World Record (Lower Than Atlantis album)

World Record
Studio album by Lower Than Atlantis
Released 25 April 2011
Recorded October 2010,
Outhouse Studios, Reading
Genre Alternative rock,[1] hard rock,[2] pop rock[3]
Length 37:08
Label A Wolf at Your Door
Lower Than Atlantis chronology
Far Q
(2010)		 World Record
(2011)		 Changing Tune
(2012)
Singles from World Record
  1. "Beech Like the Tree"
    Released: 14 February 2011
  2. "Deadliest Catch"
    Released: 18 April 2011
  3. "(Motor) Way of Life"
    Released: 20 June 2011

World Record is the second studio album by British rock band Lower Than Atlantis.

Background and recording

Partway through the touring cycle for their Bretton (2008) EP, Lower Than Atlantis had several line-up changes[4] While writing songs for their debut album, Far Q (2010), the band's drummer left.[5] They soon thought about drummer Eddy Thrower from We Stare at Mirrors, who the band had previously toured with, and called him, asking he if would like to partake in a practice session.[5] Duce explained the band "never worked with a good drummer before. [With Thrower,] [i]t was... nice."[5] Shortly after the release of Far Q, We Stare at Mirrors bassist Declan Hart joined the band.[5]

Following this, the band toured the UK as part of Rock Sound Presents... Powered by Fender tour in September and October, alongside Architects, Norma Jean and Devil Sold His Soul.[6] Rock Sound predicted the band's popularity would increase following the tour.[7] The band recorded World Record at Outhouse Studios in Reading in October.[8] Ben Humphreys helped with recording and engineering.[8] It was mixed by John Mitchell.[8] Mat Rider of The Holiday Plan contributes guest vocals on "Marilyn's Mansion".[8] Thrower's dad,[9] John plays trumpet on "Another Sad Song".[8] Alan Douches mastered the album at West West Side in New York in November.[8]

Composition

All of the songs on World Record were written by vocalist/guitarist Mike Duce,[5] but were credited to the band as a whole.[8] Duce considers the album "a big of a gamble" as the band created something they wanted to hear but at the same time they thought it would alienate the fans that enjoyed the fast-paced material found on Far Q.[10] World Record was heavily influenced by Lostprophets' Start Something (2004).[11] It had a more alternative rock sound influenced by Foo Fighters and Jimmy Eat World.[12] This was something that Duce claimed no one else in the current music scene was doing.[13] Duce also claimed that there might be "more albums sounding a bit like this afterwards..."[13] The band were going for a bigger sound, compared to Far Q, as that half of that album has "blink-and-you'll-miss-it" moments, according to Duce.[13]

"(Motor) Way of Life" is the band's view of life as a touring band.[9] "Beech Like the Tree" is about Duce's friend Josh who models for a living.[9] "High at Five" is about Duce's "overactive brain" – Duce would over think things and usually end in having panic attacks.[9] "Uni 9MM" is about how the band envies their friends who graduated university, got jobs, etc.[9] The band is "truly grateful that we get to do what we do but there's always that 'what if'?"[9] "Another Sad Song" is about "Me being me", according to Duce.[9] "Marilyn's Mansion" is about when Duce was younger, he would make dens in a forest where he would feel "safe".[9] He wished that he had a similar sanctuary these days.[9] "Deadliest Catch" is "about a girl! I won't bore you with gory details", according to Duce.[9]

Duce had a fling with a female bassist in another band but she led Duce on, causing him to write "Bug".[9] "Bug" was his nickname for the girl.[9] "Up in Smoke" is about the fact Duce has smoked since he was 11/12 years old and is constantly trying to quit.[9] "Could You? Would You?" is about Duce's friend's girlfriend.[9] She would treat Duce's friend "like crap and I hate her".[9] "Working for the Man by Day, Stickin' It to the Man by Night" is about Duce's old job as a labourer for a bricklayer when he was 16.[9] Duce admitted that he tried to emanate the message of "Hey man, it's ok. We all go through some shitty experiences at work" through the lyrics.[9] "R.O.I." is about where Duce's family originated from in Ireland and how Duce is unable to visit due to his schedule.[9]

Release

On 13 January 2011 the music video for "Beech Like the Tree" was released.[14] On 8 February, it was announced Lower Than Atlantis had signed to Sumerian for North America.[15] Sumerian founder Ash Avildsen after listing hardcore/punk bands At the Drive-In, Refused and Fugazi, called Lower Than Atlantis "a fresh hope for a true blue-collar DIY punk rock band" bringing the "same spirit to the scene."[15] "Beech Like the Tree" was released as single, with "Grounded" as the B-side, on 14 February.[16] The band played a series of shows from 18 February until 10 March,[17] before joining the The Reckless and Relentless Tour supporting Asking Alexandria throughout March and April.[18] On 28 March, "Uni 9MM" was made available for streaming via Alternative Press.[19] A couple of days later, the music video for "Deadliest Catch" was released,[20] the video switches between the band playing and fan submissions.[21] The band's scenes were filmed by the Brighton seafront.[21] "Up in Smoke" was premiered via Noisecreep on 12 April.[22] "Deadliest Catch" was released as a single, "Beside Myself" as the B-side, on 18 April.[23]

World Record was released in the UK through A Wolf at Your Door on 25 April.[24][nb 1] Paul Jackson designed the artwork illustration and also did the layout.[8] A double-disc containing World Record and their previous album Far Q (2010) was released on 19 April[25] in the US.[22][26][nb 2] The songs, "Live by the Remote", "Grounded" and "Beside Myself", are tacked onto the end of World Record as bonus tracks.[2] In late April and early May, the band supported We Are the Ocean in the UK.[28] The band toured the UK in June, with Futures as the support act.[29] A music video for "(Motor) Way of Life" was released on 11 June.[30] It was released as a single on 20 June, with "Live by the Remote" as the B-side.[31] In October, the band supported You Me at Six on their tour of the UK.[32] In November, the band toured the US with Close Your Eyes.[33] The band then supported Norma Jean from late November to mid December in the US[34] on the Pizza Riot 2011 Tour.[35] The band went on their first headline tour in the UK in January 2012 with support acts Sights and Sounds and Marines.[36] The band supported Young Guns in Europe in February and March.[37]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AbsolutePunk88%[1]
AllMusic[2]
BBC MusicFavourable[24]
Big Cheese3/5[38]
Bring the Noise9/10[39]
Contactmusic8/10[3]
Rock Sound8/10[40]

AbsolutePunk staff member Kelly Doherty called World Record "An album to win the mainstream" and drop "the hardcore".[1] It mixes "memorable hooks" with alternative rock.[1] Doherty noted that the album "is the sound of a young band on the verge of something brilliant."[1] Doherty said the first half sounded "so promising", compared to the second half which is "[a let] down."[1] Reviewing the album for Allmusic, William Ruhlmann proclaimed the band were "more musically ambitious" on this album.[2] Ruhlmann said the band "stops and starts its rhythms" with Duce's "expressions."[2] Ruhlmann claimed the album was more of a melodic hard rock released, compared to their previous album Far Q.[2] BBC Music reviewer Raziq Rauf said the album shows the band moving to a "grungier sound, with even cleaner vocals."[24] Rauf noted one "major criticism" with album – "slightly one-paced."[24] Despite there being "little in the way of variety" Rauf found "very little poor content" on the album.[24]

Publication Accolade Year Rank
Rock Sound Albums of the Year[10] 2011 3rd
Big Cheese 50 Finest of 2011 [41] 2011 49th

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Lower Than Atlantis, lyrics by Mike Duce.[8]

  1. "(Motor) Way of Life" – 3:05
  2. "Beech Like the Tree" – 2:18
  3. "High at Five" – 3:59
  4. "Uni 9MM" – 3:19
  5. "Another Sad Song" – 4:31
  6. "Marilyn's Mansion" – 1:34
  7. "Deadliest Catch" – 3:40
  8. "Bug" – 1:46
  9. "Up in Smoke" – 3:04
  10. "Could You? Would You?" – 3:46
  11. "Working for the Man by Day, Stickin' It to the Man by Night" – 3:09
  12. "R.O.I." – 2:51
US bonus tracks
  1. "Live by the Remote" – 3:48
  2. "Grounded" – 2:36
  3. "Beside Myself" – 4:05

Personnel

Personnel per booklet.[8]

Lower Than Atlantis
Additional musicians
  • Matt Rider – guest vocals on "Marilyn's Mansion"
  • John Thrower – trumpet on "Another Sad Song"
Production

References

Footnotes
  1. ↑ UK A Wolf at Your Door WYD025[24]
  2. ↑ US Sumerian Records SUM-058[27]
Citations
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Doherty, Kelly (2 May 2011). "Lower Than Atlantis - World Record". AbsolutePunk.net. Archived from the original on 13 July 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ruhlmann, William. "World Record - Lower than Atlantis - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  3. 1 2 Saunders, Sam (12 July 2011). "Lower Than Atlantis - World Record Album Review - Contactmusic.com". Contactmusic.com. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  4. ↑ "Lower Than Atlantis" (PDF). redfield-records.de. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Patashnik 2013, p. 62
  6. ↑ "Final Band Announced For Rock Sound Presents… Powered By Fender Tour". Rock Sound Magazine. 22 July 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  7. ↑ Patashnik, Ben (27 September 2010). "Lower Than Atlantis - Five Reasons To Be Excited". Rock Sound Magazine. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 World Record (Booklet). Lower Than Atlantis. A Wolf at Your Door. 2011. WYD025.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 "Exclusive: 'World Record' Track By Track With Lower Than Atlantis". Rock Sound Magazine. 19 April 2011. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  10. 1 2 "Album of the Year Countdown: Number 3". Rock Sound. 15 December 2011. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  11. ↑ Patashnik, ed. 2012, p. 51
  12. ↑ Wilson, Rich. "Lower than Atlantis - Biography - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  13. 1 2 3 Withers 2011, p. 70
  14. ↑ "Lower Than Atlantis - Beech Like The Tree". Rock Sound Magazine. 13 January 2011. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  15. 1 2 "Lower Than Atlantis Signs North American Deal With Sumerian Records - Blabbermouth.net". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 8 February 2011. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  16. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Beech Like the Tree - Single by Lower Than Atlantis". iTunes. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  17. ↑ "LOWER THAN ATLANTIS MINI-TOUR LEADING UP TO RECKLESS AND RELENTLESS TOUR - Sumerian Records". sumerianrecords.com. 16 February 2011. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  18. ↑ "ASKING ALEXANDRIA ANNOUNCE HEADLINING TOUR - Sumerian Records". sumerianrecords.com. 7 January 2011. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  19. ↑ "Exclusive Stream: Lower Than Atlantis' "Uni 9MM" - Alternative Press". Alternative Press. 28 March 2011. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  20. ↑ "Lower Than Atlantis - Deadliest Catch". Rock Sound Magazine. 30 March 2011. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  21. 1 2 Arnold, Ian. "Lower Than Atlantis post video for Deadliest Catch". Bring the Noise UK. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  22. 1 2 Ramirez, Carlos (12 April 2011). "Lower Than Atlantis Can't Kick the Habit on 'Up in Smoke' — Song Premiere". Noisecreep. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  23. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Deadliest Catch - Single by Lower Than Atlantis". iTunes. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Rauf, Raziq (2011). "BBC - Music - Review of Lower Than Atlantis - World Record". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  25. ↑ "NEW PERIPHERY AND LOWER THAN ATLANTIS HIT STORES TODAY - Sumerian Records". sumerianrecords.com. 19 April 2011. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  26. ↑ "LOWER THAN ATLANTIS PRE-ORDERS POSTED - Sumerian Records". sumerianrecords.com. 16 March 2011. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  27. ↑ Ruhlmann, William. "World Record - Lower than Atlantis - Release Information, Reviews and Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  28. ↑ "Lower Than Atlantis Added To We Are The Ocean Tour". Rock Sound Magazine. 15 February 2011. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  29. ↑ "Lower Than Atlantis in the USA, Video Diary". Bring the Noise UK. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  30. ↑ "Exclusive: Lower Than Atlantis - (Motor) Way Of Life". Rock Sound Magazine. 11 June 2011. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  31. ↑ "iTunes - Music - (Motor) Way of Life - Single by Lower Than Atlantis". iTunes. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  32. ↑ Crookes, Del (12 July 2011). "You Me At Six announce autumn UK tour ahead of album". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  33. ↑ "LOWER THAN ATLANTIS ANNOUNCE NEW US TOUR DATES - Sumerian Records". sumerianrecords.com. 21 October 2011. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  34. ↑ Kraus, Brian (28 October 2011). "Norma Jean, Oh, Sleeper, Stray From The Path, and Lower Than Atlantis announce tour". Alternative Press. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  35. ↑ "STRAY FROM THE PATH AND LOWER THAN ATLANTIS ANNOUNCE NEW TOUR - Sumerian Records". sumerianrecords.com. 28 October 2011. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  36. ↑ "Lower Than Atlantis for UK headline tour". bigcheesemagazine.com. 19 September 2011. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  37. ↑ Biddulph, Andy (17 January 2012). "Young Guns & Lower Than Atlantis Hit Europe". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  38. ↑ Mann, Nick (18 April 2011). "Lower Than Atlantis - World Record". bigcheesemagazine.com. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  39. ↑ Acreman, Jessica. "ALBUM: Lower Than Atlantis, World Record". Bring the Noise UK. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  40. ↑ Newbound, Tim (23 April 2011). "Lower Than Atlantis - World Record". Rock Sound magazine. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  41. ↑ Sharples, ed. 2011–12
Sources
  • Sharples, Jim, ed. (Dec 2011 – Jan 2012). "50 Finest of 2011". Big Cheese. Big Cheese Publishing Ltd. (140). ISSN 1365-358X. 
  • Patashnik, Ben, ed. (June 2012). "Hall of Fame: Start Something". Rock Sound. London: Freeway Press Inc. (161). ISSN 1465-0185. 
  • Patashnik, Ben (March 2013). Patashnik, Ben, ed. "Us Against the World". Rock Sound. London: Freeway Press Inc. (171). ISSN 1465-0185. 
  • Withers, Pete (February 2011). Patashnik, Ben, ed. "Lower Than Atlantis". Rock Sound. London: Freeway Press Inc. (144). ISSN 1465-0185. 
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