PCD (album)
Encyclopedia
PCD is the debut album by American girl group
the Pussycat Dolls
, released on September 13, 2005 in the United States, by A&M Records
. After recruiting Melody Thornton
and Nicole Scherzinger
and releasing two singles, they released this album. The majority of the album was produced by Ron Fair
and Tal Herzberg with other producers contributing: Timbaland
, Cee-Lo Green, will.i.am
, and Rich Harrison
, amongst others.
The album received mixed reviews from critics, who were particularly critical of the covers that made up the second half of the record. The album went top-ten in countries such as Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom and topped the Irish and New Zealand charts. In the United States the album peaked at number five, eventually selling over 2.9 million copies. Worldwide the album sold over 9 million copies.
The album spawned six singles. The first single was "Don't Cha
" which was an international hit topping the charts around the globe. It peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100
. The second single was "Stickwitu
", it was also a hit reaching top-five in many countries thus it received their first Grammy nomination at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards. The fourth single was "Buttons
", which they collaborated with Snoop Dogg
upon its release. It peaked at number-three on the Hot 100 chart. Other singles include "Beep"
, "I Don't Need a Man
", and "Wait a Minute" which gained moderate success.
It incorporates a mixture of contemporary pop
/dance
/R&B
originals, jazz
-influenced tracks, and cover version
s. The group have cited among their influences Gwen Stefani
, Janet Jackson
, Paula Abdul
and M.I.A.
.
PCD is the only album to feature all six original members of the group. It has been ranked at number-one hundred fifty on the decade-end charts in Billboard
.
", a remix of "Hot Stuff
(I Want You Back)", a remix of "Stickwitu
" featuring Avant
, an edit of "Buttons
" featuring Snoop Dog which was used during the release of the single, "Sway"
from Shall We Dance? (2004 film)
, "Flirt" which was the b-side of "Buttons" and four ringtones.
", which was the first single of the Pussycat Dolls, was released on April. It was a hit reaching number one in many countries including Germany, Ireland
and New Zealand
, while peaking at the Billboard Hot 100
at number two. The second single of the album was "Stickwitu
". It was also a hit peaking at number one in the UK and Romania, and hitting top-three in Australia
, Ireland and Norway
. In the United States it peaked at number five and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals but lost to The Black Eyed Peas
' "My Humps
". Their third single of the album was "Beep"
featuring will.i.am
from the Black Eyed Peas. The song gained a moderate success in the United States peaking at number thirteen but was a hit in Oceania peaking at number one in New Zealand and at number three in Australia. "Buttons
" was PCDs fourth single. Upon its release it had guests vocals from Snoop Dogg
. It was a hit in Australia and New Zealand peaking at number one. In the United States it peaked at number three as it did in the United Kingdom. The fifth single was "I Don't Need a Man
" which did not gain that much attention, peaking In the United States peaking at number ninety three. However, in Australia it was certified Gold and peaked at number six and it was top-twenty in Germany
, France
and Switzerland
. The final single of the album was "Wait a Minute" featuring Timbaland
, which peaked at number twenty-eight in the United States, sixteen in Australia and twenty-four in Canada
. In Romania the song became a hit, peaking at number one and gaining massive airplay.
was touring with them on the UK leg as an opening act. On February 4, 2007, when the Pussycat Dolls performed at the Manchester Evening News Arena
, the concert was recorded and later streamed via MSN Music
.
Apart from having their own tour the Pussycat Dolls acted as an opening act for two artists: The Black Eyed Peas
, which they opened for their Honda Civic Tour
which toured North America
and supported Christina Aguilera
for her Back to Basics Tour
along with Danity Kane
.
stated, "Their first full length album proves that "Don't Cha" was not a fluke. The album includes several very good dance-pop songs. [...] PCD is populated by a number of high quality dance-pop songs put together." Stephen Thomas Erlewine
from Allmusic commented on Scherzinger stating, "PCD, and their artificiality is made clear: the first page reads "All lead and background vocals by Nicole Scherzinger, [...] There is no pretense that Kimberly, Carmit, Ashley, Melody, and Jessica are [...] providing some serious eye candy for a group that is all about the visuals. Raymond Fiore for Entertainment Weekly
said, that "not even B-squad urban cabaret pop from A-list production heavyweights (Timbaland, will.I.am, Rich Harrison) can arouse our interest for a whole 45 minutes." Lisa Haines from BBC Online said that the second half of the album does not get attention due to the covers ('Tainted Love', 'Hot Stuff [I Want You Back]'). Critic Robert Christgau
said that the album was, "sexier than your average prefab sexpots, but no fabber." Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine
told that "the album's ballads ("Stickwitu" and "How Many Times, How Many Lies"), [...] are still difficult to take seriously when followed by a song that begs a man to "loosen up my buttons." Darryl Sterdan, when reviewing the album for Jam!
, described the covers as "embarrassing" and the ballads as "overcooked". Spence D. of IGN
, while commenting on "Feelin' Good", he said, "Feelin' Good", [...] comes too late in the game to really save the album from spiraling into a melange of innocuous pop-cum-R&B studio crafted fluff."
Girl group
A girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
the Pussycat Dolls
Pussycat Dolls
The Pussycat Dolls are an American pop girl group and dance ensemble based in Los Angeles; currently consisting of Lauren Bennett, Vanessa Curry, Kristal "Lyndriette" Smith, Tiffany "Taz" Zavala, Kia Hampton and Paula Van Oppen. The Pussycat Dolls were founded by choreographer Robin Antin in 1995...
, released on September 13, 2005 in the United States, by A&M Records
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
. After recruiting Melody Thornton
Melody Thornton
Melody Thornton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, Soprano vocalist, dancer, model, showgirl and television personality who rose to stardom as a member of the successful pop group the Pussycat Dolls...
and Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente Scherzinger is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, record producer, model, and actress. Scherzinger is perhaps best known for being the lead vocalist of the Pussycat Dolls....
and releasing two singles, they released this album. The majority of the album was produced by Ron Fair
Ron Fair
Ron Fair is a veteran A&R executive, record producer arranger, recording engineer and songwriter. In a career that has spanned over 30 years at major record labels he has produced and arranged hits for several artists, but he is best known as a "guru/mentor", guiding the careers of unknown artists...
and Tal Herzberg with other producers contributing: Timbaland
Timbaland
Timothy Zachery Mosley , better known by his stage name Timbaland, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper....
, Cee-Lo Green, will.i.am
Will.i.am
William James Adams, Jr. , better known by his stage name will.i.am and occasionally by his other stage name Zuper Blahq, is an American rapper, musician, songwriter, singer, actor and producer...
, and Rich Harrison
Rich Harrison
Rich Harrison is a Grammy Award-winning record producer and songwriter from Washington, D.C.. He is primarily an R&B/Hip-Hop producer...
, amongst others.
The album received mixed reviews from critics, who were particularly critical of the covers that made up the second half of the record. The album went top-ten in countries such as Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom and topped the Irish and New Zealand charts. In the United States the album peaked at number five, eventually selling over 2.9 million copies. Worldwide the album sold over 9 million copies.
The album spawned six singles. The first single was "Don't Cha
Don't Cha
"Don't Cha" is the debut single by American R&B/pop girl group the Pussycat Dolls. The song was originally recorded by American recording artist Tori Alamaze, and was released as her debut single in March 2005, on Universal Records. After Universal Records dropped her from the label, Cee-Lo Green...
" which was an international hit topping the charts around the globe. It peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. The second single was "Stickwitu
Stickwitu
"Stickwitu" is a R&B ballad by American girl group the Pussycat Dolls from their debut album, PCD. Produced by Jimmy Iovine, Robin Antin, Ron Fair and Tal Herzberg, it was released as the album's second single in late 2005. The song is an uptempo ballad being different to their previous single...
", it was also a hit reaching top-five in many countries thus it received their first Grammy nomination at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards. The fourth single was "Buttons
Buttons (song)
"Buttons" is an R&B/hip hop song written by Sean Garrett, Jamal Jones, Jason Perry, and Nicole Scherzinger for the Pussycat Dolls' debut album PCD . Released as the album's fourth single, the song became one of their biggest hits...
", which they collaborated with Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
upon its release. It peaked at number-three on the Hot 100 chart. Other singles include "Beep"
Beep (song)
"Beep" is a hip hop song released by American recording group the Pussycat Dolls' from their debut album PCD. "Beep" was a moderate success worldwide, having scored within the top twenty on the majority of the charts on which it was rated...
, "I Don't Need a Man
I Don't Need a Man
"I Don't Need a Man" is the fifth single released from the Pussycat Dolls' debut album, PCD . The European and Canadian release date for the single was September 25, 2006, and the release date in Australia was October 21. In the United States, the video premiered on April 18, 2007 on MTV's show...
", and "Wait a Minute" which gained moderate success.
It incorporates a mixture of contemporary pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
/dance
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
/R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
originals, jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
-influenced tracks, and cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
s. The group have cited among their influences Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani
Gwen Renée Stefani is an American singer-songwriter and fashion designer. Stefani is the lead vocalist for the rock and ska band No Doubt. Stefani recorded her first solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. in 2004. The album was inspired by music of the 1980s, and was a success with sales of over...
, Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
, Paula Abdul
Paula Abdul
Paula Julie Abdul is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, choreographer, actress and television personality.In the 1980s, Abdul rose from cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers to highly sought-after choreographer at the height of the music video era before scoring a string of pop music-R&B hits...
and M.I.A.
M.I.A. (artist)
Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam , better known by her stage name M.I.A. , is an English singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, painter and director of Sri Lankan Tamil descent. Her compositions combine elements of hip hop, electronica, dance, alternative and world music. M.I.A...
.
PCD is the only album to feature all six original members of the group. It has been ranked at number-one hundred fifty on the decade-end charts in Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
.
Release and promotion
The album was released on September 13, 2005 in the US. On November 21, 2006 PCD was re-released with a double-disc retitled PCD Tour Edition (Explicit Version). The re-release includes 20 tracks, the standard edition's 10 tracks, an explicit version of "Don't ChaDon't Cha
"Don't Cha" is the debut single by American R&B/pop girl group the Pussycat Dolls. The song was originally recorded by American recording artist Tori Alamaze, and was released as her debut single in March 2005, on Universal Records. After Universal Records dropped her from the label, Cee-Lo Green...
", a remix of "Hot Stuff
Hot Stuff (Donna Summer song)
"Hot Stuff" is a hit single released by American singer Donna Summer in 1979 as the first single release from her Bad Girls album through Casablanca Records...
(I Want You Back)", a remix of "Stickwitu
Stickwitu
"Stickwitu" is a R&B ballad by American girl group the Pussycat Dolls from their debut album, PCD. Produced by Jimmy Iovine, Robin Antin, Ron Fair and Tal Herzberg, it was released as the album's second single in late 2005. The song is an uptempo ballad being different to their previous single...
" featuring Avant
Avant
Myron Avant , better known as Avant is an American R&B singer-songwriter. He is best known for hits such as "Separated" , "My First Love," which one version features KeKe Wyatt, and "Read Your Mind"...
, an edit of "Buttons
Buttons (song)
"Buttons" is an R&B/hip hop song written by Sean Garrett, Jamal Jones, Jason Perry, and Nicole Scherzinger for the Pussycat Dolls' debut album PCD . Released as the album's fourth single, the song became one of their biggest hits...
" featuring Snoop Dog which was used during the release of the single, "Sway"
Sway (song)
"Sway" is the English version of "¿Quién será?", a 1953 mambo song by Mexican composer and bandleader Pablo Beltrán Ruiz. The most famous version is that of Dean Martin recorded in 1954. English lyrics are by Norman Gimbel...
from Shall We Dance? (2004 film)
Shall We Dance? (2004 film)
Shall We Dance? is a 2004 American film. It is a remake of the award-winning Masayuki Suo 1996 Japanese film, Shall We Dance?. The film made its US premier at the Hawaii International Film Festival.-Plot:...
, "Flirt" which was the b-side of "Buttons" and four ringtones.
Singles
"Don't ChaDon't Cha
"Don't Cha" is the debut single by American R&B/pop girl group the Pussycat Dolls. The song was originally recorded by American recording artist Tori Alamaze, and was released as her debut single in March 2005, on Universal Records. After Universal Records dropped her from the label, Cee-Lo Green...
", which was the first single of the Pussycat Dolls, was released on April. It was a hit reaching number one in many countries including Germany, Ireland
Irish Recorded Music Association
Irish Recorded Music Association is the Irish record industry association. IRMA is a non-profit association set up to manage and control the music industry in the Republic of Ireland.-Goals and activities:...
and New Zealand
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...
, while peaking at the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
at number two. The second single of the album was "Stickwitu
Stickwitu
"Stickwitu" is a R&B ballad by American girl group the Pussycat Dolls from their debut album, PCD. Produced by Jimmy Iovine, Robin Antin, Ron Fair and Tal Herzberg, it was released as the album's second single in late 2005. The song is an uptempo ballad being different to their previous single...
". It was also a hit peaking at number one in the UK and Romania, and hitting top-three in Australia
Australian Recording Industry Association
The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956...
, Ireland and Norway
VG-lista
VG-listen is a Norwegian record chart. It is weekly presented in the newspaper VG and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation program Topp 20. It is considered the primary Norwegian record chart, charting albums and singles from countries and continent around the world. The data is collected by...
. In the United States it peaked at number five and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals but lost to The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas are an American pop group , formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1995. The group includes rappers will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo, and singer Fergie. Since the release of their third album Elephunk in 2003, the group has sold an estimated 56 million records worldwide...
' "My Humps
My Humps
"My Humps" is the third single by The Black Eyed Peas from their fourth album, Monkey Business. It samples a section of the song "I Need a Freak" by Sexual Harassment, as well as the 1989 song "Wild Thing" by Tone Lōc and "It's Automatic" by Freestyle. Released in 2005, it reached number three in...
". Their third single of the album was "Beep"
Beep (song)
"Beep" is a hip hop song released by American recording group the Pussycat Dolls' from their debut album PCD. "Beep" was a moderate success worldwide, having scored within the top twenty on the majority of the charts on which it was rated...
featuring will.i.am
Will.i.am
William James Adams, Jr. , better known by his stage name will.i.am and occasionally by his other stage name Zuper Blahq, is an American rapper, musician, songwriter, singer, actor and producer...
from the Black Eyed Peas. The song gained a moderate success in the United States peaking at number thirteen but was a hit in Oceania peaking at number one in New Zealand and at number three in Australia. "Buttons
Buttons (song)
"Buttons" is an R&B/hip hop song written by Sean Garrett, Jamal Jones, Jason Perry, and Nicole Scherzinger for the Pussycat Dolls' debut album PCD . Released as the album's fourth single, the song became one of their biggest hits...
" was PCDs fourth single. Upon its release it had guests vocals from Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
. It was a hit in Australia and New Zealand peaking at number one. In the United States it peaked at number three as it did in the United Kingdom. The fifth single was "I Don't Need a Man
I Don't Need a Man
"I Don't Need a Man" is the fifth single released from the Pussycat Dolls' debut album, PCD . The European and Canadian release date for the single was September 25, 2006, and the release date in Australia was October 21. In the United States, the video premiered on April 18, 2007 on MTV's show...
" which did not gain that much attention, peaking In the United States peaking at number ninety three. However, in Australia it was certified Gold and peaked at number six and it was top-twenty in Germany
Media Control Charts
The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie...
, France
Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique
The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry...
and Switzerland
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...
. The final single of the album was "Wait a Minute" featuring Timbaland
Timbaland
Timothy Zachery Mosley , better known by his stage name Timbaland, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper....
, which peaked at number twenty-eight in the United States, sixteen in Australia and twenty-four in Canada
Canadian Recording Industry Association
Music Canada is a Toronto-based, non-profit trade organization that was founded 9 April 1963 to represent the interests of companies that record, artists, manufacture, production, promotion and distribution of music in Canada...
. In Romania the song became a hit, peaking at number one and gaining massive airplay.
Tours
On November 2006, the Pussycat Dolls embarked their first headlining tour called PCD World Tour. RihannaRihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
was touring with them on the UK leg as an opening act. On February 4, 2007, when the Pussycat Dolls performed at the Manchester Evening News Arena
Manchester Evening News Arena
The Manchester Evening News Arena is an indoor arena situated in Manchester, England. It is adjacent to Manchester Victoria station near Corporation Street...
, the concert was recorded and later streamed via MSN Music
MSN Music
MSN Music was a part of the MSN web services. It delivered music news, music videos, spotlights on new music, artist information, and live performances of artists. In 2004, Microsoft created an MSN Music download store to compete with Apple's iTunes Music Store, though its sales in comparison were...
.
Apart from having their own tour the Pussycat Dolls acted as an opening act for two artists: The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas are an American pop group , formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1995. The group includes rappers will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo, and singer Fergie. Since the release of their third album Elephunk in 2003, the group has sold an estimated 56 million records worldwide...
, which they opened for their Honda Civic Tour
Honda Civic Tour
The Honda Civic Tour is an annual concert tour, sponsored by Honda Motor Company which began in 2001. Each year, the headlining band or bands customize a Honda Civic for concert patrons to win in a raffle.-First Half:*Headliner: blink-182...
which toured North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
and supported Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera
Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
for her Back to Basics Tour
Back to Basics Tour
The Back to Basics Tour was the fourth concert tour by American recording artist Christina Aguilera. The tour supported her third studio album Back to Basics. It grossed over $90 million worldwide with 82 shows...
along with Danity Kane
Danity Kane
Danity Kane was an American female music group signed to Bad Boy Records, first established in 2005. Formed on the third installment of MTV's Making the Band reality television series, the quintet comprised members Aubrey O'Day, Wanita "D. Woods" Woodgett, Shannon Bex, Dawn Richard, and Aundrea...
.
Track listing
Critical reception
The album received generally mixed to negative reviews. Bill Lamb from About.comAbout.com
About.com is an online source for original information and advice. It is written in English, and is aimed primarily at North Americans. It is owned by The New York Times Company....
stated, "Their first full length album proves that "Don't Cha" was not a fluke. The album includes several very good dance-pop songs. [...] PCD is populated by a number of high quality dance-pop songs put together." Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Stephen Thomas Erlewine is a senior editor for Allmusic. He is the author of many artist biographies and record reviews for Allmusic, as well as a freelance writer, occasionally contributing liner notes. He is also frontman and guitarist for the Ann Arbor-based band Who Dat?Erlewine is the nephew...
from Allmusic commented on Scherzinger stating, "PCD, and their artificiality is made clear: the first page reads "All lead and background vocals by Nicole Scherzinger, [...] There is no pretense that Kimberly, Carmit, Ashley, Melody, and Jessica are [...] providing some serious eye candy for a group that is all about the visuals. Raymond Fiore for Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
said, that "not even B-squad urban cabaret pop from A-list production heavyweights (Timbaland, will.I.am, Rich Harrison) can arouse our interest for a whole 45 minutes." Lisa Haines from BBC Online said that the second half of the album does not get attention due to the covers ('Tainted Love', 'Hot Stuff [I Want You Back]'). Critic Robert Christgau
Robert Christgau
Robert Christgau is an American essayist, music journalist, and self-proclaimed "Dean of American Rock Critics".One of the earliest professional rock critics, Christgau is known for his terse capsule reviews, published since 1969 in his Consumer Guide columns...
said that the album was, "sexier than your average prefab sexpots, but no fabber." Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine is an online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New York Film Festival.- History :...
told that "the album's ballads ("Stickwitu" and "How Many Times, How Many Lies"), [...] are still difficult to take seriously when followed by a song that begs a man to "loosen up my buttons." Darryl Sterdan, when reviewing the album for Jam!
Jam!
Jam! is a Canadian website, which covers entertainment news. It is part of the CANOE online portal, owned and operated by Quebecor through its Sun Media division....
, described the covers as "embarrassing" and the ballads as "overcooked". Spence D. of IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
, while commenting on "Feelin' Good", he said, "Feelin' Good", [...] comes too late in the game to really save the album from spiraling into a melange of innocuous pop-cum-R&B studio crafted fluff."
Production
- Photography: James White
- Package design: Julian Peploe
- Publicist: Dave Tomberlin
- Mastered: Brian GardnerBrian GardnerBrian Gardner, also known as Brian "Big Bass" Gardner is a mastering engineer. He has worked on countless recordings since the mid-1960s, including classic rock, funk, disco, alternative rock, R&B, hip hop, pop punk, and dance pop. He is perhaps best known for his work on hip hop albums and in...
- Artist development: Michelle ThomasMichelle ThomasMichelle Thomas was an American actress. She was best known for her roles as Justine Phillips on the NBC sitcom The Cosby Show, and as Myra Monkhouse on the ABC/CBS sitcom Family Matters.-Early life and career:Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Thomas grew up in Montclair, New Jersey and was an...
- Executive producer: Ron FairRon FairRon Fair is a veteran A&R executive, record producer arranger, recording engineer and songwriter. In a career that has spanned over 30 years at major record labels he has produced and arranged hits for several artists, but he is best known as a "guru/mentor", guiding the careers of unknown artists...
, Jimmy IovineJimmy IovineJames "Jimmy" Iovine is an American music producer, entrepreneur and chairman of Interscope-Geffen-A&M.-Biography:... - Co-executive producer: Robin AntinRobin AntinRobin Antin is an American dancer, choreographer, music video director, actress, showgirl, clothing designer and entrepreneur. In 1995 in Los Angeles Antin, Christina Applegate and Carla Kama founded the modern burlesque troupe The Pussycat Dolls...
- Management: Jeff Haddad
- Management coordinator: Jeff Norskog
- Lead and background vocals: Nicole ScherzingerNicole ScherzingerNicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente Scherzinger is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, record producer, model, and actress. Scherzinger is perhaps best known for being the lead vocalist of the Pussycat Dolls....
- Additional lead and background vocals: Carmit BacharCarmit BacharCarmit Bachar is an American singer, dancer, model, actress and showgirl. She was a member of the successful pop/R&B group, The Pussycat Dolls and one of the main vocalists of the group, along with Nicole Scherzinger and Melody Thornton. Bachar left the group in February 2008. She is currently...
, Melody ThorntonMelody ThorntonMelody Thornton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, Soprano vocalist, dancer, model, showgirl and television personality who rose to stardom as a member of the successful pop group the Pussycat Dolls...
, Kaya JonesKaya JonesKaya Jones August 28, 1984, Toronto, Canada) is a singer, actress, dancer, model and former member of the girl group The Pussycat Dolls from 2003-2006... - Additional background vocals: Jessica SuttaJessica SuttaJessica Lynn Sutta is an American dancer, showgirl, singer, recording artist, model, and actress. She is best known as a member of the American pop girl group and dance ensemble, the Pussycat Dolls. She left the group in January 2010 to embark her solo career. She is currently finishing up her...
, Ashley RobertsAshley RobertsAshley Maria Roberts is an American dancer, showgirl, recording artist, model, actress, fashion designer and television personality, best known as a former member of the modern burlesque group the Pussycat Dolls...
, Kimberly WyattKimberly WyattKimberly Kaye Wyatt is an American showgirl, singer-songwriter, dancer, model, actress and choreographer. She is best known as a former member of the American pop/R&B girl group and dance ensemble, the Pussycat Dolls. She joined the Pussycat Dolls in 2003...
, Keri HilsonKeri HilsonKeri Lynn Hilson is an American R&B singer-songwriter. Born and raised in Decatur, Georgia, Hilson began her music career as a songwriter, penning tracks for several artists in the mid-2000s as part of the five-person production and songwriting team, The Clutch...
Charts
| Chart (2006/2007) | 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... |
8 |
| Austria Albums Chart | 8 |
| Belgian Albums Chart | 6 |
| Canadian Albums Chart Canadian Albums Chart The Canadian Albums Chart is the official album sales chart in Canada. It is compiled every Wednesday by U.S.-based music sales tracking company Nielsen Soundscan, and published every Thursday by Jam! Canoe and Billboard, along with its sister charts the Canadian Singles Chart and the Canadian BDS... |
2 |
| Czech Albums Chart | 9 |
| Danish Albums Chart | 13 |
| Finnish Albums Chart | 29 |
| French Albums Chart Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry... |
23 |
| German Albums Chart Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
6 |
| Greek Albums Chart IFPI Greece 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... |
16 |
| Hungarian Albums Chart Mahasz Mahasz is the Hungarian music industry association, founded in 1992. Mahasz hands out the Hungarian Music Awards and maintains the music charts for Hungary.... |
6 |
| 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... |
7 |
| Italian Albums Chart Federation of the Italian Music Industry The Federation of the Italian Music Industry is an umbrella organization that keeps track of virtually all aspects of the music recording industry in Italy.... |
23 |
| Korean Albums Chart | 13 |
| Mexican Albums Chart | 5 |
| Netherlands Albums Chart | 5 |
| 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... |
1 |
| Norwegian Albums Chart VG-lista VG-listen is a Norwegian record chart. It is weekly presented in the newspaper VG and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation program Topp 20. It is considered the primary Norwegian record chart, charting albums and singles from countries and continent around the world. The data is collected by... |
10 |
| Polish Albums Chart Polish Music Charts The Polish Music Charts are two official album charts and seven singles charts in Poland, provided by ZPAV, the Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry . The first, the Top 100, is a monthly chart based on data received from the album companies... |
6 |
| Portuguese Albums Chart | 12 |
| Russian Albums Chart | 1 |
| Spanish Albums Chart | 27 |
| Swedish Albums Chart Sverigetopplistan Sverigetopplistan, earlier known as Topplistan and Hitlistan and other names, is since October 2007 the Swedish national record chart, based on sales data from Swedish Recording Industry Association .... |
21 |
| 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... |
9 |
| 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... |
7 |
| U.S. Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
5 |
| U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... |
7 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (2006) | Rank |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
8 |