Limitless (Tonight Alive album)
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Limitless is the third studio album from Australian rock band Tonight Alive, released on 4 March 2016 through Sony Music Australia in Oceania and Japan, Fearless Records in North America and Easy Life Records in Europe. Production on the album began in March 2015.[1] The album was announced in October 2015, along with the release of the album's first single, "Human Interaction". The band embarked on a world tour with Set It Off in support of the release.[2]
Musical style
According to professional music reviews, Limitless is a departure from Tonight's Alive's previous pop punk sound,[3][4][5] being described as pop rock by Blunt Magazine[6] and Beat.com.au,[7] as well as alternative rock by Pure Grain Audio.[8]
Reception
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 67/100[9] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
DIY | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
MOSH (Hit the Floor Magazine) | 6/10[5] |
Rock Sound | 6/10[11] |
Rolling Stone Australia | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Upset Magazine | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The album has received mixed to positive reviews from critics. The band's maturing sound and Jenna McDougall's lyrics have been cited as the record's high points. In a very positive review, Jade Falconer for Musicology wrote, "With their last album being so dark, the more upbeat sound of Limitless could prove to show some positivity in the Tonight Alive camp. The growth and variety of sound they have shown on this album is a clear sign this band has so much more to give and their journey is truly just beginning."
Stephen Ackroyd also gave a more positive review of the album, saying "In breaking their mold - and that of everyone around them - Tonight Alive are being braver than their peers. While they could have moved with the pack and picked up the casual plaudits that come to any band growing their fanbase record by record, they've done what any artist should; been true to themselves."
In contrast, in a very critical review for Clash, Lisa Henderon called the album "an overly ambitious re-invention". Of the lyrics, she judged that the combination of McDougall's sorrowful lyrics and the erratic melodies results in a "distasteful musical theatre sound" and that "the blunder is only worsened by her bizarrely melodramatic vocals".
In a mixed review for DIY, Sarah Jamieson wrote, "When it comes to their latest musical offering, Tonight Alive are being fairly upfront with its sentiments." She also felt that while at times the band's ambitions pay off (in tracks "How Does It Feel?" and "Everywhere"), the album "at times feels a little overwrought, a little too cheesy, with some of Jenna McDougall's lyrics sounding less comfortable than you might expect." She concluded her review with "There's no doubting that Tonight Alive are being brave with their attempts on this new record, but they haven't quite hit the perfect balance between their past and future."
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "To Be Free" |
| 3:27 |
2. | "Oxygen" |
| 3:33 |
3. | "Human Interaction" |
| 3:36 |
4. | "Drive" |
| 3:16 |
5. | "How Does It Feel?" |
| 3:29 |
6. | "Waves" |
| 3:38 |
7. | "Everywhere" |
| 3:05 |
8. | "Power of One" |
| 2:59 |
9. | "I Defy" |
| 3:34 |
10. | "We Are" |
| 3:59 |
11. | "The Greatest" |
| 3:51 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
12. | "Drive" (acoustic) |
| 3:09 |
13. | "Oxygen" (acoustic) |
| 3:39 |
Personnel
- Tonight Alive
- Jenna McDougall – lead vocals
- Whakaio Taahi – lead guitar, keyboards
- Jake Hardy – rhythm guitar
- Cam Adler – bass
- Matt Best – drums, percussion
- Additional musicians
- David Hodges – piano on "Human Interaction" and "How Does It Feel?"
- Douglas Allen – keyboards, programming, effects, string arrangements
- Steve Solomon – keyboards, programmaing
- Brian Robbins – programming
- Greg Johnson – effects
- Koby Nelson – background vocals
- Production
- David Bendeth – production, mixing, arranger
- Tonight Alive – arrangements
- Jenna McDougall – art direction
- Mitch Milan – digital editing, engineer, guitar technician
- Koby Nelson – digital editing, engineer
- Brian Robbins – digital editing, engineer, mixing engineer, spiritual advisor
- Steve Sarkissian – drum technician
- Ted Jensen – mastering
- Thomas Russell – cover art
- Mitch Storck – artwork, layout
- Jordan Knight – photography
- Matty Vogel – photography
Charts
Chart (2016) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australian Albums (ARIA)[14] | 6 |
UK Albums (OCC)[15] | 37 |
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[16] | 12 |
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)[17] | 20 |
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[18] | 23 |
References
- ^ "Tonight Alive to begin recording new album later this month". Alternative Press. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
- ^ "Tonight Alive - Tonight Alive added a new photo. - Facebook". Retrieved 10 March 2016.
- ^ a b Timothy Monger. "Limitless". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
- ^ a b "Tonight Alive - Limitless". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
- ^ a b "Tonight Alive - Limitless Album Review". Hit the Floor. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
- ^ "Review: Tonight Alive – Limitless". Blunt Mag – Alternative Music News, Reviews, and Interviews. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
- ^ "Tonight Alive : Limitless". Retrieved 12 April 2016.
- ^ Graham Finney. "Tonight Alive - "Limitless" [Album Review] « Reviews « PureGrainAudio.com". Retrieved 12 April 2016.
- ^ "Limitless Reviews". Metacritic. (CBS Interactive). Retrieved 6 March 2016.
- ^ "Album Review: Tonight Alive - Limitless". DIY Magazine. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
- ^ "Tonight Alive - 'Limitless'". Rock Sound Magazine. 24 February 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
- ^ "Tonight Alive - Limitless". Upset Magazine. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
- ^ "Limitless". iTunes. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – Tonight Alive – Limitless". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
- ^ "Tonight Alive | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
- ^ "Tonight Alive Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
- ^ "Tonight Alive Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
- ^ "Tonight Alive Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 17 March 2016.