23 (album)

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23
Studio album by Blonde Redhead
Released	April 10, 2007
Genre	Alternative rock
Length	43:23
Label	4AD
Producer	Blonde Redhead
Professional reviews
All Music Guide link Coke Machine Glow (79%) link Pitchfork Media (7.0/10) April 11, 2007 Rocklouder link Stylus Magazine (A) April 11, 2007 Tiny Mix Tapes link Comfort Comes (9/10) link
Blonde Redhead chronology
Misery Is a Butterfly (2004) 23 (2007)

23 is the seventh studio album by Blonde Redhead, released on April 10, 2007 (2007-04-10). It debuted on the U.S. Billboard 200 at number 63, selling roughly 11,000 copies in its first week.^[1]

Contents 1 Background 2 Track listing 3 Singles 4 References

[edit] Background

The album is the first to be self-produced by the band, with additional assistance provided by Crowded House producer Mitchell Froom on two tracks, "Silently" and "Top Ranking". In a press release accompanying the album, the band acknowledged their goals to be more spontaneous in their song-writing, to aim for simplicity and clarity, and to create additional tensions. Drummer Simone Pace said he found it nerve-racking to enter the studio with only loose ideas for songs. Singer Kazu Makino admitted it "wasn't an entirely enjoyable experience. Without a producer, a referee, we could really get on each other's cases. It got intense."

The band admitted that until they reached the mixing stage they were unsure what direction the album was taking.

Simone said it "sounds fresh because we are exploring new things. We get tired of doing the same thing all the time, so we search for other things to do."

The music video for single "Top Ranking" was directed by Mike Mills, and guests director/writer/actress/artist Miranda July as the main, and only, character. At the start of the video it says "One pose per second." Following that we view July for the duration striking a different pose every second, creating the effect of a living statue.

[edit] Track listing

1. "23" – 5:18
2. "Dr. Strangeluv" – 4:47
3. "The Dress" – 4:00
4. "SW" – 4:35
5. "Spring and by Summer Fall" – 4:15
6. "Silently" – 3:57
7. "Publisher" – 4:01
8. "Heroine" – 4:11
9. "Top Ranking" – 3:27
10. "My Impure Hair" – 4:52

• The Japanese edition includes two bonus tracks: "Signs Along The Path" and "(We Are A Real Team) Harry And I"

[edit] Singles

• "23" (April 2, 2007)
  • light blue-colored 7" vinyl, featuring the album version only
• "Silently" (June 11, 2007)
  • promo CD single b/w: "Signs Along the Path" and "(We Are a Real Team) Harry and I"
  • 7" vinyl single b/w: "(We Are a Real Team) Harry and I"

[edit] References

v • d • e Blonde Redhead Kazu Makino · Amedeo Pace · Simone Pace Vern Rumsey · Maki Takahashi · Toko Yasuda Studio albums Blonde Redhead · La Mia Vita Violenta · Fake Can Be Just as Good · In an Expression of the Inexpressible · Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons · Misery Is a Butterfly · 23 EPs Melodie Citronique · The Secret Society of Butterflies Singles "Amescream / Big song" · "Vague / Jet Star" · "Feet High / Valentine" · "Flying Douglas / Harmony" · "Symphony of Treble / Kasuality" · "Limited conversation / Slogan" · "Elephant Woman" · "Equus" · "23" · "Silently"