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== Reception ==
== Reception ==
⚫
''Odyssey Number Five'' won the [[ARIA Music Awards of 2001|2001]] [[ARIA Awards]] for "Album of the Year", "Highest Selling Album", "Best Rock Album", "Best Cover Art", and "Best Group". "My Happiness" won the award for "Single of the Year", while "Like a Dog" was nominated for "Highest Selling Single" and "Best Video". In [[ARIA Music Awards of 2002|2002]], "The Metre" was nominated for "Best Group".<ref name=AAwards>{{cite web|url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-artist.php?letter=P&artist=Powderfinger|title=History: Winners by Artist: Powderfinger|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|accessdate=2007-09-18}}</ref> The album was named "Album of the Year" by ''[[Rolling Stone Australia]]'' readers, with "My Happiness" taking out "Song of the Year" and Powderfinger receiving "Band of the Year".<ref name=RSBOTY>{{cite web|url=http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/text/articl34.htm |title=Powderfinger - Band Of The Year|publisher=Powderfinger Central|work=[[Rolling Stone Australia]]|author=Jeff Apter|date=[[April 2001]]|accessdate=2007-12-24}}</ref>

''Odyssey Number Five'' mostly gained positive reviews, and was more successful than its predecessor, ''Internationalist''. ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' reviewer Marc Weingarten gave the album a B+. He stated that album entered new "terrain" in guitar rock, complimenting the "scratching and clawing guitars", drawing comparisons to [[Travis (band)|Travis]] ("prim") and [[Oasis (band)|Oasis]] ("mock-grandiose").<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,280590,00.html |title=Odyssey Number Five|publisher=''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''|author=Marc Weingarten|date=[[30 March]] [[2001]]|accessdate=2008-01-06}}</ref>
''Odyssey Number Five'' mostly gained positive reviews, and was more successful than its predecessor, ''Internationalist''. ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' reviewer Marc Weingarten gave the album a B+. He stated that album entered new "terrain" in guitar rock, complimenting the "scratching and clawing guitars", drawing comparisons to [[Travis (band)|Travis]] ("prim") and [[Oasis (band)|Oasis]] ("mock-grandiose").<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,280590,00.html |title=Odyssey Number Five|publisher=''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''|author=Marc Weingarten|date=[[30 March]] [[2001]]|accessdate=2008-01-06}}</ref>


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Devon Powers of ''[[PopMatters]]'' complimented Fanning's vocals, and said the focus of the album was "meaty, rolling ballads".<ref name="popmatters" /> Powers said that many of the songs on the album were "the kind of songs you put on repeat for hours, or days".<ref name="popmatters" /> The main critique was for the "faster numbers", stating that "[[Like a Dog]]" "sounds mostly a little bored".<ref name="popmatters" /> The review concluded by noting that the best songs on ''Odyssey'' were those not available as "fleeting radio singles and background music".<ref name="popmatters">{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/p/powderfinger-odyssey.shtml|title=Powderfinger: Odyssey #5|author=Devon Powers|publisher=''[[PopMatters]]''|accessdate=2007-12-22}}</ref>
Devon Powers of ''[[PopMatters]]'' complimented Fanning's vocals, and said the focus of the album was "meaty, rolling ballads".<ref name="popmatters" /> Powers said that many of the songs on the album were "the kind of songs you put on repeat for hours, or days".<ref name="popmatters" /> The main critique was for the "faster numbers", stating that "[[Like a Dog]]" "sounds mostly a little bored".<ref name="popmatters" /> The review concluded by noting that the best songs on ''Odyssey'' were those not available as "fleeting radio singles and background music".<ref name="popmatters">{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/p/powderfinger-odyssey.shtml|title=Powderfinger: Odyssey #5|author=Devon Powers|publisher=''[[PopMatters]]''|accessdate=2007-12-22}}</ref>

⚫
''Odyssey Number Five'' won the [[ARIA Music Awards of 2001|2001]] [[ARIA Awards]] for "Album of the Year", "Highest Selling Album", "Best Rock Album", "Best Cover Art", and "Best Group". "My Happiness" won the award for "Single of the Year", while "Like a Dog" was nominated for "Highest Selling Single" and "Best Video". In [[ARIA Music Awards of 2002|2002]], "The Metre" was nominated for "Best Group".<ref name=AAwards>{{cite web|url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-artist.php?letter=P&artist=Powderfinger|title=History: Winners by Artist: Powderfinger|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|accessdate=2007-09-18}}</ref> The album was named "Album of the Year" by ''[[Rolling Stone Australia]]'' readers, with "My Happiness" taking out "Song of the Year" and Powderfinger receiving "Band of the Year".<ref name=RSBOTY>{{cite web|url=http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/text/articl34.htm |title=Powderfinger - Band Of The Year|publisher=Powderfinger Central|work=[[Rolling Stone Australia]]|author=Jeff Apter|date=[[April 2001]]|accessdate=2007-12-24}}</ref>


== Charts and certifications ==
== Charts and certifications ==

Revision as of 08:50, 4 February 2008

Untitled

Odyssey Number Five is the fourth studio album by Australian rock band Powderfinger. Produced by Nick DiDia and released on September 4, 2000, the album spawned four singles. The most successful, "My Happiness", reached #4 on the ARIA Singles Chart, won the 2001 ARIA Music Award for "Single of the Year" and topped Triple J's Hottest 100 in 2000. The album also featured, "These Days", which topped Triple J's Hottest 100 in 1999 - making Powderfinger the first band since Joy Division to twice achieve top ranking in the countdown.

Many critics lauded the album as Powderfinger's best work with one stating the album was "the Finger's Crowning Glory," however others were critical of the "imitation" contained in the album. Overall the album won five ARIA Music Awards in 2001 and was certified platinum seven times.

Background, recording, and production

In a 1999 interview, Powderfinger bassist John Collins hinted that the group's next album would be similar to their previous album; Internationalist,[1] while frontman Bernard Fanning said in September 2000 that lyrics on the album, like those on "Waiting for the Sun", were his "most personal and direct yet".[2] Fanning said his lyrics were based on the "obstacles in the way of being in a relationship, especially in our work situation."[2]

Powderfinger worked with producer Nick DiDia on Odyssey Number Five, as they had done on Internationalist, finishing the album in August 2000 after six weeks of recording.[3] The band spent this time ensuring high quality in the songs, something they had previously neglected in Internationalist, resulting in out of tune guitars on "Passenger".[3]

Odyssey Number Five was Powderfinger's shortest album when recorded, running for approximately 45 minutes. The focus of the album centered on restraint, with lyrics generally more simplistic than previously, and with a plain and simple message intended.[2] Fanning said of his songwriting ethic: "You try and make it something that’s got some substance, but also, you can never do that at the cost of it having relevance to what you’re singing."[2] Powderfinger manager Paul Piticco also commented that "their ethos is to be pushing the limits of their songwriting ability".[2]

Like Powderfinger's previous album Internationalist, Odyssey Number Five discussed social and political issues heavily, with the primary point of focus being Aboriginal affairs.[2] The lyrics of "Like a Dog" attacked former Prime Minister of Australia John Howard's Liberal government for its treatment of Indigenous Australians, and for breaking the "relaxed and comfortable" promise he made in the Australian federal election, 1996.[3][4] Lead singer Bernard Fanning related this to the band's other ethical stances—refusing to appear on Hey Hey it's Saturday, for its anti-gay commentary, or not allowing Powderfinger songs to be used in jingles, amongst others—stating, "We're not here to set an example. We just want to be happy with ourselves and not end up with a guilty conscience."[5] Fanning said that despite "Like a Dog" being about a political issue, it was not a political song, rather just Powderfinger "voicing our [their] opinions".[6] The band worked with boxer Anthony Mundine on the song's music video, whom Fanning praised as "the perfect lead, in terms of what the song is about and the fact that he’s prepared to speak up for what he believes in."[6]

As well as providing social commentary, Odyssey Number Five also discussed love, a recurring motif in Fanning's songwriting. Fanning noted that one of the causes of this was his passion for soul and gospel music, stating that he "listen[s] to a lot of soul music that's unashamedly about love and how good it makes you feel".[7] Lead guitarist Ian Haug agreed, and also noted that the band as a whole were fully committed to Fanning's lyrics, stating "It's really important for us to agree with what Bernard is singing."[7]

Odyssey Number Five marked Powderfinger's first successful attempt to enter the United States market. Fanning told Billboard in a 2001 interview that the band were not taking anything for granted, however, stating, "In America, we haven't really done any work yet to deserve any major popularity",[8] with the "vibes" on previous albums failing to reach the American mainstream.[9] Powderfinger toured extensively around the country, performing in 22 cities. As a result of these efforts, "My Happiness" was briefly placed on rotation on KROQ and several other radio stations. The song ultimately peaked at #23 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart.[8][10] This success was assisted by the band appearing on Late Night with David Letterman, and by supporting Coldplay on tour. Guitarist Darren Middleton summarised their work in the United States by stating "This year has been a bit of a blur".[11]

"Oi" and "Odyssey" song series

See also: Powderfinger's Oi Song Trilogy

Odyssey Number Five takes its name from the track appearing on the album entitled "Odyssey #5".[12] Powderfinger created four "Odyssey" songs for the album, although only one appeared on it; the rest were released as B-sides. "Odyssey #1" appeared on "My Happiness",[13] "Odyssey #2: The Miseducation of Powderfinger" appeared on "Like a Dog",[14] and "Odyssey #3" appeared on "The Metre".[15] An "Odyssey #4" was never released, and it is not known if the song was ever written or recorded by the band.

Odyssey Number Five included "Thrilloilogy", the third in a trilogy of Powderfinger songs containing "oi" in their title.[16] "Oipic" and "Capoicity" appeared on previous albums Double Allergic and Internationalist, respectively.[17][18] In a 1996 interview, Fanning said that "Oipic" discussed the "revolving door" aspect of the music industry, explaining that "someone's on top for a few months and then the next three months someone else is going to make hay while the sun shines".[19] He also commented on the overblown nature of the song, stating "It's a pay out on the fact that it's such a huge, big rock song, so we thought we'd make it as overblown as possible."[19] In 2004, Fanning wrote that in every album, the band attempted to include an "epic trilogy".[20] He also said that "Thrilloilogy" was one of the band's favourite songs to play live.[20]

Album and single releases

Template:Sound sample box align right

"My Happiness"
A 23 second sample from "My Happiness", which went on to become Powderfinger's most successful single, and helped break into the American market.[10] All Music Guide's Dean Carlson commented that in the song, Powderfinger "drowns a hip-hop-inspired guitar riff better than most bands of their stature".[21]
Problems playing this file? See media help.
"Like a Dog"
A 13 second sample from "Like a Dog", which aggressively attacks the Howard government, asking "why the hell won’t John Howard say sorry to the Aboriginal people!"[22] The song's riff was written by Haug, and was influenced by his love of Iggy Pop.[20]
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Template:Sample box end

Odyssey Number Five was released on September 4, 2000, on the Grudge/Universal record labels. A similar version was released in the United Kingdom at a later date, while a sampler version was released in the United States in 2001, containing five tracks.[23][24] Four singles were released from the album.

"My Kind of Scene" was the first, being released as a promotional single in June 2000. The track was written for the 2000 film Mission: Impossible II, and appeared on its soundtrack.[25] "My Kind of Scene" was, according to Fanning, the first time a song was written for an outside reason, rather than his emotional response to an event.[25] Collins and Middleton recalled that the song was written and produced with photos of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman on the studio's wall "as inspiration". They noted that the band made three songs in response to the Mission: Impossible II request, and that "My Kind of Scene" was chosen over "Up & Down & Back Again" and "Whatever Makes You Happy".[25]

The second single from the album was "My Happiness", released on August 14, 2000 in Australia. Promotional singles were also released in Europe, the UK, and the United States in 2001, and an international version was released on 21 May.[26][27] "My Happiness" entered the ARIA Singles Chart at #4, and spent 24 weeks on the chart, making it Powderfinger's highest charting single in Australia.[28] It peaked at #7 on the New Zealand singles chart, and spent 23 weeks in the top 50. Furthermore, "My Happiness" was Powderfinger's first single to chart in the USA, reaching #23 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart.[10]

"Like a Dog" was released as the third single on January 15, 2001. The song was heavy in political sentiment, akin to "The Day You Come" on Powderfinger's previous album, Internationalist. The riff for the song was written by Ian Haug, and the song's music video featured Australian Aboriginal boxer Anthony Mundine, and was based on the 1980 Martin Scorsese film Raging Bull. Drummer Jon Coghill said the song revolved around the question of "why the hell won’t John Howard say sorry to the Aboriginal people!"[22] "Like a Dog" spent one week on the ARIA Singles Chart, at #40.[28]

Two songs from the album, "The Metre" and "Waiting for the Sun", were released as a double a-side to form the final single. The single was released on August 21, 2001, and included a cover of Iron Maiden's "Number of the Beast".[29] "Waiting for the Sun" was written by Fanning as a devotional, gospel style song. He said of the song; "It’s about being in a relationship and being really heavily happy with it."[30] "The Metre" spent one week on the ARIA Singles Chart, at #31.[28]

Reception

Odyssey Number Five mostly gained positive reviews, and was more successful than its predecessor, Internationalist. Entertainment Weekly reviewer Marc Weingarten gave the album a B+. He stated that album entered new "terrain" in guitar rock, complimenting the "scratching and clawing guitars", drawing comparisons to Travis ("prim") and Oasis ("mock-grandiose").[31]

All Music Guide reviewer Dean Carlson disliked the album, giving it a rating of one and a half stars. He described it as "little more than a slightly off-base perspective into the world of mid-'90s American grunge", and described it as highly similar to Neil Young.[32] Carlson's only praise was for songs "Odyssey #5" and "My Happiness", stating that "[t]oo often, Powderfinger is too earnest, a bit too careful in their career." Carlson noted that despite his critique, the album achieved some success in the American market.[32]

Devon Powers of PopMatters complimented Fanning's vocals, and said the focus of the album was "meaty, rolling ballads".[33] Powers said that many of the songs on the album were "the kind of songs you put on repeat for hours, or days".[33] The main critique was for the "faster numbers", stating that "Like a Dog" "sounds mostly a little bored".[33] The review concluded by noting that the best songs on Odyssey were those not available as "fleeting radio singles and background music".[33]

Odyssey Number Five won the 2001 ARIA Awards for "Album of the Year", "Highest Selling Album", "Best Rock Album", "Best Cover Art", and "Best Group". "My Happiness" won the award for "Single of the Year", while "Like a Dog" was nominated for "Highest Selling Single" and "Best Video". In 2002, "The Metre" was nominated for "Best Group".[34] The album was named "Album of the Year" by Rolling Stone Australia readers, with "My Happiness" taking out "Song of the Year" and Powderfinger receiving "Band of the Year".[35]

Charts and certifications

Chart Peak Certification
ARIA Albums Chart #1[36][37]
7 Platinum[38]
RIANZ Albums Chart #15[39] —
Top Heatseekers #35[40] —

Awards and nominations

Main article: List of Powderfinger awards

ARIA Awards

Year Nominated work Award Result[34]
2001 Odyssey Number Five Album of the Year Won
Highest Selling Album Won
Best Rock Album Won
Best Cover Art Won
Best Group Won
"My Happiness" Single of the Year Won
"Like a Dog" Highest Selling Single Nominated
Best Video Nominated
2002 "The Metre" Best Group Nominated

Other accolades

Year Provider Nominated work Award Result
2000 Triple J "My Happiness" Hottest 100 Inductee #1[41]
"My Kind of Scene" Hottest 100 Inductee #3[41]
2001 APRA "My Happiness" Song of the Year Won[42]

Track listing

All songs written by Powderfinger.[36]

  1. "Waiting for the Sun" – 3:54
  2. "My Happiness" – 4:36
  3. "The Metre" – 4:33
  4. "Like a Dog" – 4:20
  5. "Odyssey #5" – 1:44
  6. "Up & Down & Back Again" – 4:24
  7. "My Kind of Scene" – 4:37
  8. "These Days" – 4:58
  9. "We Should Be Together Now" – 3:42
  10. "Thrilloilogy" – 6:10
  11. "Whatever Makes You Happy" (Bernard Fanning) – 2:28

Personnel

See also

References

  1. ^ Nicholson, Geoff (17 November 1999). "Keeping An Even Keel". Time Off Publications. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ a b c d e f Wooldrige, Simon (September 2000). "This Sporting Life". Juice. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ a b c Yates, Rod (September 2000). "Trusty Old Jackets". Massive. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ "Time to be pragmatic". The Australian. News.com.au. December 20, 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-06. In 1996, John Howard won by promising not a conservative revolution but to govern "for all of us" and to make Australians feel "relaxed and comfortable". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ Eliszer, Christie (September 2000). "Five Easy Pieces". Sain. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ a b Munro, Kelsey (February 2001). "Powderfinger 2001 - The Odyssey Continues". Esky. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  7. ^ a b Dennison, Pennie (September 2000). "Odyssey Number Five Is Born". Sain Unlimited. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ a b Jill Pesselnick (13 June 2001). "Powderfinger Exports Its Aussie Appeal Stateside". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2007-12-23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ McCarthy, Shannon (May 24 2001). "Powderfinger Finds Their Bit Of Happiness". Real Detroit Weekly. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ a b c "Artist Chart History - Powderfinger". Billboard. Retrieved 2007-12-23. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ Sawford, Gavin (July 12 2001). "Powder to the People". RM Rave. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  12. ^ "Odyssey Number Five". Song File. Powderfinger Central. Retrieved 2007-12-23.
  13. ^ "Odyssey #1". Song File. Powderfinger Central. Retrieved 2007-12-23.
  14. ^ "Odyssey #2 (The Miseducation of Powderfinger)". Song File. Powderfinger Central. Retrieved 2007-12-23.
  15. ^ "Odyssey #3". Song File. Powderfinger Central. Retrieved 2007-12-23.
  16. ^ "Thrilloilogy". Song File. Powderfinger Central. Retrieved 2008-01-01.
  17. ^ "Oipic". Song File. Powderfinger Central. Retrieved 2008-01-01.
  18. ^ "Capoicity". Song File. Powderfinger Central. Retrieved 2008-01-01.
  19. ^ a b Blythe, Peter (29 October 1996). "I Is Not Me". Drum Media. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  20. ^ a b c Powderfinger (Fanning, Middleton, Haug, Collins, Coghill) et al (2005). Fingerprints: The Best of Powderfinger, 1994 - 2000 companion booklet.
  21. ^ Carlson, Dean. "Odyssey Number Five > Review". All Music Guide. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  22. ^ a b "Like a Dog". Song File. Powderfinger Central. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
  23. ^ "Odyssey Number Five". Discography. Powderfinger Central. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
  24. ^ "Odyssey Number Five Album Sampler (USA)". Discography. Powderfinger Central. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
  25. ^ a b c "My Kind Of Scene". Song File. Powderfinger Central. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
  26. ^ "My Happiness USA Promo / My Happiness UK / EUR Promos". Discography. Powderfinger Central. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
  27. ^ "My Happiness (International Versions)". Discography. Powderfinger Central. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
  28. ^ a b c "Discography - Powderfinger". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
  29. ^ "The Metre". Discography. Powderfinger Central. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
  30. ^ "Waiting for the Sun". Song File. Powderfinger Central. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
  31. ^ Marc Weingarten (30 March 2001). "Odyssey Number Five". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2008-01-06. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  32. ^ a b Dean Carlson. "Odyssey Number Five > Review". All Music Guide. Retrieved 2007-12-23.
  33. ^ a b c d Devon Powers. "Powderfinger: Odyssey #5". PopMatters. Retrieved 2007-12-22. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  34. ^ a b "History: Winners by Artist: Powderfinger". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 2007-09-18.
  35. ^ Jeff Apter (April 2001). "Powderfinger - Band Of The Year". Rolling Stone Australia. Powderfinger Central. Retrieved 2007-12-24. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  36. ^ a b "Powderfinger - Odyssey Number Five". ARIA. australian-charts.com. Retrieved 2007-12-23.
  37. ^ "Band History". Powderfinger Central. Retrieved 2007-12-23.
  38. ^ "ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2004 Albums". ARIA. Retrieved 2007-12-23.
  39. ^ "Powderfinger - Odyssey Number Five". RIANZ. charts.org.nz. Retrieved 2007-12-23.
  40. ^ "Odyssey Number Five > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums". All Music Guide. Retrieved 2007-12-23.
  41. ^ a b "Hottest 100 2000". Triple J. Retrieved 2007-06-11.
  42. ^ "APRA Music Awards 2001". Winners. Australasian Performing Right Association. Retrieved 2007-12-24.
  43. ^ a b c "Odyssey Number Five > Credits". All Music Guide. Retrieved 2007-12-23.
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