Your Majesty (album): Difference between revisions
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{{for|Your Majesty... We Are Here by Earl Brutus|Earl Brutus}} |
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<!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->{{Infobox album |
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| name = Your Majesty |
| name = Your Majesty |
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| recorded = June 2001 |
| recorded = June 2001 |
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| studio = Sonora |
| studio = Sonora |
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| genre = |
| genre = |
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* [[Garage rock]] |
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* [[neo-psychedelia]] |
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* [[pop rock]] |
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* [[space rock]] |
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| length = 46:46 |
| length = 46:46 |
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| label = [[Vagrant Records|Vagrant]] |
| label = [[Vagrant Records|Vagrant]] |
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| next_year = 2008 |
| next_year = 2008 |
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'''''Your Majesty''''' is the second |
'''''Your Majesty''''' is the second studio album by American [[Rock music|rock]] band [[the Anniversary]]. It was released on January 22, 2002, through [[Vagrant Records]]. Following the release of their debut studio album, ''[[Designing a Nervous Breakdown]]'' in early 2000, the band started writing new material by that August. They later recorded the album in June 2001 at Sonora Recorders in [[Los Feliz, Los Angeles|Los Feliz, California]], with producer [[Rob Schnapf]]. |
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''Your Majesty'' is a [[garage rock]], [[neo-psychedelia]], [[pop rock]] and [[space rock]] record that includes slow [[tempo]]s, guitar solos and a grand piano; comparisons were made to the works of the full-band iteration of [[Elliott Smith]], [[the New Pornographers]], and [[the Kinks]], among others. Leading up to the release of it, the Anniversary completed two US tours. The album was promoted with supporting slots for [[Guided by Voices]], [[Dashboard Confessional]] and [[Cheap Trick]], and two headlining tours by the band. |
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''Your Majesty'' received generally positive reviews from [[Music journalism|music critics]], some of whom commented on the male–female vocals and Schnapf's production. In the US, the album charted on two ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' component charts. It peaked at number 15 and 17 on the [[Independent Albums]] and [[Heatseekers Albums]] charts, respectively. |
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==Background and production== |
==Background and production== |
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The Anniversary released their debut studio album ''[[Designing a Nervous Breakdown]]'' in January 2000, through Heroes & Villains, an imprint of independent label [[Vagrant Records]] that was owned by [[the Get Up Kids]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/designing-a-nervous-breakdown-mw0000053920|title=Designing a Nervous Breakdown - The Anniversary {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits|publisher=AllMusic|author=Phares, Heather| |
The Anniversary released their debut studio album ''[[Designing a Nervous Breakdown]]'' in January 2000, through Heroes & Villains, an imprint of independent [[record label]] [[Vagrant Records]] that was owned by [[the Get Up Kids]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/designing-a-nervous-breakdown-mw0000053920|title=Designing a Nervous Breakdown - The Anniversary {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|author=Phares, Heather|access-date=August 3, 2020|archive-date=May 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527171102/http://www.allmusic.com/album/designing-a-nervous-breakdown-mw0000053920|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=AMbio>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-anniversary-mn0000751950/biography|title=The Anniversary {{!}} Biography & History|publisher=AllMusic|author=DePasquale, Ron|access-date=August 2, 2020|archive-date=March 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306104306/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-anniversary-mn0000751950/biography|url-status=live}}</ref> By August of that year, the Anniversary were working on new material, which vocalist and guitarist Josh Berwanger said was [[Acoustic music|acoustic]]-based and included [[electric piano]] from vocalist and keyboardist Adrianne Pope.<ref name=Pitchhappy>{{cite web|url=https://www.thepitchkc.com/happy-anniversary-2/|title=Happy Anniversary|work=[[The Pitch (newspaper)|The Pitch]]|author=Bishop, Robert|date=August 31, 2000|access-date=August 3, 2020|archive-date=August 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818175700/https://www.thepitchkc.com/happy-anniversary-2/|url-status=live}}</ref> The band went on the Heroes & Villains Fall Tour in September and October 2000, then took a two-week break before touring again until Christmas.<ref name=Pitchhappy/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anniversaryrock.com:80/show_dates.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001001065942/http://www.anniversaryrock.com/show_dates.html|title=Show Dates|publisher=[[The Anniversary]]|archive-date=October 1, 2000|access-date=August 9, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> They spent the period after Christmas writing further material for their next album.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://anniversaryrock.com:80/news.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010309003701/http://anniversaryrock.com/news.html|title=News (December 2000)|publisher=The Anniversary|archive-date=March 9, 2001|access-date=August 9, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The Anniversary supported [[Hey Mercedes]] on their headlining US tour in February and March 2001.<ref name=HMNews>{{cite web|url=http://www.heymercedes.com:80/new.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010331075216/http://www.heymercedes.com/new.html|title=Hey Mercedes News|publisher=[[Hey Mercedes]]|archive-date=March 31, 2001|access-date=August 2, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anniversaryrock.com:80/show_dates.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010405084110/http://anniversaryrock.com/show_dates.html|title=Show Dates|publisher=The Anniversary|archive-date=April 5, 2001|access-date=August 9, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> A week prior to recording the album, the band worked on pre-production with [[Rob Schnapf]] at a practice space; they played him every track and after each performance, the Anniversary went over parts and song structures.<ref name=LJWsecond2>Niccum 2002, p. 2D</ref> |
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''Your Majesty'' was recorded in two and a half weeks at Sonora Recorders in [[Los Feliz, California]], in June 2001.<ref name=LJWsecond2/><ref name=YMbooklet/> The band members shared a two-bed hotel room near the studio, which led to claustrophobia and |
''Your Majesty'' was recorded in two and a half weeks at Sonora Recorders in [[Los Feliz, Los Angeles|Los Feliz, California]], in June 2001.<ref name=LJWsecond2/><ref name=YMbooklet/> The band members shared a two-bed hotel room near the studio, which led to claustrophobia and frequent brainstorming.<ref name=Pitchcrown/> The band refrained from recording in their hometown of [[Lawrence, Kansas]], because they felt the presence of their families and friends would be distracting for them.<ref name=LJWsecond>Niccum 2002, p. 1D</ref> Schnapf acted as producer for the album and recording was handled by [[Doug Boehm]]; the recording was assisted by Andrew Boston.<ref name=YMbooklet/> The Anniversary spent some downtime at [[Malibu, California|Malibu Beach]], where they wrote additional parts and a portion of lyrics.<ref name=LJWsecond/> Schnapf and Boehm [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixed]] the recordings with assistance from Pete Magdaleno at King Sound Studios in Los Angeles, California. Don C. Tyler then [[Mastering (audio)|mastered]] the recordings at Precision Mastering.<ref name=YMbooklet/> |
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==Composition== |
==Composition and lyrics== |
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All of the |
All of the music on ''Your Majesty'' is credited to the Anniversary; all of the lyrics are credited to Berwanger and [[White Flight (band)|Justin Roelofs]].<ref name=YMbooklet/> The sound of ''Your Majesty'' has been described as [[garage rock]], [[neo-psychedelia]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com:80/features/entry/taste_of_tuesday_getting_the_royal_treatment_with_the_anniversary|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160627041942/http://www.altpress.com/features/entry/taste_of_tuesday_getting_the_royal_treatment_with_the_anniversary|title=Taste Of Tuesday: Getting the royal treatment with the Anniversary|work=[[Alternative Press (magazine)|Alternative Press]]|author=Simon, Leslie|date=June 7, 2016|archive-date=June 27, 2016|access-date=August 10, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> [[pop rock]]<ref name=PFreview/> and [[space rock]];<ref name=PMreview/> it also includes influences from [[progressive rock]].<ref name=CMJreview/> While the album has been classified as [[emo]],<ref name=PFreview/><ref name=AMreview/> several reviewers noted the band had moved away from that style.<ref name=PMreview/><ref name=CAreview/><ref name=Inlanderreview/><ref>Keiper 2002, p. 22</ref><ref name=BV2002/> ''Your Majesty'' is slower than ''Designing a Nervous Breakdown'', with a straightforward [[Rock music|rock]] sound, [[wiktionary:off-kilter|off-kilter]] vocal performances, and guitar solos.<ref name=PMreview/><ref name=PSFemo/> Parts of it drew comparisons to the works of a full-band iteration of [[Elliott Smith]] and [[Rufus Wainwright]], [[the New Pornographers]], and English acts [[the Kinks]] and [[Mott the Hoople]].<ref name=CAreview/><ref name=MagnetLost>{{cite web|url=http://magnetmagazine.com/2009/02/11/lost-classics-the-anniversary-your-majesty/|title=Lost Classics: The Anniversary 'Your Majesty'|work=[[Magnet (magazine)|Magnet]]|date=February 11, 2009|access-date=August 3, 2020|archive-date=January 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130221235/http://magnetmagazine.com/2009/02/11/lost-classics-the-anniversary-your-majesty/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=CMJsecondreview/> For the album, Pope switched from playing her [[Moog synthesizer]] to a grand piano and an organ.<ref name=Pitchcrown>{{cite web|url=https://www.thepitchkc.com/crown-affair/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810105744/https://www.thepitchkc.com/crown-affair/|title=Crown Affair|work=The Pitch|author=Miller, Andrew|date=May 23, 2002|archive-date=August 10, 2020|access-date=August 10, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=PSFemo>{{cite web|url=https://www.furious.com/perfect/emo2.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715215143/http://furious.com/perfect/emo2.html|title=Emo {{Not a typo|Revisted}}: The White Boy Blues|work=[[Perfect Sound Forever (magazine)|Perfect Sound Forever]]|author=Hirshfeld, Josh|date=June 2008|archive-date=July 15, 2020|access-date=August 2, 2020}}</ref> |
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''Your Majesty'' begins with the rock tracks "Sweet Marie" and "Crooked Crown"; the intro of the latter is similar to the works of [[Weezer]]. "Peace, Pain & Regret" retains the upbeat energy of |
''Your Majesty'' begins with the rock tracks "Sweet Marie" and "Crooked Crown"; the intro of the latter is similar to the works of [[Weezer]]. "Peace, Pain & Regret" retains the [[Wikt:upbeat|upbeat]] energy of ''Designing a Nervous Breakdown''.<ref name=PMreview/> "Husam Husam" was compared to the music of [[Pink Floyd]] with its introduction, spacious keyboard parts and throaty backing vocals.<ref name=AMreview/> The [[indie rock]] track "The Sirens Sings" includes guitar riffs that are similar to those of [[Neil Young]].<ref name=CMJreview/><ref name=Inlanderreview/> "Never Die Young" is an [[up-tempo]] [[Pop music|pop]] song that most resembles the sound of ''Designing a Nervous Breakdown''. "Tu-Whitt Tu-Whoo" is a [[love song]] that is followed by the [[Folk music|folk]]-esque "The Ghost of the River".<ref name=PMreview/><ref name=AMreview/> "The Death of the King" is a near-six-minute song with an instrumental ending that segues into "Follow the Sun", which consists of two lines.<ref name=PMreview/><ref name=Inlanderreview/> "The Death of the King" was written in a hotel bathroom at 1 A.M., with Berwanger and Roleofs playing guitars for the track in the dark.<ref name=Pitchcrown/> Both tracks are progressive rock-indebted numbers; "The Death of the King" evokes the sound of Pink Floyd.<ref name=PMreview/><ref name=AMreview/> |
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==Release== |
==Release and promotion== |
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In July 2001, the Anniversary appeared on the Vagrant Across America tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anniversaryrock.com:80/| |
In July 2001, the Anniversary appeared on the Vagrant Across America tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anniversaryrock.com:80/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010619174513/http://www.anniversaryrock.com/|title=across america.. or parts of it.|publisher=The Anniversary|archive-date=June 19, 2001|access-date=August 9, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> On September 3 of that year, the track listing for ''Your Majesty'' was announced.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/1910/the-anniversarys-new-cds-track-list-released-tour-announced|title=The Anniversary's New CD's Track list released, tour announced|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Heisel, Scott|date=September 3, 2001|access-date=August 9, 2020|archive-date=December 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222115315/https://www.punknews.org/article/1910/the-anniversarys-new-cds-track-list-released-tour-announced|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that month, it was announced Vagrant had postponed the album's release from October 2001 to January 2002 at the band's insistence.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/2005/vagrant-pushes-back-the-anniversarys-new-release|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810104651/https://www.punknews.org/article/2005/vagrant-pushes-back-the-anniversarys-new-release|title=Vagrant Pushes back The Anniversary's new release|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Heisel, Scott|date=September 24, 2001|archive-date=August 10, 2020|access-date=August 9, 2020}}</ref> In October and November 2001, the Anniversary went on a US tour with [[Superdrag]] and [[the Mars Volta]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anniversaryrock.com:80/noflash.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020129233129/http://anniversaryrock.com/noflash.html|title=Anniversary Fall U.S. Tour|publisher=The Anniversary|archive-date=January 29, 2002|access-date=August 9, 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Your Majesty'' was intended to come out to coincide with this tour, but was delayed several times; with each delay, tension within the band mounted.<ref name=LJWsecond2/><ref>Mullen 2012, event occurs at 22:39–51</ref> Berwanger said the tour was "hell" for the band as they wanted to perform new material, but the audiences were not receptive to this idea.<ref>Mullen 2012, event occurs at 23:02–12</ref> ''Your Majesty'' was eventually released on January 22, 2002; its artwork resembles that of [[the Beatles]]' ''[[Revolver (Beatles album)|Revolver]]'' (1966).<ref name=AMreview/><ref name=CMJsecondreview>Kundrath 2002, p. 49</ref> The Anniversary played three shows with [[Guided by Voices]] in the following month, before supporting [[Dashboard Confessional]] on an eight-week tour in March and April 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/2621/tours-wouldnt-it-be-funny-if-your-anniversary-was-one-of-these-dates-cmon|title=Wouldn't it be funny if *your* anniversary was one of these dates? C'mon!|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Heisel, Scott|date=January 19, 2002|access-date=August 9, 2020|archive-date=May 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513203157/https://www.punknews.org/article/2621/tours-wouldnt-it-be-funny-if-your-anniversary-was-one-of-these-dates-cmon|url-status=live}}</ref> In October and November of that year, the band went on a headlining tour with [[Burning Brides]] and [[the Gadjits]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/4435/the-anniversary-burning-brides-gadjits-to-tour|title=The Anniversary, Burning Brides, Gadjits to tour|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Heisel, Scott|date=October 11, 2002|access-date=August 9, 2020|archive-date=January 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121074611/http://www.punknews.org/article/4435/the-anniversary-burning-brides-gadjits-to-tour|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 19, 2002, Vagrant released a video compilation entitled ''Another Year on the Screen'', which includes the [[music video]] for "Sweet Marie".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/4536/another-year-on-the-screen|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810104656/https://www.punknews.org/article/4536/another-year-on-the-screen|title=Another Year On The Screen|publisher=Punknews.org|author=White, Adam|date=October 25, 2002|archive-date=August 10, 2020|access-date=August 9, 2020}}</ref> |
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On March 7, 2003, the Anniversary said they had left Vagrant Records.<ref name=PNCheap>{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/5492/the-anniversary-tour-with-cheap-trick| |
On March 7, 2003, the Anniversary said they had left Vagrant Records.<ref name=PNCheap>{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/5492/the-anniversary-tour-with-cheap-trick|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810104715/https://www.punknews.org/article/5492/the-anniversary-tour-with-cheap-trick|title=The Anniversary Tour With Cheap Trick|publisher=Punknews.org|author=White, Adam|date=March 7, 2003|archive-date=August 10, 2020|access-date=August 9, 2020}}</ref> In response, Vagrant's co-owner Rich Egan made a negative post on the record label's [[Internet forum|message board]] that was subsequently deleted. Egan followed the deletion up, saying the "relationship [with the band] had run its course". Berwanger said Vagrant and the Anniversary had "complete opposite ideas of what music should be", and that the record label admittedly had "no idea" how to market ''Your Majesty'', to which Egan replied Vagrant should have had no difficulty promoting the album and that it out-sold ''Designing a Nervous Breakdown''.<ref name=PitchFoul>{{cite web|url=https://www.thepitchkc.com/vagrant-foul/|title=Vagrant Foul|work=The Pitch|author=Harkness, Geoff|date=April 10, 2003|access-date=August 3, 2020|archive-date=January 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118210943/https://www.thepitchkc.com/vagrant-foul/|url-status=live}}</ref> In March and April 2003, the band supported [[Cheap Trick]] on their US headlining tour.<ref name=PNCheap/> In October and November of that year, they went on tour; [[The Natural History (band)|the Natural History]] and the Vexers supported the first half, while the second was supported by Carrier and [[Apollo Sunshine]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/7365/tours-the-anniversary-back-on-the-road|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810104736/https://www.punknews.org/article/7365/tours-the-anniversary-back-on-the-road|title=The Anniversary back on the road|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Heisel, Scott|date=October 18, 2003|archive-date=August 10, 2020|access-date=August 9, 2020}}</ref> In late November 2003, towards the end of the tour, the Anniversary broke up.<ref name=Pitchreunited>{{cite web|url=https://www.thepitchkc.com/the-reunited-anniversary-heads-back-to-the-bottleneck/|title=The reunited Anniversary heads back to the Bottleneck|work=The Pitch|author=Spacek, Nick|date=September 13, 2016|access-date=August 3, 2020|archive-date=August 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818174718/https://www.thepitchkc.com/the-reunited-anniversary-heads-back-to-the-bottleneck/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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==Reception== |
==Reception== |
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{{Album ratings |
{{Album ratings |
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| MC = 73/100<ref name=MC>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/your-majesty/the-anniversary|title=Your Majesty by The Anniversary|publisher=Metacritic| |
| MC = 73/100<ref name=MC>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/your-majesty/the-anniversary|title=Your Majesty by The Anniversary|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=August 3, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914061434/http://www.metacritic.com/music/your-majesty/the-anniversary|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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| rev1 = [[AllMusic]] |
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]] |
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| rev1score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name=AMreview>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/your-majesty-mw0000213810|title=Your Majesty - The Anniversary {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits|publisher=AllMusic|author=Phares, Heather| |
| rev1score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name=AMreview>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/your-majesty-mw0000213810|title=Your Majesty - The Anniversary {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits|publisher=AllMusic|author=Phares, Heather|access-date=August 3, 2020|archive-date=October 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027131504/https://www.allmusic.com/album/your-majesty-mw0000213810|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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| rev2 = ''[[Chart Attack]]'' |
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| rev2score = Favorable<ref name=CAreview>{{cite web|url=http://www.chartattack.com:80/DAMN/2002/02/1201.cfm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051206174756/http://www.chartattack.com/DAMN/2002/02/1201.cfm|title=CD Reviews: The Anniversary, Megadeth, Misstress Barbara and many more|work=Chart Attack|author=Servos, Steve|date=February 12, 2002|archivedate=December 6, 2005|accessdate=August 3, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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| rev3 = ''[[CMJ|CMJ New Music Report]]'' |
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| rev3Score = Favorable<ref name=CMJreview>Sciarretto 2002, p. 4</ref> |
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| rev4 = ''[[E! Online]]'' |
| rev4 = ''[[E! Online]]'' |
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| rev4score = B<ref name= |
| rev4score = B<ref name=EOnlinereview>{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/Reviews/Facts/Music/RevID/0,1107,2574,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021227105321/http://www.eonline.com/Reviews/Facts/Music/RevID/0,1107,2574,00.html|title=Music - The Anniversary 'Your Majesty'|work=[[E! Online]]|archive-date=December 27, 2002|access-date=August 3, 2020}}</ref> |
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| rev6 = No Ripcord |
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| rev6score = 4/10<ref name=NRCreview>{{cite web|url=http://www.noripcord.co.uk/reviews/A/anniversaryalbum.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050427112350/http://www.noripcord.co.uk/reviews/A/anniversaryalbum.html|title=Album Review - The Anniversary - "Your Majesty"|publisher=No Ripcord|author=Coleman, David|date=June 13, 2002|archive-date=April 27, 2005|access-date=October 28, 2020}}</ref> |
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| rev6 = ''[[The Michigan Daily]]'' |
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| rev6Score = C-<ref name=TMDreview>Smith 2002, p. 7</ref> |
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| rev7 = ''[[Ox-Fanzine]]'' |
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| rev7score = Unfavorable<ref name=Oxreview>{{cite web|url=https://www.ox-fanzine.de/review/anniversary-the-your-majesty-cd-29222|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810104806/https://www.ox-fanzine.de/review/anniversary-the-your-majesty-cd-29222|title=Reviews: Anniversary, The / Your Majesty CD|work=Ox-Fanzine|author=Hiller, Joachim|date=March–May 2002|archivedate=August 10, 2020|accessdate=May 27, 2019|language=DE}}</ref> |
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| rev8 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' |
| rev8 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' |
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| rev8score = 2/10<ref name=PFreview>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/198-your-majesty|title=The Anniversary: Your Majesty Album Review|work=Pitchfork|author=Haywood, Brad|date=September 12, 2002| |
| rev8score = 2/10<ref name=PFreview>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/198-your-majesty|title=The Anniversary: Your Majesty Album Review|work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|author=Haywood, Brad|date=September 12, 2002|access-date=August 2, 2002|archive-date=March 19, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090319032938/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/198-your-majesty/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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| rev9 = ''[[PopMatters]]'' |
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| rev9score = Favorable<ref name=PMreview>{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/anniversary-your-2495831168.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810104649/https://www.popmatters.com/anniversary-your-2495831168.html|title=The Anniversary: Your Majesty|work=PopMatters|author=Rauch, Stephen|date=January 21, 2002|archivedate=August 10, 2020|accessdate=August 3, 2020}}</ref> |
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| rev10 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' |
| rev10 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' |
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| rev10score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name=RSreview>{{cite |
| rev10score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name=RSreview>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/cd/review.asp?aid=2043480&cf=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030920224728/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/cd/review.asp?aid=2043480&cf=|title=Recordings: The Anniversary, Your Majesty, 3 Stars|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|author=Eliscu, Jenny|date=March 28, 2002|archive-date=September 20, 2003|url-status=dead|access-date=August 3, 2020}}</ref> |
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}} |
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''Your Majesty'' was met with generally positive reviews from [[Music journalism|music critics]]. At [[Metacritic]], the album received an [[Weighted arithmetic mean|average]] score of 73, based on 9 reviews.<ref name=MC/> |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | ''[[Chart Attack]]'' writer Steve Servos said: "[g]one are the emo labels and in their place the band show off an appreciation for the classic pop-influences-rock sound". He was not surprised to hear "the full band version" of Elliott Smith because the Anniversary were working with Schnapf, "with a little Rufus Wainwright thrown in for good measure".<ref name=CAreview>{{cite web|url=http://www.chartattack.com:80/DAMN/2002/02/1201.cfm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051206174756/http://www.chartattack.com/DAMN/2002/02/1201.cfm|title=CD Reviews: The Anniversary, Megadeth, Misstress Barbara and many more|work=[[Chart Attack]]|author=Servos, Steve|date=February 12, 2002|archive-date=December 6, 2005|access-date=August 3, 2020|url-status=usurped}}</ref> ''[[CMJ|CMJ New Music Report]]''{{'s}} Amy Sciarretto called the album an "ambitious, left-of-center" release with keyboard melodies that were used "in a different way" to the ones on ''Designing a Nervous Breakdown''. She complimented Berwanger's and Pope's "absolutely lush vocal harmonies".<ref name=CMJreview>Sciarretto 2002, p. 4</ref> The staff of ''[[E! Online]]'' said ''Your Majesty'' moves from the "tight, catchy end of the pop spectrum to airy, dreamy tunes", opining that Berwanger's and Pope's vocals keep the album from sounding "too same-y", and that in spite of the influences, the band "retain[s] its own personality, with a laid-back style and pizzazz that keeps this party a pleasant one".<ref name=EOnlinereview/> |
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⚫ | [[AllMusic]] reviewer Heather Phares said |
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⚫ | [[AllMusic]] reviewer Heather Phares said the Anniversary expanded on "some of their artier tendencies and keeping the playful, hooky songwriting that made their debut so refreshing". Phares praised Schapf's "aptly lush" production work and said the band's "inherent, slightly awkward earnestness shines through at every turn".<ref name=AMreview/> Stephen Rauch of ''[[PopMatters]]'' said that while ''Your Majesty'' retains the male–female vocals and keyboard from ''Designing a Nervous Breakdown'', it is "a very different album" and the tracks are "more straight-forward". According to Rauch, despite the loss of up-tempo material in favor of "slower, more deliberate songs", it is "still a very good album".<ref name=PMreview>{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/anniversary-your-2495831168.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810104649/https://www.popmatters.com/anniversary-your-2495831168.html|title=The Anniversary: Your Majesty|work=[[PopMatters]]|author=Rauch, Stephen|date=January 21, 2002|archive-date=August 10, 2020|access-date=August 3, 2020}}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' writer [[Jenny Eliscu]] said Schnapf's and Boehm's work with Elliott Smith is apparent on ''Your Majesty'', on which "a twinge of sadness turns even sunny tunes such as 'Never Die Young' slightly sour". Eliscu said the band "occasionally piles on a few too many layers of sounds" to some songs and that the lyrics often "sound like some drunken hippie-shaman shit".<ref name=RSreview/> |
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''[[Inlander (newspaper)|Inlander]]''{{'s}} Mike Corrigan said Pope's "earnest, airy vocals are a nice compliment to the more affected delivery" of Berwanger and Roelofs. He found the band lacking in "genuine passion and emotional depth", and said the album is "full of half-hearted performances, secondhand sentiments, mediocre writing and little, if any real soul".<ref name=Inlanderreview/> Joachim Hiller of ''[[Ox-Fanzine]]'' said Schnapf's production brought out the best in other musicians but it failed to do so with the Anniversary. He mentioned [[the Promise Ring]]'s ''[[Wood/Water]]'' (2002), calling ''Your Majesty'' "only third rate" by comparison, saying it is "not a really bad record, just a pretty boring one".<ref name=Oxreview/> ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' writer Brad Haywood said the music, "while pretending to be candy-coated pop-rock, shares all of emo's key indicators, including melodramatic vocal delivery, seamless production, and shameless overambition". <ref name=PFreview/> |
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Andrew Sacher of ''[[BrooklynVegan]]'' wrote that the "hooks are just as sticky as the ones on their debut LP, the harmonies are gorgeous, and sometimes the band sounds even more comfortable making this kind of music" than they did with their past work.<ref name=BV2002>{{cite web|url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/35-best-emo-post-hardcore-albums-of-2002/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810135900/https://www.brooklynvegan.com/35-best-emo-post-hardcore-albums-of-2002/|title=35 Best Emo & Post-Hardcore Albums of 2002|work=[[BrooklynVegan]]|author=Sacher, Andrew|date=August 10, 2022|archivedate=August 10, 2022|accessdate=August 10, 2022}}</ref> ''[[Inlander (newspaper)|Inlander]]''{{'s}} Mike Corrigan said Pope's "earnest, airy vocals are a nice compliment to the more affected delivery" of Berwanger and Roelofs on the album. He found the Anniversary to be lacking in "genuine passion and emotional depth", and said the album is "full of half-hearted performances, secondhand sentiments, mediocre writing and little, if any real soul".<ref name=Inlanderreview>{{cite web|url=https://www.inlander.com/spokane/cd-review-the-anniversary/Content?oid=2126559|title=CD Review - The Anniversary|work=[[Inlander (newspaper)|Inlander]]|author=Corrigan, Mike|date=April 25, 2002|access-date=August 3, 2020|archive-date=September 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923174746/http://www.inlander.com/spokane/cd-review-the-anniversary/Content?oid=2126559|url-status=live}}</ref> Joachim Hiller of ''[[Ox-Fanzine]]'' said Schnapf's production brought out the best in other musicians but had failed to do so with the Anniversary. He mentioned [[the Promise Ring]]'s ''[[Wood/Water]]'' (2002), calling ''Your Majesty'' "only third rate" by comparison, saying it is "not a really bad record, just a pretty boring one".<ref name=Oxreview>{{cite web|url=https://www.ox-fanzine.de/review/anniversary-the-your-majesty-cd-29222|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810104806/https://www.ox-fanzine.de/review/anniversary-the-your-majesty-cd-29222|title=Reviews: Anniversary, The / Your Majesty CD|work=[[Ox-Fanzine]]|author=Hiller, Joachim|date=March–May 2002|archive-date=August 10, 2020|access-date=May 27, 2019|language=DE}}</ref> ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' writer Brad Haywood said the music, "while pretending to be candy-coated pop-rock, shares all of emo's key indicators, including melodramatic vocal delivery, seamless production, and shameless overambition".<ref name=PFreview/> |
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⚫ | ''Your Majesty'' reached number 15 on the US ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Independent Albums]] chart,<ref>{{cite |
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⚫ | Commercially, ''Your Majesty'' reached number 15 on the US ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Independent Albums]] chart,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/independent-albums/2002-02-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402093208/http://www.billboard.com/charts/independent-albums/2002-02-09|title=Independent Albums|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-date=April 2, 2017|access-date=August 12, 2020}}</ref> and number 17 on the [[Heatseekers Albums]] chart.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/independent-albums/2002-02-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328072128/https://www.billboard.com/charts/heatseekers-albums/2002-02-09|title=Heatseekers Albums|magazine=Billboard|archive-date=March 28, 2018|access-date=August 12, 2020}}</ref> |
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==Track listing== |
==Track listing== |
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All music by the Anniversary, |
All music by the Anniversary, all lyrics written by [[White Flight (band)|Justin Roelofs]] and Josh Berwanger. All songs produced by [[Rob Schnapf]].<ref name=YMbooklet/> |
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{{tracklist |
{{tracklist |
||
| headline = ''Your Majesty'' track listing |
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| title1 = Sweet Marie |
| title1 = Sweet Marie |
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| writer1 = Roelofs, Berwanger |
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| length1 = 3:35 |
| length1 = 3:35 |
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| title2 = Crooked Crown |
| title2 = Crooked Crown |
||
| writer2 = Roelofs, Berwanger |
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| length2 = 3:48 |
| length2 = 3:48 |
||
| title3 = Peace, Pain & Regret |
| title3 = Peace, Pain & Regret |
||
| writer3 = Berwanger, Roelofs |
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| length3 = 3:34 |
| length3 = 3:34 |
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| title4 = Husam Husam |
| title4 = Husam Husam |
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| writer4 = Roelofs, Berwanger |
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| length4 = 6:45 |
| length4 = 6:45 |
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| title5 = The Siren Sings |
| title5 = The Siren Sings |
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| writer5 = Berwanger, Roelofs |
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| length5 = 4:36 |
| length5 = 4:36 |
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| title6 = Never Die Young |
| title6 = Never Die Young |
||
| writer6 = Roelofs, Berwanger |
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| length6 = 4:01 |
| length6 = 4:01 |
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| title7 = Tu-Whitt Tu-Whoo |
| title7 = Tu-Whitt Tu-Whoo |
||
| writer7 = Berwanger, Roelofs |
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| length7 = 2:29 |
| length7 = 2:29 |
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| title8 = The Ghost of the River |
| title8 = The Ghost of the River |
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| writer8 = Roelofs, Berwanger |
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| length8 = 6:28 |
| length8 = 6:28 |
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| title9 = Devil on My Side |
| title9 = Devil on My Side |
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| writer9 = Berwanger, Roelofs |
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| length9 = 3:19 |
| length9 = 3:19 |
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| title10 = The Death of the King |
| title10 = The Death of the King |
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| writer10 = Roelofs, Berwanger |
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| length10 = 5:56 |
| length10 = 5:56 |
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| title11 = Follow the Sun |
| title11 = Follow the Sun |
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| writer11 = Berwanger, Roelofs |
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| length11 = 2:28 |
| length11 = 2:28 |
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| total_length = 46:56 |
| total_length = 46:56 |
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Line 108: | Line 98: | ||
==Personnel== |
==Personnel== |
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Personnel per sleeve.<ref name=YMbooklet>{{cite AV media notes|title=Your Majesty|others= |
Personnel per sleeve.<ref name=YMbooklet>{{cite AV media notes|title=Your Majesty|others=The Anniversary|year=2002|type=sleeve|publisher=[[Vagrant Records|Vagrant]]/Heroes & Villains Records|id=VR359/HV0011}}</ref> |
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{{col-begin}} |
{{col-begin}} |
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{{col-2}} |
{{col-2}} |
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Line 115: | Line 105: | ||
* Christian Jankowski{{spaced ndash}}drums |
* Christian Jankowski{{spaced ndash}}drums |
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* Adrianne Pope{{spaced ndash}}vocals, keys |
* Adrianne Pope{{spaced ndash}}vocals, keys |
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* [[Justin Roelofs]]{{spaced ndash}}vocals, guitar |
* [[White Flight (band)|Justin Roelofs]]{{spaced ndash}}vocals, guitar |
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* James David{{spaced ndash}}bass guitar |
* James David{{spaced ndash}}bass guitar |
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Line 133: | Line 123: | ||
==Charts== |
==Charts== |
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{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
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|+Chart performance for ''Your Majesty'' |
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|- |
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! scope="col"| Chart (2002) |
! scope="col"| Chart (2002) |
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! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |
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|- |
|- |
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{{album chart|BillboardHeatseekers|17|M|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328072128/https://www.billboard.com/charts/heatseekers-albums/2002-02-09|title=Heatseekers Albums|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|artist=The Anniversary|rowheader=true| |
{{album chart|BillboardHeatseekers|17|M|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328072128/https://www.billboard.com/charts/heatseekers-albums/2002-02-09|title=Heatseekers Albums|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|artist=The Anniversary|rowheader=true|access-date=August 12, 2020}} |
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|- |
|- |
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{{album chart|BillboardIndependent|15|M|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402093208/http://www.billboard.com/charts/independent-albums/2002-02-09|title=Independent Albums|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|artist=The Anniversary|rowheader=true| |
{{album chart|BillboardIndependent|15|M|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402093208/http://www.billboard.com/charts/independent-albums/2002-02-09|title=Independent Albums|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|artist=The Anniversary|rowheader=true|access-date=August 12, 2020}} |
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|} |
|} |
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Line 148: | Line 138: | ||
'''Sources''' |
'''Sources''' |
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{{refbegin}} |
{{refbegin}} |
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* {{cite magazine|last=Keiper|first=Nicole|title=Golden Anniversary|magazine=CMJ New Music Monthly|date=March 2002|issue=100|publisher=CMJ Network, Inc.|issn=1074-6978|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8SkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA22}} |
* {{cite magazine|last=Keiper|first=Nicole|title=Golden Anniversary|magazine=[[CMJ New Music Monthly]]|date=March 2002|issue=100|publisher=CMJ Network, Inc.|issn=1074-6978|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8SkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA22}} |
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* {{cite magazine|last1=Kundrath|first1=Jason|title=Best New Music|journal=CMJ New Music Monthly|date=February 2002|issue=99|issn=1074-6978|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-SkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA49}} |
* {{cite magazine|last1=Kundrath|first1=Jason|title=Best New Music|journal=CMJ New Music Monthly|date=February 2002|issue=99|issn=1074-6978|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-SkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA49}} |
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* {{cite podcast|host=Mullen, Tom|title=#10 - Josh Berwanger (The Anniversary)|work=Washed Up Emo|publisher=Jabberjaw Media|date=April 2, 2012|via=Podcast Addict|url=https://podcastaddict.com/episode/https%3A%2F%2Fchrt.fm%2Ftrack%2FE9E79A%2Fcdn.simplecast.com%2Faudio%2F0cfc06b1-bda9-4698-966b-e05a057b92bf%2Fepisodes%2F1decc076-c4ef-40ef-b30d-53a1adcaff71%2Faudio%2F4017343e-05eb-4825-a6a6-5d4c1c68596d%2Fdefault_tc.mp3%3Faid%3Drss_feed%26feed%3DC90rSfzd&podcastId=3639653}}<!-- https://washedup.substack.com/p/10-josh-berwanger-the-anniversary-e1e --> |
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* {{cite magazine|last1=Niccum|first1=Jon|title=Second Anniversary|journal=Lawrence Journal-World|date=February 1, 2002|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9qcyAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA15}} |
* {{cite magazine|last1=Niccum|first1=Jon|title=Second Anniversary|journal=[[Lawrence Journal-World]]|date=February 1, 2002|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9qcyAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA15}} |
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* {{cite magazine|last1=Sciarretto|first1=Amy|title=Essential|journal=CMJ New Music Report|date=January 28, 2002|volume=70|issue=4|issn=0890-0795|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7kIclasPNB4C&pg=PA4}} |
* {{cite magazine|last1=Sciarretto|first1=Amy|title=Essential|journal=CMJ New Music Report|date=January 28, 2002|volume=70|issue=4|issn=0890-0795|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7kIclasPNB4C&pg=PA4}} |
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* {{cite magazine|last1=Smith|first1=Luke|title=Waxing European-Emo|journal=The Michigan Daily|date=January 15, 2002|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LBBKAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA4}} |
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{{refend}} |
{{refend}} |
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==External links== |
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<!-- This is a licensed stream for the album, which is allowed under Wikipedia polices --> |
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*[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mtf8k9RNiXAU8EJI8_dKvnJpYMJPcaKS4 ''Your Majesty''] at [[YouTube]] (streamed copy where licensed) |
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{{Authority control}} |
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[[Category:2002 albums]] |
[[Category:2002 albums]] |
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[[Category:The Anniversary albums]] |
[[Category:The Anniversary albums]] |
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[[Category:Vagrant Records albums]] |
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[[Category:Albums produced by Rob Schnapf]] |
Latest revision as of 04:33, 22 January 2024
Your Majesty | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | January 22, 2002 | |||
Recorded | June 2001 | |||
Studio | Sonora | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 46:46 | |||
Label | Vagrant | |||
Producer | Rob Schnapf | |||
The Anniversary chronology | ||||
|
Your Majesty is the second studio album by American rock band the Anniversary. It was released on January 22, 2002, through Vagrant Records. Following the release of their debut studio album, Designing a Nervous Breakdown in early 2000, the band started writing new material by that August. They later recorded the album in June 2001 at Sonora Recorders in Los Feliz, California, with producer Rob Schnapf.
Your Majesty is a garage rock, neo-psychedelia, pop rock and space rock record that includes slow tempos, guitar solos and a grand piano; comparisons were made to the works of the full-band iteration of Elliott Smith, the New Pornographers, and the Kinks, among others. Leading up to the release of it, the Anniversary completed two US tours. The album was promoted with supporting slots for Guided by Voices, Dashboard Confessional and Cheap Trick, and two headlining tours by the band.
Your Majesty received generally positive reviews from music critics, some of whom commented on the male–female vocals and Schnapf's production. In the US, the album charted on two Billboard component charts. It peaked at number 15 and 17 on the Independent Albums and Heatseekers Albums charts, respectively.
Background and production
[edit]The Anniversary released their debut studio album Designing a Nervous Breakdown in January 2000, through Heroes & Villains, an imprint of independent record label Vagrant Records that was owned by the Get Up Kids.[1][2] By August of that year, the Anniversary were working on new material, which vocalist and guitarist Josh Berwanger said was acoustic-based and included electric piano from vocalist and keyboardist Adrianne Pope.[3] The band went on the Heroes & Villains Fall Tour in September and October 2000, then took a two-week break before touring again until Christmas.[3][4] They spent the period after Christmas writing further material for their next album.[5] The Anniversary supported Hey Mercedes on their headlining US tour in February and March 2001.[6][7] A week prior to recording the album, the band worked on pre-production with Rob Schnapf at a practice space; they played him every track and after each performance, the Anniversary went over parts and song structures.[8]
Your Majesty was recorded in two and a half weeks at Sonora Recorders in Los Feliz, California, in June 2001.[8][9] The band members shared a two-bed hotel room near the studio, which led to claustrophobia and frequent brainstorming.[10] The band refrained from recording in their hometown of Lawrence, Kansas, because they felt the presence of their families and friends would be distracting for them.[11] Schnapf acted as producer for the album and recording was handled by Doug Boehm; the recording was assisted by Andrew Boston.[9] The Anniversary spent some downtime at Malibu Beach, where they wrote additional parts and a portion of lyrics.[11] Schnapf and Boehm mixed the recordings with assistance from Pete Magdaleno at King Sound Studios in Los Angeles, California. Don C. Tyler then mastered the recordings at Precision Mastering.[9]
Composition and lyrics
[edit]All of the music on Your Majesty is credited to the Anniversary; all of the lyrics are credited to Berwanger and Justin Roelofs.[9] The sound of Your Majesty has been described as garage rock, neo-psychedelia,[12] pop rock[13] and space rock;[14] it also includes influences from progressive rock.[15] While the album has been classified as emo,[13][16] several reviewers noted the band had moved away from that style.[14][17][18][19][20] Your Majesty is slower than Designing a Nervous Breakdown, with a straightforward rock sound, off-kilter vocal performances, and guitar solos.[14][21] Parts of it drew comparisons to the works of a full-band iteration of Elliott Smith and Rufus Wainwright, the New Pornographers, and English acts the Kinks and Mott the Hoople.[17][22][23] For the album, Pope switched from playing her Moog synthesizer to a grand piano and an organ.[10][21]
Your Majesty begins with the rock tracks "Sweet Marie" and "Crooked Crown"; the intro of the latter is similar to the works of Weezer. "Peace, Pain & Regret" retains the upbeat energy of Designing a Nervous Breakdown.[14] "Husam Husam" was compared to the music of Pink Floyd with its introduction, spacious keyboard parts and throaty backing vocals.[16] The indie rock track "The Sirens Sings" includes guitar riffs that are similar to those of Neil Young.[15][18] "Never Die Young" is an up-tempo pop song that most resembles the sound of Designing a Nervous Breakdown. "Tu-Whitt Tu-Whoo" is a love song that is followed by the folk-esque "The Ghost of the River".[14][16] "The Death of the King" is a near-six-minute song with an instrumental ending that segues into "Follow the Sun", which consists of two lines.[14][18] "The Death of the King" was written in a hotel bathroom at 1 A.M., with Berwanger and Roleofs playing guitars for the track in the dark.[10] Both tracks are progressive rock-indebted numbers; "The Death of the King" evokes the sound of Pink Floyd.[14][16]
Release and promotion
[edit]In July 2001, the Anniversary appeared on the Vagrant Across America tour.[24] On September 3 of that year, the track listing for Your Majesty was announced.[25] Later that month, it was announced Vagrant had postponed the album's release from October 2001 to January 2002 at the band's insistence.[26] In October and November 2001, the Anniversary went on a US tour with Superdrag and the Mars Volta.[27] Your Majesty was intended to come out to coincide with this tour, but was delayed several times; with each delay, tension within the band mounted.[8][28] Berwanger said the tour was "hell" for the band as they wanted to perform new material, but the audiences were not receptive to this idea.[29] Your Majesty was eventually released on January 22, 2002; its artwork resembles that of the Beatles' Revolver (1966).[16][23] The Anniversary played three shows with Guided by Voices in the following month, before supporting Dashboard Confessional on an eight-week tour in March and April 2002.[30] In October and November of that year, the band went on a headlining tour with Burning Brides and the Gadjits.[31] On November 19, 2002, Vagrant released a video compilation entitled Another Year on the Screen, which includes the music video for "Sweet Marie".[32]
On March 7, 2003, the Anniversary said they had left Vagrant Records.[33] In response, Vagrant's co-owner Rich Egan made a negative post on the record label's message board that was subsequently deleted. Egan followed the deletion up, saying the "relationship [with the band] had run its course". Berwanger said Vagrant and the Anniversary had "complete opposite ideas of what music should be", and that the record label admittedly had "no idea" how to market Your Majesty, to which Egan replied Vagrant should have had no difficulty promoting the album and that it out-sold Designing a Nervous Breakdown.[34] In March and April 2003, the band supported Cheap Trick on their US headlining tour.[33] In October and November of that year, they went on tour; the Natural History and the Vexers supported the first half, while the second was supported by Carrier and Apollo Sunshine.[35] In late November 2003, towards the end of the tour, the Anniversary broke up.[36]
Reception
[edit]Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 73/100[37] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [16] |
E! Online | B[38] |
No Ripcord | 4/10[39] |
Pitchfork | 2/10[13] |
Rolling Stone | [40] |
Your Majesty was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, the album received an average score of 73, based on 9 reviews.[37]
Chart Attack writer Steve Servos said: "[g]one are the emo labels and in their place the band show off an appreciation for the classic pop-influences-rock sound". He was not surprised to hear "the full band version" of Elliott Smith because the Anniversary were working with Schnapf, "with a little Rufus Wainwright thrown in for good measure".[17] CMJ New Music Report's Amy Sciarretto called the album an "ambitious, left-of-center" release with keyboard melodies that were used "in a different way" to the ones on Designing a Nervous Breakdown. She complimented Berwanger's and Pope's "absolutely lush vocal harmonies".[15] The staff of E! Online said Your Majesty moves from the "tight, catchy end of the pop spectrum to airy, dreamy tunes", opining that Berwanger's and Pope's vocals keep the album from sounding "too same-y", and that in spite of the influences, the band "retain[s] its own personality, with a laid-back style and pizzazz that keeps this party a pleasant one".[38]
AllMusic reviewer Heather Phares said the Anniversary expanded on "some of their artier tendencies and keeping the playful, hooky songwriting that made their debut so refreshing". Phares praised Schapf's "aptly lush" production work and said the band's "inherent, slightly awkward earnestness shines through at every turn".[16] Stephen Rauch of PopMatters said that while Your Majesty retains the male–female vocals and keyboard from Designing a Nervous Breakdown, it is "a very different album" and the tracks are "more straight-forward". According to Rauch, despite the loss of up-tempo material in favor of "slower, more deliberate songs", it is "still a very good album".[14] Rolling Stone writer Jenny Eliscu said Schnapf's and Boehm's work with Elliott Smith is apparent on Your Majesty, on which "a twinge of sadness turns even sunny tunes such as 'Never Die Young' slightly sour". Eliscu said the band "occasionally piles on a few too many layers of sounds" to some songs and that the lyrics often "sound like some drunken hippie-shaman shit".[40]
Andrew Sacher of BrooklynVegan wrote that the "hooks are just as sticky as the ones on their debut LP, the harmonies are gorgeous, and sometimes the band sounds even more comfortable making this kind of music" than they did with their past work.[20] Inlander's Mike Corrigan said Pope's "earnest, airy vocals are a nice compliment to the more affected delivery" of Berwanger and Roelofs on the album. He found the Anniversary to be lacking in "genuine passion and emotional depth", and said the album is "full of half-hearted performances, secondhand sentiments, mediocre writing and little, if any real soul".[18] Joachim Hiller of Ox-Fanzine said Schnapf's production brought out the best in other musicians but had failed to do so with the Anniversary. He mentioned the Promise Ring's Wood/Water (2002), calling Your Majesty "only third rate" by comparison, saying it is "not a really bad record, just a pretty boring one".[41] Pitchfork writer Brad Haywood said the music, "while pretending to be candy-coated pop-rock, shares all of emo's key indicators, including melodramatic vocal delivery, seamless production, and shameless overambition".[13]
Commercially, Your Majesty reached number 15 on the US Billboard Independent Albums chart,[42] and number 17 on the Heatseekers Albums chart.[43]
Track listing
[edit]All music by the Anniversary, all lyrics written by Justin Roelofs and Josh Berwanger. All songs produced by Rob Schnapf.[9]
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Sweet Marie" | 3:35 |
2. | "Crooked Crown" | 3:48 |
3. | "Peace, Pain & Regret" | 3:34 |
4. | "Husam Husam" | 6:45 |
5. | "The Siren Sings" | 4:36 |
6. | "Never Die Young" | 4:01 |
7. | "Tu-Whitt Tu-Whoo" | 2:29 |
8. | "The Ghost of the River" | 6:28 |
9. | "Devil on My Side" | 3:19 |
10. | "The Death of the King" | 5:56 |
11. | "Follow the Sun" | 2:28 |
Total length: | 46:56 |
Personnel
[edit]Personnel per sleeve.[9]
The Anniversary
Additional musicians
|
Production
|
Charts
[edit]Chart (2002) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[44] | 17 |
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[45] | 15 |
References
[edit]Citations
- ^ Phares, Heather. "Designing a Nervous Breakdown - The Anniversary | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on May 27, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
- ^ DePasquale, Ron. "The Anniversary | Biography & History". AllMusic. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ a b Bishop, Robert (August 31, 2000). "Happy Anniversary". The Pitch. Archived from the original on August 18, 2019. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
- ^ "Show Dates". The Anniversary. Archived from the original on October 1, 2000. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ "News (December 2000)". The Anniversary. Archived from the original on March 9, 2001. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ "Hey Mercedes News". Hey Mercedes. Archived from the original on March 31, 2001. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ "Show Dates". The Anniversary. Archived from the original on April 5, 2001. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ a b c Niccum 2002, p. 2D
- ^ a b c d e f Your Majesty (sleeve). The Anniversary. Vagrant/Heroes & Villains Records. 2002. VR359/HV0011.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ a b c Miller, Andrew (May 23, 2002). "Crown Affair". The Pitch. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- ^ a b Niccum 2002, p. 1D
- ^ Simon, Leslie (June 7, 2016). "Taste Of Tuesday: Getting the royal treatment with the Anniversary". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on June 27, 2016. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- ^ a b c d Haywood, Brad (September 12, 2002). "The Anniversary: Your Majesty Album Review". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on March 19, 2009. Retrieved August 2, 2002.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Rauch, Stephen (January 21, 2002). "The Anniversary: Your Majesty". PopMatters. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
- ^ a b c Sciarretto 2002, p. 4
- ^ a b c d e f g Phares, Heather. "Your Majesty - The Anniversary | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 27, 2017. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
- ^ a b c Servos, Steve (February 12, 2002). "CD Reviews: The Anniversary, Megadeth, Misstress Barbara and many more". Chart Attack. Archived from the original on December 6, 2005. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
- ^ a b c d Corrigan, Mike (April 25, 2002). "CD Review - The Anniversary". Inlander. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
- ^ Keiper 2002, p. 22
- ^ a b Sacher, Andrew (August 10, 2022). "35 Best Emo & Post-Hardcore Albums of 2002". BrooklynVegan. Archived from the original on August 10, 2022. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
- ^ a b Hirshfeld, Josh (June 2008). "Emo Revisted: The White Boy Blues". Perfect Sound Forever. Archived from the original on July 15, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ "Lost Classics: The Anniversary 'Your Majesty'". Magnet. February 11, 2009. Archived from the original on January 30, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
- ^ a b Kundrath 2002, p. 49
- ^ "across america.. or parts of it". The Anniversary. Archived from the original on June 19, 2001. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ Heisel, Scott (September 3, 2001). "The Anniversary's New CD's Track list released, tour announced". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on December 22, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ Heisel, Scott (September 24, 2001). "Vagrant Pushes back The Anniversary's new release". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ "Anniversary Fall U.S. Tour". The Anniversary. Archived from the original on January 29, 2002. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ Mullen 2012, event occurs at 22:39–51
- ^ Mullen 2012, event occurs at 23:02–12
- ^ Heisel, Scott (January 19, 2002). "Wouldn't it be funny if *your* anniversary was one of these dates? C'mon!". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on May 13, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ Heisel, Scott (October 11, 2002). "The Anniversary, Burning Brides, Gadjits to tour". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on January 21, 2015. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ White, Adam (October 25, 2002). "Another Year On The Screen". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ a b White, Adam (March 7, 2003). "The Anniversary Tour With Cheap Trick". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ Harkness, Geoff (April 10, 2003). "Vagrant Foul". The Pitch. Archived from the original on January 18, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
- ^ Heisel, Scott (October 18, 2003). "The Anniversary back on the road". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ Spacek, Nick (September 13, 2016). "The reunited Anniversary heads back to the Bottleneck". The Pitch. Archived from the original on August 18, 2019. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
- ^ a b "Your Majesty by The Anniversary". Metacritic. Archived from the original on September 14, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
- ^ a b "Music - The Anniversary 'Your Majesty'". E! Online. Archived from the original on December 27, 2002. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
- ^ Coleman, David (June 13, 2002). "Album Review - The Anniversary - "Your Majesty"". No Ripcord. Archived from the original on April 27, 2005. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
- ^ a b Eliscu, Jenny (March 28, 2002). "Recordings: The Anniversary, Your Majesty, 3 Stars". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 20, 2003. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
- ^ Hiller, Joachim (March–May 2002). "Reviews: Anniversary, The / Your Majesty CD". Ox-Fanzine (in German). Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
- ^ "Independent Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 2, 2017. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
- ^ "Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 28, 2018. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
- ^ "Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
- ^ "Independent Albums". Billboard. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
Sources
- Keiper, Nicole (March 2002). "Golden Anniversary". CMJ New Music Monthly. No. 100. CMJ Network, Inc. ISSN 1074-6978.
- Kundrath, Jason (February 2002). "Best New Music". CMJ New Music Monthly. No. 99. ISSN 1074-6978.
- Mullen, Tom (April 2, 2012). "#10 - Josh Berwanger (The Anniversary)". Washed Up Emo (Podcast). Jabberjaw Media – via Podcast Addict.
- Niccum, Jon (February 1, 2002). "Second Anniversary". Lawrence Journal-World.
- Sciarretto, Amy (January 28, 2002). "Essential". CMJ New Music Report. Vol. 70, no. 4. ISSN 0890-0795.
External links
[edit]- Your Majesty at YouTube (streamed copy where licensed)