Bloodsports (album)

Last updated

Bloodsports
Bloodsports album cover.png
Studio album by
Suede
Released18 March 2013
Recorded2012
Genre
Length39:46
Label Warner Bros.
Producer Ed Buller
Suede chronology
The Best of Suede
(2010)		Bloodsports
(2013)		 Night Thoughts
(2016)
Singles from Bloodsports
  1. "It Starts and Ends with You"
    Released: 4 February 2013
  2. "Hit Me"
    Released: 27 May 2013
  3. "For the Strangers"
    Released: 21 October 2013

Bloodsports is the sixth studio album by English alternative rock band Suede. It was released on 18 March 2013, via Warner Bros. Records. It is their first studio album since A New Morning in 2002.

Contents

The album was the first since Coming Up to be produced by their longtime producer Ed Buller, and also the first album to feature keyboardist Neil Codling since his departure in 2001.

Background and production

Frontman Brett Anderson commented that the album would sound like a cross between Dog Man Star and Coming Up . [3] He stated that Bloodsports is "about lust, it's about the chase, it's about the endless carnal game of love. It was possibly the hardest we've ever made but certainly the most satisfying". [4]

The band performed new material in 2011, most of which got scrapped when they went into the studio with Ed Buller, the producer of their first three albums. [5]

Release

In January 2013, Suede released a free download of opening track "Barriers". [4] The lead single, "It Starts and Ends with You", followed in February. [4] Second single "Hit Me" was released 27 May. [6] Third single "For the Strangers" was released in October on the same day the band released The Vinyl Collection, a box set of the band's six studio albums and b-side collection on vinyl. [7] Bloodsports debuted on the Official UK Albums Chart at number 10, [8] on first-week sales of 10,453 copies. [9] It went on to sell 22,410 units after 12 weeks. [9] A 7-inch double a-side of "Barriers"/"Animal Nitrate" was released 20 April on Record Store Day. [10]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?7.3/10 [11]
Metacritic 80/100 [12]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [13]
The Daily Telegraph Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [14]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [15]
The Independent Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [16]
Mojo Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [17]
NME 7/10 [18]
Pitchfork 7.6/10 [19]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [20]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [21]
Uncut 7/10 [22]

Bloodsports has been very well received by critics, their most acclaimed album since Coming Up in 1996. At Metacritic, which assigns a rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 80, based on 29 reviews, indicating "generally favourable reviews". [12]

Year-end lists

Bloodsports has been included in many Best Albums of 2013 lists including:

PublicationCountryAccoladeYearRank
ABC News USThe 50 Best Albums of 2013 [23] 201329
AllMusic USBest of 2013 – Top 50 Albums [24] 2013N/A
PopMatters USThe 75 Best Albums of the Year [25] 201357
Q UK50 Albums of the Year [26] 201322
The Quietus UKAlbums of the Year [27] 201342
Rough Trade UKTop 100 Albums of the Year [28] 201367
Under the Radar USTop 125 Albums of 2013 [29] 201323

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Barriers"
3:42
2."Snowblind"
  • Anderson
  • Oakes
4:03
3."It Starts and Ends with You"
  • Anderson
  • Codling
3:51
4."Sabotage"
  • Anderson
  • Codling
3:45
5."For the Strangers"
  • Anderson
  • Oakes
  • Codling
4:12
6."Hit Me"
  • Anderson
  • Oakes
  • Codling
4:03
7."Sometimes I Feel I'll Float Away"
  • Anderson
  • Oakes
4:12
8."What Are You Not Telling Me?"
  • Anderson
  • Oakes
  • Codling
3:12
9."Always"
4:42
10."Faultlines"
  • Anderson
  • Oakes
  • Codling
4:05
iTunes deluxe edition and Australia CD bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
11."Dawn Chorus"
  • Anderson
  • Oakes
4:03
12."Howl"
  • Anderson
  • Osman
3:35
Japan bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
11."Dawn Chorus"
  • Anderson
  • Oakes
4:03
12."Nothing Can Stop Us"
  • Anderson
  • Oakes
  • Codling
3:35
Box set bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
11."Dawn Chorus"
  • Anderson
  • Oakes
4:03
12."No Holding Back"
  • Anderson
  • Oakes
  • Codling
3:52

Personnel

Charts

Chart performance for Bloodsports
Chart (2013)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA) [30] 181
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [31] 74
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [32] 77
Danish Albums (Hitlisten) [33] 12
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [34] 65
French Albums (SNEP) [35] 97
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [36] 95
Irish Albums (IRMA) [37] 22
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista) [38] 18
Scottish Albums (OCC) [39] 15
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE) [40] 36
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) [41] 32
UK Albums (OCC) [42] 10
UK Independent Albums (OCC) [43] 2

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suede (band)</span> English rock band

Suede are an English rock band formed in London in 1989 by singer Brett Anderson, guitarist Justine Frischmann, and bassist Mat Osman. Drawing from glam rock and post-punk, Suede were labeled "The Best New Band in Britain" by Melody Maker in 1992, attracting significant attention from the British music press. The following year, their debut album, Suede, reached number one on the UK Albums Chart, becoming the fastest-selling debut album in nearly a decade. It won the Mercury Music Prize and helped propel 'Britpop' as a musical movement, though the band distanced themselves from the label.

<i>Hot Fuss</i> 2004 album by the Killers

Hot Fuss is the debut studio album by American rock band the Killers, released on June 7, 2004, in the United Kingdom and on June 15, 2004, in the United States by Island Records. The album's music is mostly influenced by new wave and post-punk. Hot Fuss spawned four commercially and critically successful singles: "Mr. Brightside", "Somebody Told Me", "All These Things That I've Done" and "Smile Like You Mean It".

<i>Coming Up</i> (album) 1996 studio album by Suede

Coming Up is the third album by English alternative rock band Suede, released on 2 September 1996 through Nude Records. It was the band's first album since the departure of guitarist Bernard Butler, who was replaced by Richard Oakes. Also added to the band was keyboardist Neil Codling. The album was nominated for the 1997 Mercury Prize. A commercial and critical success, Coming Up was the second by the band to reach no. 1 on the UK Albums Chart, producing five top ten singles and receiving a favourable reception at home and in the US. Coming Up was the album that introduced Suede to a worldwide audience, in places such as Europe, Canada and Asia.

<i>A New Morning</i> 2002 studio album by Suede

A New Morning is the fifth studio album by English alternative rock band Suede, released in September 2002. By the time the album was released, public interest in the band had waned, as shown by the poor charting of both the album and singles. Despite this, however, the album received moderate praise from critics. It is the only Suede album not to be released in the US. It was the last studio album released by the band before their seven-year hiatus and reunion in 2010. Before recording took place, keyboardist and guitarist Neil Codling left the band due to his health concern, and later was replaced by former Strangelove guitarist, Alex Lee. As Codling returned to the band for their 2010 reunion, this is their only studio album to have featured Lee.

<i>Head Music</i> 1999 studio album by Suede

Head Music is the fourth album by English alternative rock band Suede, released by Nude Records in May 1999. Produced and mixed by Steve Osborne, Head Music features a more electronic sound, which was a new approach for the band. The recording of Head Music was plagued with difficulties such as singer Brett Anderson's addiction to crack, and keyboardist Neil Codling's struggle with chronic fatigue syndrome. The album still went to number 1 on the UK Albums Chart, however, making it the band's third and final chart-topping album. Overall, the album received generally favourable reviews from critics.

<i>Singles</i> (Suede album) 2003 compilation album by Suede

Singles is a compilation album by English alternative rock band Suede, consisting of all of the band's singles over the course of their recording career from 1992 to 2003.

<i>Swing When Youre Winning</i> 2001 studio album of cover songs by Robbie Williams

Swing When You're Winning is a swing cover album by English singer-songwriter Robbie Williams, and his fourth studio album overall. It was released in the United Kingdom on 19 November 2001 and peaked at number one on the UK Albums Chart.

<i>Favourite Worst Nightmare</i> 2007 studio album by Arctic Monkeys

Favourite Worst Nightmare is the second studio album by English rock band Arctic Monkeys, first released in Japan on 18 April 2007 and released in their home country of United Kingdom on 23 April 2007 by Domino Recording Company. Recorded in East London's Miloco Studios with producers James Ford and Mike Crossey, the album was preceded by the release of lead single "Brianstorm" on 2 April 2007. It was the band’s first album with new bassist Nick O'Malley, replacing their previous bassist Andy Nicholson, who left the band shortly before the North American tour of the band's debut studio album, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not (2006).

<i>Perfect Symmetry</i> (Keane album) 2008 album by Keane

Perfect Symmetry is the third studio album by English rock band Keane, released on 13 October 2008 in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suede discography</span> Discography of the English alternative rock band

The discography of the English alternative rock band Suede consists of nine studio albums, four compilation albums, five video albums and over twenty singles. Suede were formed in 1989 by singer Brett Anderson, bassist Mat Osman and guitarist Justine Frischmann. Guitarist Bernard Butler later joined after the group responded to an ad in the Melody Maker. The group played as a four-piece with a drum machine until drummer Simon Gilbert joined. Frischmann left before the group released any material.

<i>The Resistance</i> (album) 2009 studio album by Muse

The Resistance is the fifth studio album by the English rock band Muse, released on 11 September 2009 through Warner Bros. Records and Muse's Helium-3 imprint. It was self-produced and recorded from September 2008 to May 2009 at Studio Bellini in Lake Como, Italy. It mixes rock with orchestral and electronic music, with lyrics influenced by politics and more oppressive subjects. It includes a three-part, 13-minute long symphony piece, "Exogenesis".

<i>Comedown Machine</i> 2013 studio album by the Strokes

Comedown Machine is the fifth studio album by American rock band the Strokes. It was released on March 26, 2013, through RCA Records. The band decided to pull a media blackout for the album, with no promotion in the form of television appearances, interviews, photoshoots, live shows, or tours. The cover artwork was designed to resemble an old RCA tape reel box.

<i>The Magic Whip</i> 2015 studio album by Blur

The Magic Whip is the eighth studio album by English rock band Blur. It was recorded in Hong Kong and London, and released by Parlophone on 27 April 2015 and Warner Bros. Records on 28 April 2015. It was the band's first studio album in 12 years since Think Tank (2003), marking the longest gap between studio albums in Blur's career, and the first in 16 years since 13 (1999) to have featured the original line-up. The album also marks the return of the band's longtime producer Stephen Street following Blur (1997).

<i>FFS</i> (album) 2015 studio album by FFS

FFS is the only studio album by Scottish-American supergroup FFS, consisting of members from the Scottish band Franz Ferdinand and the American band Sparks. It was released on 8 June 2015 through Domino. The album was recorded during a 15-day period in late 2014 at RAK Studios in London and was produced by Grammy Award-winning record producer John Congleton. Although the album itself was recorded in 2014, the two bands first met each other in mid-2000s. Upon release, the album received positive reviews from music critics.

<i>Night Thoughts</i> (album) Album by Suede

Night Thoughts is the seventh studio album by English alternative rock band Suede. Produced by long-time collaborator Ed Buller, the album was released through Warner Music UK on 22 January 2016 to widespread critical acclaim. It was accompanied by a feature film, directed by Roger Sargent. During their 2016 tour the band performed from behind a screen on which Sargent's film was projected during the first half of their set. The album is considered by many critics to be the band's finest work since 1994's Dog Man Star.

<i>For Crying Out Loud</i> (album) 2017 studio album by Kasabian

For Crying Out Loud is the sixth studio album by English rock band Kasabian. It was released worldwide on 5 May 2017. It is their last album to feature lead vocalist Tom Meighan before his departure from the band in 2020.

<i>The Blue Hour</i> (album) 2018 studio album by Suede

The Blue Hour is the eighth studio album by English alternative rock band Suede. The album was released on 21 September 2018.

<i>Marauder</i> (Interpol album) 2018 studio album by Interpol

Marauder is the sixth studio album by American rock band Interpol. It was released on August 24, 2018, by Matador Records. The album was produced by Dave Fridmann and recorded at his studio, Tarbox Road, in Cassadaga, New York from December 6, 2017 through April 18, 2018.

<i>Live at the Royal Albert Hall</i> (Arctic Monkeys album) 2020 live album by Arctic Monkeys

Live at the Royal Albert Hall is a live album by English rock band Arctic Monkeys, consisting of their 7 June 2018 performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London. It was released on 4 December 2020 through Domino Recording Company, with all proceeds going to the War Child charity.

<i>Autofiction</i> (album) 2022 studio album by Suede

Autofiction is the ninth studio album by English alternative rock band Suede. The album was released on 16 September 2022 via BMG to critical acclaim. It was their first release in four years, following 2018's The Blue Hour and their first since Night Thoughts in 2016 to feature longtime producer Ed Buller. The album was created as a stylistic distinction from their previous reunion work, which had taken on a more orchestral and cinematic scope.

References

  1. ↑ Lakhani, R. (5 July 2013). "The best albums of 2013 (so far)". The Guardian . Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  2. ↑ Matusavage, Philip (12 March 2013). "Suede – Bloodsports". musicOMH . Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  3. ↑ Cooper, Leonie (30 November 2012). "Suede Unveil New Album and Live Show Countdown". NME. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 Hart, Tina (7 January 2013). "Suede to Release First New Material in 10 Years". Music Week . Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  5. ↑ Neighbour, Flora . "Suede Ditch All Material Recorded for New Album". Gigwise. 11 May 2012.
  6. ↑ Cooper, Leonie (14 May 2013). "Suede add dates to autumn UK tour – ticket details". NME. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  7. ↑ "Suede - For The Strangers: Exclusive video". The Guardian . 27 August 2013. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  8. ↑ "Recently reunited indie rockers Suede are back with their first Top 10 album in almost 14 years". Official Charts Company. 24 March 2013.
  9. 1 2 Williams, Paul (21 June 2013). "Going It Alone". Music Week : 14–16.
  10. ↑ Newall, Phil (21 March 2013). "Full list of Record Store Day 2013 releases unveiled…". louderthanwar.com. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  11. ↑ "Bloodsports by Suede reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  12. 1 2 "Reviews for Bloodsports by Suede". Metacritic . Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  13. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Bloodsports – Suede". AllMusic . Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  14. ↑ Brown, Helen (8 March 2013). "Suede, Bloodsports, album review". The Daily Telegraph . Archived from the original on 11 March 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  15. ↑ Hann, Michael (14 March 2013). "Suede: Bloodsports – review". The Guardian . Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  16. ↑ Gill, Andy (15 March 2013). "Album review: Suede, Bloodsports (Warner Music Group)". The Independent . Archived from the original on 19 March 2013. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  17. ↑ "Suede: Bloodsports". Mojo (233): 96. April 2013.
  18. ↑ Hewitt, Ben (18 March 2013). "Suede – 'Bloodsports'". NME . Archived from the original on 21 March 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  19. ↑ Berman, Stuart (22 March 2013). "Suede: Bloodsports". Pitchfork . Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  20. ↑ Segal, Victoria (April 2013). "Brett, the Devil You Know". Q (321): 98.
  21. ↑ Sheffield, Rob (20 June 2013). "Suede: Bloodsports". Rolling Stone . p. 72.
  22. ↑ O'Connell, Sharon (3 April 2013). "Suede – Bloodsports". Uncut . Archived from the original on 7 May 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  23. ↑ Raible, Allan (30 December 2013). "The Year in Review: The 50 Best Albums of 2013". American Broadcasting Company . Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  24. ↑ Best of 2013. AllMusic. 2013.
  25. ↑ The 75 Best Albums of the 2013. PopMatters. 2013.
  26. ↑ "Q Magazine's '50 LPs of 2013' List; Arctic Monkeys top it". BrooklynVegan. 2013.
  27. ↑ "Albums of the Year 2013". The Quietus. 2013.
  28. ↑ "Rough Trade's Top LPs of 2013". BrooklynVegan. 2013.
  29. ↑ "Top 125 Albums of 2013". Under the Radar. 2013.
  30. ↑ "Suede ARIA Chart history complete to 2024". ARIA. Retrieved 26 July 2024– via Imgur.com. N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart.
  31. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Suede – Bloodsports" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  32. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Suede – Bloodsports" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  33. ↑ "Danishcharts.dk – Suede – Bloodsports". Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  34. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Suede – Bloodsports" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  35. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Suede – Bloodsports". Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  36. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Suede – Bloodsports" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  37. ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Suede". Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  38. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Suede – Bloodsports". Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  39. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  40. ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – Suede – Bloodsports". Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  41. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Suede – Bloodsports". Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  42. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  43. ↑ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.