| Brother | ||||
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| Studio album by Boyzone | ||||
| Released | 8 March 2010 | |||
| Recorded | Sarm Studios (between 2007–2009) | |||
| Genre | Pop, pop rock | |||
| Label | Universal | |||
| Producer | Greg Wells | |||
| Boyzone chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Brother | ||||
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Brother was the fourth studio album by Irish pop group Boyzone, which became their first studio album released in 12 years. The album is named in memory of member Stephen Gately who died five months before its release.[1] However, Gately's vocals do appear on the band's songs "Gave It All Away" and "Stronger".
The album topped the UK where it charted for 22 weeks [2] and Ireland albums chart where it charted in the top 75 for 17 weeks[3] and the first single was a number 1 single on the Irish Singles Chart and a top 10 hit on the UK Singles Chart. "Gave It All Away" was performed on the Australian version of the X Factor on the 11th October 2010. The band will be touring the album in the UK and Ireland during February and March 2011 and a world tour could follow. The album was supported by the Brother Tour. The album has sold 450,000 copies so far.
Contents |
The album was recorded in 2009, and was released on 5 March 2010 in Ireland and was released on the 8th March 2010 in the United Kingdom. The album contains the single 'Gave It All Away', released as a tribute to Gately and also features his vocals on the song 'Stronger'.
The record entered the UK Album Chart at number 1 on the 14th March 2010, meaning that all four of Boyzone's studio albums have reached number 1 in the UK. The album also reached the number 1 slot in Ireland, resulting in the same achievement for all four albums, cementing the band's reputation as being one of the most successful boyband/male groups of all time in the UK and Ireland. On the 28th March 2010, the album reclaimed the top spot in the UK album charts after a week at number 3. On the same day, the single 'Gave It All Away' climbed 19 places to number 10 on the UK singles chart. 'Love Is a Hurricane' was the second and final single from 'Brother', and was released on 17 May.[4][5]
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic | [6] |
| BBC | (favourable)[7] |
| Daily Express | [8] |
| Entertainment.ie | [9] |
| Funky.co.uk | [10] |
| Virgin Media | [11] |
The album received favorable and positive reviews from most music critics. Jason Birchmeier from Allmusic said that: "Brother is a safe and carefully crafted album". And has noticed that the album is "a ballad-heavy effort with lots of piano melodies, string arrangements, and grandiose choruses". Further, he gave positive reaction for the songs 'Gave It All Away', calling it "a good song with glimmers of greatness" and 'Love Is a Hurricane' saying that "is the most impressive track on the album, showcase for Keating that marks the high point of Brother".
Other standout tracks include 'Ruby' and 'Right Here Waiting'. Simon Gage from Daily Express said that "The first album since the death of Stephen Gately last year, is a poignant outing for Boyzone and features the last recorded vocals of their 'brother'". He also said that: "The debut single Gave It All Away sets the tone for what is a much more grown-up album of songs that veer closer to adult rock than the sometimes cheesy pop we associate with Boyzone.
Mike Diver from BBC said that: "Brother it’s soft about its edges, its lyrical content exclusively syrupy – but that’s fine, as at this stage in their career, pronounced progression was never a likely option". He also said that: "It’s sad, though, that Gately eulogy-of-sorts Gave It All Away is so very poor". But with ballads dominating, "Brother is a Boyzone album for Boyzone fans". Lauren Murphy from Entertainment.ie said that: "Employing some known songwriters of the pop world makes Boyzone's fourth album 'Brother' a less amateur sounding affair than the now quartet's usual material". But she liked some parts of the album, saying that it "is actually solid, occasionally even likeable adult-orientated pop".
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
Certifications
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| Preceded by Lights by Ellie Goulding The Fame by Lady Gaga |
UK Albums Chart number-one album 14 March 2010 – 21 March 2010 (first run) 28 March 2010 – 11 April 2010 (second run) |
Succeeded by The Fame by Lady Gaga |
| Preceded by Glee: The Music, Volume 1 by cast of Glee |
Ireland Albums Chart number-one album 11 March 2010 – 25 March 2010 |
Succeeded by Glee: The Music, Volume 2 by cast of Glee |
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