Blackbird (Fat Freddy's Drop album)

Blackbird
Studio album by Fat Freddy's Drop
Released 21 June 2013
Genre Dub, jazz, reggae, roots
Length 64:00
Label The Drop
Producer Fat Freddy's Drop
Fat Freddy's Drop chronology
Dr Boondigga and the Big BW
(2009)
Blackbird
(2013)
Bays
(2015)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AltSounds[1]
Doubtful Sounds[2]
The New Zealand Herald[3]

Blackbird is the third studio album by the New Zealand group Fat Freddy's Drop, released on 21 June 2013 on their own record label, The Drop.[4] The album was a critical and commercial success, spending 4 weeks at the top of the New Zealand albums chart, and has been certified Platinum.[5][6]

History

The album was recorded at the band's own studio, Bays, which is one of the last vinyl pressing plants in New Zealand, and also was at one time an apostolic church.[7] On recording at Bays, Fitchie explained that "What you hear on the album is the sound of Bays; the room itself, the vibe of the place and the performance we can get out of the band in there."[7] Describing the album, Chopper Reedz stated that "Blackbird is truer to FFD's musical philosophy than anything else we've done. The song structures are open and unruly - just like our live shows - whilst we've pushed ourselves to deliver rich and deeply layered arrangements that showcase Joe Dukie's exceptional voice. We feel totally at home melding together this unholy mix of disco, rootsy dub, blues, soul and electronic funk - it's what we do."[7]

Reception

The album was a commercial success, debuting at number 1 on the New Zealand albums chart and staying in that position for 4 weeks.[5] The album has been certified Platinum in New Zealand. The album has also received positive critical reception. Doubtful Sounds gave the album a very positive review, describing it as "without doubt their most cohesive and rewarding work to date."[2] The New Zealand Herald gave it a positive review, stating "what's also amazing is that these days it takes something magical to engage and pique people's short attention spans - but Fat Freddy's do it."[3] AltSounds praised the album, saying it "is a triumphant return to top form for Fat Freddy's Drop, an undeniable work of art created through love, passion and friendship."[1]

Track listing

No. Title Length
1. "Blackbird"   9:27
2. "Russia"   5:31
3. "Clean the House"   4:14
4. "Silver and Gold"   6:10
5. "Bones"   7:31
6. "Soldier"   6:33
7. "Never Moving"   8:01
8. "Mother Mother"   8:59
9. "Bohannon"   7:20
Total length:
64:00

Charts

Chart (2013) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[8] 11
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[9] 72
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[10] 178
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[11] 26
Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)[12] 65
French Albums (SNEP)[13] 188
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[14] 65
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[15] 1
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[16] 55
UK Albums (OCC)[17] 59

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
New Zealand (RMNZ)[18] Platinum 15,000^

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
xunspecified figures based on certification alone

References

  1. 1 2
  2. 1 2 "ALBUM REVIEW: Fat Freddy’s Drop | Blackbird – Doubtful Sounds". Doubtfulsounds.net. 2013-07-23. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  3. 1 2 "Album review: Fat Freddy's Drop, Blackbird - Entertainment - NZ Herald News". Nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  4. "Fat Freddy's Drop Announce Australia Tour 2013 - PLUS New Album 'Blackbird' Released June 2013 - ARIA Music News". Ariacharts.com.au. 2013-12-14. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  5. 1 2 Steffen Hung (2013-07-29). "New Zealand charts portal". charts.org.nz. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  6. "New Zealand album certifications – Fat Freddy's Drop – Blackbird". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 "Fat Freddy's Drop New Album 'Blackbird' Released June 24th And Autumn 2013 UK Dates". Contactmusic.com. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  8. "Australiancharts.com – Fat Freddy's Drop – Blackbird". Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  9. "Ultratop.be – Fat Freddy's Drop – Blackbird" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  10. "Ultratop.be – Fat Freddy's Drop – Blackbird" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  11. "Danishcharts.com – Fat Freddy's Drop – Blackbird". Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  12. "Dutchcharts.nl – Fat Freddy's Drop – Blackbird" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  13. "Lescharts.com – Fat Freddy's Drop – Blackbird". Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  14. "Longplay-Chartverfolgung at Musicline" (in German). Musicline.de. Phononet GmbH. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  15. "Charts.org.nz – Fat Freddy's Drop – Blackbird". Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  16. "Swisscharts.com – Fat Freddy's Drop – Blackbird". Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  17. "Fat Freddy's Drop | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  18. "New Zealand album certifications – Fat Freddy's Drop – Blackbird". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
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