wrote, "be human reveals itself to be a more complex – and captivating – creature. Bold juxtapositioning of operatic arrangements, electronic interludes and juddering hardcore riffs." [31] Craig Broad of God Is in the TV noted that his first impressions of the album were, "how grandiose it actually is." Awarding four stars, he praised the band for expanding their sound; "Be Human, ultimately, is a band comfortable with their abilities but pushing and evolving to become something more. Let's just hope that they continue to push on and be one of bright stars of British alternative music." [28] Jared Ponton of Sputnikmusic, writing a review on the deluxe edition, said that the re-release, "actually improves on an already-excellent album." Awarding a "superb" 4.5 out of five rating, he also added, "Unlike many bands that have shot for that sense of cinematic urgency and "epic" undertones for their music in the past, Be Human saw Fightstar largely succeeding, by shining a beam of new light on the premises of the band's unique, post-hardcore sound." [2]
All lyrics written by Charlie Simpson and Alex Westaway; music composed by Fightstar. [33]
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Calling on All Stations" | 3:26 |
2. | "The English Way" | 3:33 |
3. | "War Machine" | 4:48 |
4. | "Never Change" | 3:02 |
5. | "Colours Bleed to Red" | 3:19 |
6. | "The Whisperer" | 3:59 |
7. | "Mercury Summer" | 3:07 |
8. | "Give Me the Sky" | 4:01 |
9. | "Chemical Blood" | 3:52 |
10. | "Tonight We Burn" | 3:51 |
11. | "Damocles" | 3:36 |
12. | "Follow Me into the Darkness" | 5:44 |
Total length: | 46:13 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "War Machine" | 4:48 |
2. | "A City on Fire" | 3:07 |
3. | "The English Way" | 3:33 |
4. | "28k Resolution" | 3:16 |
5. | "Chemical Blood" | 3:52 |
6. | "Calling on All Stations" | 3:26 |
7. | "Mercury Summer" | 3:07 |
8. | "Give Me the Sky" | 4:01 |
9. | "Never Change" | 3:02 |
10. | "Tonight We Burn" | 3:51 |
11. | "The Whisperer" | 3:59 |
12. | "Its Blood Is Black" | 3:29 |
13. | "Colours Bleed to Red" | 3:19 |
14. | "Damocles" | 3:36 |
15. | "Mvua Nyeusi" | 3:24 |
16. | "Follow Me into the Darkness" | 5:44 |
17. | "Battlefield" (iTunes Exclusive)" | 3:21 |
Total length: | 59:03 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Palahniuk's Laughter" | 4:26 |
2. | "99" | 4:17 |
3. | "The English Way" | 3:32 |
4. | "Our Last Common Ancestor" | 3:38 |
5. | "Sleep Well Tonight" | 4:45 |
6. | "Battlefield" | 4:00 |
7. | "Vincent" | 4:45 |
8. | "Cross Out the Stars" | 5:18 |
Adapted from the Be Human album credits. [33]
Fightstar
± other orchestra members not credited
Chart | Peak position [35] |
---|---|
Scottish Albums (OCC) [36] | 26 |
UK Albums (OCC) | 20 |
UK Rock Albums (OCC) | 1 |
UK Independent Albums (OCC) | 1 |
Publication | Country | Accolade | Year | Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rock Sound | UK | Top Seventy Five Albums of the Year | 2009 | 50 [37] |
Region | Date | Label | Format | Catalogue # | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
United Kingdom | 20 April 2009 | Search and Destroy | Digital Download, Compact Disc | SADCDA002 | [38] |
1 March 2010 | Search and Destroy | Compact Disc + DVD | SADCDX002 | [39] | |
Australia | 20 November 2009 | Shock | Compact Disc | CTX537CD_1 | [40] |
Worldwide | 16 October 2009 | Cooking Vinyl | Compact Disc, Digital Download | COOKCD504 COOKDL504 | [41] |
Busted are an English pop-punk band from Southend-on-Sea, Essex, consisting of James Bourne, Matt Willis and Charlie Simpson. Formed in 2000, the band has had four UK number-one singles, won two Brit Awards, released four studio albums and sold over 5 million records worldwide. The band released the albums Busted in 2002 and A Present for Everyone in 2003 before disbanding in January 2005.
Avenged Sevenfold is an American heavy metal band from Huntington Beach, California, formed in 1999. The band's current lineup consists of vocalist M. Shadows, rhythm guitarist Zacky Vengeance, lead guitarist Synyster Gates, bassist Johnny Christ, and drummer Brooks Wackerman.
Charles Robert Simpson, known professionally as Charlie Simpson, is an English singer, musician and songwriter from Suffolk. He is a member of the pop-punk band Busted and he is also lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist in the post-hardcore band Fightstar. AllMusic has noted that Simpson is "perhaps the only pop star to make the convincing transition from fresh-faced boy bander to authentic hard rock frontman". Simpson is a multi-instrumentalist, playing guitar, bass, keyboard, piano and drums.
Fightstar are a British rock band from London that formed in 2003. The band is composed of lead vocalist, guitarist and keyboardist Charlie Simpson, guitarist and co-vocalist Alex Westaway, bassist Dan Haigh and drummer Omar Abidi. Generally considered a post-hardcore band as a whole, Fightstar are known to incorporate metal, alternative rock and other genres into their sound. During the band's early days, they were viewed sceptically by critics because of Simpson's former pop career with Busted. Their live shows got a more positive reaction, and their 2005 debut EP, They Liked You Better When You Were Dead, was a critical success.
Mastodon is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia. Formed in 2000, the band's lineup of Troy Sanders (bass/vocals), Brent Hinds, Bill Kelliher and Brann Dailor (drums/vocals) has remained unchanged since 2001. Mastodon has released eight studio albums, as well as a number of other releases. The band's 2002 debut album, Remission, garnered significant critical acclaim for its unique sound. Mastodon's second full-length release, Leviathan, is a concept album based on the novel Moby-Dick by Herman Melville. Three magazines awarded the record "Album of the Year" in 2004: Revolver, Kerrang! and Terrorizer.
They Liked You Better When You Were Dead is the debut EP by English rock band Fightstar, released on 28 February 2005 through Sandwich Leg Records. The release proved a critical success, in spite of the cynics' initial expectations of the band. It has been said that the EP helped "present Fightstar as a British rival to the East Coast alternative rock scene". Alex Westaway, the band's lead guitarist and co-lyricist drew the artwork based on Edward Norton for the inlay of the booklet, as the record was inspired by author Chuck Palahniuk and the film adaptation Fight Club.
Bullet for My Valentine, often abbreviated as BFMV, are a Welsh heavy metal band from Bridgend, formed in 1998. The band is currently composed of Matthew Tuck, Michael Paget, Jason Bowld (drums) and Jamie Mathias. Former members include Michael Thomas, Jason James and Nick Crandle; the latter were on bass. They were formed under the name Jeff Killed John and started their music career by covering songs by Metallica and Nirvana. Jeff Killed John recorded six songs which were not released; two of these tracks were reworked later in their career as Bullet for My Valentine. A change of style from that of Jeff Killed John led the band to change their name. In 2002, the band secured a five-album deal with Sony BMG. The band has stated that their music is influenced by classic metal acts such as Metallica, Iron Maiden and Slayer. The band is part of the Cardiff music scene.
Grand Unification is the debut studio album by British post-hardcore band Fightstar, released on 13 March 2006 through Island Records. Based upon the Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise, Grand Unification was produced by Colin Richardson and is considered a concept album. The artwork, drawn digitally by Daniel Conway, portrays scenes similar to that of the ruined cities in Evangelion. It is also thought to believe the cover has taken influence from the song "Grand Unification Part 2" as the lyric "hold my hand until the waves come" and the cover features two persons holding hands waiting for what appears to be a flood. The lyrics are themed around social commentary at the end of the world, while the album's title refers to the Human Instrumentality Project.
Dan Haigh is an English musician, film director, video game designer, writer and visual effects artist. He is best known as co-founder of synthwave band Gunship and as the bass player in the English rock band Fightstar.
Brigade are a British alternative rock band from London, England, formed in 2003. The four-piece consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Will Simpson, lead guitarist and backing vocalist James Plant, bassist Naoto Hori, and drummer Andrew Kearton.
Bring Me the Horizon are a British rock band, formed in Sheffield in 2004. The group currently consists of lead vocalist Oliver Sykes, guitarist Lee Malia, bassist Matt Kean, drummer Matt Nicholls and keyboardist Jordan Fish. They are signed to RCA Records globally and Columbia Records exclusively in the United States.
One Day Son, This Will All Be Yours is the second studio album by British post-hardcore band Fightstar, released on 24 September 2007 through Institute Recordings, itself a subsidiary of independent label Gut Records. Recorded in Los Angeles and produced by Matt Wallace, the album debuted at number twenty seven on the UK Albums Chart and was preceded by the free downloadable single, "99" and first official single, "We Apologise for Nothing". As with the bands debut album, Daniel Conway digitally painted the albums artwork.
"Mercury Summer" is the second single from Fightstar's third studio album, Be Human. It was released on 6 April 2009.
"A City on Fire" is a song by English post-hardcore band Fightstar, released 20 December 2009, on Search and Destroy Records as a digital download only.
Motionless in White is an American metalcore band from Scranton, Pennsylvania. Formed in 2004, the band consists of lead vocalist Chris "Motionless" Cerulli, guitarists Ryan Sitkowski and Ricky "Horror" Olson, drummer Vinny Mauro and bassist Justin Morrow. Cerulli is the only member of the original line-up that remains in the band. The group has stated that their band name derived from the Eighteen Visions song "Motionless and White".
Bury Tomorrow are a British metalcore band formed in 2006 in Southampton, Hampshire, England. The band is composed of six members; lead vocalist Daniel Winter-Bates, bassist Davyd Winter-Bates, drummer Adam Jackson, lead guitarist Kristan Dawson, who replaced founding guitarist Mehdi Vismara in 2013, rhythm guitarist Ed Hartwell, and keyboardist and vocalist Tom Prendergast, who both replaced Jason Cameron in 2021. Bury Tomorrow have released seven studio albums, their most recent being The Seventh Sun, released on 31 March 2023.
While She Sleeps are a British metalcore band from Sheffield. Formed in 2006, the group consists of vocalist Lawrence Taylor, guitarists Sean Long and Mat Welsh, bassist Aaran McKenzie and drummer Adam Savage. They are currently signed to their own label Sleeps Brothers in the UK and in collaboration with Spinefarm Records in the US and UNFD in Australia. They have released three EPs, And This Is Just the Start, Split and The North Stands for Nothing, and five studio albums, This Is the Six, Brainwashed, You Are We, So What? and Sleeps Society. They received the Best British Newcomer award at the Kerrang! Awards 2012. The group has maintained the same line-up since its formation, with vocalist Taylor being the only bandmate who is not an original member. Despite this, he has still appeared on every release apart from the group's first two EPs.
Arcane Roots were a three-piece alternative rock band from Kingston upon Thames, England, formed in 2006. In its final incarnation, the band consisted of Andrew Groves, Adam Burton (bass), and Jack Wrench (drums).
Pvris is an American pop rock band formed in Lowell, Massachusetts in 2012. Following several lineup changes, the band is now composed of frontwoman Lynn Gunn and bassist Brian MacDonald.
Behind the Devil's Back is the fourth studio album by British post-hardcore band Fightstar. The album was released on 16 October 2015 via the band's own record label - distributed by Warner Music. The album was funded via a Pledge Music campaign, which launched in July 2015.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)