Travelling Like the Light

Last updated

Travelling Like the Light
Travelling Like the Light by V V Brown.png
Studio album by
V V Brown
Released13 July 2009
Recorded2008–2009
Genre
Length40:20
Label Island
Producer V V Brown, Steve Dub, Jeremy Wheatley
V V Brown chronology
Travelling Like the Light
(2009)		 Lollipops & Politics
(Unreleased)
Singles from Travelling Like the Light
  1. "Crying Blood"
    Released: 3 November 2008
  2. "Leave!"
    Released: 2 March 2009
  3. "Shark in the Water"
    Released: 6 July 2009
  4. "Game Over"
    Released: 12 October 2009

Travelling Like the Light is the debut studio album by English musician V V Brown, released on 13 July 2009 by Island Records. Initially released in the United Kingdom, the album was digitally released in the United States on 2 February 2010 and was physically released on 20 April 2010. Brown was inspired by an unsuccessful romantic relationship when writing most of the album. Despite some mixed criticism towards its eclectic musical style, the album received generally positive reviews from most music critics.

Contents

Background

Brown wrote the music and plays instruments on the album. [1] It was inspired by 1950s music and electronic music, as well as synthesizer sounds emitted from Game Boy and Nintendo. [1] Most of the lyrics on the album (such as those from the singles: "Crying Blood," "Leave!" and "Shark In the Water") are about a failed affair Brown endured. [2]

Release and promotion

The album's release was preceded by a limited non-chart eligible release of "Crying Blood" on 7" vinyl and digital download. Travelling Like the Light was released 13 July 2009 on Island Records in the United Kingdom. [1] Its United States release on 2 February 2010 coincided with the release of "Shark in the Water" as Free Single of the Week on iTunes. On 5 December 2008, she was nominated for the BBC's Sound of 2009 award, alongside acts including Little Boots and Lady Gaga.

Singles

Reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 67/100 [4]
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [5]
Entertainment Weekly (B+) [6]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [7]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [8]
NME (3/10) [9]
The Observer (mixed) [10]
PopMatters (5/10) [11]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [12]
Slant Magazine Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [13]
The Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [14]

Upon its release, the album received generally positive reviews from most music critics, based on an aggregate score of 67/100 from Metacritic. [4] The Guardian writer Caroline Sullivan gave it 4 out of 5 stars and viewed Brown's effervescence as a strength, writing "She nimbly skips from 60s girl-group romping (Quick Fix) to Sandie Shaw-inspired melodrama to pumped-up powerpop to rockabilly and sounds entirely assured all the way through". [7] BBC Online's Al Fox called it "an eclectic yet uniform collection of songs" and wrote that it "boasts a rare kind of head-turning indie-pop magnificence". [15] John Meagher of The Belfast Telegraph gave the album 4 out of 5 stars and wrote favorably of Brown's singing. [16] MusicOMH writer Michael Cragg gave it 3½ out of 5 stars and called Brown's voice "a versatile instrument that she utilizes to brilliant effect throughout". [17] Entertainment Weekly 's Leah Greenblatt gave Travelling Like the Light a B+ rating and commended Brown for her musical balance of modern and vintage sound. [6] Dan Aquilante of The New York Post called the album "eclectic" and praised Brown's musical approach. [18] Q magazine gave the album 4 out of 5 stars and praised Brown's performance, called her "a force of nature". [19] Metro 's Ben East gave it 4 out of 5 stars and found Brown's style refreshing, calling it "an interesting confection with pleasingly dark lyrics". [20] Spin critic Barry Walters praised Brown for her "guts" and "grace", writing that her "enthusiasm immediately leaps from the grooves, but this debut also reveals an emotional and musical range her neo-retro peers lack". [21] Pete Paphides of The Times called it an "early promise". [14]

In contrast, NME 's Sam Richards perceived Brown's songwriting as lacking in substance and panned the album's assorted musical elements, stating "unless you’re hyped up on a cocktail of Sunny D and Haribo yourself, you’ll find most of this album very annoying indeed". [9] Sunday Herald writer Edd McCracken found it "light on lyrics" and called it "a lukewarm, plastic pop concoction". [22] The Observer expressed a mixed response towards its offbeat sound, describing it as "not straight to the scrapheap but kooky la-la land". [23] The Observer's Alice Fisher commended Brown's vocal performance and perceived "glimmers of greatness", but ultimately viewed the album as "a great idea that turns out to be a bit wearisome in practice". [10] PopMatters writer David Smith gave the album a 5/10 rating and viewed a considerable amount of it as "filler", calling it "an obstacle course of an album, but the high points are worth it". [11] Neil McCormick of The Daily Telegraph gave it 3 out of 5 stars and described its music as "a hugely colourful novelty exuberance". [24] The Independent writer Andy Gill gave the album 3 out of 5 stars and expressed a mixed response towards Brown's eclectic style, but ultimately found her as "a refreshing alternative to run of production-line soul divas". [25] Yahoo! Music's Alex Denney gave Travelling Like the Light a 7/10 rating and called it "a bracing and big-hearted mix of rockabilly, doo-wop, pop and contemporary R&B in which Brown sparkles throughout". [26] Rolling Stone writer Jody Rosen described it as "old-school party music that seems right at home in 2010" and wrote that "her music floats exhilaratingly outside of time". [12]

Despite writing that "Brown is more conduit than innovator", The A.V. Club 's Genevieve Koski gave Travelling Like the Light a B− rating and wrote that she "capably wields the well-honed retro-pop sound". [27] Slant Magazine's Jonathan Keefe gave the album 3½ out of 5 stars and commended Brown for her unconventional "creativity" and singing, stating "Brown brings that same sense of fearlessness to her vocal performances". [13] Allmusic writer Andy Kellman gave it 4 out of 5 stars and described it as "genuine, natural, and deep as mishmash throwback pop can get", while comparing her musical style to "being the child of Kirsty MacColl and the sibling of Jazmine Sullivan, messing with pop traditions as she courts and reprimands with a large, youthful voice that positively dances". [5] Digital Spy's Nick Levine gave it 4 out of 5 stars and wrote that the album "paints Brown as a talented songwriter, an inventive producer and a singer capable of everything from playful shrieks to hushed, soulful intimacy". [2] USA Today 's Elysa Gardner gave the album 3½ out of 4 stars and wrote that it "reveals both a knack for killer hooks and, vocally, a rare mix of power and grace". [28] Los Angeles Times writer Mikael Wood gave the album 3 out of 4 stars and viewed its slower songs as undistinctive, but wrote "even when her material blands out, there's a fresh-faced charm to Brown's delivery that sets her apart from the vintage-vinyl pack. She's the rare retro-soulster unafraid to act her age". [8]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Quick Fix" V V Brown V V Brown, Steve Dub, Segs2:48
2."Game Over"V V Brown, Roy Kerr, Anu PillaiKid Gloves3:16
3."Shark in the Water"Mack, TysperTysper & Mack3:04
4."Leave!"V V BrownBrown, Dub, Segs3:48
5."Bottles"V V Brown, George Astasio, Tim LarcombeBrown, Dub, Segs3:01
6."Crying Blood"V V BrownBrown, Dub, Segs2:31
7."Back in Time"V V BrownBrown, Dub, Segs4:11
8."I Love You"V V BrownBrown, Dub, Segs3:53
9."L.O.V.E"V V BrownBrown, Dub, Segs2:57
10."Everybody"V V BrownBrown, Dub, Segs2:58
11."Crazy Amazing"V V Brown, Adam Midgley, Jamie ReddingtonBrown, Dub, Segs3:06
12."Travelling Like the Light"V V BrownBrown, Dub, Segs3:47
iTunes bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
13."Video Killed the Radio Star"Geoff Downes, Trevor Horn, & Bruce Woolley3:26
14."Shark In the Water (Music Video)" 3:13
15."Leave! (Music Video)" 3:35
16."Crying Blood (Music Video)" 2:47
French re-release bonus track
No.TitleLength
13."No Bonsoir" 

Personnel

Credits for Travelling Like the Light adapted from Allmusic. [29]

Chart history

Chart (2009)Peak
position
French Digital Albums Chart [30] 1
French Physical Albums Chart [30] 16
UK Albums Chart [31] 30
U.S. Billboard 200 [32] 179

Related Research Articles

<i>Debut</i> (Björk album) 1993 studio album by Björk

Debut is the international debut studio album by Icelandic recording artist Björk, released in July 1993 by One Little Indian and Elektra Entertainment. It was produced by Björk and Nellee Hooper. It was Björk's first recording following the dissolution of her previous band, the Sugarcubes. The album departed from the rock style of her previous work and drew from an eclectic variety of styles, including electronic pop, house music, jazz and trip hop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crystal Gayle</span> American country music singer (born 1951)

Crystal Gayle is an American country music singer widely known for her 1977 hit "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue". Initially, Gayle's management and record label were the same as that of her oldest sister, Loretta Lynn. Not finding success with the arrangement after several years, and with Lynn's encouragement, Gayle decided to try a different approach. She signed a new record contract and began recording with Nashville producer Allen Reynolds. Gayle's new sound was sometimes referred to as middle-of-the-road (MOR) or country pop, and was part of a bigger musical trend by many country artists of the 1970s to appeal to a wider audience. Subsequently, Gayle became one of the most successful crossover artists of the 1970s and 80s. She is known for her floor-length hair.

<i>Trip the Light Fantastic</i> (Sophie Ellis-Bextor album) 2007 studio album by Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Trip the Light Fantastic is the third studio album by British singer and songwriter Sophie Ellis-Bextor. It was released on 21 May 2007 by Fascination Records following the release of the lead single, "Catch You" and the second single, "Me and My Imagination". The album was available to stream via the internet on 18 May 2007, three days before the official release date. It debuted on the UK Albums Chart at number 7.

<i>Wikked Lil Grrrls</i> 2005 studio album by Esthero

Wikked Lil' Grrrls is Canadian singer Esthero's second album, her first full-length in seven years. It was released on June 28, 2005 in North America by Reprise Records. The album elicited mixed reviews upon its release, with contemporary music critics generally praising her vocal performance but expressing mixed feelings regarding the record's eclecticism. The album gave Esthero her first album chart entry in the US, reaching number 24 on the US Heatseekers Albums chart. The album includes two singles, "We R in Need of a Musical Revolution" and "Fastlane."

<i>500 Days of Summer</i> 2009 film directed by Marc Webb

(500) Days of Summer is a 2009 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Marc Webb from a screenplay written by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber, and produced by Mark Waters. The film stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel and employs a nonlinear narrative structure, with the story based upon its male protagonist and his memories of a failed relationship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leave!</span> 2009 single by V V Brown

"Leave!" is a song by English recording artist V V Brown from her debut studio album Travelling Like the Light. It was released on 2 March 2009 as the album's second single and was accompanied by a music video. This single, like her debut single "Crying Blood" failed to reach the charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shark in the Water</span> 2009 single by V V Brown

"Shark in the Water" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter V V Brown for her debut studio album Travelling Like the Light. It was released on 6 July 2009 by Island Records as the album's third single. The song is a metaphorical record about anxiety, and was inspired by Brown's experience with infidelity by a past boyfriend who liked to stalk her in his free time. The song is her first single to get high airplay on U.S. music channels and radio. The song was also re-recorded in the Simlish language of The Sims and is featured in The Sims 3: Ambitions. The song is her first single to chart in the U.S. on Billboard Hot 100 peaking at number sixty-seven. The song was certified Gold in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crying Blood</span> 2008 single by V V Brown

"Crying Blood" is the debut single by singer V V Brown. It was released on 3 November 2008 and was accompanied by a music video. The song did not chart as it was not eligible to do so. It was released as a limited release on Digital download and 7-inch vinyl. Brown wrote this song after finishing with her mean American boyfriend and returning to England. Despite its lyrical woe, the melody is upbeat. She explained to Q magazine: “That was an accident, actually. I simply wanted to give the impression, musically, that I was over him. It’s true he was terribly mean, but ultimately I’m an optimistic sort.”. This song is also featured on Just Dance 2 as a downloadable song. "Crying Blood" was the opening title song to the movie Lesbian Vampire Killers starring Mathew Horne and James Corden

<i>Just like You</i> (Allison Iraheta album) 2009 studio album by Allison Iraheta

Just like You is the debut studio album from American Idol's eighth season contestant Allison Iraheta. It was released on December 1, 2009 through Jive Records and 19 Recordings. The lead single, "Friday I'll Be Over U", produced by Max Martin, debuted on AOL's Popeater on October 5, 2009, and was made available through digital distribution on November 3, 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">V V Brown</span> Musical artist

Vanessa Brown, known professionally as VV Brown, is a British indie pop singer-songwriter, model and record producer.

<i>Sex Therapy: The Session</i> 2009 studio album by Robin Thicke

Sex Therapy: The Session is the fourth studio album by American R&B recording artist Robin Thicke, released December 15, 2009 on Star Trak Entertainment in the United States. Sex Therapy also features guest contributions by Jay-Z, Game, Kid Cudi, Snoop Dogg, Nicki Minaj and Estelle. The album debuted at number 9 on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 123,000 copies in its first week. Upon its release, Sex Therapy received generally positive reviews from music critics.

<i>Country Music</i> (Willie Nelson album) 2010 studio album by Willie Nelson

Country Music is the 58th studio album by country artist Willie Nelson. The album consists in a compilation of country music standards. Produced by Grammy-winning T Bone Burnett, it was released on April 20, 2010, by Rounder Records, and according to Nelson is the first traditional album he has ever recorded. It was his first release in the 2010s.

<i>All of Me</i> (Estelle album) 2012 studio album by Estelle

All of Me is the third studio album by British rapper and singer Estelle. It was first released on 24 February 2012 in Ireland, 28 February in the United States and 12 March in the United Kingdom.

<i>Revolutions per Minute</i> (Reflection Eternal album) 2010 studio album by Reflection Eternal

Revolutions per Minute is the second studio album by American hip hop duo Reflection Eternal, released May 18, 2010, on Blacksmith Records and Rawkus Records. Composed of rapper Talib Kweli and DJ/hip hop producer Hi-Tek, it is the duo's follow-up to their collaborative debut Train of Thought (2000).

<i>The Sellout</i> (album) 2010 studio album by Macy Gray

The Sellout is the fifth studio album by American singer and songwriter Macy Gray. It was released on June 22, 2010, by Concord Records. The album's lead single, "Beauty in the World" was released in April 2010. Upon its release, The Sellout received generally mixed reviews from most music critics.

<i>I Learned the Hard Way</i> 2010 studio album by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings

I Learned the Hard Way is the fourth studio album by American soul and funk band Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, released April 6, 2010 on Daptone Records. Production for the album took place at the label's House of Soul Studios during 2009 to 2010 and was handled by Daptone co-founder Gabriel Roth, credited for the album as "Bosco Mann". The album debuted at number 15 on the US Billboard 200, selling 23,000 copies in its first week. Upon its release, I Learned the Hard Way received generally positive reviews from most music critics.

<i>Country Strong</i> (soundtrack) 2010 soundtrack album by Various artists

Country Strong is a soundtrack album for the film of the same name. It was released by RCA Nashville on October 26, 2010. It is preceded by two singles: the title track, performed by the film's star Gwyneth Paltrow, which was released on July 26, 2010, and "A Little Bit Stronger", performed by Sara Evans and released on September 27, 2010. In addition to Paltrow, the film's co-stars Garrett Hedlund, Tim McGraw and Leighton Meester all sing on the soundtrack, which also features country music stars Lee Ann Womack, Hank Williams Jr., and Faith Hill, among others. The album has sold 479,000 copies in the US as of February 2013. A follow-up album Country Strong , was released on December 21, 2010, originally as digital download only. The second album has sold 36,349 in the US as of January 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger</span> American band

The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger is an American band formed in 2008 by Sean Ono Lennon and Charlotte Kemp Muhl. The couple have stated that they started the band as a way to spend more time together, and while they released a number of recordings and went on tours as a duo, they consider Midnight Sun, released in April 2014, their first real record. Their tour to support the release of the album in May and June 2014 included opening for Beck as he started the East Coast leg of his tour that year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clare Maguire</span> Musical artist

Clare Rita Mary Maguire is an English singer-songwriter. She was signed to Universal Music Group, Polydor Records in 2009. She was rated in fifth place in the BBC Sound of 2011 list of the top 15 most promising new artists. Maguire was also singled out as one of MTV's Brand New: For 2011 Acts. Her voice has been compared to Stevie Nicks and Annie Lennox. Maguire's debut album, Light After Dark, was released on 25 February 2011 peaking at number seven in the Official UK Top 40, and achieving the BPI Silver Sales Award in the UK.

<i>Gypsy Heart</i> (Colbie Caillat album) 2014 studio album by Colbie Caillat

Gypsy Heart is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat. It was released on September 30, 2014 by Republic Records. It was produced by American record producer Babyface. It features songwriting collaborations with past co-writer, Jason Reeves, as well as new co-writers and producers Max Martin, Julian Bunetta, and Johan Carlsson. "Try" was released as the first and only single on June 9 to the 16.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "eGigs.co.uk - VV Brown talks to eGigs - about The Brits, African Express, live shows, and the new album". egigs.co.uk. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  2. 1 2 Levine, Nick. Review: Travelling Like the Light. Digital Spy. Retrieved on 2010-02-15.
  3. ↑ Review: Travelling Like the Light. Musosguide. Retrieved on 2010-04-17.
  4. 1 2 Travelling Like the Light (2009): Reviews. Metacritic. Retrieved on 2010-02-15.
  5. 1 2 Kellman, Andy. Review: Travelling Like the Light. Allmusic. Retrieved on 2010-02-19.
  6. 1 2 Greenblatt, Leah. Review: Travelling Like the Light Archived 18 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine . Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved on 2010-02-15.
  7. 1 2 Sullivan, Caroline. Review: Travelling Like the Light. The Guardian . Retrieved on 2010-02-15.
  8. 1 2 Wood, Mikael. Review: Travelling Like the Light. Los Angeles Times . Retrieved on 2010-02-15.
  9. 1 2 Richards, Sam. Review: Travelling Like the Light. NME . Retrieved on 2010-02-15.
  10. 1 2 Fisher, Alice. Review: Travelling Like the Light. The Observer . Retrieved on 2010-02-15.
  11. 1 2 Smith, David. Review: Travelling Like the Light. PopMatters. Retrieved on 2010-04-20.
  12. 1 2 Rosen, Jody. [14339,94995] Review: Travelling Like the Light [ dead link ]. Rolling Stone . Retrieved on 2010-04-22.
  13. 1 2 Keefe, Jonathan. Review: Travelling Like the Light. Slant Magazine. Retrieved on 2010-03-25.
  14. 1 2 Paphides, Pete. Review: Travelling Like the Light. The Times . Retrieved on 2010-02-15
  15. ↑ Fox, Al. Review: Travelling Like the Light. BBC Online. Retrieved on 2010-02-15.
  16. ↑ Meagher, John. Review: Travelling Like the Light. The Belfast Telegraph . Retrieved on 2010-02-15.
  17. ↑ Cragg, Michael. Review: Travelling Like the Light Archived 15 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine . MusicOMH. Retrieved on 2010-02-15.
  18. ↑ Aquilante, Dan. Review: Travelling Like the Light. The New York Post . Retrieved on 2010-02-15.
  19. ↑ Columnist. "Review: Travelling Like the Light". Q : 118. July 2009.
  20. ↑ East, Ben. Review: Travelling Like the Light. Metro . Retrieved on 2010-02-15.
  21. ↑ Walters, Barry. Review: Travelling Like the Light. Spin . Retrieved on 2010-02-15.
  22. ↑ McCracken, Edd. Review: Travelling Like the Light. Sunday Herald . Retrieved on 2010-02-19.
  23. ↑ Columnist. Review: Travelling Like the Light. The Observer. Retrieved on 2010-02-15.
  24. ↑ McCormick, Neil. Review: Travelling Like the Light. The Daily Telegraph . Retrieved on 2010-02-15.
  25. ↑ Gill, Andy. Review: Travelling Like the Light. The Independent . Retrieved on 2010-02-15.
  26. ↑ Denney, Alex. Review: Travelling Like the Light. Yahoo! Music. Retrieved on 2010-02-15.
  27. ↑ Koski, Genevieve. Review: Travelling Like the Light. The A.V. Club . Retrieved on 2010-02-15.
  28. ↑ Gardner, Elysa. Review: Travelling Like the Light. USA Today . Retrieved on 2010-03-30.
  29. ↑ Credits: Travelling Like the Light. Allmusic. Retrieved on 2010-03-25.
  30. 1 2 "Tops : Black Eyes Peas et Lady GaGa n°1". Chartsinfrance. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
  31. ↑ Allen, Gavin. V V Brown says Duffy fell into the trap she avoided. WalesOnline. Retrieved on 2010-02-19.
  32. ↑ "Top 100 Music Hits, Top 100 Music Charts, Top 100 Songs & The Hot 100" (in Turkish). Billboard.com. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
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.