| Paradise | ||||||||||||||||
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| Studio album by Kaci Battaglia | ||||||||||||||||
| Released |
June 12, 2001 (UK) May 5, 2003 (US) |
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| Recorded | 1999 - 2001 | |||||||||||||||
| Genre | Pop R&B | |||||||||||||||
| Label | Curb Records | |||||||||||||||
| Kaci Battaglia chronology | ||||||||||||||||
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Paradise is the debut album by American singer Kaci Battaglia. Released on June 21, 2001 it was only released in the United Kingdom. Selling nearly 10,000 copies in its first week, the album debuted at number 47 on the official UK album's chart.[1] To date the album has sold nearly 100,000 copies in the UK alone, but only around 8,000 internationally. In 2002, the album was re-released, under the name I'm Not Anybody's Girl. The re-release spawned a new single, titled the same, which had some success on the UK Singles Chart.
Paradise also spawned several successful singles. The album's title track was released as the lead single, and Kaci's debut single in March 2001. It has become a major hit on musical charts in the UK, peaking at number 11 on the official UK Singles Chart. "Tu Amor" was released as the second single, and become Battaglia's second Top 40 hit in the UK. Other singles released include "Intervention Divine" and a cover of The Partridge Family's hit single I Think I Love You, which has became Battaglia's first top 10 hit on the UK singles chart.
Contents |
At age 11, Battaglia independently released A Thousand Stars, an album that was produced by her mother, Donna. A portion of the proceeds from A Thousand Stars went to help a housing project for the less fortunate. Battaglia began looking for a recording contract when she was eleven years old, due to the success of her independent album. She caught the eye of record producer Joel Diamond after Battaglia's mom called and asked Diamond to audition her daughter. Diamond put up his own money to record her. After being turned down by over 20 record labels with his demo, "Paradise", for her, it was Mike Curb who called Diamond months after receiving the recording and told him that he wanted to sign Battaglia to Curb Records.
Her debut single "Paradise" was released in 2001 and hit #11 in the UK. The single was followed by "I Think I Love You". In 2003, she teamed up with a Japanese photographer and released a photo book entitled, Kaci: I'm a Singer. This photo book was filled with pictures of Battaglia while in her hometown in Florida. The book was released in 2007 exclusively in Japan, along with a re-release of Paradise.
The majority of the music found on Paradise is pop, however certain songs, such as "I Think I Love You" have more of a club influenced beat,[2] while "Paradise" and "Tu Amor" show influences by Spanish music.[3][4] Many critics have noted the lack of originality in the music, comparing her to many other artist at the time, like Mandy Moore and Britney Spears, noting similarities with Spears' debut album, ...Baby One More Time. The album's lyrical content mainly deals with love and relationships, from the perspective of a teenage Battaglia. Like most teen pop album's released in the 90' and early 2000s, the lyrics deal mainly with themes such as love, break-up, desire and joy.
Paradise is the first track on the album, and was also released as the album's lead single. It is an uptempo pop song, with a Hispanic tint to it, with the use of a Spanish Guitar. It is a cover after the 1982 song by Fausto Papetti. Kiss Me Crazy is the second track on the album, and is more modern day than the previous track, with more of a club oriented beat. Butterflies Don't Lie is the album's third song, and is a ballad that lyrically speaks of Battaglia's feelings for someone, while she imagines they feel the same way, even though they don't.[5] Tu Amor is the fourth track on the album, it features more of a Hispanic feel.[6] Everlasting is the fifth song on Paradise, and is an uptempo dance/ballad that speaks of an everlasting love for someone.[7] I Think I Love You is the sixth track, and also the album's second and final single. It has become Battaglia's only top 10 hit in the UK.
Just an Old Boyfriend is the seventh song, and is a midtempo pop song about Battaglia's break-up with someone, and how she is completely over him.[8] Beggin' Me is the eighth song on the album, and is the most uptempo song on the album, featuring prominent dance and rock elements.[9] All Over You is the next song on the album, and has more of an adult-like feel to it, and is similar to the album's previous track.[10] You Got Me is the tenth song on the album, and has been called the most open song on the album. I'm Gonna Break Your Heart This Time is the eleventh song on Paradise and is more uptempo than its predecessor.[11] Intervention Divine is the final track on the album, and was also released as the album's second promotional single, after "Tu Amor".[12]
The album has received several positive reviews, mainly commenting on Battaglia's vocal abilities and the lyrical content of the album. Some critics, however, have stated that Battaglia's debut effort was simply a cliche start, and compared her to the majority of pop artist with hits out at the moment. Despite some negative reviews, overall reception of Paradise was positive, with some critics even stating that Battaglia enlightened them on the feelings and emotions of teenagers with the album's lyrical content.
Due to the album only being released in the UK, it failed to have much impact anywhere else. Paradise debuted on the official UK Album's Chart at number 47, selling nearly 10,000 copies in its first week of release. Despite hanging on to the chart for awhile, it failed to have the success held by the album's singles. To date, the album has sold nearly 100,000 copies in the UK alone.
Paradise was promoted mainly through the use of live performances, as well as the release of two promotional songs. The first of these songs, titled Tu Amor was released in late September 2001, and peaked at number 24 on the official UK Singles Chart. The second, Intervention Divine, was released at the beginning of January, just a few days before the album's second official single. The song had little success in the UK or on international charts.
After the release of I Think I Love You in 2002, Battaglia began touring as the opening for pop/R&B boy band O-Town (band), in support of their debut album of the same name. The tour lasted for a few months, however Battaglia only opened for them during a few shows during their stops in the UK and a few locations in the US. During a stop on the tour in Florida, Battaglia made an appearance on popular radio show WFLZ 93.3's The Big One on August 25, where she gave an in studio performance. During ESPN's Super Bowl Halftime Show in January 2002, the music video for her single, Paradise was played for the audience on the big screen, which provided major promotion. Pepsi also founded a small mall tour for Battaglia, and the tour reached over 10 states in only 2 months. On January 1, 2003 Battaglia performed her single I'm Not Anybody's Girl at the Capital One Bowl Halftime Show, to critical acclaim.
Paradise Track listing
I'm Not Anybody's Girl Track listing
Due to the lackluster performance of the album, Battaglia and her record company decided to re-release the album the following year, and include bonus tracks. The finished product, titled I'm Not Anybody's Girl was released on July 16, 2002. The re-release featured all of the songs from Paradise, and the track listing remained barely edited, except the title track for the re-release is featured as the eleventh track on the album, with I'm Gonna Break Your Heart This Time and Intervention Divine being moved to the twelfth and thirteenth tracks respectively. A Spanish version of Tu Amor was added to the album as well, appearing as the fourteenth and final track on the album. The original version is still featured on the album.[13]
Despite attempts to promote the album, it failed to chart on the official UK charts, and barely managed to bring any extra sales to Paradise. However, the album's lead single, I'm Not Anybody's Girl did have some success on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 55. This would be her last single to chart in that country, before Kaci broke out in the US.
The re-release of the album served as Kaci's debut album in countries other than the UK. After the single of the same name had some success on the US Pop stations, the album was expected to be a hit for Battaglia. However, the album failed to chart on the US Billboard 200. The album had similar outcomes worldwide, failing to chart on any charts.
Paradise released as the album's lead single on May 17, 2001. The single's music video features Battaglia on the beach, while singing about her love interest who is also there. There are scenes in the video featuring Kaci dancing with back-up dancers under the pier. The single has became a major hit for Battaglia, peaking at number 11 on the UK Singles Chart, and spending 29 un-consecutive weeks on the chart. Tu Amor was released as the first promotional single on September 23, 2001, accompanied with a music video. Despite only being a promotional single, it has became her second Top 40 hit in the UK, peaking at number 24. Intervention Divine was another promotional single, released on January 2, 2002. Unlike the previous promotional release, it did not receive a music video. Due to its release being so close to the album's second official single, I Think I Love You, Intervention Divine failed to make an impact on any of the charts in the UK. I Think I Love You was released as the official second and final single off of the album, and has become her biggest hit to date in the UK, peaking at number 10 on the official UK singles chart. A video was also released, and features Battaglia singing while holding a picture of her love interest on her bed.