The album received generally favorable reviews, to which compliment was given for having a handful of genuinely great songs, even though critics were disappointed of its play-it-safe attitude that undid some of the good works and risk taker provided by its predecessor, White Lilies Island.[1][2] The album's lead single, "Shiver" (2005), was a commercial hit, particularly in the UK, and officially became the UK's most broadcast song of 2005 according to PPL.[3] To support the album, Imbruglia went on a small European concert tour from October to November 2005 with 21 shows across Europe, including eight shows in the UK alone.[4]
Betty Clarke, writing for The Guardian, felt that "Revisiting the mid-tempo rhythms of her last album, Imbruglia turns from muse to troubled girl next door, gushing about love and fretting about voices in her head, while acoustic guitars, flutes and strings whip a radio-friendly pop froth around her. Bored with pushing perfection, she's selling an old-fashioned brand of submission, her feisty edge eroded to a disturbing gratefulness. [...] Imbruglia's voice sounds better than ever – hanging on to words as if she's rolling out an expensive carpet."[5]The Manchester Evening News concluded: "From the acoustic simplicity of "Starting Today" and the stirring title track, to the indie-esque guitar swirl of "Sanctuary", and the stark and bare piano-led "On The Run", Counting Down the Days demonstrates how the former Neighbours actress has evolved into an organic and formidable singing/songwriting talent."[7]
Top of The Pops called the album a "rather nice selection of bright and breezy songs of the guitar pop persuasion" and wrote: "Don't expect any experimental brain-busting instrument-wracking though. Counting Down the Days has about as much edge as Westlife in bubblewrap Tuxedo's."[8]AllMusic editor Jon O'Brien found that the album suggested "a confusing and disappointing change in direction. For all the bittersweet melancholy and dark undertones of White Lilies Island suggested an interesting career ahead, yet only on a few occasions does Counting Down the Days veer into this territory. Instead, the majority is made up of fairly inoffensive radio-friendly pop songs [...] Counting Down the Days will undoubtedly be a commercial success but its play-it-safe attitude undoes some of the good work done by its predecessor. A few more risks next time wouldn't go amiss."[1]
Commercial performance
The album was particularly successful in Europe, surpassing the chart performance of her previous album White Lilies Island (2001) in several countries. Upon release, Counting Down the Days debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, becoming Imbruglia's first album to top the UK chart.[9] A steady seller, it was certified Gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) on 21 April 2005,[10] and has since sold more than 207,000 units.[11]Counting Down the Days also reached number two in Scotland,[12] number nine in Switzerland,[13] number 10 in Italy,[14] number 12 in Ireland,[15] number 21 in Belgium,[16] and number 22 in France.[17]
In contrast, the album's performance in Australia, Imbruglia's home country, was modest by comparison, opening and peaking at number 12 on the Australian Albums Chart.[18]Counting Down the Days did not receive an official North American release until 2010, largely due to her departure from RCA Records and her partnership with a newly founded label that promoted the album selectively, focusing primarily on the UK market.[19][20] While it failed to chart with Billboard in the United States, it entered the Canadian Albums Chart however.[21]
12"Yahoo! Music UK review". Archived from the original on 18 April 2005. Retrieved 5 February 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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