Lil' Chris (album)

Last updated
Lil' Chris
Lil Chris Album Cover.jpg
Studio album by
Released4 December 2006
Recorded2006
Genre Pop, Rock
Length37:04
Label RCA Records
Producer Ray Hedges, Nigel Butler, Martin Brannigan
Lil' Chris chronology
Lil' Chris
(2006)
What's It All About
(2008)
Singles from Lil' Chris
  1. "Checkin' It Out"
    Released: 24 September 2006
  2. "Gettin' Enough??"
    Released: 11 December 2006
  3. "Figure It Out"
    Released: 26 February 2007
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Teentoday.co.ukStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg

Lil' Chris is the debut self-titled album by British singer-songwriter Lil' Chris. The album was co-written by Lil' Chris and pop producer and songwriter, Ray Hedges, alongside former member of Theaudience, Nigel Butler. Additional production also comes from Martin Brannigan (known for his work with Natalie Imbruglia). The album was originally due to be released on 9 October 2006, two few weeks after the single "Checkin' It Out" was released, but was delayed as the album was not complete, eventually being released on 4 December 2006. [1]

Contents

Background

Lil' Chris rose to prominence in January 2006 at the age of 15 after appearing in series two of Channel 4's Rock School . [2] The TV show saw Gene Simmons (from the band KISS) try to form a rock band out of a class of children attending Kirkley High School (now East Point Academy). [3] In the series, Lil' Chris was immediately seen as a contender for the band after revealing that he could sing, play guitar, drum and write songs. Eventually he was selected as frontman and lead singer in the line-up for the group (now named "Hoax UK" after the slogan on his cap). In the final episode the group went on to open for Judas Priest, Rob Zombie and Anthrax at a concert in Long Beach, California. [4] A week after the performance Lil' Chris was contacted by record producers Ray Hedges and Nigel Butler, who appeared in Rock School to help the class with songwriting. Hardman went on to sign a record contract with RCA Records and released his debut single "Checkin' It Out" in September 2006 which reached No. 3 in the UK Singles Chart. [4]

After performing a cover of Justin Timberlake's "SexyBack" on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge, he then released his debut album Lil' Chris in December 2006. He continued to promote and release singles from his album throughout 2007, as well as performing as a supporting act for McFly on their 24 date Up Close and Personal tour throughout the UK. Hardman also took part in BBC Three's Celebrity Scissorhands and made guest appearances in episodes of CBBC's SMart and TMi . In 2008 he hosted his own series Everybody Loves Lil' Chris for Channel 4.

Recording

"Is There Anybody Out There (Kickin' Off)" was written by Hedges and Butler with the group during their time on Rock School, and is thus sometimes credited as being co-written by the group (then known as "Hoax UK"). The album version is slightly different from the version performed on the show. "Gettin' Enough??" has been compared to have a similar tone to that of "Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)" by the Buzzcocks. "Rachel" was reportedly written about singer and personality Rachel Stevens. Hardman toured the UK, signing copies of the album, including a signing in his hometown, at their Woolworths store.

Critical reception

Danny McKenna of Amazon said of the album; "Having set out his pseudo-punk stall with his first single "Checkin' It Out", which hit number three in September 2006, Rock School winner Lil' Chris – a cheeky 16-year-old from Lowestoft, Suffolk, who looks three years younger but puts on live performances as if he were five years older – now offers the world his debut album. Allegedly penned whilst bunking off school, Lil' Chris continues its author's willful domination of the punk-pop sound with songs like "Is There Anybody Out There?", the electronically charged "Gettin' Enough??", "Me and My Life" and the quirky "Is She Ready". The results, as with the debut single, are mixed. Chris' brattish, high-pitched voice is full of unconvincing warbles and wails - it doesn't quite back up the supposedly angry stance as much as it should. The highly derivative songwriting also doesn't do much to convince, but while the project doesn't offer anything in terms of truly serious musical merit, Chris himself is full of youthful verve and does deliver on the entertainment front."

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Checkin' It Out"Hardman, Hedges, Butler, Gary OsborneHedges, Butler3:10
2."Gettin' Enough??"Hardman, Hedges, ButlerHedges, Butler2:56
3."Is There Anybody Out There (Kickin' Off)"Hedges, ButlerHedges, Butler2:37
4."Is She Ready?"Hardman, Hedges, Butler, OsborneHedges, Butler2:42
5."I've Been Had"Hardman, Hedges, Butler, OsborneHedges, Butler3:23
6."I Never Noticed"Hardman, Hedges, Butler, OsborneHedges, Butler3:01
7."Figure It Out"Hardman, Hedges, Butler, Martin BranniganHedges, Butler, Brannigan2:54
8."Me and My Life"Hardman, Hedges, Butler, Doug DrummondHedges, Butler2:55
9."Fighters"Hardman, Hedges, Butler, DrummondHedges, Butler3:02
10."She Dances on the Stage"Hardman, Hedges, Butler, DrummondHedges, Butler3:21
11."Get Delirious"Hardman, Hedges, Butler, DrummondHedges, Butler3:24
12."Rachel"Hardman, Hedges, Butler, Andy CaineHedges, Butler2:33
Deluxe iTunes Store edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
13."Me and My Life" (acoustic version)Hardman, Hedges, Butler, Doug DrummondHedges, Butler2:26
14."Crossing the Line"  2:41
15."Don't Ask [Cos It Kills Me]"  3:06
16."Gettin' Enough??" (J Dub Remix)Hardman, Hedges, ButlerHedges, Butler3:34
17."Like You Know"Hardman, Hedges, ButlerHedges, Butler3:50
18."I've Been Had" (Live in London)Hardman, Hedges, Butler, OsborneHedges, Butler3:40
19."Is She Ready?" (Live in London)Hardman, Hedges, Butler, OsborneHedges, Butler2:44
20."Rachel" (Live in Glasgow)Hardman, Hedges, Butler, CaineHedges, Butler2:36
21."Get Delirious" (Lil' Refix Mix)Hardman, Hedges, Butler, DrummondHedges, Butler3:24

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Psychedelic Furs</span> British post punk band

The Psychedelic Furs are an English rock band founded in London in February 1977. Led by lead vocalist Richard Butler and his brother Tim Butler on bass guitar, the Psychedelic Furs are one of the many acts spawned from the British post-punk scene. Their music went through several phases, from an initially austere art rock sound to later touching on new wave and hard rock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Sneddon</span> Scottish singer-songwriter

David Sneddon is a Scottish singer, songwriter, musician and music producer of contemporary pop music. He began his career performing on stage and television, singing lead roles in stage musicals in Glasgow. In 2002, he won the first series of BBC One music competition Fame Academy. He released his first single "Stop Living the Lie" in 2003 which was a UK number one hit single selling over 250,000 copies, making it Britain's twelfth-highest selling single of 2003. Sneddon's debut album Seven Years – Ten Weeks was released in April 2003 and reached number 5 in the UK Albums Chart. He achieved three more UK Singles Chart singles – "Don't Let Go", "Best of Order", and "Baby Get Higher". His song "Baby Get Higher" was a hit on the dance floor for Almighty Records and a chart hit for VanVelzen in 2006, and also for Emin Agalarov.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alain Whyte</span> Musical artist

Alain Gordon Whyte is an English musician, songwriter, composer and singer. He was Morrissey's main songwriting partner and guitarist between 1991 and 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disturbing tha Peace</span> American record label based in Atlanta, Georgia

Disturbing Tha Peace Records is an American record label founded by Jeff Dixon, Chaka Zulu, and Ludacris.

Rock School is a British reality television series starring Gene Simmons from the rock band Kiss, in which he has a short time to turn a class of schoolchildren into a fully fledged rock band, following which they had to perform in a supporting slot for a leading rock band.

<i>Whats It All About</i> (Lil Chris album) 2008 compilation album by Lil Chris

What's It All About? is the second and final album by British singer-songwriter Chris Hardman, better known as Lil' Chris. The album was released on October 6, 2008, following the release of the album's lead and only single "We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off" more than a year earlier on October 19, 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It's All About the Benjamins</span> 1997 single by Puff Daddy featuring the Notorious B.I.G., Lil Kim, and the Lox

"It's All About the Benjamins" is a song by American rapper and producer Puff Daddy. It was released as the third single from his debut studio album No Way Out. "Benjamins" is a slang word for money, referring to Benjamin Franklin's image on the US $100 bill. The song featured an uncredited vocal arrangement by Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott, and featured a signature guitar hook played by Marc Solomon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gimme That</span> 2006 single by Chris Brown featuring Lil Wayne

"Gimme That" is a song written by Scott Storch and Sean Garrett and recorded by American singer Chris Brown for his eponymous debut album. The official remix, featuring American rapper Lil Wayne, was released as the third single from the album in April 2006 and peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Young (singer)</span> American singer-songwriter

Christopher Alan Young is an American country music singer, songwriter, and Barmageddon contestant. In 2006, he was the Season 4 winner of the television program Nashville Star, a singing competition on USA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lil' Chris</span> English pop-rock singer and television presenter

Christopher James Hardman, known by the stage name Lil' Chris, was a British singer-songwriter, actor, and television personality from Lowestoft, England. He came to prominence in 2006 after appearing on the Channel 4 series Rock School, which saw KISS vocalist and bassist Gene Simmons make a rock band at Lil' Chris' school. Later that year he released the single "Checkin' It Out", which charted at number 3, and a self-titled album. In 2008 he hosted his own series, Everybody Loves Lil' Chris. Hardman died by suicide in March 2015 at his home in Lowestoft after struggling with his mental health.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Checkin' It Out</span> 2006 single by Lil Chris

"Checkin' It Out" was the first single from British singer Lil' Chris' debut self-titled album. The single peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart. It topped the UK Official Download Chart. The song featured in a television commercial for ASDA's George clothing range.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gettin' Enough??</span> 2006 single by Lil Chris

"Gettin' Enough??" is the second single from British singer Lil' Chris' debut self-titled album. Although the song failed to repeat the success of its predecessor "Checkin' It Out", it peaked at number 17 on the UK Singles Chart.

<i>Keeps Gettin Better: A Decade of Hits</i> 2008 greatest hits album by Christina Aguilera

Keeps Gettin' Better: A Decade of Hits is the first greatest hits album by American singer-songwriter Christina Aguilera. It was released on November 6, 2008 by RCA Records. The album contains Aguilera's singles from all of her studio albums released up to 2008. It also featured four new additions: two remakes of her previous singles—"Genie in a Bottle" (1999) and "Beautiful" (2002)—and two original songs "Keeps Gettin' Better" and "Dynamite". In the United States, the album was released on November 11, 2008, exclusively via Target.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gettin' You Home (The Black Dress Song)</span> 2009 single by Chris Young

"Gettin' You Home (The Black Dress Song)" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music singer Chris Young. It was released in February 2009 as the second single from his 2009 album The Man I Want to Be (2009). Young wrote the song with Kent Blazy and Cory Batten. The song garnered positive reviews from critics who praised the suggestive lyrics for sounding sexy and for being a great non-sellout single.

<i>Everybody Loves Lil Chris</i> Television series

Everybody Loves Lil' Chris is a television series broadcast by Channel 4 in 2008 and presented by the singer and performer Lil' Chris.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BedRock</span> 2009 single by Young Money featuring Lloyd

"BedRock" is the second single by hip hop group/record label Young Money Entertainment from their debut collaboration album, We Are Young Money (2009). It is performed by acts that were signed under Young Money, including rap verses by Lil Wayne, Gudda Gudda, Nicki Minaj as her debut single, Drake, Tyga, Jae Millz, with the chorus performed by Lloyd. "BedRock" is also featured as a bonus track on the Japanese, New Zealand, and the "Complete Edition" 2020 reissue editions of Nicki Minaj's debut studio album, Pink Friday.

East Point Academy is an academy sponsored by the Inspiration Trust, located in the Kirkley district of Lowestoft, in the English county of Suffolk. It educates children from ages 11 to 16. In its latest Ofsted inspection in October 2016, the academy overall was rated as "Good". The school is also home to both the Lowestoft Railway and Lowestoft Ladies Hockey Clubs and the KITE Media Centre

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nothing,Nowhere</span> American rapper and singer

Joseph Edward Mulherin, better known by his stage name nothing,nowhere., is an American musician, singer, and songwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Poppin (KSI song)</span> 2020 song by KSI featuring Lil Pump and Smokepurpp

"Poppin" is a song by British YouTuber and rapper KSI featuring American rappers Lil Pump and Smokepurpp. Produced by Diego Ave, Go Grizzly, Mally Mall, and OG Tint, it was released for digital download and streaming by RBC Records and BMG on 27 March 2020 as the third single from KSI's debut studio album, Dissimulation (2020). "Poppin" is a hyperactive hip hop & trap with mumble rap elements, with a bouncy and bass-heavy production. The song's lyrics centre around flexing, mostly money and expensive jewellery. KSI admitted that "it's not a super serious song" and the aim was to "just have some fun with it".

<i>Dissimulation</i> (KSI album) 2020 studio album by KSI

Dissimulation is the debut studio album by British influencer, boxer, and musician KSI. It was released by RBC Records and BMG on 22 May 2020, and a deluxe edition of the album was released three days later. The album features guest appearances from Offset, Lil Pump, Smokepurpp, Swarmz, Tion Wayne, Jeremih, Trippie Redd, Aiyana-Lee, Rick Ross, Lil Baby and S-X. The deluxe edition of the album features further guest appearances from AJ Tracey, Rich the Kid, Randolph and Crypt.

References

  1. "Lil Chris". Amazon UK.
  2. Lusher, Adam (19 February 2006). "'Chris is a David in a Goliath world'". Telegraph. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
  3. "Music". Channel 4. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  4. 1 2 Rock School: after graduation (25 September 2006). "Suffolk – Entertainment – Rock School: after graduation". BBC. Retrieved 31 December 2011.