American Tragedy (album)

American Tragedy
Studio album by Hollywood Undead
Released April 4, 2011 (2011-04-04)
(see release history)
Recorded June–December 2010
The Beat Suite
Hollywood
Genre Rap rock[1]
Length 50:41
Label A&M Octone
Producer Don Gilmore (also exec.), Griffin Boice, Kevin Rudolf, Jeff Halatrax, S*A*M & Sluggo, Ben Grosse
Hollywood Undead studio album chronology
Swan Songs
(2008)		 American Tragedy
(2011)		 Notes from the Underground
(2013)
Singles from American Tragedy
  1. "Hear Me Now"
    Released: December 21, 2010
  2. "Been to Hell"
    Released: March 15, 2011
  3. "Coming Back Down"
    Released: March 15, 2011
  4. "Comin' in Hot"
    Released: April 9, 2011
  5. "Bullet"
    Released: August 10, 2011
  6. "Levitate"
    Released: March 25, 2012

American Tragedy is the second studio album by American rap rock band Hollywood Undead. Production for the album began following the induction of Daniel Murillo into the band in early 2010 and lasted until December. Don Gilmore and Ben Grosse, who helped produce the band's debut album, Swan Songs (2008), also returned to produce the album along with several other producers including Kevin Rudolf, Sam Hollander, Dave Katz, Griffin Boice, Jeff Halavacs, and Jacob Kasher. The album is musically heavier and features darker lyrical content than the band's previous effort. Originally set to release in March, American Tragedy was released on April 5, 2011 in the United States and was released on various other dates that month in other countries. A remix of the album, American Tragedy Redux, was released on November 21, 2011.

The album debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200, selling approximately 67,000 copies in its first week in the United States, and ended up becoming the 142nd best selling album of 2011 in the US. It also charted in a few other countries, including Canada and the UK, a first for the band. The album also had five singles: "Hear Me Now", "Been to Hell", "Coming Back Down", "Comin' in Hot", and "My Town", with music videos being made for all of them except "Coming Back Down" as it was released on the same day as "Been to Hell". The band participated in three headlining tours: the Revolt Tour, the Endless Summer Tour, and the World War III Tour, as well as other supporting tours throughout 2011 to promote the album. Upon release, American Tragedy received mixed reviews. Critics consistently noted the darker and more serious tone of the album, but to mixed reception. Lyrics were widely criticized while the energy and instruments were praised in most reviews.

Singles and promotion

A hooded man covering his face with a bandanna performs with a band of six other masked men in a garage.
The band performing in the "Been To Hell" music video. From left to right: J-Dog, Johnny 3 Tears, Da Kurlzz, Charlie Scene, Danny, Daren Pfeifer (touring member), and Funny Man.

To promote the album, the band participated in three headlining tours and several other supporting tours. The first headlining tour, the Revolt Tour, began on April 6 and spanned across the spring until May 27, playing with Drive-A, New Medicine, 10 Years, and others at various House of Blues venues across North America.[2] The second headlining tour for the album was the Endless Summer Tour with All That Remains and Hyro Da Hero which began in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and ended in Knoxville, Tennessee.[3] The third tour was the World War III Tour, which the band called the biggest tour they had done yet. The tour was co-headlined with Asking Alexandria with support acts We Came As Romans, D.R.U.G.S., and Borgore, with different local openers for each location.[4][5] For supporting tours, the band began with the Nightmare After Christmas Tour with headliners Avenged Sevenfold and supporters Stone Sour and New Medicine on January 20, 2011, which was the first supporting tour for the album.[6][7][8][9] Outside of official tours, the band played several festivals throughout 2011 including UFEST in Mesa, Arizona,[10] Rockfest, and Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[11] The band also played various holiday shows, such as a Cinco De Mayo show in Salt Lake City, Utah, with Flogging Molly and others.[12]

The album spawned five singles in total. On December 8, 2010, the band released the artwork for the album's first single, titled "Hear Me Now". The track was released on December 13 for radio and was made available online a week later on December 21.[13] "Hear Me Now" was the album's most successful single, charting variously on the Billboard Heatseeker charts, Alternative charts, and the Rock charts.[14][15] On March 22, the band appeared live on the late night talk show Lopez Tonight as a musical guest where they performed the single "Hear Me Now" to promote the album.[16] The band reportedly almost drank the entire bar behind the Turner Broadcasting System set, with George Lopez saying to J-Dog, "Drink all of it. Go ahead, I don’t care. But I've never seen anyone drink that much."[17] The album's second and third official singles, "Been to Hell" and "Coming Back Down", were both released on March 15, 2011. "Been to Hell" was previously released as a promotional single with a lyric video on February 6,[18] but was then released as a single with a music video,[19] leading to it chart on Billboard's Heatseeker and Bubbling Under Hot 100 charts.[20] Because "Coming Back Down" was released on the same day as "Been to Hell", the track did not get a music video. "Coming Back Down" previously surfaced due to a leak on February 18 and was later confirmed to be on the album and was produced by Kevin Rudolf. Brian Voerding noted that the song showed the band's strength in both singing and rapping while comparing the sound to Linkin Park.[21] The album's fourth single, "Comin' in Hot", was released on April 9 with a music video to celebrate the album's release. Similar to "Been to Hell", "Comin' in Hot" was originally a free promotional single released on January 21, but was later released as an album single following the release of American Tragedy.[22] The track was reviewed by Evigshed along with "Hear Me Now" after it was released as a promotional single, who gave both "Comin' in Hot" and "Hear Me Now" a perfect ten out of ten score, noting that "Comin' in Hot" was much more upbeat and was extremely catchy.[23] On July 8, it was announced the fifth single for the album would be "My Town". The band began shooting the music video in early July and announced that fans would be featured in the video if they recorded themselves performing the song in front of a famous landmark. The video has no release date yet.[24]

Reception

Commercial performance

Prior to release, American Tragedy was projected by several publications to sell about 65,000 copies in the first week of release in the United States, and was expected to reach number three on the Billboard 200. When the official sales week ended, the album exceeded expectations and sold about 67,000 copies, but was outsold by Radiohead's The King of Limbs and so debuted at number four on the Billboard 200. Weekly sales topped albums such as Wiz Khalifa's Rolling Papers and Chris Brown's F.A.M.E., and was right behind Adele's 21, Britney Spears's Femme Fatale, and Radiohead's The King of Limbs.

Upon learning of the album's first-week sales, Jordan Terrel, also known to fans of the band as "Charlie Scene." jokingly remarked, "I gotta be honest with everyone: I was really looking forward to the opportunity to be on top of Britney this week, but being right behind her and Adele is a memory we’ll relish forever."[25] The album also debuted at number one on the US Hard Rock charts, number two on the US Rock, Digital, and Alternative charts, and number 11 on the Tastemaker Albums charts. Outside of the US, American Tragedy charted number five in Canadian albums charts and number 43 in the UK albums charts.[26][27]

Critical response

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[28]
Artistdirect[29]
BBC Music[30]
Los Angeles Times[31]
The Minaret Online[32]
Revolver[33]

Upon its release, American Tragedy received mixed to positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 59, based on 6 reviews, which indicates "mixed or average reviews".[34]

Rick Florino of Artistdirect gave American Tragedy 5 out of 5, particularly praising the band's choice to avoid duplicating their debut album, Swan Songs, and instead choosing to create a, "darker, deeper, and far deadlier ride this time around." Florino compared various elements of the album to the Wu Tang Clan and Nine Inch Nails, particularly comparing the album's production (which was done by various producers with executive producer Don Gilmore) to Nine Inch Nails' second album The Downward Spiral (1994). He also lauded the irony of the quality singing on, "Apologize", combined with the lyrics, "But we can harmonize, even if we sound like shit." Florino concluded that, "Hollywood Undead's genius lies—in that dangerous space between unforgettable and unsettling," pointing this out in the track, "Bullet", for it being the, "sunniest and catchiest tune on American Tragedy," while still telling, "a potent and poignant tale of longing for suicide." The other track Florino pointed out for being unforgettable is, "Pour Me", calling it, "an evil power ballad that everyone who hears it will feel."[29]

Revolver magazine reviewer Jeremy Borjon gave the album four out of five in his review, calling American Tragedy, "one hell of an album that will leave fans’ heads buzzing long after the clubs have let out and the hangover sets in." Borjon complimented the shift in moods throughout the album and the lyrical quality compared to Swan Songs. He praised several tracks including "Been to Hell", "Apologize", "Comin' in Hot", "Bullet", "Levitate", and "Tendencies" as numerous outstanding points in the album. Borjon did criticize the slower songs, "Coming Back Down" and "Pour Me" but dismissed that that were, "easily forgotten among the album's many undeniably addictive future hits."[33] Richard Solomon of The Minaret proclaimed that, "If you’re a Hollywood Undead fan, you'll love American Tragedy. As for people who didn’t care for Swan Songs, you'll probably still love American Tragedy." Instrumentally, Solomon noted one of his only complaints of the album, being that, "At times, the synthesizer seems a little too heavy handed, but it succeeds more often than not." Solomon complimented the album being different and further encouraged the Deluxe Edition tracks in addition to the album itself.[32]

Mikael Wood of the Los Angeles Times was more critical in his review. He praised the energy of the album, pointing out the, "Booming groove," of "Apologize", and the "disco-metal urgency," of "Levitate". Wood's biggest complaint of the album was that the band has, "filtered out any sense of humor from its music, which makes American Tragedy virtually impossible to listen to for longer than a few songs at a time."[31] Alistair Lawrence of BBC Music said that the album is, "The result is that they’ve ditched some of the early, growling quirkiness that at least gave them an initial, oddball appeal." Lawrence finishes his review noting, "Hollywood Undead are content to deliver clichés – more out of a lack of imagination than cynical opportunism, but it still smacks of both. That's why to seasoned ears or any genre fan requiring more than more of the same, they’re very, very boring."[30]

Accolades

Year Nominated work Award Result Place
2011 "Been to Hell" AOL Radio: Top 10 Rock Songs of 2011[35] Won 5th
"—" denotes a nomination that did not place or places were not relevant in the award.

Production

  • Don Gilmore – production, composer
  • Griffin Boice – production, engineering, mixing, guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussion, organ, programming, strings
  • Ben Grosse – production, engineering, mixing, keyboards, programming, composer
  • Jeff Halatrax – production, guitar
  • Kevin Rudolf – production, engineering, instrumentation, composer
  • S*A*M – production, programming, composer
  • Sean Gould – engineering, mixing, guitar, bass guitar, programming
  • Ken Dudley – engineering
  • Paul Pavao – engineering
  • Mark Kiczula – engineering
  • Jeremy Miller – assistant engineer
  • Grant Michaels – assistant engineer, programming
  • Graham Hargrove – assistant engineer
  • Sean Curiel – drum engineering
  • Dylan Dresdow – mixing
  • Serban Ghenea – mixing
  • John Hanes – mixing
  • Jaime Martinez – mixing assistant
  • Tim Roberts – mixing assistant
  • Jonas Åkerlund – photography
  • Jeff Janke – photography
  • Rogelio Hernandez II – art direction, design
  • James Diener – A&R

Release history

Region Date Label Format Catalog Ref
European Union April 4, 2011 Polydor CD, Digital download B004NTVMRY [36]
Deluxe edition CD and digital download B004QHBMZK [37]
United States April 5, 2011 A&M/Octone CD, Digital download 15275 [38]
Deluxe edition CD and digital download 2762142 [39]
Australia April 8, 2011 Universal Music Australia 00602527621425 [40]
Japan April 13, 2011 Universal CD, Digital download UICA1058 [41]
Deluxe edition CD and digital download UICA9031 [42]

External links

References

  1. ↑ Lymangrover, Jason. "Hollywood Undead: American Tragedy". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation.
  2. ↑ Maggie Pannacione (March 3, 2011). "Hollywood Undead to Headline Revolt Tour". Artist Direct. Archived from the original on 4 March 2011. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  3. ↑ Johnathan (July 6, 2011). "Hollywood Undeads Endless Summer Tour to hit the US". Amp Magazine. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  4. ↑ PR Newswire (August 31, 2011). "HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD and ASKING ALEXANDRIA Set to Co-Headline the "World War III" Tour; Kicks Off Nov. 1st". Sys-Con Media. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  5. ↑ Michelle Butrim (September 1, 2011). "Quick Hits: Pearl Jam, T.I., Justin Bieber, Hollywood Undead, Sting, Lady Gaga, Good Charlotte, Marilyn Manson, Smashing Pumpkins, Morrissey, Pepper, Lil Twist". Friday Morning Quarterback. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  6. ↑ Jermy Leeuwis (January 12, 2011). "Hollywood Undead to release American Tragedy". Music Remedy. Retrieved January 23, 2011.
  7. ↑ James Zahn (January 13, 2011). "An AMERICAN TRAGEDY ahead for HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD". KikAxe Music. Archived from the original on January 18, 2011. Retrieved January 23, 2011.
  8. ↑ James Zahn (January 20, 2011). "First Photo: HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD reveal new masks for an AMERICAN TRAGEDY". KikAxe Music. Archived from the original on January 25, 2011. Retrieved January 23, 2011.
  9. ↑ Tim Grierson (January 15, 2011). "Hollywood Undead Releasing 'American Tragedy' March 15". About.com. Retrieved January 23, 2011.
  10. ↑ Ed Masley (April 21, 2011). "UFEST User's Guide: Papa Roach, Hollywood Undead". AZ Central. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  11. ↑ Stanley A. Miller II (May 3, 2011). "Urge Overkill, Hollywood Undead set for Summerfest's Rock Stage". Journal Sentinel Online. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  12. ↑ David Burger (May 5, 2011). "Celebrate Cinco de Mayo tonight with Hollywood Undead and Flogging Molly". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  13. ↑ Rick Florino (January 26, 2011). "Hollywood Undead Talk "American Tragedy," Darkness, Movies and "Hear Me Now"". Artist Direct. Archived from the original on 29 January 2011. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  14. ↑ "Hollywood Undead – Hear Me now". Billboard. December 12, 2010. Archived from the original on 11 December 2010. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
  15. ↑ "Hollywood Undead - 'Hear Me Now'. American Chart Performance". Apple Inc. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
  16. ↑ "Lopez Tonight (2009) - 2x66 - Tori Spelling & Dean McDermott, Jim Rome, Hollywood Undead". Episode World. March 22, 2011. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
  17. ↑ Alan Sculley (May 6, 2011). "Hollywood Undead impresses George Lopez with its drinking ability". Caller. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  18. ↑ James Zahn (February 4, 2011). "HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD to offer FREE DOWNLOAD of "Been to Hell"". KikAxe Music. Retrieved February 6, 2011.
  19. ↑ James Zahn (March 18, 2011). "HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD release music video for "Been to Hell"". KikAxe Music. Archived from the original on January 11, 2014. Retrieved March 19, 2011.
  20. ↑ "Been to Hell - Hollywood Undead". Billboard. March 23, 2011. Archived from the original on 29 March 2011. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  21. ↑ Brian Voerding (February 24, 2011). "Hollywood Undead, 'Coming Back Down' – New Song". AOL Radio Blog. Retrieved February 27, 2011.
  22. ↑ Sylvie Lesas (April 13, 2011). "Hollywood Undead Comin in Hot Video". Evigshed. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  23. ↑ sylgraph (January 22, 2011). "Hollywood Undead Comin’ In Hot Review". Evigshed. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
  24. ↑ Tree (July 11, 2011). "Hollywood Undead Wants You in Their Music Video For ‘My Town’". Banana 101.5 - Flint's Rock Radio. Retrieved July 16, 2011.
  25. ↑ Kyle Anderson (April 13, 2011). "Who are Hollywood Undead, and what are they doing with the fourth-biggest album in the country?". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
  26. ↑ "American Tragedy — Hollywood Undead". Billboard. April 5, 2011. Archived from the original on 16 April 2011. Retrieved April 15, 2011.
  27. ↑ "Chart Stats - Hollywood Undead - American Tragedy". Chart Stats. April 16, 2011. Archived from the original on August 15, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
  28. ↑ Jason Lymangrover (May 6, 2011). "American Tragedy — Hollywood Undead". Allmusic. Retrieved May 7, 2011.
  29. 1 2 Rick Florino (April 4, 2011). "Hollywood Undead "American Tragedy" Review — 5 out of 5 stars". Artist Direct. Archived from the original on 11 April 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
  30. 1 2 Alistair Lawrence (April 4, 2011). "Hollywood Undead American Tragedy Review". BBC Music. Archived from the original on 8 April 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
  31. 1 2 Mikael Wood (April 5, 2011). "Album review: Hollywood Undead's 'American Tragedy'". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
  32. 1 2 Richard Solomon (April 13, 2011). "Hollywood Undead Rises Above the Sophomore Slump". The Minaret. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
  33. 1 2 Jeremy Borjon (April 4, 2011). "Review: Hollywood Undead – American Tragedy". Revolver Magazine. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
  34. ↑ "American Tragedy Reviews, Ratings, Credits and More at Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved April 16, 2011.
  35. ↑ The AOL Radio Staff (December 14, 2011). "10 Best Rock Songs of 2011". AOL Music. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
  36. ↑ "American Tragedy: Hollywood Undead: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon (UK). Retrieved March 19, 2011.
  37. ↑ "American Tragedy (Deluxe Edition): Hollywood Undead: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon (UK). Retrieved March 19, 2011.
  38. ↑ "Overview: American Tragedy - Hollywood Undead". Allmusic. Retrieved March 19, 2011.
  39. ↑ "Overview: American Tragedy (Deluxe Edition) - Hollywood Undead". Allmusic. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
  40. ↑ "Hollywood Undead: Discography: American Tragedy (Deluxe Edition)". Get Music. Retrieved April 20, 2011.
  41. ↑ "American Tragedy (Normal Edition) - Hollywood Undead - HMV Online Shopping & Information Site". HMV Online Japan. Retrieved March 19, 2011.
  42. ↑ "American Tragedy (Deluxe Edition) - Hollywood Undead - HMV Online Shopping & Information Site". HMV Online Japan. Retrieved March 19, 2011.
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