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I-Empire

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For the film see I-Empire (film).
Untitled

I-Empire is the second studio album by Alternative Rock band Angels & Airwaves. It was officially released world wide for the first time on November 1, 2007 from the Angels & Airwaves website, where it was available for download. Then it was released on CD on November 5 in the UK and November 6 in the USA and Canada.

Production

Angels & Airwaves started work on I-Empire in the beginning of 2007. It was the first album ever recorded at Jupiter Sound (Macbeth's studio).

On May 20, 2007, in an interview with Alternative Radio, the band said that the album was 60-70% complete and that the record would be out in October or November 2007. Front man Tom DeLonge also stated that the album would continue the element of the first album, but "times ten," and that in a story, I-Empire would follow We Don't Need to Whisper; We Don't Need to Whisper being a 're-birth' of life, and I-Empire being an album about what you do after the re-birth.

On May 30, 2007, Tom DeLonge stated in an interview with Kerrang![1] that the new album would be named I-Empire and "this is as exciting as rock 'n' roll gets!"

On July 29, 2007, as a part of the 'Everybody Hurts' Tour, Angels & Airwaves played 4 new songs from I-Empire for their fans. The songs played were "Secret Crowds", "Sirens", "Lifeline", and "Everything's Magic", along with live acoustic performances of "Everything's Magic", "The Gift", "Good Day", "Do It For Me Now", and "The Adventure". These songs were all recorded and leaked onto the internet, giving fans their first glimpse of I-Empire, along with the acoustic set.

On November 16th, 2007, Tom has announced on Modlife.com that "Breathe" will be the next video released. It is still unknown whether it will be a music video, or another short film.

On the latest podcast from the band on Modlife.com, Tom said that Breathe wouldn't be the next single after all - the label wants to pick Secret Crowds but he is pondering over Call To Arms, after receiving lots of positive feedback and decent digital sales. The song Call To Arms, according to DeLonge, was originally supposed to be called My Only Fear, but was changed due to it being leaked on the internet.

Delay of release

The album was delayed multiple times before its official release. DeLonge originally stated I-Empire would be released on October 16, 2007. Then, DeLonge delayed the release another week, making the date October 23. Later, a message on AVA's MySpace said it would be released on November 6. Soon after, AVA announced it would be available on their official website November 1st, 2007.

According to Billboard.com, I-Empire debuted at number 9 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, with about 66,000 copies sold in its first week.[2] In comparison, We Don't Need to Whisper debuted at #4 with sales of 127,000. I-Empire went on to sell only a further 20,000 copies in its second week. As of January 12, 2008 the album has sold 150,982 copies [3].

Promotion and advertising

In October 2007 a bulletin from Angels & Airwaves was posted on Myspace advertising a pre-order pack with the album and other items. The pack includes the album I-Empire, a special edition AVA/Macbeth Studios T-shirt, AVA stickers and a 15% off voucher for future purchases. Commercials and adverts have been transmitted on both the internet and TV worldwide since the release date. The 15% off voucher is sent via email.

Leak

On October 24th, 2007, I-Empire was fully leaked onto the internet, 7 days before its worldwide release. That same day Tom DeLonge posted his response to the leak on the Angels & Airwaves Myspace[4].

Track List

  1. "Call to Arms"- 5:05
  2. "Everything's Magic"- 3:51
  3. "Breathe"- 5:33
  4. "Love Like Rockets"- 4:50
  5. "Sirens"- 4:19
  6. "Secret Crowds"- 5:02
  7. "Star of Bethlehem"- 2:07
  8. "True Love"- 6:08
  9. "Lifeline"- 4:15
  10. "Jumping Rooftops"- 0:45
  11. "Rite of Spring"- 4:22
  12. "Heaven"- 6:38

Bonus tracks

  • "It Hurts" (Live from Del Mar) (UK and Indie Exclusive Bonus Track) - 4:21
  • "The Adventure" (Live from Del Mar) (Indie Exclusive Bonus Track) - 5:18
  • "The Gift" (Acoustic) (iTunes Bonus Track - 3:48
  • "The Adventure" (Acoustic) (Target Bonus Track) - 3:18
  • "Good Day" (Acoustic) (Target Bonus Track) - 2:46
  • "Everything's Magic" (Acoustic) (Best Buy Bonus Track) - 3:04
  • "Do It for Me Now" (Acoustic) (Best Buy Bonus Track) - 3:46

Personnel

Other contributors

Trivia

  • In the I-Empire album booklet, Matt Wachter is incorrectly labeled as "Matt Watcher"
  • The song "Heaven" was used on Network Ten for its news program Sports Tonight.
  • "Call To Arms" was used on some FOX NFL Sunday highlight clips.
  • Even though the album uses the same amount of profanities as the first, it was released without a parental advisory label, except in Australia.
  • At the start and finish of the song "Heaven", extracts of songs in their first album, We Don't Need To Whisper, can be heard. Extracts from which include Valkyrie Missile, The Adventure and Start the Machine.
  • Two of the Songs; 'Lifeline' and 'Everything's Magic' are on the Soundtrack of the german Movie 'Keinohrhasen' ('Noearrabbit'), directed by Til Schweiger.
  • "Secret Crowds" was used on FOX for an NFL Playoff game.

Demos and Working Titles

  • The Rising - Secret Crowds
  • Fed Ex - My Only Fear - Call To Arms
  • Star Of Bethlehem - True Love (True Love and Star of Bethlehem were originally one song)
  • The Love Song - Breathe
  • Cosmonaut - Love Like Rockets
  • Tremble - Lifeline
  • Life As A Kid - Rite of Spring

References

  1. ^ alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a> "Interview with Kerrang!". {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  2. ^ Katie Hasty, "Jay-Z Leapfrogs Eagles, Britney For No. 1 Debut", Billboard.com, November 14, 2007.
  3. ^ [1], Billboard 200
  4. ^ Official MySpace
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