What Is Love? (Never Shout Never album) explained
What Is Love? is the first studio album by American rock band Never Shout Never, which was released on January 26, 2010.[1] [2]
The album debuted at No. 24 on the Billboard 200 and sold 21,000 copies in its first week of its release.[3]
Background and release
On May 29, 2009, Never Shout Never signed to Warner Bros. Records.[4] The album was produced by Butch Walker and was recorded in Los Angeles and at Abbey Road Studios in London.[5] [6] On December 3, 2009, Never Shout Never revealed the release date and track list of the album.[1]
The first single "What Is Love?" was released on December 15, 2009.[7] The music video was released in 2009 and was directed by Isaac Ravishankara.[8] "I Love You 5" was released on February 4, 2010 as the second single with the music video being released 2 days prior.[9] "Can't Stand It" was released on March 4, 2010 as the third and final single along with its music video that same day directed by Isaac Ravishankara.[10] The video includes visual references of Bob Dylan's, Dont Look Back and The Beatles, A Hard Day's Night.[10] The song peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Rock Digital Song Sales chart.[11]
Promotion
In support of the album, the group performed eight live shows in December 2009.[12] Christofer Drew also went on a solo acoustic tour in January 2010.[13] The group headlined the Alternative Press AP Tour in the spring of 2010 with support from Joplin, The Cab, Hey Monday, Every Avenue and The Summer Set.[14]
Critical reception
On Metacritic, which assigns a rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album gained an average score of 55, based on 4 reviews, indicating "mixed to average reviews". The album was given a 2 star rating from Andrew Leahey of AllMusic. He complimented Drew's ability to write a pop melody however was critical of his vocals stating, "it's too hampered by pinched, nasal vocals to make much of an impression."[5] Scott Heisel of Alternative Press wrote, "while it is all good in the Never Shout Never camp, it's going to get better, faster than everyone thinks." Christian Hoard of Rolling Stone gave the album a more negative review stating, "Drew took some bad lessons from emo and his dad's folk records. The vocals are often pained and piercing, and his manner can be gratingly precious – especially on 'Can't Stand It'."
Personnel
Credits for What Is Love? adapted from AllMusic.[15]
- Musicians
- Production
- Christofer Ingle Drew – photography
- Craig Aaronson – A&R
- Jonathan Allen – engineer
- Thomas Bowes – concert master
- Lori Casteel – music preparation
- Mike Casteel – music preparation
- Vic Fraser – music preparation
- Isobel Griffiths – string contractor
- Joe Kaplan – mixing
- Andrew Kitchen – assistant
- Frank Maddocks – design – photography
- Rob Mathes – string arrangement, string conductor
- Dave McNair – mastering
- Perry Montague-Mason – concert master
- Jake Sinclair – engineer
- Butch Walker – producer
- Perry Watts-Russell – A&R
Notes and References
- Web site: Never Shout Never News: What Is Love? album release date and tracklisting!. Never Shout Never Official Website. December 3, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20091217005906/http://www.nevershoutnever.com/news/2009/12/03/what-love-album-release-date-and-tracklisting. December 17, 2009. March 27, 2023.
- Web site: What is Love? by Never Shout Never. Apple Music. March 27, 2023.
- Web site: Billboard Magazine – February 20, 2010. 35. September 12, 2021.
- Web site: Never Shout Never Signs To Warner | Crazed Hits – The Music Industry's Leading A&R Site. https://web.archive.org/web/20101229150125/http://www.crazedhits.com/never-shout-never-signs-to-warner/. usurped. December 29, 2010. Crazed Hits. May 25, 2009. March 28, 2023.
- Web site: What Is Love? – Never Shout Never Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards. Leahey. Andrew. AllMusic. May 25, 2022.
- Never Shout Never debut nearly complete. Alternative Press. September 16, 2009. March 28, 2023.
- Web site: What Is Love? – Single by Apple Music. Apple Music. May 26, 2022.
- Web site: What Is Love? by Never Shout Never. IMVDb. May 25, 2022.
- Web site: New Video: Never Shout Never, I Love You 5. https://web.archive.org/web/20220525221758/http://www.mtv.com/news/2295076/new-video-never-shout-never-i-love-you-5/. dead. May 25, 2022. MTV. February 2, 2010. Chris. Ryan. May 25, 2022.
- Web site: Video Premiere: Never Shout Never, 'Can't Stand It'. https://web.archive.org/web/20210912171505/http://www.mtv.com/news/2295246/video-premiere-never-shout-never-cant-stand-it/. dead. September 12, 2021. MTV. Ryan. Chris. March 4, 2010. May 25, 2022.
- Web site: Never Shout Never Chart History – Rock Digital Song Sales. Billboard. May 25, 2022.
- Never Shout Never December tour sold out. Alternative Press. December 16, 2009. March 27, 2023.
- Never Shout Never announce acoustic tour. Alternative Press. November 19, 2009. March 27, 2023.
- Web site: Video: Christofer Drew talks about spirituality, tattoos and success; plus the latest on Never Shout Never's Alternative Press Tour. MLive. John Gonzalez. December 18, 2009. March 27, 2023.
- Web site: What Is Love? – Never Shout Never. AllMusic. July 23, 2022.
- Web site: Canadian Albums Chart – 31 January 2010. Jam! Canoe. https://archive.today/20100209110811/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Charts/ALBUMS.html. February 9, 2010. usurped. September 7, 2022.