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|description = A 20-second sample of "[[Believe in Me (Bonnie Tyler song)|Believe in Me]]", the first single from the album and the [[United Kingdom]]'s entry for the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2013]]. The song has been praised by various critics of the album.<ref name=SIHIreview>{{cite web|last=Carroll|first=Adam|url=http://www.seenitheardit.com/2013/05/album-review-bonnie-tyler-rocks-honey/1|title=Album Review: Bonnie Tyler – “Rocks and Honey”|publisher=Seen It Heard It|accessdate=6 May 2013|date=2 May, 2013}}</ref>
|description = A 20-second sample of "[[Believe in Me (Bonnie Tyler song)|Believe in Me]]", the first single from the album and the [[United Kingdom]]'s entry for the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2013]]. The song has been praised by various critics of the album.<ref name=SIHIreview>{{cite web|last=Carroll|first=Adam|url=http://www.seenitheardit.com/2013/05/album-review-bonnie-tyler-rocks-honey/1|title=Album Review: Bonnie Tyler – “Rocks and Honey”|publisher=Seen It Heard It|accessdate=6 May 2013|date=2 May, 2013}}</ref>
}}
}}
Initially, "All I Ever Wanted" was set to be the first single off the album, scheduled for a release in February 2013. Tyler first announced it after performing the song on German television on 31 December 2012.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjBXlvFqlvY Bonnie Tyler - Live ZDF Willkommen 2013 - 31dec 2012] on YouTube. </ref> Promoting the album, she performed it once more in February 2013.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRLLibx28No Bonnie Tyler - All I Ever Wanted 2013] on YouTube. </ref> Whether it is still going to be released as a single is currently unknown.

"[[Believe in Me (Bonnie Tyler song)|Believe in Me]]" was announced to be the UK's [[Eurovision Song Contest]] entry on 7 March, and was released in the [[United Kingdom|UK]] as a download single on 13 March and on a [[maxi single|maxi CD]] on 15 March in Europe.<ref name=GroovesCD>{{cite web|url=http://www.grooves-inc.com/tyler-bonnie-believe-zyx-music-cd-maxi-single-pZZa1-1897988748.html|title=Believe In Me (Maxi CD)|publisher=ZYX Music|accessdate=4 March 2013}}</ref>
"[[Believe in Me (Bonnie Tyler song)|Believe in Me]]" was announced to be the UK's [[Eurovision Song Contest]] entry on 7 March, and was released in the [[United Kingdom|UK]] as a download single on 13 March and on a [[maxi single|maxi CD]] on 15 March in Europe.<ref name=GroovesCD>{{cite web|url=http://www.grooves-inc.com/tyler-bonnie-believe-zyx-music-cd-maxi-single-pZZa1-1897988748.html|title=Believe In Me (Maxi CD)|publisher=ZYX Music|accessdate=4 March 2013}}</ref>


Revision as of 19:23, 20 May 2013

Untitled

Rocks and Honey is the sixteenth studio album by Bonnie Tyler, first released on March 8, 2013 in Europe.[1] This has been the longest gap between album releases in Tyler's career after the release of Wings in 2005, and is the first of Tyler's studio albums to chart in the UK since 1988.[2] With tracks written by Nashville-based songwriters such as Frank J. Myers, Desmond Child, Brett James and Beth Hart, the album consists of a number of country songs reminiscent to Tyler's country albums from the 1970s with a modern edge.

The album received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised Tyler's vocals as well as the album's consistency. The single "Believe in Me" represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 in Malmo, Sweden on 18 May 2013,[3] and has charted in the UK Singles Chart at number 93.[4]

Background

Album title

"What You Need From Me"
A 20-second sample of "What You Need From Me", a country duet between Bonnie Tyler and Vince Gill. The song was the first on the album to be played on radio and was the inspiration for the name of the album.[5]
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"What You Need From Me" was written by Jon Randall and Jessi Alexander and a demo was played to Tyler when visiting a publishing company in Nashville in 2012. After hearing the song she approached Vince Gill to record the track as a duet. After recording the song, Tyler stated that someone compared her and Gill's voices to a combination of rocks and honey, which led to Tyler naming the album.[6] American singer-songwriters Melissa Bollea and Bill DiLuigi wrote a song with the same title for Tyler, though she had already finalised the naming of the album.[7]

Album content

The majority of songs were recorded in various studios in Tennessee between February and May 2012.[8] Tyler has already stated that she has enough remaining material from Nashville-based publishers for a seventeenth studio album.[9]

Two songs have been written by Desmond Child. This is the first time Tyler has worked with Child since 1988, on her Hide Your Heart album. All tracks are newly recorded by Tyler, though two are covers; "Flat on the Floor" was originally recorded by Carrie Underwood on her 2007 album Carnival Ride, and "All I Ever Wanted" was first recorded by Beau Davidson in 2010.[10]

Early plans, release and promotion

Plans for the release of Rocks and Honey date back to as early as 2008, where an interview with Tyler was published in a Turkish newspaper precessing a concert in Northern Cyprus. She announced that she would be working with Jim Steinman for her new album and was aiming for a release in summer 2009.[11] Due to health reasons, Steinman did not end up working on the album. Then in September 2008, Tyler was interviewed on an internet radio show called The Bat Segundo Show, where she stated that she had recorded demos for several tracks and had approached Bryan Adams to do a duet for the album, but he said that it was "not the right time".[12]

In years leading up to the album's release, Tyler has performed new songs such as "You Are The One",[13][14] "Don't Tell Me It's Over Now",[15] "It's My Name",[16] and "Is That Thing Loaded?".[17] However, none of these songs were added to the album, despite Tyler announcing during various concerts that they had been recorded, or were due to be recorded for it. "Under One Sky" was also due to be released on the new album, but was instead released on Tyler's 2011 compilation album, Best of 3 CD.

Tyler performing at the S.Oliver Arena, Würzburg, Germany, on March 10, 2013 during the "Rock Meets Classic" 2013 Tour.

On 22 February 2012, Desmond Child announced on his Twitter account that Tyler had been recording some of his songs in Nashville with David Huff as producer.[18][19] And update about news of the new album was posted on Tyler's old website on 13 February 2012, where it was announced that Tyler had been recording in Nashville. News of a demo recording of "What You Need From Me" was added on 16 April, where they also said that she had visited Los Angeles to help with the mixing of some tracks. Tyler made the title of the album public during an interview in Norway in July later that year.[20]

Tyler first announced the title of the album on BBC Radio Wales in August 2012. On the same show, "What You Need From Me" became the first track of the album to be played on radio internationally.[5] The second track to be made public was "All I Ever Wanted", which Tyler performed live in Germany for a New Year's Eve show,[21] and again in February, though the middle eight was cut.[22]

The album was first made available for sale on the French Amazon store in February 2013.[23] A promotional album artwork was later added before the official artwork was made public.

Singles

"Believe in Me"
A 20-second sample of "Believe in Me", the first single from the album and the United Kingdom's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2013. The song has been praised by various critics of the album.[24]
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Initially, "All I Ever Wanted" was set to be the first single off the album, scheduled for a release in February 2013. Tyler first announced it after performing the song on German television on 31 December 2012.[25] Promoting the album, she performed it once more in February 2013.[26] Whether it is still going to be released as a single is currently unknown.

"Believe in Me" was announced to be the UK's Eurovision Song Contest entry on 7 March, and was released in the UK as a download single on 13 March and on a maxi CD on 15 March in Europe.[27]

In an interview with Female First Magazine, Tyler announced that it is likely that the track "Sunshine" will be a second single for the album.[28]

Bonnie Tyler in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013

To promote her participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013, Tyler was a guest on The One Show on March 19, 2013, and on Graham Norton's BBC Radio 2 show[9] and "Loose Ends" (a BBC Radio 4 programme) on March 23, 2013.[9]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."This is Gonna Hurt"Kurt Allison, Kelly Archer, David Fanning3:07
2."Sunshine"Stefanie Ridel, Michael Smith, Jen Alden2:52
3."Believe in Me"Desmond Child, Lauren Christy, Christopher Braide3:57
4."What You Need From Me" (with Vince Gill)Jon Randall, Jessi Alexander4:03
5."Crying"James House, Kyle Jacobs, Drew Copeland3:24
6."Little Superstar"House, Beth Hart3:08
7."Flat on the Floor"Ashley Monroe, Brett James3:20
8."All I Ever Wanted"Frank J. Myers, Gary Baker, Zoran Konevic3:46
9."Stubborn"Child, Keeley Hawkes, Peter Mansson3:46
10."Love is the Knife"J.D. Leonard, Jim Sells4:40
11."Lord Help Me"Monroe, Katrina Elam, Carrie Underwood3:33
12."Mom"Wynn Varble, Don Sampson3:54
13."You Try"Anthony Little, Greg Friia, Mary Danna, Andrew Lane4:19
14."Believe in Me" (Eurovision/radio edit)Child, Christy, Braide3:01
Total length:51:14
UK iTunes bonus track[29]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
15."Total Eclipse of the Heart" (2013 version)Jim Steinman5:53
Total length:57:07

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Yorkshire Times[30]
So So Gay[31]
Music-News[32]
Entertainment Focus[33]
MigMag(7/10)[34]
Virgin Media[35]
Express[36]
Music OMH[37]

Rocks and Honey has received mixed reviews from critics since its release. Dirk Neuhaus of "Country Rock Magazine" (a German magazine) published a favourable review of the album, crediting David Huff and Matt Davis for the album production and called "What You Need From Me" a "fantastic track."[38] Norbert Schiegel of G+J Entertainment Media highlighted the tracks "Sunshine" as a "pleasantly catchy" song, and "What You Need From Me" as "sensational." He described the whole album as "outstanding."[39]

Jeremy Williams (The Yorkshire Times) gave the album a 5/5 rating. He asks, "has the gritty vocal of Bonnie Tyler still got what it takes to make you tingle? The simple as is YES," and marks the album as an "impressive return to her country roots". He also questions that the track "Little Superstar" was not chosen for the UK's Eurovision song over "Believe in Me".[30] Similarly, Andy Snipper (Music-News) suggested that the track "Mom" would have been netter suited as the Eurovision song, though describes Rocks and Honey as "a fine album."[32]

The album received a mixed review from Adam Carroll (Seen It Heard It). He says that "This is Gonna Hurt" provides a solid start to the album, with "Sunshine" being his favourite song, and though not keen on ballads, describes "Believe in Me" as a fantastic song. However, he considers "What You Need From Me" to be one of the weakest tracks on the album, describing Tyler's voice as "rough and beaten" and that her and Vince Gill's voices do not go together well. Despite this, he still describes the album as solid, and ends with "Bonnie Tyler proves that she is still one of the greatest vocalists out there."[24]

The album received a negative review from Ian Gittins (Virgin Media), who gave the album 3 stars. He stated that the album has nothing new to offer, and could have been recorded any time between 1978 and the present day.[35] The most critical of the album has been Thomas Ingham (OMH Media), who gave the album 2 and a half stars. He described the album's format as "simple – loud, quiet, loud, quiet" and is compiled of a mixture of "cheesy ballads" and "country pop-rock" songs, describing "Flat On The Floor" as "clichéd, but worryingly catchy." He ended with predicting that Tyler will not be able to take the UK out of its poor Eurovision results trend.[37]

The single "Believe in Me" was well received by BBC Radio 2, who A-listed the single on their music playlist.[40] On March 28, 2013, they also listed the single as "record of the week".[41]

Chart performance

Chart (2013) Peak
position
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[42] 13
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[43] 28
UK Albums (OCC)[44] 52
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[45] 59
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[46] 59

Personnel

Release history

Country Date Label Format
Austria, Benelux, France, Germany, Poland, Switzerland March 8, 2013 ZYX Music CD, digital download
Sweden April 29, 2013 Labrador Music CD, digital download
Finland May 3, 2013 AXR Music CD
United Kingdom, Ireland May 6, 2013 Celtic Swan Recordings CD, digital download
Canada, United States May 14, 2013 Warner Bros. CD, digital download

References

  1. ^ "Rocks & Honey". ZYX Music. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  2. ^ "Bonnie Tyler UK charts". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 May 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ Repo, Juha. "UK: Holding out for a hero – it is Bonnie Tyler with Believe in me". Eurovision Song Contest Today. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  4. ^ http://www.officialcharts.com/singles-chart/
  5. ^ a b Noble, Roy (August 2, 2012). "Roy Noble, 02/08/2012". BBC Radio Wales. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  6. ^ Bence, Inkei. "Sziklák és méz - Bonnie Tyler a Quartnak". Quart. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  7. ^ Melissa Bollea at the Bluebird Cafe - "Rocks and Honey" on YouTube. Retrieved 19 March 2013
  8. ^ Celtic Swan Recordings, Rocks and Honey (Bonnie Tyler) CD booklet, p. 6.
  9. ^ a b c Norton, Graham. "Graham Norton: Bonnie Tyler and Alison Moyet". BBC Radio 2. Retrieved 19 March 2013. Cite error: The named reference "NortonRadio" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  10. ^ Beau Davidson - You're All I Ever Wanted on YouTube. Retrieved 19 February 2013
  11. ^ "Bonnie Tyler warming up for comeback album in 2009". Today's Zaman. 1 July, 2008. Retrieved 5 April 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ Champion, Edward (12 September 2008). "The Bat Segundo Show: Bonnie Tyler". The Bat Segundo Show. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  13. ^ You Are The One on YouTube. Live in Dublin, 13 December 2008. Retrieved 10 February 2013
  14. ^ Bonnie Tyler: New Song! on YouTube, retrieved 10 February 2013
  15. ^ Don't Tell Me It's Over Now on YouTube. Live in Dublin, 13 December 2008. Retrieved 10 February 2013
  16. ^ BONNIE TYLER - IT'S MY NAME ( EXCLUSIVE ) ( LIVE in Brunnen ) on YouTube. Live in Brunnen, 26 March 2010. Retrieved 10 February 2013
  17. ^ Is That Thing Loaded on YouTube. Live in Derry, 14 December 2008. Retrieved 10 February 2013
  18. ^ Desmond Child tweet, 4:31 PM, February 22, 2012.
  19. ^ Desmond Child tweet, 4:33 PM, February 22, 2012.
  20. ^ Glans, Mari (July 8, 2012). "Helt greit om publikum er fulle". VG. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  21. ^ Bonnie Tyler - Live ZDF Willkommen 2013 on YouTube. Broadcast 31 December 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2013
  22. ^ Bonnie Tyler - ZDF Willkommen bei Carmen Nebel 16feb 2013 on YouTube. Retrieved 17 February 2013
  23. ^ Rocks & Honey: Bonnie Tyler. Retrieved 12 February 2013
  24. ^ a b Carroll, Adam (2 May, 2013). "Album Review: Bonnie Tyler – "Rocks and Honey"". Seen It Heard It. Retrieved 6 May 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  25. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjBXlvFqlvY Bonnie Tyler - Live ZDF Willkommen 2013 - 31dec 2012] on YouTube.
  26. ^ Bonnie Tyler - All I Ever Wanted 2013 on YouTube.
  27. ^ "Believe In Me (Maxi CD)". ZYX Music. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  28. ^ Atherton, Sophie (April 10, 2013). "Exclusive interview with Bonnie Tyler". Female First. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
  29. ^ Rocks and Honey on iTunes UK. Retrieved 21 March 2013
  30. ^ a b Williams, Jeremy (May 6, 2013). "Bonnie Tyler - Rocks and Honey". The Yorkshire Times. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
  31. ^ B, Jon (May 8, 2013). "Album Review: Bonnie Tyler – Rocks and Honey". So So Gay. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  32. ^ a b Snipper, Andy (May 5, 2013). "Bonnie Tyler - Rocks & Honey". Music-News. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
  33. ^ Jones, Carys (May 2, 2013). "Bonnie Tyler – Rocks and Honey album review". Entertainment Focus. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  34. ^ Cosgrove, Jonjo. "BONNIE TYLER – ROCKS AND HONEY (ALBUM REVIEW)". MigMag. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  35. ^ a b Gittins, Ian (May 6, 2013). "Bonnie Tyler: Rocks And Honey Album Review". Virgin Media. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
  36. ^ Ingham, Thomas (May 13, 2013). "Album Reviews Bonnie Tyler – Rocks And Honey". Express. Retrieved May 9, 2013. {{cite news}}: line feed character in |title= at position 14 (help)
  37. ^ a b Ingham, Thomas (May 6, 2013). "Album Reviews Bonnie Tyler – Rocks And Honey". OMH Media. Retrieved May 9, 2013. {{cite news}}: line feed character in |title= at position 14 (help)
  38. ^ Bonnie Tyler: Rocks And Honey review. Country Rock Magazine, Dirk Neuhaus, 21 March 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2013
  39. ^ Schiegel, Norbert Bonnie Tyler signs with Zyx, MediaBiz, 7 March 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2013
  40. ^ Radio 2 Playlist, week commencing 6 April 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2013
  41. ^ Bonnie Tyler Official Twitter status update. Retrieved 5 April 2013
  42. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
  43. ^ "Danishcharts.dk – Bonnie Tyler – Rocks and Honey". Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  44. ^ "Bonnie Tyler | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 12 May 2013.
  45. ^ "Officialcharts.de – Bonnie Tyler – Rocks and Honey". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  46. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Bonnie Tyler – Rocks and Honey". Hung Medien. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
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