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Overcome (Alexandra Burke album)

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Untitled

Overcome is the debut album by British R&B singer Alexandra Burke. The album is Burke's first release since winning British television talent show, The X Factor.[11] The album was released on 19 October 2009, and was preceded by the single "Bad Boys". The limited edition 2-disc version of the album features some of Burke's X Factor performances.[12] The second single from the album (third overall), "Broken Heels", was released on 11 January 2010.

Background

In December 2008, Burke won the fifth series of the British reality singing competition, The X Factor, having previously entered in 2005.[13] The singer received 58% of the final public vote.[11] Burke's prize was a £1 million recording contract with Syco Records, a subsidiary of Sony BMG, including a £150,000 advance payment.[13] Burke's debut single, a cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" was released as the show's "winner's single". Upon winning the show, Burke remarked: "Thank you so much for making my dream come true. I'm the happiest girl alive."[13]

Burke's album was originally scheduled for a March 2009 release in time for Mother's Day.[14] However, following the success of fellow X Factor contestant, Leona Lewis, the album was pushed back for an autumn release.[14]

On 13 February 2009 it was reported that Burke had signed a £3.5 million, five-album United States record deal with Epic Records.[15] After visiting Burke in the studio, Beyoncé Knowles spoke of possibly recording a duet with her.[16]

Recording and production

"The album is very 'me'. It's very much my personality. It's deep. When I went into the studio every day, I would bring my diary - I have kept one since I was nine [...] Anything I'd done six months ago or maybe what I'd been through the day before, I would read out and we'd write from there. So the songs are very deep and true to me and what I believe in. I only ever sing songs I believe in. It's a mix between up-tempo stuff and ballads. Because I'm quite 'in your face' and loud, the upbeat songs are like that. When I sang the ballads, I cried recording them. The songs are very emotional for me and I'm hoping people can relate to them."[17]

Alexandra Burke

Producers Pharrell Williams and Akon were reportedly asked to produce for the album according to MTV.[18] Meanwhile, British tabloid The Daily Mail reported that Burke had worked with producers Stargate, Ne-Yo, and RedOne.[19] Burke's website confirmed that RedOne had produced a selection of songs for Burke to work on, including a song titled "Broken Heels", which was the first song recorded for Overcome.[20] Whilst in the states she also worked with Louis Biancaniello, Sam Watters, Jim Jonsin, Rico Love, Roc Nation and Stargate.[20] New production team "ELEMENT" announced on their website that they had produced two songs for Burke, including one track which made the final cut for Overcome, titled "Bury Me (6 Feet Under)". Another song, "Dangerous", was released as the B-side for "Bad Boys".[21]

Aside from working with American producers, Burke also collaborated with British singer-songwriter Taio Cruz who commented that "Burke's vocals are sounding amazing".[22] She has also recorded tracks with British dance duo The Freemasons.[23] British singer Pixie Lott also revealed that she had submitted several songs for Burke's album and confirmed that one called "You Broke My Heart" will appear on the album.[24]

According to the Daily Mail, Burke has said that she decided choose pop music for the record because "everyone expected her to do the opposite." She has said of the decision: "My voice will give it soul but the music is pop."[25]

Writing on her official website, Burke has said of the album:[26]

"I said to my manager I want my music to be fun, to be uplifting and to be bold. I want it to reflect my personality. I want it to be in your face, I want it to be a beast. I want it to be energetic and fun. When I record the ballads I want to cry. And if I go through a rollercoaster recording this album then I want the listener to go through a rollercoaster when they hear it."


Burke has revealed that she is making changes to the album for a US release. Burke has said will still use the same music videos in the United States. The singer quoted that "I'd love for America to go well next year. I'm working on an American version of Overcome," she told the Daily Star. I'm writing a few things for it. Ideally I just want to lay down some ideas, present it to the label and then see what happens. I don't think we're going to change it that much for the American market as the videos will definitely stay the same. That's the reason I wanted them ("Bad Boys" and "Broken Heels") shot in LA. It's cheaper and wiser to make one video and make it work for both markets."[27]

RedOne will also be producing songs for the US release[28]:

When we [RedOne and Alexandra] were in the studio together the other day, he was like, 'OK, do your ad libs for the beginning of the track', so I went, 'OK! I'm going to say your name and then I'm going to say mine. I've done that already and I'm going to do it again'. I don't do it on all our tracks though - 'Dumb' doesn't have it and 'The Silence' doesn't have it - but I think that when it's a fun song, the shout-out suits it. This song we were working on the other day is fun and lively, so it just felt right.""Well, we did manage to finish it the other day and it's an uptempo song.

Theft of production demos

On 11 and 12 July 2009 two previously unheard songs surfaced on the internet believed to be produced by The Stereotypes and The Runaways. The songs were titled "Overcome" and "Perfect". Cowell confirmed that the songs were early demo tracks stolen by hackers. A criminal investigation was launched into the incident in support with the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.[29]

Critical reception

The album has received mainly positive reviews. Giving the album four out of five stars, Alex Hardy of The Times stated "last year’s X Factor winner belts out a few impeccably voiced big ballads, but they’re merely fillers among sci-fi disco tracks and bassy, beaty collaborations that often more closely resemble Christina Aguilera or Lady Gaga."[8] Alexis Petridis of The Guardian said that "Broken Heels" is a "spectacularly polished product." His review also praised the album's ballads saying "[t]he ballads are seldom the highlight of any pop-soul album, but at least here they come equipped with booming post-Umbrella beats to distract you from the river of lyrical drivel – you lift me up, been hurt so many times before, some things are worth fighting for, and so on."[6] Petridis gave the album three out of five stars, noting that "'Bury Me' and 'You Broke My Heart' are Motown pastiches that seem a little too craven and obvious in their pursuit of the Duffy market."[6] Another reviewer for The Guardian drew comparisons with Barbadian singer Rihanna, whilst calling the album "cast-iron edifice of a debut" and saying it has a "crack team of producers."[30] Al Fox of the BBC said that the album is "relevant, it’s contemporary, it’s edgy enough for younger fans but accessible enough for a wider audience", calling it "swathed in personality."[2]

Simon Price of The Independent gave Overcome a slightly negative review, calling lead single "Bad Boys" "a pale imitation of Britney [Spears]'s 'Womanizer'" and "Good Night Good Morning" "Primark R&B."[4] The album was given a score of two out of five in a review by Virgin Media's Ian Gittins. Gittins stated "Overcome lacks the one thing even Cowell’s millions can’t inject it with: soul."[9]

Chart performance

After its first day of release, Overcome had a 20,000 copies sales lead over Michael Bublé's album Crazy Love in the United Kingdom.[31] The album entered the Irish Albums Chart at number two, behind Crazy Love.[32] The album entered the UK Albums Chart at number-one on 25 October 2009.[33] Overcome opened on American magazine Billboard's Eurochart Hot 100 Albums at number seven.[34] The album fell to number five on its second week on the UK Albums Chart.[35]

Singles

  • "Hallelujah", a cover of Leonard Cohen's song, was Burke's debut release as The X Factor winner's single.[13] The song, which reached the UK Singles Chart Christmas number-one,[36] broke numerous records including the "fastest-selling download ever across Europe" after selling 105,000 digital copies after just two days of release,[37] and 576,000 copies in its first sales week.[36][11] The song remained at number-one for three weeks,[15] and was certified Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry.[38] "Hallelujah" went on to sell over one million copies in the UK alone,[39] and was 2008's biggest selling single in the United Kingdom,[40] despite having only been on sale for two weeks. The song is notable for fuelling a campaign for singer Jeff Buckley's version of the song to become number-one instead of Burke's version.[41] Buckley's rendition eventually reached the UK's Christmas number-two, making it the first time the same song had occupied both the first and second spots on the singles chart.[36] Burke's version of the song is the seventh best-selling download of all time in the UK.[42]
  • "Bad Boys" is the lead single from Overcome, and the second single overall. Described as "21st century techno future-pop" by Burke's website,[20] it features American rapper Flo Rida. In one of the song's earliest reviews, music website Popjustice called the song "literally amazing."[43] Bill Lamb of About.com has said of the single: "big international success seems a real possibility."[44] "Bad Boys" debuted at number-one on the UK Singles chart, becoming Burke's second consecutive chart-topper,[45] selling over 187,000 copies to become the fastest selling single of 2009 in the UK,[46][47] beaten the following week by Cheryl Cole's "Fight for This Love".
  • "Broken Heels" is third single from Overcome,[48] to be released on 18 January 2010. It has so far peaked at 10 on UK Singles Chart. Making it Burke's third top 10 in the UK.[49]
  • Other Notable songs:

Two songs from the album entered the UK Singles Chart following its release, "The Silence" (number 95) and "All Night Long" (number 98),[49]

Promotion

"Bad Boys", the first official single from Overcome, premiered on BBC Radio 1's The Chris Moyles Show on 25 August 2009.[50] Burke has made several TV appearances to promote the single. She recently performed the song on the first live finals of The X Factor's sixth series on 11 October 2009. Burke will also perform "Bad Boys" on GMTV on the 13th October and MTV London on the 15th October.[51] Burke helped to launch UK music channel Viva, performing "Bad Boys", "They Don't Know" and "Hallelujah" live for the broadcast.[52] Burke also played a small set including "Bad Boys" and "Hallelujah" at the BBC Switch Live alongside American group the Black Eyed Peas.[53]

Burke will start her European Promo Tour in Belgium on 18th January.[citation needed]

Track listing

Information taken from Overcome liner notes.[54]

Standard edition[55][56]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Bad Boys" (featuring Flo Rida)Melvin K. Watson Jr., Larry Summerville Jr., Busbee, Lauren Evans, Alexander James, Tramar DillardThe Phantom Boyz3:26
2."Good Night Good Morning" (featuring Ne-Yo)Shaffer Smith, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik HermansenStarGate, Ne-Yo*3:37
3."The Silence"Nadir Khyatt, Bilal Hajji, Savan KotechaRedOne4:01
4."All Night Long"Rico Love, James Scheffer, Samuel Watters, Louis BiancanielloLouis Biancaniello, Sam Watters, Jim Jonsin, Rico Love4:23
5."Bury Me (6 Feet Under)"Hitesh Ceon, Kim Ofstad, Andrea Martin, HermansenELEMENT3:33
6."Broken Heels"Khyatt, Hajji, KotechaRedOne4:09
7."Dumb"Khyatt, Hajji, Kotecha, Martin KierszenbaumRedOne3:22
8."Overcome"Watters, Biancaniello, Andre MerrittLouis Biancaniello, Sam Watters3:53
9."Gotta Go"Aeon Manahan, Herbie Crichlow, Kotecha, Wayne WilkinsWayne Wilkins, Step*4:00
10."You Broke My Heart"Steve Booker, Niara Scarlett, Victoria LottSteve Booker3:37
11."Nothing But the Girl"Smith, Eriksen, Hermansen, Will Kennard, Saul MiltonStarGate, Ne-Yo*, Chase & Status*3:37
12."They Don't Know"Brian Kennedy Seals, James Fauntleroy IIBrian Kennedy3.13
13."Hallelujah" (EU bonus track[55][56])Leonard CohenQuiz & Larossi3:37
2CD Deluxe version second disc
No.TitleWriter(s)Original artistLength
1."Listen" (live on The X Factor)Henry Krieger, Scott Cutler, Anne Preven, Beyoncé KnowlesBeyoncé Knowles2:23
2."Toxic" (live on The X Factor)Christian Karlsson, Pontus Winnberg, Cathy Dennis, Henrik JonbackBritney Spears1:57
3."You Are So Beautiful" (live on The X Factor)Billy Preston, Bruce FisherJoe Cocker2:01
4."Relight My Fire" (live on The X Factor)Dan HartmanDan Hartman2:34
5."Un-Break My Heart" (live on The X Factor)Diane WarrenToni Braxton2:06
iTunes UK bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
14."It's Over"Smith, Eriksen, HermansenStargate3:53

(*) signifies co-producer


Charts and sales

Chart procession and succession

Preceded by UK Albums Chart number-one album
25 October 2009 - 1 November 2009 		Succeeded by

Release history

Region Release date Format Label
Ireland 16 October 2009 CD, digital download Syco Music
United Kingdom[56] 19 October 2009
Hong Kong[57] 27 October 2009 CD
Germany[58] 19 February 2010 CD, digital download
Belgium[59] 22 February 2010
Italy[60]
Spain[61]


References

  1. ^ Chisling, Matthew. "Overcome > Overview". Allmusic. Macrovision. Retrieved 2009-11-08.
  2. ^ a b Fox, Al (2009-11-02). "Alexandra Burke Overcome Review". British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2009-11-02.
  3. ^ Levine, Nick. "Alexandra Burke: 'Overcome'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2009-10-21.
  4. ^ a b Price, Simon (2009-10-18). "Album: Alexandra Burke, Overcome (Syco/Sony)". The Independent. Retrieved 2009-10-19.
  5. ^ Hunter-Tilney, Ludovic (2009-10-24). "Alexandra Burke: Overcome". Financial Times. Retrieved 2009-10-25.
  6. ^ a b c Petridis, Alexis (2009-10-15). "Alexandra Burke: Overcome". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved 2009-10-19.
  7. ^ Guerin, Harry. "Alexandra Burke - Overcome". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. Retrieved 2009-10-19.
  8. ^ a b Hardy, Alex (2009-10-17). "Alexandra Burke: Overcome". The Times. Times Newspapers Ltd. Retrieved 2009-10-19.
  9. ^ a b Gittins, Ian. "Alexandra Burke: Overcome review". Virgin Media. Retrieved 2009-10-19.
  10. ^ Howard, Tom (2009-10-23). "Alexandra Burke - Overcome". Yahoo! Music UK. Yahoo! Inc. Retrieved 2009-10-24.
  11. ^ a b c O'Brien, Jon. "Alexandra Burke > Biography". Allmusic. Macrovision. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
  12. ^ "Overcome (2CD Limited Edition)". Play.com. Retrieved 2009-10-25.
  13. ^ a b c d Henry, Robin (2008-12-14). "Three years after failure, Alexandra Burke wins X Factor". The Times. Times Newspapers Ltd. Retrieved 2009-10-24.
  14. ^ a b "Alexandra Burke album delayed". Metro. Associated Newspapers. 2009-01-16. Retrieved 2009-10-24.
  15. ^ a b Moore, Matthew (2009-02-13). "Alexandra Burke signs £3m US record deal". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group Limited. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
  16. ^ Martin, Lara (2009-04-13). "Burke, Beyoncé planning to collaborate?". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
  17. ^ Dingwall, John (2009-10-05). "X Factor winner Alexandra Burke: I used my diary to inspire songs for first album". Scottish Daily Record. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
  18. ^ "Akon To Produce Alexandra". MTV. 2009-03-17. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
  19. ^ "The Daily Mail Reporter" (2009-09-15). "She's got the Sex Factor! Alexandra Burke turns heads at the GQ Awards in a daring sheer dress". The Daily Mail. Associated Newspapers. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
  20. ^ a b c "Biography". AlexandraBurkeOfficial.com. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
  21. ^ "ELEMENT". ElementMusicWorld.com. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
  22. ^ Levine, Nick (2009-07-21). "Taio Cruz discusses new Burke, JLS songs". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
  23. ^ "Videos". AlexandraBurkeOfficial.com. 2009-01-09. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
  24. ^ Martin, Gavin (2009-09-11). "Teen superstar Pixie Lott prepares to release her debut album". The Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
  25. ^ Wilson, Benji (09-10-2009). "'I call myself The Beast': Alexandra Burke prepares to unleash her wild side with her debut album". Daily Mail. Associated Newspapers. Retrieved 10-10-2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  26. ^ "Music - Overcome". AlexandraBurkeOfficial.com. Retrieved 2009-10-18.
  27. ^ http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a192010/burke-to-change-album-for-us-release.html
  28. ^ http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/interviews/a196983/alexandra-burke.html
  29. ^ Nissim, Mayer (2009-07-14). "Music - News - Label 'upset by Burke demo leaks'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
  30. ^ Montgomery, Hugh (2009-10-23). "Alexandra Burke: Overcome". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved 2009-10-25.
  31. ^ Williams, Paul (2009-10-20). "Burke album Overcoming opposition". Music Week. United Business Media. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
  32. ^ a b Kilkelly, Daniel (2009-10-23). "Bublé beats Burke on Irish albums chart". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2009-10-23.
  33. ^ a b Ormsby, Avril; Pomeroy, Robin (2009-10-25). "Girls Aloud's Cheryl Cole is a knockout in singles charts". Reuters (Thompson Reuters). Retrieved 2009-10-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  34. ^ a b Sexton Paul (2009-10-29). "Rammstein Rocks To European Chart Peak". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  35. ^ Holden, Michael; Boyle, Jon (2009-11-01). "Cheryl Cole scores rare chart double". Reuters (Thompson Reuters). Retrieved 2009-11-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  36. ^ a b c Sexton, Paul (2008-12-22). "Alexandra Burke Is 'X Factor' On U.K. Charts". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
  37. ^ Holmwood, Leigh (2008-12-15). "Alexandra Burke's X Factor single Hallelujah is fastest-selling download". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
  38. ^ a b "Certified Awards Search". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 2009-10-03.
  39. ^ "Alexandra Burke's 'Hallelujah' joins 'million-selling' singles list". NME. IPC Media. 2009-01-09. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
  40. ^ Levine, Nick (2008-12-29). "Burke's 'Hallelujah' is top single of 2008". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
  41. ^ Leitch, Luke (2008-12-18). "The fight for a Hallelujah Christmas victory". The Times. Times Newspapers Ltd. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
  42. ^ Paine, Andre (2009-09-07). "Lady Gaga Tops U.K. All-Time Downloads Chart". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  43. ^ "Bloody Hell the Alexandra Burke Single is Phenomenal". Popjustice. 2009-08-24. Retrieved 2009-08-24.
  44. ^ Lamb, Bill (2009-08-25). "Alexandra Burke Aims for International Success on "Bad Boys"". About.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2009-10-06. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  45. ^ Griffiths, Peter; Fullerton, Elizabeth (2009-10-18). "Alexandra Burke beats Robbie Williams to top charts". Reuters (Thompson Reuters). Retrieved 2009-10-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  46. ^ "Burke beats Williams to top chart". BBC News. Retrieved 2009-10-18.
  47. ^ Sexton, Paul (2009-10-19). "Editors, Alexandra Burke Top U.K. Charts". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-10-19.
  48. ^ http://www.alexandraburkeofficial.com/newsdiary/post/diary_blog_-_17th_november_2009/
  49. ^ a b c "Chart Stats - Alexandra Burke". Chart Stats. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  50. ^ Lyons, Beverly (2009-08-26). "Alexandra Burke: Beyonce has proved a big inspiration to me". Scottish Daily Record. Retrieved 2009-10-24.
  51. ^ "X Factor Performance and Interview!". AlexandraBurkeOfficial.com. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
  52. ^ "Viva Set To Launch". MTV. Retrieved 2009-10-30.
  53. ^ "Peas headline BBC underage gig". BBC News.British Broadcasting Corporation. 2009-11-09. Retrieved 2009-11-09.
  54. ^ Overcome (Media notes). Syco Music. 2009. {{cite AV media notes}}: |format= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |bandname= ignored (help)
  55. ^ a b "Overcome". Play.com. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
  56. ^ a b c "Alexandra Burke – Overcome". HMV. Retrieved 2009-10-. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Text "06" ignored (help)
  57. ^ "Alexandra Burke - Overcome". HMV. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
  58. ^ Alexandra Burke: Overcome on Amazon.de
  59. ^ http://www.alexandraburkeofficial.com/gb/events/event/european_promotional_tour/
  60. ^ http://www.alexandraburkeofficial.com/gb/events/event/european_promotional_tour/
  61. ^ http://www.alexandraburkeofficial.com/gb/events/event/european_promotional_tour/
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