BE (Beady Eye album)

BE
Studio album by Beady Eye
Released 10 June 2013
Recorded November 2012–March 2013, State of the Ark Studios, Richmond, London
Genre Rock, psychedelic rock, garage rock
Length 49:09
Label Beady Eye, Columbia
Producer Dave Sitek and Beady Eye
Beady Eye chronology

Different Gear, Still Speeding
(2011)		 BE
(2013)
Singles from BE
  1. "Flick of the Finger"
    Released: 15 April 2013
  2. "Second Bite of the Apple"
    Released: 29 April 2013
  3. "Shine a Light" /
    "The World's Not Set in Stone"
    Released: 19 August 2013[1]
  4. "Soul Love" / "Iz Rite"
    Released: 25 November 2013[2]

BE is the second and final studio album by the English rock band Beady Eye, released on 10 June 2013.[3] It was recorded between November 2012 and March 2013. The album was produced by Dave Sitek who has previously produced records for Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV on the Radio and Jane's Addiction. BE debuted at number 2 on the UK Albums Chart.[4]

Release and promotion

The first song released from the album was "Flick of the Finger", which music video was premiered at Beady Eye's official website. The song peaked at number 138 in the UK, however, the song was not the first single from the album.[5][6] The first official single from the album was "Second Bite of the Apple".[7][8] It was due to receive its first UK Radio airplay on Zane Lowe‍‍ '​‍s BBC Radio 1 programme on 15 April 2013, but Zane Lowe then announced it has been rescheduled to the 29 April.[9] "Second Bite of the Apple" charted at number 112 in the UK. It was also performed live on BBC talent show The Voice UK semi-final on Saturday 15 June 2013. The double A-side "Shine a Light" / "The World's Not Set in Stone" was released on 19 August. Their new double A-side "Iz Rite" / "Soul Love" was released on 25 November.

The album (and subsequent single) artwork was designed by Trevor Jackson and features photographs by Harry Peccinotti, originally shot for NOVA Magazine.[10] The band used a largely Internet-based promotional tactic that required people to share the Beady Eye website to unlock different stems of the song "Flick of the Finger". The album leaked online in its entirety 2 weeks before its official release on 10 June. The album was released in standard and deluxe editions. Deluxe edition features four extra tracks, while Japanese deluxe edition featured additional two tracks.

Reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
Source Rating
Metacritic 59/100[11]
Review scores
Source Rating
AllMusic [12]
Clash 8/10[13]
The Guardian [14]
The Independent [15]
musicOMH [16]
NME 7/10[17]
Pitchfork Media 5.8/10[18]
PopMatters 4/10[19]
Sputnikmusic [20]
Uncut 7/10[16]

The album has received mixed reviews.[21] Simon Harper of Clash magazine said, "Shades of light and dark ripple throughout and keep the listener guessing... (On 'Soul Love') Liam Gallagher's cosmic vibe is matched by the first distinct stamp of producer David Sitek's ambient adventuring, which commandeers the second-half of the song, letting it drift dreamily skywards. This is what permeates BE, making it sonically enchanting." In a 4/5 review from Daily Express, they said, "'Second Bite of the Apple' is a complex, soulful shuffle, arguably the most Lennon-esque piece Gallagher has recorded, 'Soon Come Tomorrow' a truly great pop tune with phased guitar and 'I'm Just Saying' an exercise in sheer exuberance with a counted-off refrain that will be echoing around a stadium near you soon." NME gave BE a 7/10 review and remarked that "BE is certainly an improvement on Different Gear, Still Speeding, but it's more of a tentative step in the right direction than a great leap forward."

Track listing

No. TitleWriter(s) Length
1. "Flick of the Finger"  Archer, Bell, Gallagher 3:46
2. "Soul Love"  Gallagher 5:10
3. "Face the Crowd"  Bell 4:00
4. "Second Bite of the Apple"  Archer 3:28
5. "Soon Come Tomorrow"  Bell 4:58
6. "Iz Rite"  Archer 3:26
7. "I'm Just Saying"  Bell 3:45
8. "Don't Brother Me"  Gallagher 7:30
9. "Shine a Light"  Gallagher 5:04
10. "Ballroom Figured"  Archer 3:31
11. "Start Anew"  Gallagher 4:29
Total length:
 49:09
Bonus tracks

Credits

Chart performance

Chart (2013) Peak
position
Austria 26
Belgium (Flanders)[22] 23
Belgium (Wallonia) 40
Finland 37
Japan 10
France 101
Germany 29
Ireland 4
Italy 11
Netherlands 37
Scotland 1
Spain 28
Sweden 36
Switzerland 17
United Kingdom 2

References

  1. ↑ "Shine a Light" official video Firenote.com
  2. ↑ Double A-Side coming out on 25 November http://www.beadyeyemusic.com/2013/iz-rite-soul-love/
  3. ↑ "Beady Eye announce Second Album". Nme.com. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  4. ↑ "Black Sabbath tops UK chart". entertainment.iafrica.com. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  5. ↑ "Liam Gallagher jams 'Wonderwall' with 14-year-old fan at video shoot | News". Nme.Com. Retrieved 15 April 2013.
  6. ↑ "Beady Eye name new album BE". Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  7. ↑ Beady Eye unveil new single "Second Bite if the Apple" Nme.com
  8. ↑ Beady Eye debut "Second Bite if the Apple" video Gigwise.com
  9. ↑ "Beady Eye to premiere new single on April 15 | News". Nme.Com. 27 March 2013. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  10. ↑ http://www.contactmusic.com/press/beady-eye-announce-new-single-shine-a-light-to-be-released-august-19th-2013
  11. ↑ "BE Reviews". Metacritic.com. Retrieved 2014-02-18.
  12. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "BE – Beady Eye". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
  13. ↑ "Beady Eye – 'Be'". clashmusic.com. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  14. ↑ Simpson, Dave (6 June 2013). "Beady Eye: BE – review". London: guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  15. ↑ Gill, Andy (7 June 2013). "Album review: Beady Eye, BE (Beady Eye)". London: independent.co.uk. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Beady Eye – 'Be'". anydecentmusic.com. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  17. ↑ "Beady Eye – 'Be'". nme.com. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  18. ↑ Hyden, Steven (28 June 2013). "Beady Eye – BE". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  19. ↑ "Beady Eye – 'BE'". popmatters.com. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
  20. ↑ "Beady Eye – BE". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  21. ↑ "Metacritic - Beady Eye". Metacritic. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  22. ↑ "Beady Eye – BE". Ultratop.be. Retrieved 22 June 2013.