Slow Attack

Slow Attack is the third solo album by the English singer Brett Anderson.

Slow Attack
Studio album by
Brett Anderson
Released2 November 2009
GenreIndie rock
Length44:40
LabelBA Songs
ProducerBrett Anderson
Leo Abrahams
Brett Anderson chronology
Wilderness
(2008)		 Slow Attack
(2009)		 Black Rainbows
(2011)
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?5.7/10[1]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
The Independent[3]
Mojo[4]
NME7/10[5]
Pitchfork7.0/10[6]
PopMatters4/10[7]
The Sunday Times[8]
The Times[9]
Virgin Media[10]

Background

Produced by Anderson with new writing partner Leo Abrahams, it follows 2008's Wilderness. Anderson said: "It was conceived and created in the bleak London winter. It's when I feel most creative, as I often feel inspired to drown in music to escape the city's icy embrace."[11] The album is described as being influenced by film soundtracks and the work of Talk Talk singer Mark Hollis, and features a great deal of woodwind instrumentation.[12]

On his new release, Anderson said: "It's a new chapter for me. I finally feel like I'm starting to establish my own identity as a solo artist."[13] Anderson has said that his new year tour will be devoid of any Suede songs. His live shows up until now have always included early songs and B-sides, however Anderson feels it is time to move on. Speaking to The Herald he says: "This is my third solo album and I think it’s time to move away from that... I still love those songs, they mean a lot to me, but I need some space from them."[14] Anderson wrote the album between January and May 2009, during which time he had written more than thirty songs.[14] The sleeve was designed by Brett Anderson and photographer Paul Khera.

Reception

The album was more warmly received than his previous album. However, it still garnered a mixed reaction from critics. Metacritic do not have an aggregate score for this album, though competitor site AnyDecentMusic? rated the album 5.7/10 based on nine reviews.[1] Andy Gill of The Independent, who was a harsh critic of Wilderness said: "this is by far his best solo effort, the collaboration with producer/arranger Leo Abrahams prompting Anderson's most interesting output since his alliance with Bernard Butler."[3]

Joshua Klein of Pitchfork rated the album 7.0 out of 10 and commented positively on Anderson's departure from Suede manifestations in his music. He wrote: "But if his first two solo albums came across self-conscious refutations of his roots, Anderson was at least brave enough to stick to his guns. Slow Attack doesn't always make sense in the context of Suede, but as far as solo Anderson goes, this album marks a logical next step in his transformation. Slow and steady, it's a promising sign of progress."[6]

Track listing

All songs written by Brett Anderson and Leo Abrahams, except where noted.

  1. "Hymn" – 3:36
  2. "Wheatfields" (Anderson) – 4:06
  3. "The Hunted" – 4:01
  4. "Frozen Roads" – 4:34
  5. "Summer" – 3:24
  6. "Pretty Widows" – 4:06
  7. "The Swans" – 4:39
  8. "Ashes of Us" – 4:41
  9. "Scarecrows and Lilacs" – 4:29
  10. "Julian's Eyes" – 3:46
  11. "Leave Me Sleeping" (Anderson) – 3:18

iTunes Edition

12. "Forest Lullaby"

Japanese Edition

12. "With You, Within You"

Japanese Bonus CD ROM

1. "Frozen Roads"
2. "Ashes of Us"
3. "When Doves Cry" (Prince)
4. "Leave Me Sleeping"
5. "The Hunted" (Video)

References
  1. "Brett Anderson - Slow Attack". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  2. Erlwine, Stephen Thomas. "Brett Anderson - Slow Attack". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  3. Gill, Andy (6 November 2009). "Album: Brett Anderson, Slow Attack (BA Songs)". The Independent.
  4. Eccleston, Danny (March 2016). "A Little Night Music". Mojo (268): 41.
  5. Robinson, Martin (31 October 2009). "Brett Anderson: Slow Attack". NME: 37.
  6. Klein, Joshua (4 January 2010). "Brett Anderson - Slow Attack". Pitchfork. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  7. Cooke, Jennifer (7 December 2009). "Brett Anderson: Slow Attack". PopMatters. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  8. Edwards, Mark (8 November 2009). "Brett Anderson: Slow Attack". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  9. Clay, Joe (31 October 2009). "Brett Anderson: Slow Attack". The Times. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  10. Gittins, Ian. "Britpop A-lister takes the road less travelled". Virgin Media.
  11. "Anderson on the attack". Planet Sound.
  12. "Brett Anderson Solo Album Details". Xfm. 7 October 2009.
  13. Nissim, Mayer (10 November 2009). "Brett Anderson: 'Album is a new chapter'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  14. Thomson, Graeme (3 November 2009). "Finding beauty in haunting lines of melancholy music". The Herald.
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