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Flaws (album)

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This article is about the Bombay Bicycle Club album. For band of the same name, see The Flaws.
Untitled

Flaws is the second studio album by British alternative rock band Bombay Bicycle Club, released on 12 July 2010 by Island Records. Contrary to the band's previous releases, the album is entirely acoustic music, consisting of versions of their own tracks as well as cover versions of other artists. The album was produced in part by guitarist Jamie MacColl's father Neil MacColl, with recording taking place in February 2009 at The Church in Crouch End, London. The band started work on the album after completing their debut, I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose.

Recording

Initial talks of an acoustic release began in February 2009, with the band confirming through MySpace that they were recording an acoustic EP in the Lake District, while continuing to promote their debut album.[1] Following the completion of their debut during the same month,[2] the band regrouped at The Church, a recording studio in Crouch End, London. The album was produced in part by Neil MacColl, guitarist MacColl's father. The rest of the album's production was completed by vocalist Jack Steadman, in Steadman's bedroom.[3] In an interview with the Daily Record on 6 February 2010, the band revealed they had completed recording the album, with MacColl confirming "[it's] hopefully going to come out in May or June".[4]

The album was completed in entirely acoustic music. Tracks include reworked versions of some of the band's previous releases, alongside original tracks and cover versions of other artists.[5] Album track "Dust on the Ground" was previously recorded on the band's debut I Had the Blues.., released as the album's lead single on 29 June 2009.[6] "Jewel" had also been previously released, as a b-side to 2010 single "Evening/Morning".[7] "Fairytale Lullaby" is a cover of the late John Martyn (then titled "Fairy Tale Lullaby"), from his debut album London Conversation.[8] "Swansea", the final track on the album, is a reworked version of the Joanna Newsom track of the same name.[3]

Promotion and release

Two acoustic guitarists and one bass guitarist are performing a song live on a stage. The stage is lined with large white lights.
Bombay Bicycle Club performing acoustically during the NME Awards Tour, 9 February 2010.

On 2 June 2009, the band supported Starsailor at the Union Chapel in London, performing an acoustic concert in aid of homeless charity Crisis.[9] During the set, the band aired acoustic versions of "Flaws" and "Ivy & Gold".[10] Later in the same month, the band embarked on the "Tour For Lulu" throughout June-July 2009, performing four dates in the United Kingdom at locations chosen by fans. The tour was due to the band having a number of days off in between recording.[11] One location on the tour included a beach hut in Hengistbury Head, with the band including a cover of Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart".[12] The album was confirmed for release on 12 July 2010 in the United Kingdom, on CD and vinyl.[13]

Flaws was preceded by a 7-inch vinyl of "Ivy & Gold" and title track "Flaws", released on 5 July 2010.[14][15] Zane Lowe named "Ivy & Gold" his "Hottest Record in the World" on 12 May 2010,[16] an acclaim given to "Jewel"[7] and ..Blues.. single "Magnet"[17] previously. "Ivy & Gold" was also A Listed in the BBC Radio 1 playlist.[18] As well as this, the band have announced a seven date tour of the United Kingdom, with most performances taking place in churches. All dates are to be performed acoustically.[19] The band also confirmed through Twitter that a video is to be recorded for each track, with "Flaws",[20] "Ivy & Gold",[21] "Swansea"[22] and "Dust on the Ground"[23] in circulation prior to the album's release. A deluxe version of the album, released through online retailer Play.com, includes a DVD containing the videos.[24]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[25]
BBC Music(favourable)[26]
Drowned In Sound(6/10)[27]
The Guardian[28]
NME(8/10)[29]
Pitchfork Media[30]
PopMatters[31]

Flaws received a mixed reception from critics. Review aggregator Metacritic gave the album a normalized rating of 63, indicating "Mixed or average reviews".[32]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Jack Steadman, except where noted

No.TitleLength
1."Rinse Me Down"3:10
2."Many Ways"2:42
3."Dust on the Ground"4:03
4."Ivy & Gold"2:56
5."Leaving Blues"2:56
6."Fairytale Lullaby" (cover of "Fairy Tale Lullaby"; John Martyn)2:20
7."Word By Word"2:38
8."Jewel"3:04
9."My God"2:26
10."Flaws" (feat. Lucy Rose)2:57
11."Swansea" (Joanna Newsom cover; feat. Lucy Rose)4:14

Chart performance

Chart (2010) Peak
Position
UK Albums Chart 8

References

  1. ^ "What the hell has Bombay Bicycle Club been up to?". Nu Rave Brain Wave. 2009-02-05. Retrieved 2010-06-17.
  2. ^ Gregory, Jason (2010-05-11). "Bombay Bicycle Club Announce Acoustic Album 'Flaws'". Gigwise.com. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
  3. ^ a b "Bombay Bicycle Club 'Flaws'". Mint Magazine. 2010-06-14. Retrieved 2010-06-17. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ Lyons, Bev (2010-02-06). "Exclusive: Thieves hit magazine's gig at Barrowlands". The Daily Record. Retrieved 2010-06-17. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  5. ^ "Bombay Bicycle Club announce acoustic album title and tracklisting". NME. 2010-05-11. Retrieved 2010-05-27. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ "Bombay Bicycle Club - Single". Island Records. Retrieved 2010-06-17.
  7. ^ a b Lowe, Zane (2010-03-03). "Hottest Record - Bombay Bicycle Club - Jewel". BBC Radio 1. Retrieved 2010-06-17.
  8. ^ Gibsone, Harriet (2010-06-10). "Bombay Bicycle Club 'Flaws' // First Listen". The Fly. Retrieved 2010-06-17. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ "Starsailor set to play Crisis gig". South Wales Evening Post. 2009-04-16. Retrieved 2010-06-17. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ Chang, Mary (2010-06-07). "In the Post #62: Bombay Bicycle Club". theregoesthefear.com. Retrieved 2010-06-17.
  11. ^ "Bombay Bicycle Club Announce 'Tour For Lulu'". The Fly. 2009-06-16. Retrieved 2010-06-17. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  12. ^ Cutter, Allana (2009-06-30). "Bombay Bicycle Club review". Bournemouth Daily Echo. Retrieved 2010-06-17. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  13. ^ "Bombay Bicycle Club Acoustic Album To Get Summer Release". Click Music. 2010-04-26. Retrieved 2010-06-17.
  14. ^ "Floorpaper: Bombay Bicycle Club : Flaws". floorpaper.com. 2010-05-22. Retrieved 2010-06-19.
  15. ^ "Bombay Bicycle Club debut". redhotvelvet.co.uk. 2010-06-14. Retrieved 2010-06-17.
  16. ^ Lowe, Zane (2010-05-12). "Hottest Record - Bombay Bicycle Club - Ivy & Gold". BBC Radio 1. Retrieved 2010-06-17.
  17. ^ Lowe, Zane (2009-07-29). "Hottest Record - Bombay Bicycle Club - Magnet". BBC Radio 1. Retrieved 2010-06-17.
  18. ^ "The Flaws acoustic videos, new album Bombay Bicycle Club" (in Spanish). Away From Here. 2010-06-25. Retrieved 2010-06-26.
  19. ^ "Bombay Bicycle Club Acoustic Album & Tour". This Is Fake DIY. 2010-04-28. Retrieved 2010-06-17. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  20. ^ Slater, Luke (2010-06-11). "Watch: Bombay Bicycle Club - 'Flaws'". Drowned in Sound. Retrieved 2010-06-19.
  21. ^ "Bombay Bicycle Club Ivy & Gold (Acoustic) Music Video". MUZU TV. Retrieved 2010-06-26.
  22. ^ "Bombay Bicycle Club give The Sun an exclusive look at new video to Swansea - from new acoustic album Flaws". The Sun. 2010-06-23. Retrieved 2010-06-26. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  23. ^ "Bombay Bicycle Club - Dust On The Ground". Watch Listen Tell (via YouTube). 2009-07-16. Retrieved 2010-06-26.
  24. ^ "Bombay Bicycle Club - Flaws (Deluxe CD & DVD Digipack)". Play.com. Retrieved 2010-06-27.
  25. ^ Deming, Mark. "Flaws - Bombay Bicycle Club". Allmusic. Retrieved 2011-02-18.
  26. ^ Lester, Paul (2010-07-15). "Review of Bombay Bicycle Club - Flaws". BBC Music (BBC Online). Retrieved 2011-02-18.
  27. ^ Welsh, April Clare (2010-07-12). "Bombay Bicycle Club - Flaws". Drowned in Sound. Retrieved 2011-02-18.
  28. ^ Simpson, Dave (2010-07-09). "Bombay Bicycle Club: Flaws". The Guardian (guardian.co.uk). Retrieved 2011-02-18. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  29. ^ Harris, Tessa (2010-07-1). "Album review: Bombay Bicycle Club - 'Flaws'". NME. Retrieved 2011-02-18. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  30. ^ Love, Joshua (2010-07-20). "Bombay Bicycle Club: Flaws". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 2011-02-18.
  31. ^ Feldman, Max (2010-08-13). "Bombay Bicycle Club: Flaws". PopMatters. Retrieved 2011-02-18.
  32. ^ "Flaws". Metacritic. Retrieved 2011-02-18.
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