Wikipedia

Blackbird (Fat Freddy's Drop album)

Blackbird is the third studio album by the New Zealand group Fat Freddy's Drop, released on 21 June 2013 on their own record label, The Drop. The album was a critical and commercial success, spending 4 weeks at the top of the New Zealand albums chart, and has been certified platinum.[4]

Blackbird
Studio album by
Fat Freddy's Drop
Released21 June 2013
Genre
Length64:00
LabelThe Drop
ProducerFat Freddy's Drop
Fat Freddy's Drop chronology
Dr Boondigga and the Big BW
(2009) 		Blackbird
(2013) 		Bays
(2015)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AltSounds[1]
Doubtful Sounds[2]
The New Zealand Herald[3]

History

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The album was recorded at the band's own studio, Bays, which is one of the last vinyl pressing plants in New Zealand, and also was at one time an apostolic church.[5] On recording at Bays, Fitchie explained that "What you hear on the album is the sound of Bays; the room itself, the vibe of the place and the performance we can get out of the band in there."[5] Describing the album, Chopper Reedz stated that "Blackbird is truer to FFD's musical philosophy than anything else we've done. The song structures are open and unruly – just like our live shows – whilst we've pushed ourselves to deliver rich and deeply layered arrangements that showcase Joe Dukie's exceptional voice. We feel totally at home melding together this unholy mix of disco, rootsy dub, blues, soul and electronic funk – it's what we do."[5]

Reception

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The album was a commercial success, debuting at number 1 on the New Zealand albums chart and staying in that position for 4 weeks.[4] The album has been certified Platinum in New Zealand.[6] The album has also received positive critical reception. Doubtful Sounds gave the album a very positive review, describing it as "without doubt their most cohesive and rewarding work to date."[2] The New Zealand Herald gave it a positive review, stating "what's also amazing is that these days it takes something magical to engage and pique people's short attention spans – but Fat Freddy's do it."[3] AltSounds praised the album, saying it "is a triumphant return to top form for Fat Freddy's Drop, an undeniable work of art created through love, passion and friendship."[1]

Track listing

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Blackbird track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Blackbird"9:27
2."Russia"5:31
3."Clean the House"4:14
4."Silver and Gold"6:10
5."Bones"7:31
6."Soldier"6:33
7."Never Moving"8:01
8."Mother Mother"8:59
9."Bohannon"7:20
Total length:64:00

Charts

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Chart performance for Blackbird
Chart (2013) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[7] 11
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[8] 72
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[9] 178
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[10] 26
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[11] 65
French Albums (SNEP)[12] 188
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[13] 65
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[14] 1
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[15] 55
UK Albums (OCC)[16] 59

Certifications

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Certifications for Blackbird
Region Certification Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[6] Platinum 15,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Review: Fat Freddy's Drop - Blackbird [Album]". Archived from the original on 24 August 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  2. ^ a b "ALBUM REVIEW: Fat Freddy's Drop | Blackbird – Doubtful Sounds". Doubtfulsounds.net. 23 July 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Album review: Fat Freddy's Drop, Blackbird". The New Zealand Herald. 26 June 2013.
  4. ^ a b "New Zealand charts portal". charts.nz. 29 July 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  5. ^ a b c "Fat Freddy's Drop New Album 'Blackbird' Released June 24th And Autumn 2013 UK Dates". Contactmusic.com. 2 May 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  6. ^ a b "New Zealand album certifications – Fat Freddy's Drop – Blackbird". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  7. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Fat Freddy's Drop – Blackbird". Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  8. ^ "Ultratop.be – Fat Freddy's Drop – Blackbird" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  9. ^ "Ultratop.be – Fat Freddy's Drop – Blackbird" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  10. ^ "Danishcharts.dk – Fat Freddy's Drop – Blackbird". Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  11. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Fat Freddy's Drop – Blackbird" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  12. ^ "Lescharts.com – Fat Freddy's Drop – Blackbird". Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  13. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Fat Freddy's Drop – Blackbird" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  14. ^ "Charts.nz – Fat Freddy's Drop – Blackbird". Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  15. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Fat Freddy's Drop – Blackbird". Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  16. ^ "Fat Freddy's Drop | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
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