Brother (Boyzone album)
Encyclopedia
Brother was the fourth studio album by Irish pop group Boyzone
, which became their first studio album released in 12 years. The album is named in memory of member Stephen Gately
who died five months before its release. However, Gately's vocals do appear on the band's songs "Gave It All Away
" and "Stronger".
The album topped the UK
where it charted for 22 weeks and Ireland
albums chart where it charted in the top 75 for 17 weeks and the first single was a number 1 single on the Irish Singles Chart
and a top 10 hit on the UK Singles Chart
. "Gave It All Away" was performed on the Australian version of the X Factor on the 11th October 2010. The band will be touring the album in the UK and Ireland during February and March 2011 and a world tour could follow. The album was supported by the Brother Tour
.
and was released on the 8th March 2010 in the United Kingdom. The album contains the single 'Gave It All Away
', released as a tribute to Gately and also features his vocals on the song 'Stronger'.
The record entered the UK Album Chart at number 1 on the 14th March 2010, meaning that all four of Boyzone's studio albums have reached number 1 in the UK. The album also reached the number 1 slot in Ireland, resulting in the same achievement for all four albums, cementing the band's reputation as being one of the most successful boyband/male groups of all time in the UK and Ireland. On the 28th March 2010, the album reclaimed the top spot in the UK album charts after a week at number 3. On the same day, the single 'Gave It All Away
' climbed 19 places to number 10 on the UK singles chart. 'Love Is a Hurricane' was the second and final single from 'Brother', and was released on 17 May.
Other standout tracks include 'Ruby' and 'Right Here Waiting'.
Simon Gage from Daily Express
said that "The first album since the death of Stephen Gately
last year, is a poignant outing for Boyzone and features the last recorded vocals of their 'brother'". He also said that: "The debut single Gave It All Away
sets the tone for what is a much more grown-up album of songs that veer closer to adult rock than the sometimes cheesy pop we associate with Boyzone.
Mike Diver from BBC
said that: "Brother it’s soft about its edges, its lyrical content exclusively syrupy – but that’s fine, as at this stage in their career, pronounced progression was never a likely option". He also said that: "It’s sad, though, that Gately eulogy-of-sorts Gave It All Away
is so very poor". But with ballads dominating, "Brother is a Boyzone album for Boyzone fans". Lauren Murphy from Entertainment.ie
said that: "Employing some known songwriters of the pop world makes Boyzone's fourth album 'Brother' a less amateur sounding affair than the now quartet's usual material". But she liked some parts of the album, saying that it "is actually solid, occasionally even likeable adult-orientated pop".
Boyzone
Boyzone are an Irish boy band comprising Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, Ronan Keating,Shane Lynch, and formerly Stephen Gately. Boyzone have 19 singles in the top 40 UK charts and 21 singles in the Ire charts. The group currently have 6 UK number one singles and 9 number one singles in Ireland with 12...
, which became their first studio album released in 12 years. The album is named in memory of member Stephen Gately
Stephen Gately
Stephen Patrick David Gately was an Irish pop singer–songwriter, actor, dancer, musician and author, who, with Ronan Keating, was one of two lead singers of the pop group Boyzone. All of Boyzone's studio albums hit number one in the United Kingdom, their third being their most successful...
who died five months before its release. However, Gately's vocals do appear on the band's songs "Gave It All Away
Gave It All Away
"Gave It All Away" is a song written by Mika and performed by Boyzone. It was the lead single to be released from their fourth studio album, Brother, on 1 March 2010. The song was originally meant to be their comeback single, however Mika did not allow it. The song includes lead vocals from Ronan...
" and "Stronger".
The album topped the UK
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
where it charted for 22 weeks and Ireland
Irish Albums Chart
The Irish Albums Chart is the Irish music industry standard albums popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on its behalf by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured electronically...
albums chart where it charted in the top 75 for 17 weeks and the first single was a number 1 single on the Irish Singles Chart
Irish Singles Chart
The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured...
and a top 10 hit on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. "Gave It All Away" was performed on the Australian version of the X Factor on the 11th October 2010. The band will be touring the album in the UK and Ireland during February and March 2011 and a world tour could follow. The album was supported by the Brother Tour
Brother Tour
The Brother Tour is the first tour by Irish boy band, Boyzone following the death of Stephen Gately. They will be playing arenas all over the UK and finish with 4 Irish dates including a homecoming show at the O2 in Dublin...
.
Album background
The album was recorded in 2009, and was released on 5 March 2010 in IrelandRepublic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
and was released on the 8th March 2010 in the United Kingdom. The album contains the single 'Gave It All Away
Gave It All Away
"Gave It All Away" is a song written by Mika and performed by Boyzone. It was the lead single to be released from their fourth studio album, Brother, on 1 March 2010. The song was originally meant to be their comeback single, however Mika did not allow it. The song includes lead vocals from Ronan...
', released as a tribute to Gately and also features his vocals on the song 'Stronger'.
The record entered the UK Album Chart at number 1 on the 14th March 2010, meaning that all four of Boyzone's studio albums have reached number 1 in the UK. The album also reached the number 1 slot in Ireland, resulting in the same achievement for all four albums, cementing the band's reputation as being one of the most successful boyband/male groups of all time in the UK and Ireland. On the 28th March 2010, the album reclaimed the top spot in the UK album charts after a week at number 3. On the same day, the single 'Gave It All Away
Gave It All Away
"Gave It All Away" is a song written by Mika and performed by Boyzone. It was the lead single to be released from their fourth studio album, Brother, on 1 March 2010. The song was originally meant to be their comeback single, however Mika did not allow it. The song includes lead vocals from Ronan...
' climbed 19 places to number 10 on the UK singles chart. 'Love Is a Hurricane' was the second and final single from 'Brother', and was released on 17 May.
Reception
The album received favorable and positive reviews from most music critics. Jason Birchmeier from Allmusic said that: "Brother is a safe and carefully crafted album". And has noticed that the album is "a ballad-heavy effort with lots of piano melodies, string arrangements, and grandiose choruses". Further, he gave positive reaction for the songs 'Gave It All Away', calling it "a good song with glimmers of greatness" and 'Love Is a Hurricane' saying that "is the most impressive track on the album, showcase for Keating that marks the high point of Brother".Other standout tracks include 'Ruby' and 'Right Here Waiting'.
Simon Gage from Daily Express
Daily Express
The Daily Express switched from broadsheet to tabloid in 1977 and was bought by the construction company Trafalgar House in the same year. Its publishing company, Beaverbrook Newspapers, was renamed Express Newspapers...
said that "The first album since the death of Stephen Gately
Stephen Gately
Stephen Patrick David Gately was an Irish pop singer–songwriter, actor, dancer, musician and author, who, with Ronan Keating, was one of two lead singers of the pop group Boyzone. All of Boyzone's studio albums hit number one in the United Kingdom, their third being their most successful...
last year, is a poignant outing for Boyzone and features the last recorded vocals of their 'brother'". He also said that: "The debut single Gave It All Away
Gave It All Away
"Gave It All Away" is a song written by Mika and performed by Boyzone. It was the lead single to be released from their fourth studio album, Brother, on 1 March 2010. The song was originally meant to be their comeback single, however Mika did not allow it. The song includes lead vocals from Ronan...
sets the tone for what is a much more grown-up album of songs that veer closer to adult rock than the sometimes cheesy pop we associate with Boyzone.
Mike Diver from BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
said that: "Brother it’s soft about its edges, its lyrical content exclusively syrupy – but that’s fine, as at this stage in their career, pronounced progression was never a likely option". He also said that: "It’s sad, though, that Gately eulogy-of-sorts Gave It All Away
Gave It All Away
"Gave It All Away" is a song written by Mika and performed by Boyzone. It was the lead single to be released from their fourth studio album, Brother, on 1 March 2010. The song was originally meant to be their comeback single, however Mika did not allow it. The song includes lead vocals from Ronan...
is so very poor". But with ballads dominating, "Brother is a Boyzone album for Boyzone fans". Lauren Murphy from Entertainment.ie
Entertainment.ie
entertainment.ie is a Dublin-based Irish website which provides extensive cinema, TV, live music, theatre, comedy, exhibition and festival listings for free, as well as celebrity gossip, music and movie news, movie and DVD reviews, CD reviews and up-to-date lottery results.The site was developed in...
said that: "Employing some known songwriters of the pop world makes Boyzone's fourth album 'Brother' a less amateur sounding affair than the now quartet's usual material". But she liked some parts of the album, saying that it "is actually solid, occasionally even likeable adult-orientated pop".
Track listing
- 'Gave It All AwayGave It All Away"Gave It All Away" is a song written by Mika and performed by Boyzone. It was the lead single to be released from their fourth studio album, Brother, on 1 March 2010. The song was originally meant to be their comeback single, however Mika did not allow it. The song includes lead vocals from Ronan...
' (MikaMika (singer)Mika is a British singer-songwriter.After recording his first extended play, Dodgy Holiday EP, Mika released his first full-length studio album, Life in Cartoon Motion, on Island Records in 2007. Life in Cartoon Motion sold more than 5.6 million copies worldwide and helped Mika win a Brit...
) – 4:27 - 'Love Is a HurricaneLove Is a Hurricane"Love is a Hurricane" is a song performed by Irish group Boyzone. It was the second single to be released from their fourth studio album, Brother, on 17 May 2010. It is the first single without bandmate Stephen Gately, who died a year earlier...
' (Danielle BriseboisDanielle BriseboisDanielle Anne Brisebois is an American actress, producer, songwriter and singer. In the 1990s she recorded two solo albums, Arrive All Over You and Portable Life, and was a member of the New Radicals...
, Gregg AlexanderGregg AlexanderGregg Alexander is an American singer/songwriter and producer, best known as the frontman of the New Radicals, who scored the international hit "You Get What You Give" in late 1998. Earlier in life he recorded two solo albums, Michigan Rain and Intoxifornication...
) – 3:30 - 'Ruby' (Shelly PooleShelly PooleShelly Poole is an English songwriter and singer.-Career:Shelly Poole is the daughter of the 1960s recording artist Brian Poole, of Brian Poole and the Tremeloes, and learned to read and write music at an early age. With her sister Karen, she formed the duo band, Alisha's Attic, in 1989...
, Terry Martin, Andy HillAndy Hill (composer)Andy Hill is a British music producer and songwriter who scored many hits during the 1980s and 90s...
) – 4:27 - 'Too Late For Hallelujah' (Carl FalkCarl FalkCarl Falk is a Swedish composer, producer, song writer and musician.Falk began playing violin at the young age of five, moving on to playing drums and piano before settling on the guitar as his instrument of choice...
, Don Mescall, Sharon VaughnSharon VaughnSharon Vaughn is a musician, songwriter and producer. She has had over two hundred cuts including several number one hits. She has also been nominated for The Nashville Songwriters Federation "Hall Of Fame". Vaughn was formerly married to songwriter Bill Rice, and later to Howard Bellamy of The...
) – 3:38 - 'Separate Cars' (Jack McManusJack McManus (singer)Jack McManus is a BRIT School educated singer-songwriter from West Wickham, Kent in England.-Music career:A singer who has been compared to Elton John and Billy Joel, McManus' debut album Either Side Of Midnight was released on Polydor Records/UMRL on 5 May 2008, preceded by his first single "Bang...
, John Green, Jim IrvinJim IrvinJim Irvin is an English singer, songwriter and music journalist.Irvin was born and raised in West London. He was the singer in the British indie-band Furniture, who released singles and albums with Survival, Stiff and Arista Records between 1982 and 1990. He co-wrote their 1986 UK hit single,...
, Julian EmeryJulian EmeryJulian Emery is a British musician, producer and songwriter, best known for his work with McFly and Lissie.-Early life:Emery was raised and educated in Buckinghamshire, the son of classical musician Terry Emery, and brother of actor Tania Emery...
) – 3:11 - 'One More Song' (Greg WellsGreg WellsGreg Wells is a multiple Grammy nominated musician, record producer and songwriter based in Los Angeles. Wells has produced and written hits with Adele, Weezer, Pink, Theophilus London, Deftones, Katy Perry, Rufus Wainwright, The All American Rejects, OneRepublic, Mika, Aerosmith, Burt Bacharach,...
, Nasri AtwehNasri (singer/songwriter)Nasri Tony Atweh known by his mononym Nasri is a Canadian-born recording artist, songwriter, and producer now based in Los Angeles, California...
) – 3:33 - 'Right Here Waiting' (Chris BraideChris BraideChristopher Braide is an English singer, songwriter, record producer published by Sony/ATV worldwide based in Los Angeles.Producer, Songwriter and Ivor Novello ASCAP and Billboard award winner Christopher Braide has achieved considerable success as a songwriter in the UK and the US. His songs have...
, Andy Hill) – 3:38 - 'Nothing Without You' (Catt Gravitt, Tom ShapiroTom ShapiroTom Shapiro is an American songwriter and occasional record producer, known primarily for his work in country music. To date, he holds four Country Songwriter of the Year awards from Broadcast Music Incorporated, as well as the Songwriter of the Decade award from the Nashville Songwriters...
, Michael Busbee) – 3:20 - 'Til the Sun Goes Down' (Emma Rohan, Jez Ashurst) – 3:45
- 'Time' (Matt Hales, Greg Wells, Kim OliverKim OliverKim Oliver is a Black British actress . She is perhaps best known for her role as the inmate Buki Lester on the hit drama series Bad Girls.-Personal life:...
) – 4:10 - 'Let Your Wall Fall Down' (Peter Vetesse, Sean ConlonSean ConlonSean Kieran Conlon is an English singer best known as a former member of boy band Five.Conlon is of Irish descent and has four siblings. He grew up in Horsforth and attended St Mary's RC Primary School and St Mary's RC Comprehensive School, Menston...
) – 5:11 - 'Stronger' (Stephen LipsonStephen LipsonStephen J. Lipson is a musician and producer who has worked with numerous artists, including Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Cher, Grace Jones, Paul McCartney, Pet Shop Boys, Take That, Simple Minds, Lindisfarne, and Annie Lennox....
, Craig WisemanCraig WisemanCraig Michael Wiseman is an American country music songwriter. Active since the late 1980s as a songwriter, he has had his songs recorded by Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Kenny Chesney, LeAnn Rimes, and several other acts....
, Karen PooleKaren PooleKaren Poole is an English songwriter and singer, who gained initial fame with her younger sister, Shelly Poole, as the duo / band, Alisha's Attic.-List of compositions:...
) – 3:50
Personnel
- Ray Burmiston – photography
- Andy Caine – vocals
- Simon Emmett – cover photo
- Mark "Tufty" Evans – engineer
- Serban Ghenea – mixing
- John Hanes – assistant
- Mark Herman – design
- Ollie Jacobs – vocal producer
- Steve Lipson – guitar, producer, mixing, instrumentation
- Ian MacGregor – engineer
- Chris Nicoladies – drum programming
- Mark Plunkett – management
- Ash Soan – drums
- Peter-John Vetesse – engineer, choir arrangement
- Greg Wells – bass, guitar, piano, drums, producer, mixing
- Rob Wells – programming
- Craig Wiseman – guitar
Weekly charts
| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
34 |
| European Top 100 Albums European Top 100 Albums The European Top 100 Albums chart is the European adaptation of the Billboard 200 albums chart. It was created in March 1984.The European Top 100 Albums, commonly referred to as Eurochart Top 100 Albums shows the sales of an act in 19 European countries based on IFPI data.The European Top 100... |
9 |
| Dutch Albums Chart MegaCharts MegaCharts is responsible for the composition and exploitation of a broad collection of official charts in the Netherlands, of which the Mega Top 50 and the Mega Album Top 100 are the most known ones. Mega Charts also provides information to the Stichting Nederlandse Top 40, of which the Dutch Top... |
50 |
| German Albums Chart | 55 |
| Greek Albums Chart Greek Albums Chart International Federation of the Phonographic Industry Greece or IFPI Greece is the Greek branch of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and is the official charts provider and recording sales certification body for Greece. Currently two charts are compiled, one for sales of... |
33 |
| Irish Albums Chart Irish Albums Chart The Irish Albums Chart is the Irish music industry standard albums popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on its behalf by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured electronically... |
1 |
| New Zealand Albums Chart Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... |
7 |
| South Korea South Korea The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south... (GAON Gaon Chart The Gaon Chart is a national record chart of South Korea. It is complied by the Korea Music Content Industry Association and sponsored by South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism; with an aim to create a national chart for Korea similar to the Billboard charts and Oricon charts... ) (International Chart) |
28 |
| Swiss Albums Chart Swiss Music Charts The Swiss Music Charts are Switzerland's main music sales charts. The charts are a record of the highest-selling singles and albums in various genres in Switzerland.The Swiss Charts include:* Singles Top 75... |
88 |
| Scottish Albums Chart Scottish Singles and Albums Chart The Scottish Singles Chart and Scottish Albums Chart are charts compiled by The Official Charts Company, based on physical and digital sales in the STV North, STV Central and ITV Border regions.... |
1 |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
1 |
| UK Download Chart | 5 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (2010) | Position |
|---|---|
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
24 |