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Icon for Hire (album)

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Untitled

Icon for Hire is the self-titled second studio album by American rock band Icon for Hire. It was produced by Mike Green (All Time Low, Pierce the Veil) and was released by Tooth & Nail Records on October 15, 2013. Fans who pre-ordered the album during the "Ones to Watch" tour had their copy mailed out on October 8, 2013 (2013-10-08).[1] The tracks "Cynics & Critics" and "Sugar & Spice" were released as singles.[2][3]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Christian Music Zine[4]
CM Addict[5]
Jesus Freak Hideout[6]
Jesus Freak Hideout[7]
Mind Equals Blown[8]
New Release Tuesday[9]

Icon for Hire garnered generally postive reception from music critics to critique the album. Mary Nikkel of New Release Tuesday felt that "The blood, sweat and tears more than pay off for the sophomore rockers."[9] At Christian Music Zine, Micah Garnett stated "this album takes the best features from Scripted and improves upon them substantially." He concludes his review by saying "this is one of the best rock albums of the year."[4] Kelcey Wixtrom of CM Addict called it "an impressive album."[5] From Mind Equals Blown's Jeremy Vane-Tempest: "If you want a tonne of fun ... listen to Icon for Hire."[8] However, at Jesus Freak Hideout, Michael Weaver felt that the first album showed that they had potential, but "one listen to their self-titled follow up leaves you wondering where it went."[6] In addition, Cortney Warner of Jesus Freak Hideout told that "Unfortunately, this record is a step backwards from their debut, regarding some of the song structures, attitude, and lyrics."[7]

Commercial performance

For the Billboard charting week of November 2, 2013 (the album's Billboard release week), Icon for Hire was the No. 66 most sold album in the entirety of the United States by the Billboard 200,[10] and it was the No. 4 Top Christian Album sold the same week.[11] On the other charts, it was the No. 20 most sold album on Top Rock Albums chart,[12] the No. 16 Top Alternative Albums, the No. 8 Top Hard Rock Albums,[13] and it came in at No. 11 on the Independent Albums chart.[14]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Cynics & Critics"3:22
2."Nerves"3:15
3."Sugar & Spice"4:02
4."Hope of Morning"3:49
5."Sorry About Your Parents"3:17
6."Pop Culture"3:23
7."Watch Me"3:34
8."Slow Down"3:46
9."Rock and Roll Thugs"3:36
10."Think I'm Sick"2:54
11."Fix Me"3:47
12."Counting on Hearts"3:59
Total length:42:49

Chart performance

Chart (2013) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[15] 66
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)[16] 16
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[17] 4
US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)[18] 8
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[19] 11
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[20] 20

Personnel

Musicians

  • Ariel — lead vocals, keys
  • Shawn Jump — guitar, bass, background vocals, programming samples
  • Adam Kronshagen — drums

Production

  • Mike Green — production, recording, mixing, programming, synths
  • Jeff Sontag — assistant engineer
  • Kyle Black — assistant engineer
  • Troy Glessner — mastering

References

  1. ^ "Twitter / iconforhire: Pre-orders have shipped!". Twitter.com. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  2. ^ "Icon For Hire release new song, "Cynics & Critics" - Alternative Press". Altpress.com. August 16, 2013. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  3. ^ "Icon For Hire tease new song, "Sugar & Spice" - Alternative Press". Altpress.com. October 3, 2013. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  4. ^ a b Garnett, Micah (October 13, 2013). "Icon For Hire – Icon For Hire (Review)". Christian Music Zine. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
  5. ^ a b Wixtrom, Kelcey (October 21, 2013). "Review of Icon For Hire by Icon For Hire". CM Addict. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  6. ^ a b Weaver, Michael (October 13, 2013). "Icon For Hire, "Icon For Hire" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
  7. ^ a b Warner, Cortney (October 13, 2013). "Icon For Hire, "Icon For Hire" Review: Second Staff Opinion". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
  8. ^ a b Vane-Tempest, Jeremy (October 11, 2013). "Icon For Hire – Icon For Hire (Review)". Mind Equals Blown. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
  9. ^ a b Nikkel, Mary (October 18, 2013). "Songs for the Soul-sick". New Release Tuesday. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  10. ^ "Billboard 200: Nov 02, 2013". billboard.com. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  11. ^ "Christian Albums: Nov 02, 2013". billboard.com. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  12. ^ "Top Rock Albums: Nov 02, 2013". billboard.com. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  13. ^ "Hard Rock Albums: Nov 02, 2013". billboard.com. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  14. ^ "Independent Albums: Nov 02, 2013". billboard.com. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  15. ^ "Icon for Hire Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  16. ^ "Icon for Hire Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  17. ^ "Icon for Hire Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  18. ^ "Icon for Hire Chart History (Top Hard Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  19. ^ "Icon for Hire Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  20. ^ "Icon for Hire Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
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