Abstract Theory

Abstract Theory is the debut solo album released by former Five member Abs. The album was released on 1 September 2003, peaking at No. 29 on the UK Albums Chart. The album failed to find success elsewhere, and resulted in Abs being dropped from his record label just months later. The album spawned five singles: "What You Got", "Stop Sign", "Shame" and "Miss Perfect". The album received mixed to positive reviews from critics, comparing his material to that of his former band, Five.

Abstract Theory
Studio album by Abs
Released	1 September 2003
Recorded	2002–2003
Genre	R&B, pop
Length	47:34
Label	Sony BMG
Producer	Brian Higgins
Singles from Abstract Theory
"What You Got" Released: 19 August 2002 "Shame" Released: 25 November 2002 "Stop Sign" Released: 26 May 2003 "Miss Perfect" Released: 25 August 2003

Background

Abs began work on the album following Five's split in late 2001. He soon signed a record deal with Sony BMG, who had previously contracted Five on a three-album deal. The album's first single, "What You Got", was released in August 2002 to moderate success, peaking at No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart. The album's second single, "Shame", was scheduled for release in November 2002, but was subsequently only released in Australia after the record company decided to market "Stop Sign" as the second British single. Arriving in May 2003, the song peaked at No. 10 on the UK Singles Chart. A third single, "Miss Perfect", was released on 25 August 2003, a week prior to the album's release, peaking at No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart. A fourth single, "7 Ways", was planned for release in November 2003, with a music video being released and several copies made available in stores from 10 November. However, the single was recalled on 11 November, and just three weeks later, Abs was dropped from his record label.

Critical reception

In his retrospective review, Bren O'Callaghan of BBC said Abstract Theory "is capable of floating alone amidst a sea of chart craft".

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Stop Sign"	O'Connell Sechleer Wynn	Absolute	2:54
2.	"Miss Perfect" (featuring Nodesha)	Breen Cooper Lei Coler Powell Higgins	Xenomania Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (co.)	3:39
3.	"What You Got"	Breen Stannard Gallagher Forrest Reid Thompson Gibbs	Biffco	3:50
4.	"7 Ways" (featuring Evie Bicker)	Breen Cooper Coler Powell Higgins Cowling	Xenomania	3:53
5.	"Back to the Limbo"	Breen Jones Cropper Dunn Jackson Junior Watkins Wilson	Absolute	3:26
6.	"Rain"	Breen David	Hod David	4:11
7.	"Turn Me Up"	Breen Stannard Gallagher Ayers	Biffco	3:56
8.	"Lovers' Rock"	Breen Stannard Gallagher Hale	Biffco	4:29
9.	"Roll with Me"	Breen Stannard Gallagher	Biffco	3:44
10.	"Emotional"	Breen David	Hod David	3:39
11.	"Shame"	Breen Wonder Wright Garrett Stannard Gallagher	Biffco	3:21
12.	"Angel"	Breen Stannard Gallagher	Biffco	4:43
13.	"The One and Only" (featuring Caroline)	Lucas Secon	Lucas Secon	3:37

 • (co.) Co-producer.

B-Sides

• "Lost for Words" - 4:01
• "Come with a Little Bit More" - 3:17
• "Roll with Me" - 3:39
• "The Dog in Me" - 4:06
• "Music for Cars" - 3:09
• "Stop That Bitchin'" - 3:10
• "Spin" (Japanese Bonus Track) -3:04
• "What You Got" (Almighty Radio Edit) - 3:10
• "What You Got" (Reggae Mix) - 4:30
• "Stop Sign" (Bimbo Jones Remix) - 7:06
• "Stop Sign" (Nu Skool Brakez Remix) - 5:44
• "Miss Perfect" (Problem Kid Latin Vox) - 9:00
• "Miss Perfect" (Freshcut Style Vocal Mix) - 8:15
• "7 Ways" (Full Rap) - 3:59
• "7 Ways" (5AM Remix) - 6:40

Personnel

Adapted credits from the booklet of Abstract Theory.

• Tracy Ackerman, Mary-Anne Morgan: backing vocals
• Tom Elmhirst, Steven Fitzmaurice, Tim Powell: mixing
• Alvin Sweeney: acoustic guitar, programming, recording
• Steve Lewinson: bass
• Richard "Biff" Stannard: timbales, drum programming, additional instruments
• Benedetto Antonio Caccavale: engineering, mixing
• Pete Hoffman: Pro Tools, mixing
• Ray Bermiston, Vincent Soyez: photography
• Simon Corkin: design

Weekly charts

Chart (2003)	Peak position
UK Albums (OCC)	29