The Ol' Razzle Dazzle is the third studio album by Australian singer-songwriter Missy Higgins, and was released by Eleven on 1 June 2012. Higgins began work on the album after a quiet retreat from the industry to refocus her life on other pursuits, including attending University and living in a share house. After playing Lilith Fair in the summer of 2010, Higgins decided to come back to music and worked with fellow singer/songwriter Butterfly Boucher, who helped co-produce The Ol' Razzle Dazzle with Nashville producer/engineer Brad Jones. The album was made available for pre-order on 26 April 2012.[1]
| The Ol' Razzle Dazzle | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1 June 2012 | |||
| Recorded | 2011–2012 | |||
| Genre | Pop | |||
| Length | 42:48 | |||
| Label | Eleven Warner Bros./Reprise | |||
| Producer | Brad Jones, Butterfly Boucher | |||
| Missy Higgins chronology | ||||
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| Singles from The Ol' Razzle Dazzle | ||||
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The first single from the album, "Unashamed Desire", was released on 23 April 2012 with an accompanying video.[2]
Reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [3] |
| The AU Review |   [4] |
| Cooltry | [5] |
| Herald Sun | [6] |
Cameron Adams from Herald Sun said "Songs written about writing songs aren't uncommon... Missy Higgins has now added to that lesser-known genre: songs written about being unable to write songs." adding "Higgins hasn't lost her way with words."[6]
Sean Holio from Cooltry said "The eclectic and diverse album keeps the listener constantly tuned in from the opening notes of "Set Me On Fire" to the closing and calming "Sweet Arms of a Tune". Both, coincidentally, are the closest to sounding like Missy Higgins. Everything in between takes the listener on an eclectic journey that not only showcases Missy's ability to create and piece together a striking pop song but also displays her growth as an artist and a musician."[5]
Tyler McLoughlan from The Music AU said "Missy Higgins' much-lauded comeback record is as transparent as her recent media interviews explaining how a troubled relationship with music and fame led to her five-year absence."[7]
Emmica Schlobohm from The AU Review said "This album is about a life of music and the relationship that Higgins has with her art form." adding "it was refreshing to listen to the complex, mature songs featured on The Ol' Razzle Dazzle. Some people will probably be surprised and unsure about whether the new Higgins hits the spot but I'm a firm believer in an artists' right to grow and change."[4]
Alice Juster from Music Feeds said "The Ol' Razzle Dazzle is experimental, and far from the stripped-back acoustics we are used to from Higgins. The album brings a divine mixture of country, pop and soulful blues. The unmistakeable heart-aching personal touch that Higgins adds to every one of her songs is still ever so strong." adding "The album incorporates heavy-hearted soul with Missy’s unforgettable voice, and what it presents is dazzling."[8]
Emily Young LOTL from called the album a "breath of fresh air that fans had been clamoring for after her brief departure from the music scene."[9]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Set Me on Fire" | Missy Higgins, Butterfly Boucher, Dan Wilson | 3:35 |
| 2. | "Hello Hello" | Higgins, Kevin Griffin | 3:00 |
| 3. | "Unashamed Desire" | Higgins, Boucher | 3:31 |
| 4. | "Everyone's Waiting" | Higgins, Wilson | 3:52 |
| 5. | "All in My Head" | Higgins, Boucher | 3:44 |
| 6. | "Temporary Love" | Higgins | 3:40 |
| 7. | "Watering Hole" | Higgins, Amiel Courtin-Wilson | 2:42 |
| 8. | "Tricks" | Higgins, Katie Herzig | 3:07 |
| 9. | "If I'm Honest" | Higgins | 3:32 |
| 10. | "Cooling of the Embers" | Higgins | 3:59 |
| 11. | "Hidden Ones" | Higgins | 4:22 |
| 12. | "Sweet Arms of a Tune" | Higgins | 3:40 |
| 13. | "World Gone Mad" (iTunes bonus track) | Higgins | 4:02 |
| 14. | "Link in a Chain" (iTunes exclusive pre-order bonus track) | Higgins | 3:54 |
Charts
editThe album debuted at number 1 on the ARIA Albums Chart the week of 12 June 2012, becoming Higgins' third straight number-one album.
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[12] | Platinum | 70,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ New Website and Hello From Missy, 04/03/2012.
- ^ The Ol' Razzle Dazzle Tour Announced & New Single Unashamed Desire Released Today!, 04/23/2012.
- ^ The Ol' Razzle Dazzle at AllMusic
- ^ a b "ALBUM REVIEW: MISSY HIGGINS - THE OL' RAZZLE DAZZLE (2012 LP)". The AU Review. 4 June 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ^ a b "Review: Missy Higgins – The Ol' Razzle Dazzle". Cooltry. May 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ^ a b "Album review: The Ol' Razzle Dazzle by Missy Higgins". Herald Sun. 30 May 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ^ "Missy Higgins The Ol' Razzle Dazzle". The Music AU. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ^ "Missy Higgins The Ol' Razzle Dazzle". Music Feeds. May 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ^ "The Ol' Razzle Dazzle by Missy Higgins". 3 June 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – Missy Higgins – The Ol' Razzle Dazzle". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2015-01-15.
- ^ "ARIA Top 100 Albums 2012". ARIA. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2012 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.