Vulnerable (Tricky album)

Last updated

Vulnerable
Tricky - Vulnerable.jpg
Studio album by
Released19 May 2003 (2003-05-19)
Genre Avant-pop
Label Epitaph
Producer Tricky
Tricky chronology
Blowback
(2001)
Vulnerable
(2003)
Knowle West Boy
(2008)
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 60/100 [1]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [2]
Blender Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [3]
Mojo Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [4]
Pitchfork 4.9/10 [5]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [6]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [7]
Spin B+ [8]
Slant Magazine Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [9]
Stylus Magazine C− [10]
Uncut Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [11]

Vulnerable is the sixth album by English trip hop artist Tricky released in 2003 on the Epitaph record label.

Contents

Album production

The main female collaborator on this album was the Italian singer Costanza Francavilla, a previous fan who approached Tricky at one of his shows and gave him a CD with songs. "On the 17th of December 2001, Tricky, one of Costanza's favourite artists ever, came to play in Rome," Costanza's Official site reads. "Costanza managed to give Tricky's drummer a demo CD (with 3 songs written, performed and produced by her). The day after Tricky called her asking to work with her the collaboration started."

In Spring 2002 she moved to Los Angeles to begin recording Vulnerable. During the summer 2002 her song "My Head" was part of Tricky's Blowback limited re-edition. In summer 2003, Costanza performed live on Tricky's "13" tour all around Europe (including the Glastonbury Festival and the London Meltdown Festival). In fall 2003 the Back to Mine compilation dedicated to Tricky came out featuring Costanza's song "Desire" (written, performed and produced by Costanza).

Critical reception

Describing Vulnerable as Tricky's best album in years and a major improvement on Blowback (2001), Uncut said that the album "benefits hugely from two major developments: an appropriate vocal foil in the form of Italian vocalist Constanza Francaville, and a set of 13 avant-pop gems evocative of Pere Ubu and Talking Heads." [12] The reviewer deemed it to be a "varied and effective collection of subtly shaded poptones, with the occasional moment of characteristic grit", and commented that, unlike Tricky's other albums since Pre-Millennium Tension (1996), "highlights reveal themselves instead of forcing the listener to pan for them". [12]

Stylus Magazine 's Scott McKeating deemed it "sonically lighter than a lot of previous work, the live sounding electric and acoustic guitars making it slightly more accessible to those not used to hearing the squonks, drones and buzzing fridge effects of usual Tricky productions. Someone would be hard pressed to tell instrumental versions of many of these tracks from any old Max Martin filler track (Backstreet b-sides, early Britney album tracks) as they’re almost flimsily throwaway creations; dull, flat and lifeless." He dismissed the music for being "bleached of its individuality and character", and considered Francavilla to be "a very average milk-and-water vocalist". [13]

Track listing

  1. "Stay"
  2. "Antimatter"
  3. "Ice Pick"
  4. "Car Crash"
  5. "Dear God" (XTC cover)
  6. "How High"
  7. "What Is Wrong"
  8. "Hollow"
  9. "Moody"
  10. "Wait for God"
  11. "Where I'm From"
  12. "The Lovecats" (The Cure cover)
  13. "Search, Search, Survive"

Limited edition DVD

  1. Vulnerable movie
  2. "Antimatter" (Jimmy & T Remix)
  3. "Receive Us" (Radagon & Tricky)
  4. "You Don't Wanna" (live in Rome)
  5. Photo gallery

Charts

Chart performance for Vulnerable
Chart (2003)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA) [14] 86
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) [15] 67
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [16] 21
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [17] 28
French Albums (SNEP) [18] 22
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [19] 65
Italian Albums (FIMI) [20] 66
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [21] 27
UK Albums (OCC) [22] 88

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tricky (rapper)</span> British rapper and record producer (born 1968)

Adrian Nicholas Matthews Thaws, better known by his stage name Tricky, is a British record producer and rapper. Born and raised in Bristol, in southwest England, he began his career as an early member of the band Massive Attack, alongside Robert Del Naja, Grant Marshall & Andrew Vowles. Through his work with Massive Attack and other artists, Tricky became a major figure in the Bristol underground scene, which gave rise to multiple internationally recognized artists and the music genre of trip hop.

<i>The Who Sell Out</i> 1967 album by the Who

The Who Sell Out is the third studio album by the English rock band the Who. It was released on 15 December 1967 by Track Records in the UK and Decca Records in the US. A concept album, The Who Sell Out is structured as a collection of unrelated songs interspersed with fake commercials and public service announcements, including the second track "Heinz Baked Beans". The album purports to be a broadcast by pirate radio station Radio London. The reference to "selling out" was an intended irony, as the Who had been making real commercials during that period of their career, some of which are included as bonus tracks on the remastered CD.

<i>The Song Remains the Same</i> (album) 1976 live/soundtrack album by Led Zeppelin

The Song Remains the Same is the live soundtrack album of the concert film of the same name by the English rock band Led Zeppelin. The soundtrack was recorded 27–29 July 1973 and released on 22 October 1976 on Swan Song Records.

<i>Last Splash</i> 1993 studio album by the Breeders

Last Splash is the second album by American alternative rock band the Breeders, released on August 30, 1993. Originally formed as a side project for Pixies bassist Kim Deal, the Breeders quickly became her primary recording outlet. Last Splash peaked at number 33 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, and by June 1994, the album had been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments in excess of one million units.

<i>0304</i> 2003 studio album by Jewel

0304 is the fifth studio album by American singer Jewel, released on June 3, 2003, by Atlantic Records. Inspired by Jewel's sudden success topping the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in early November 2002 with a remix of "Serve the Ego", the final single from her previous album This Way, the album is a radical departure from her previous folk-oriented musical efforts and is instead more pop and dance-focused.

<i>XTRMNTR</i> 2000 studio album by Primal Scream

XTRMNTR is the sixth studio album by Scottish rock band Primal Scream. It was first released on 31 January 2000 in the United Kingdom by Creation Records and on 2 May 2000 in the United States by Astralwerks. It peaked at number 3 on the UK Albums Chart.

<i>Sonic Nurse</i> 2004 studio album by Sonic Youth

Sonic Nurse is the thirteenth studio album by American rock band Sonic Youth, released on June 8, 2004, by Geffen Records.

<i>Turn It On</i> 2003 studio album by Ronan Keating

Turn It On is the third studio album released by Boyzone frontman and Irish singer-songwriter Ronan Keating. The album was released on 17 November 2003, a week after the release of the lead single, "Lost for Words". The album became the worst performing album of Keating's career to date, only peaking at number 21 on the UK Albums Chart. The album spawned two further singles: a cover of Kenny Rogers' "She Believes " and a duet with American country superstar, LeAnn Rimes, "Last Thing on My Mind", which both became top ten hits in the United Kingdom.

<i>Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss</i> 2002 studio album by Snoop Dogg

Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss is the sixth studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg. It was released on November 26, 2002, by his Doggystyle label, alongside Priority and Capitol Records. Following his departure from the No Limit Records, he later signed a recording contract to Capitol through Priority Records. The album was supported by two singles, both featuring Pharrell: "From tha Chuuuch to da Palace" and "Beautiful", the latter also featuring Charlie Wilson.

<i>Tical 0: The Prequel</i> 2004 studio album by Method Man

Tical 0: The Prequel is the third studio album by American rapper Method Man, released on May 18, 2004, by Def Jam Recordings.

<i>Daisies of the Galaxy</i> 2000 studio album by Eels

Daisies of the Galaxy is the third studio album by American rock band Eels. It was released on February 28, 2000, in the United Kingdom, and March 14 in the United States, by record label DreamWorks.

<i>Jackpot</i> (Chingy album) 2003 studio album by Chingy

Jackpot is the debut studio album by American rapper Chingy. It was released on July 15, 2003, by Capitol Records, The Trak Starz's Trak Starz imprint, and Ludacris's Disturbing Tha Peace. Anchored by the smash single "Right Thurr", this album also had two other hits, "Holidae In" featuring Ludacris and Snoop Dogg, and "One Call Away" featuring J-Weav. The album was produced by the Trak Starz except for "Bagg Up", which was produced by Da Quiksta. The enhanced version of the album features the uncut video of "Right Thurr".

<i>Comfort of Strangers</i> 2006 studio album by Beth Orton

Comfort of Strangers is the fifth studio album by English singer-songwriter Beth Orton. The album was recorded in just two weeks at New York's Sear Sound studio in the spring of 2005, with musician and composer Jim O'Rourke as producer. It features Orton on guitar, piano and harmonica with O'Rourke on bass, piano and marimba and the American percussionist Tim Barnes on drums.

<i>Maxinquaye</i> 1995 studio album by Tricky

Maxinquaye is the debut album by English rapper and producer Tricky, released on 20 February 1995 by 4th & B'way Records, a subsidiary of Island Records. In the years leading up to the album, Tricky had grown frustrated with his limited role in the musical group Massive Attack and wanted to pursue an independent project. Shortly after, he met with vocalist Martina Topley-Bird, who he felt would offer a wider vision to his music, and signed a solo contract with 4th & B'way in 1993. Tricky recorded Maxinquaye the following year primarily at his home studio in London, with Topley-Bird serving as the album's main vocalist, while Alison Goldfrapp, Ragga and Mark Stewart performed additional vocals.

<i>Nearly God</i> 1996 studio album by Nearly God

Nearly God is the unofficial second album by English rapper and producer Tricky. It was released in February 1996 under the pseudonym "Nearly God", which originated from an interview during which Tricky was asked "so how does it feel to be God... well, nearly God."

<i>Pre-Millennium Tension</i> 1996 studio album by Tricky

Pre-Millennium Tension is the second album from English rapper and producer Tricky, released in 1996. It was a conscious effort by Tricky to depart away from the trip hop label with which critics had described his previous music. The album was well received by critics, being named the ninth best record of the year in the 1996 Pazz & Jop poll.

<i>Get Rich or Die Tryin</i> 2003 studio album by 50 Cent

Get Rich or Die Tryin' is the debut studio album by American rapper 50 Cent. It was released on February 6, 2003, by Interscope Records, Eminem's Shady Records, Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment, and 50 Cent's G-Unit Records. After signing with Eminem, 50 Cent also worked heavily with Dr. Dre acting as the album's executive producers, who worked to combine the gangsta rap and R&B combo prevalent in New York hip hop. Additional production is provided by Mike Elizondo, Sha Money XL, Mr. Porter, Rockwilder, Dirty Swift, Megahertz, and more.

<i>Blowback</i> (album) 2001 studio album by Tricky

Blowback is the fifth studio album by English rapper and producer Tricky. It was released on 26 June 2001.

<i>Knowle West Boy</i> 2008 studio album by Tricky

Knowle West Boy is the seventh studio album by musician and producer Tricky, released by Domino Records on 7 July 2008 in Europe, and 9 September 2008 in North America.

<i>False Idols</i> 2013 studio album by Tricky

False Idols is the ninth studio album by English trip hop musician Tricky, released on 23 May 2013. It is Tricky's first release on his label False Idols, an imprint of !K7.

References

  1. "Vulnerable by Tricky" via www.metacritic.com.
  2. "Vulnerable - Tricky | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" via www.allmusic.com.
  3. He's a full-fledged alternative auteur, skipping effortlessly from hypnotic electronics to refracted torch songs to balls-out alt-rock. [Aug 2003, p.134]
  4. Quirky, detail-rich arrangements nodding at dub and death metal. [Jun 2003, p.108]
  5. "Tricky: Vulnerable". Pitchfork.
  6. The year-round sunshine [of new home L.A.] seems to have induced creative lethargy, sapping the adventure that elevated his last album. [Jun 2003, p.106]
  7. "Rolling Stone review". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on 18 August 2006.
  8. The Trickster's best record in years. [Aug 2003, p.119]
  9. Cinquemani, Sal (17 June 2003). "Review: Tricky, Vulnerable". Slant Magazine .
  10. "Stylus Magazine". stylusmagazine.com.
  11. 13 avant-pop gems evocative of Pere Ubu and Talking Heads. [Jun 2003, p.96]
  12. 1 2 "Tricky – Vulnerable". Uncut. 1 June 2003. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  13. McKeating, Scott (15 March 2004). "Tricky: An Incredible Weed-Smoking, Trip-Hop Denying, Paranoid, Schizophrenic". Stylus Magazine. p. 3. Archived from the original on 16 February 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  14. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 284.
  15. "Austriancharts.at – Tricky – Vulnerable" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  16. "Ultratop.be – Tricky – Vulnerable" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  17. "Ultratop.be – Tricky – Vulnerable" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  18. "Lescharts.com – Tricky – Vulnerable". Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  19. "Offiziellecharts.de – Tricky – Vulnerable" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  20. "Italiancharts.com – Tricky – Vulnerable". Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  21. "Swisscharts.com – Tricky – Vulnerable". Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  22. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 October 2022.