Oh, What a Life (album)
| Oh, What a Life | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | March 3, 2014 | |||
| Recorded | 2011–13 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 37:03 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer |
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| American Authors chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Oh, What a Life | ||||
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Oh, What a Life is the debut studio album by American indie rock band American Authors. The album was released by Island Def Jam label Mercury Records on March 3, 2014. The album serves as a replacement to the band's eponymous 2013 extended play, American Authors.
Background[edit]
American Authors first formed in 2006 in Boston, Massachusetts as The Blue Pages. The members of the band first met at the Berklee College of Music.[2] The Blue Pages, after relocating to New York City, New York, recorded and independently released two extended plays, Anthropology in February 2011,[3] and Rich With Love in January 2012,[4] as name-your-price albums on online music store Bandcamp.
In 2012, The Blue Pages changed their name to American Authors. Their debut single, "Believer," garnered attention through alternative rock radio.[5] In January 2013, the band were signed to Mercury Records.[6]
Reception[edit]
Critical[edit]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [7] |
Soundtrack appearances[edit]
- "Best Day of My Life" was featured in a Lowe's television advertisement in the United States, a Hyundai television advertisement in the United Kingdom, a Telecom New Zealand advertisement,[8] a trailer for the film Delivery Man, an MLB Fan Cave commercial and is the title music of Sky Sports News' My Special Day feature. It is also featured in the movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Konami video game Pro Evolution Soccer 2015 and the opening sequence for ESPN's 2013 World Series of Poker coverage.
- "Hit It" is featured on EA Sports game, FIFA 14.[9]
- "Home" was featured in a movie trailer for the movie This Is Where I Leave You and in a video honoring troops and their families.[10]
- "Oh, What a Life" was featured in the opening montage of the 2014 ESPY Awards.
Track listing[edit]
All songs written by Zac Barnett, James Shelley, Dave Rublin, Matthew Sanchez, Shep Goodman, and Aaron Accetta, except where noted. All tracks produced by Goodman and Accetta.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Believer" | 3:03 | |
| 2. | "Think About It" | 3:04 | |
| 3. | "Best Day of My Life" | 3:14 | |
| 4. | "Luck" | 3:40 | |
| 5. | "Trouble" | 3:15 | |
| 6. | "Hit It" | 3:27 | |
| 7. | "Home" | 4:09 | |
| 8. | "Love" | 3:18 | |
| 9. | "Heart of Stone" | 3:07 | |
| 10. | "Ghost" | 2:55 | |
| 11. | "Oh, What a Life" |
| 3:41 |
| Total length: | 37:03 | ||
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 12. | "Best Day of My Life" (acoustic) | 3:15 |
| Total length: | 40:18 | |
Personnel[edit]
American Authors
- Zac Barnett – lead and background vocals, guitar, additional production
- James Adam Shelley – guitar, banjo, mandolin, background vocals, additional production
- Dave Rublin – bass guitar, background vocals, additional production
- Matt Sanchez – drums, percussion, background vocals, additional production
Additional personnel
- Aaron Accetta – production, background vocals (all tracks); mixing (1, 3), engineering (1–7, 11)
- Shep Goodman – production, background vocals (all tracks); mixing (1, 3), engineering (1–7, 11)
- Mark Needham – mixing (2, 4–11)
- Chris Gehringer – mastering
- Joe Costable – engineering (8–10), engineering assistance (2, 4–7, 11)
- JC Santalis – engineering assistance (2, 5, 8–11)
- Jay Fallon – engineering assistance (2, 5, 8–11)
- Will Brierre – mixing assistance (2, 4–11)
- Steven Defino – art direction, design, cover photo
- Meredith Truax – cover photo, photography
- Sharon Lamb – photography, art coordination
- Andrew Zaeh – photography
- Andy Proctor – package production
- Peter Blume – horn arrangement (11)
- Erica Swindell – string arrangement (11)
Charts[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Year-end charts[edit]
|
Certifications[edit]
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[23] | Gold | 40,000‡ |
| Norway (IFPI Norway)[24] | Gold | 10,000* |
| United States (RIAA)[25] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
|
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
References[edit]
- ^ American Authors (21 November 2012). "American Authors - Believer" – via YouTube.
- ^ American Authors Interview January 12, 2013 Archived February 8, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Anthropology by The Blue Pages". Bandcamp. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
- ^ "Rich With Love by The Blue Pages". Bandcamp. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
- ^ "A-Sides with Jon Chattman: Tres! American Authors, Hunter Valentine, and Clementine & The Galaxy". The Huffington Post. 19 December 2012.
- ^ AMERICAN AUTHORS SIGN TO MERCURY RECORDS January 31, 2013 Archived June 6, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Monger, James Christopher. "American Authors Oh, What a Life". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
- ^ 2013 Telecom NZ Advertisement on YouTube
- ^ Richard Beech (10 September 2013). "Fifa 14 soundtrack announced: Featuring Miles Kane, Bloc Party and Vampire Weekend". mirror.
- ^ "Honoring our troops". Youtube.com. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
- ^ a b "iTunes – Music – Oh, What a Life by American Authors". iTunes Store (US). Apple Inc. February 4, 2014. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – American Authors – Oh, What A Life". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – American Authors – Oh, What A Life" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
- ^ "American Authors Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
- ^ "Officialcharts.de – American Authors – Oh, What A Life". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
- ^ "American Authors | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
- ^ "American Authors Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
- ^ "American Authors Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
- ^ "American Authors Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
- ^ "Alternative Albums: 2014 Year-End Charts". Billboard. Retrieved 16 January 2015. (subscription required)
- ^ "Top Rock Albums: Year End 2014". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
- ^ "Canadian album certifications – American Authors – Oh, What a Life". Music Canada.
- ^ "Norwegian album certifications – American Authors – Oh, What a Life" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
- ^ "American album certifications – American Authors – Oh, What a Life". Recording Industry Association of America.
