Abstract Theory

(Redirected from 7 Ways)

Abstract Theory is the debut solo album released by former Five member Abs. The album was released on 1 September 2003, peaking at No. 29 on the UK Albums Chart. The album failed to find success elsewhere, and resulted in Abs being dropped from his record label just months later. The album spawned five singles: "What You Got", "Stop Sign", "Shame" and "Miss Perfect". The album received mixed to positive reviews from critics, comparing his material to that of his former band, Five.[citation needed]

Abstract Theory
An image of a man wearing a sleeveless red shirt and blue jeans is shown on a building. The album title is placed below it on a billboard and the artist's logo is on the upper left corner of the cover.
Studio album by
Released1 September 2003
Recorded2002–2003
GenreR&B, pop
Length47:34
LabelSony BMG
ProducerBrian Higgins
Singles from Abstract Theory
  1. "What You Got"
    Released: 19 August 2002
  2. "Shame"
    Released: 25 November 2002
  3. "Stop Sign"
    Released: 26 May 2003
  4. "Miss Perfect"
    Released: 25 August 2003

Background

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Abs began work on the album following Five's split in late 2001. He soon signed a record deal with Sony BMG, who had previously contracted Five on a three-album deal. The album's first single, "What You Got", was released in August 2002 to moderate success, peaking at No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart. The album's second single, "Shame", was scheduled for release in November 2002, but was subsequently only released in Australia after the record company decided to market "Stop Sign" as the second British single. Arriving in May 2003, the song peaked at No. 10 on the UK Singles Chart. A third single, "Miss Perfect", was released on 25 August 2003, a week prior to the album's release, peaking at No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart. A fourth single, "7 Ways", was planned for release in November 2003, with a music video being released and several copies made available in stores from 10 November. However, the single was recalled on 11 November, and just three weeks later, Abs was dropped from his record label.

Critical reception

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In his retrospective review, Bren O'Callaghan of BBC said Abstract Theory "is capable of floating alone amidst a sea of chart craft".[1]

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Stop Sign"
  • O'Connell
  • Sechleer
  • Wynn
Absolute2:54
2."Miss Perfect" (featuring Nodesha)
  • Breen
  • Cooper
  • Lei
  • Coler
  • Powell
  • Higgins
3:39
3."What You Got"
  • Breen
  • Stannard
  • Gallagher
  • Forrest
  • Reid
  • Thompson
  • Gibbs
Biffco3:50
4."7 Ways" (featuring Evie Bicker)
  • Breen
  • Cooper
  • Coler
  • Powell
  • Higgins
  • Cowling
Xenomania3:53
5."Back to the Limbo"
  • Breen
  • Jones
  • Cropper
  • Dunn
  • Jackson
  • Junior
  • Watkins
  • Wilson
Absolute3:26
6."Rain"
  • Breen
  • David
Hod David4:11
7."Turn Me Up"
  • Breen
  • Stannard
  • Gallagher
  • Ayers
Biffco3:56
8."Lovers' Rock"
  • Breen
  • Stannard
  • Gallagher
  • Hale
Biffco4:29
9."Roll with Me"
  • Breen
  • Stannard
  • Gallagher
Biffco3:44
10."Emotional"
  • Breen
  • David
Hod David3:39
11."Shame"
  • Breen
  • Wonder
  • Wright
  • Garrett
  • Stannard
  • Gallagher
Biffco3:21
12."Angel"
  • Breen
  • Stannard
  • Gallagher
Biffco4:43
13."The One and Only" (featuring Caroline)Lucas SeconLucas Secon3:37

 • (co.) Co-producer.

B-Sides
  • "Lost for Words" - 4:01
  • "Come with a Little Bit More" - 3:17
  • "Roll with Me" - 3:39
  • "The Dog in Me" - 4:06
  • "Music for Cars" - 3:09
  • "Stop That Bitchin'" - 3:10
  • "Spin" (Japanese Bonus Track) -3:04
  • "What You Got" (Almighty Radio Edit) - 3:10
  • "What You Got" (Reggae Mix) - 4:30
  • "Stop Sign" (Bimbo Jones Remix) - 7:06
  • "Stop Sign" (Nu Skool Brakez Remix) - 5:44
  • "Miss Perfect" (Problem Kid Latin Vox) - 9:00
  • "Miss Perfect" (Freshcut Style Vocal Mix) - 8:15
  • "7 Ways" (Full Rap) - 3:59
  • "7 Ways" (5AM Remix) - 6:40

Personnel

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Adapted credits from the booklet of Abstract Theory.[2]

Weekly charts

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Chart (2003) Peak
position
UK Albums (OCC)[3] 29

References

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  1. ^ Bren O' Callaghan (1 September 2003). "Review of Abs - Abstract Theory". BBC. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  2. ^ Abstract Theory (booklet). Abs. Sony BMG. 2003. 82876538802.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  3. ^ "ABS | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 8 March 2016.