Changing Tune

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Changing Tune
Studio album by
Released1 October 2012
RecordedEarly 2012 at Rockfield Studios
GenreArena rock[1]
Length36:48
LabelIsland
ProducerJohn Mitchell, Ben Humphreys
Lower Than Atlantis chronology
World Record
(2011)
Changing Tune
(2012)
Lower Than Atlantis
(2014)
Singles from Changing Tune
  1. "Love Someone Else"
    Released: 17 July 2012
  2. "Go on Strike"
    Released: 8 February 2013
  3. "Something Better Came Along"
    Released: 29 April 2013

Changing Tune is the third studio album and major label debut by English rock band Lower Than Atlantis. Preceded by the non-album single "If the World Was to End", the band went on their first ever headlining tour in the UK in January 2012.

Background[edit]

Lower Than Atlantis released "If the World Was to End" as a single in January 2012.[2] The song was produced by John Mitchell, who bassist Dec Hart and drummer Eddy Thrower had known for longer than the rest of the band.[3] Following this, they went on their first headline tour in the UK.[4] On the final night of the tour, 27 January, the band announced they had signed to major label Island Records.[5] Island's promise of more income is what convinced the band sign with the label.[6] Duce revealed that despite the increase of income "Nothing's really changed" for the band except for "the financial backing that we didn't have before".[6] Everything the band has done previously was with their own money.[6] The band supported Young Guns in Europe in February and March.[7]

Recording and sound[edit]

Island suggested to that the band went into pre-production with a producer.[3] The band were against this idea as they claimed that no one else knows how they should sound apart from themselves.[3] The group rented out a room for a week and guitarist Ben Sansom brought in his computer, which the band recorded into live.[3] Changing Tune was recorded in early 2012 at Rockfield Studios[8] with Mitchell and Ben Humphreys producing.[9][nb 1] Humphreys and Josh Tyrell helped with recording and engineering.[9] Rockfield Studios was a residential studio, which the band preferred as they had previously needed to drive.[3] Duce revealed that their previous releases were "rushed, on a shoestring budget and against the clock."[8] The drum tracks were recorded in "two and half days... three days", according to Thrower.[3] With Changing Tune, the group had the time and equipment to use to their advantage.[8] The band were able to work at any time of their choosing, whereas on previous occasions, the group had to work between 10 and 6.[8] Sansom said that the album combines the sounds of Far Q (2010) and World Record (2011) – the latter of which Sansom thought the band "only covered a small ground" with the pop-rock songs found on it.[11]

For the album, the band used several different guitars and amplifiers as they had time to experiment.[11] This in turn made it take longer for the band to track guitars.[3] The band had recorded 16 tracks,[6] all of which were written by Duce,[12] but were credited to the band as a whole.[9] The band spent more time on "Prologue" than on the other tracks on the album.[3] Duce wanted the song "to really make an impact."[3] The first half on the song was recorded outside of the studio.[3] A theremin can be heard on the track, but this was played through an app on Duce's phone.[3] "War with Words" is about Duce experiencing writer's block.[13] "Scared of the Dark" had been written by Duce shortly before the band had entered the studio.[3] Mitchell played Rhodes piano on the track.[9] He claimed that the band didn't intend to record it for the album.[3] Thrower didn't initially want to add drums to it, making it sound like the other slow songs on the album.[3] Madeleine Poncia of Dear Prudence sings additional vocals on the song.[9] In an April interview with NME, Duce said that recording was done "a couple of weeks ago" and that it was to be mixed "later this week."[6][nb 2] Mixing was performed by Mitchell, while Harry Hess mastered it.[9]

Release[edit]

On 11 June 2012, Changing Tune was announced and the track listing was revealed.[8] Duce came up with the title, while Sansom described that it was about "changing your tune in the positive and being more up-beat about situations".[11] On 9 July, the artwork was revealed,[14] which was created by Paul Jackson.[9] It was the band's vision of a "70s acid trip".[15] "Love Someone Else" was released as a single on 17 July.[16] The music video for it was released on 26 July[17] and was directed by Luke Bellis.[18] Despite the video's concept being set in an American diner, it was filmed in the UK.[19] At the end of July, the band supported Blink-182 for three shows.[20] In early August, the band performed at the Hevy Festival.[21] On 15 August, a lyric video was released for "Normally Strange".[22] Following this, the group appeared at the Reading and Leeds Festivals.[23] On 28 August, the band made "Normally Strange" available for free download via their Facebook page.[24]

Changing Tune was delayed from its 10 September release date,[25] and its subsequent 17 September date,[26] as a result of manufacturing issues.[27] It was eventually released on 1 October.[28] A version with additional tracks and a DVD was also released. Lower Than Atlantis went on a headlining tour in the UK in October 2012 with The Dangerous Summer, Don Broco and Transit.[8] The band then toured Europe in November.[11] On 6 January 2013, the music video for "Go on Strike" was released.[29] The video was also directed by Bellis.[30] The band then supported All Time Low in the UK for the first half of February.[31] For the second half, the band toured Europe with Blitz Kids.[32] "Go on Strike" was released as a single on 8 February.[33] The band toured the UK in April with Dinosaur Pile-Up, The Xcerts and Blitz Kids supporting[34] on The F*** It to the Man Tour.[35] It was their biggest headlining tour to date.[36] The music video for "Something Better Came Along", directed by Daniel Broadley,[37] was released on 8 April.[38] The video was filmed at a decommissioned tube station in Walthamstow, London.[39] It was released as a single on 29 April.[34]

Reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic65/100[40]
Review scores
SourceRating
BBC MusicUnfavourable[41]
Big Cheese5/5[42]
Bring the Noise8/10[43]
ContactmusicFavourable[1]
Dead Press![44]
Metal HammerFavourable[45]
NME5/10[46]

Changing Tune undersold what the label had expected.[47] However, it was the band's best-selling release by November 2014.[5] Sansom later recalled: "[Island Records] wanted us to be almost as popular as a pop band and it was just never going to happen. Jumping from World Record, we had to have an album that still 'rocked'."[47] "Love Someone Else" peaked at number 184 on the UK Singles Chart.[48] Changing Tune was released to a mixed reaction from critics, with an aggregate score of 65 on the Metacritic website which indicate "generally favorable reviews".

Changing Tune was ranked at number 6 on Kerrang Radio's "Top 10 Albums of 2012" list.[49]

Track listing[edit]

All tracks written by Lower Than Atlantis. Lyrics by Mike Duce.[9]

  1. "Prologue" – 2:49
  2. "Love Someone Else" – 2:30
  3. "Move Along" – 2:59
  4. "Wars with Words" – 1:49
  5. "Go on Strike" – 2:52
  6. "Scared of the Dark" – 4:22
  7. "Normally Strange" – 3:26
  8. "Something Better Came Along" – 3:59
  9. "PMA" – 2:28
  10. "Cool Kids" – 3:27
  11. "I Know a Song That Will Get on Your Nerves" – 2:44
  12. "Showtime" – 3:23
Deluxe edition bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
13."Counting Sheep"2:59
14."Soul Doubt"3:59
15."Time Flies"3:44
16."Short Way Home"2:49
17."If the World Was to End"3:53
Total length:17:22
Deluxe edition bonus DVD
No.TitleLength
1."On Our Terms" 

Personnel[edit]

Personnel per booklet.[9]

Chart performance[edit]

Chart (2012) Peak
position
Scottish Albums Chart[50] 23
UK Albums Chart[51] 25
UK Downloads Chart Top 100[52] 33
UK Physical Chart Top 100[53] 25

References[edit]

Footnotes

  1. ^ Both Mitchell and Humphreys previously worked with the band World Record (2010), which Mitchell mixed, while Humphreys recorded and engineered it.[10]
  2. ^ Asked about the inclusion of "If the World Was to End", Duce mentioned that the track was "a [standalone] thing".[6] It was released due to the band having a few tracks left over and wishing to keep their momentum going.[6] They did toy with the idea of including it, but realised "the songs we've got are really strong."[6]

Citations

  1. ^ a b Straw, David (18 October 2012). "Lower Than Atlantis - Changing Tune Album Review - Contactmusic.com". Contact Music. Archived from the original on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  2. ^ "iTunes - Music - If the World Was to End - Single by Lower Than Atlantis". iTunes. Archived from the original on 23 January 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Lower Than Atlantis. Stone, Jon (Director) (2012). On Our Terms (DVD). Island. Event occurs at 12:46 for "If the World Was to End"; 14:21–14:58 for details about pre-production; 17:02 for Rockfield Studios; 23:57 for drum tracks; 25:26 for guitar tracks; 29:20–30:51 for "Scared of the Dark"; 35:23–36:25 for "Prologue". 3707796.
  4. ^ "Lower Than Atlantis for UK headline tour". bigcheesemagazine.com. 19 September 2011. Archived from the original on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  5. ^ a b Bird 2014, p. 66
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h NME.COM. "Lower Than Atlantis: 'Being on a major label has given us more intelligence and more money'". NME. Archived from the original on 8 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  7. ^ Biddulph, Andy (17 January 2012). "Young Guns & Lower Than Atlantis Hit Europe". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved 6 July 2015.[dead link]
  8. ^ a b c d e f "Lower Than Atlantis 'Changing Tune' in September". Big Cheese Magazine. 11 June 2012. Archived from the original on 8 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i Changing Tune (Booklet). Lower Than Atlantis. Island. 2012. 3707795.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ^ World Record (Booklet). Lower Than Atlantis. A Wolf at Your Door. 2011. WYD025.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ^ a b c d "INTERVIEW: Lower Than Atlantis". Bring the Noise UK. Archived from the original on 8 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  12. ^ Patashnik 2013, p. 62
  13. ^ Kruas, Brian (16 December 2014). "10 Bands Who Had Writer's Block (And Wrote About It)". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on 19 November 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  14. ^ "Lower Than Atlantis reveal new album artwork". bigcheesemagazine.com. Archived from the original on 8 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  15. ^ "NEWS: Lower Than Atlantis Unveil New Album Artwork". Bring the Noise UK. Archived from the original on 9 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  16. ^ "iTunes - Music - Love Someone Else - Single by Lower Than Atlantis". iTunes. Archived from the original on 7 September 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  17. ^ "Lower Than Atlantis - Love Someone Else". Rock Sound Magazine. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  18. ^ "Love Someone Else". VEVO. 26 July 2012. Archived from the original on 7 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  19. ^ Elliott, Catherine (28 September 2012). "Lower Than Atlantis: 'We're the biggest in our scene'". Gigwise. Archived from the original on 26 September 2015. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  20. ^ "NEWS: Lower Than Atlantis set to support Blink-182 in Manchester and London!". Dead Press!. 19 July 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  21. ^ "NEWS: Hundred Reasons, Bury Tomorrow and more join Hevy 2012 line-up!". Dead Press!. 2 June 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  22. ^ "VIDEO: Lower Than Atlantis – Normally Strange (Lyric)". Dead Press!. 15 August 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  23. ^ "NEWS: Don Broco, Lower Than Atlantis and more join Reading/Leeds Festival 2012!". Dead Press!. 13 June 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  24. ^ "Lower Than Atlantis post "Normally Strange" for free download - Alternative Press". Alternative Press. 28 August 2012. Archived from the original on 23 September 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  25. ^ "NEWS: Lower Than Atlantis announce October headline UK tour!". Dead Press!. 11 June 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  26. ^ "NEWS: Lower Than Atlantis change release date for 'Changing Tune' to October 1st!". Dead Press!. 17 August 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  27. ^ "Lower Than Atlantis release studio video of new single, "Go On Strike"". Alternative Press. 18 September 2012. Archived from the original on 21 September 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  28. ^ "Lower Than Atlantis release video for "Go On Strike" - Alternative Press". Alternative Press. 7 January 2013. Archived from the original on 29 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  29. ^ "Go On Strike [PARENTAL ADVISORY]". VEVO. 7 January 2013. Archived from the original on 7 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  30. ^ "Lower Than Atlantis to support All Time Low". bigcheesemagazine.com. Archived from the original on 8 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  31. ^ "NEWS: Blitz Kids Support Lower Than Atlantis On UK/European Tour". Bring the Noise UK. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  32. ^ "iTunes - Music - Go On Strike - Single by Lower Than Atlantis". iTunes. Archived from the original on 16 November 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  33. ^ a b "Lower Than Atlantis Announce New Single 'Something Better Came Along' Released 29th April 2013". Contactmusic.com. Archived from the original on 8 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  34. ^ "Lower Than Atlantis Confirm Tour Supports". Rock Sound Magazine. 11 February 2013. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  35. ^ "Exclusive: Lower Than Atlantis Cover The Police's 'Message In A Bottle' - DIY". DIY. Archived from the original on 14 July 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  36. ^ "Something Better Came Along". VEVO. 11 April 2013. Archived from the original on 7 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  37. ^ "EXCLUSIVE! Lower Than Atlantis - Something Better Came Along". Rock Sound Magazine. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  38. ^ Lower Than Atlantis - Something Better Came Along (Behind The Scenes). YouTube. 4 June 2013. Archived from the original on 17 May 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  39. ^ "Reviews for Changing Tune by Lower Than Atlantis - Metacritic". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 29 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  40. ^ "BBC - Music - Review of Lower Than Atlantis - Changing Tune". bbc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  41. ^ "Lower Than Atlantis - Changing Tune". bigcheesemagazine.com. Archived from the original on 8 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  42. ^ "ALBUM REVIEW: Lower Than Atlantis – Changing Tune (Deluxe Edition)". Bring the Noise UK. Archived from the original on 8 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  43. ^ Bliss, Tony (1 October 2012). "ALBUM: Lower Than Atlantis – Changing Tune". Dead Press!. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  44. ^ "Lower Than Atlantis: Changing Tune". Metal Hammer. Archived from the original on 9 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  45. ^ "NME Reviews - Lower Than Atlantis - 'Changing Tune' - NME.COM". NME.COM. 28 September 2012. Archived from the original on 8 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  46. ^ a b Parker, Matt (3 November 2014). "Lower Than Atlantis on labels, lows and tough lessons". MusicRadar. p. 1. Archived from the original on 6 November 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  47. ^ "Chart Log UK". zobbel.de. Archived from the original on 5 June 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  48. ^ "Kerrang! Radio". Archived from the original on 9 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  49. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". officialcharts.com. Archived from the original on 8 July 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  50. ^ "LOWER THAN ATLANTIS". officialcharts.com. Archived from the original on 8 July 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  51. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". officialcharts.com. Archived from the original on 8 July 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  52. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". officialcharts.com. Archived from the original on 8 July 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2015.

Sources

  • Bird, Ryan (November 2014). Bird, Ryan (ed.). "Happiness Is...". Rock Sound (193). London: Freeway Press Inc. ISSN 1465-0185.
  • Patashnik, Ben (March 2013). Patashnik, Ben (ed.). "Us Against the World". Rock Sound (171). London: Freeway Press Inc. ISSN 1465-0185.

External links[edit]