Back on Top is the third studio album by American rock band The Front Bottoms. It was released on September 18, 2015, on Fueled by Ramen, their first for the label.
| Back on Top | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | September 18, 2015 | |||
| Genre | Indie rock, folk punk[1] | |||
| Length | 42:36 | |||
| Label | Fueled by Ramen | |||
| The Front Bottoms chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Back on Top | ||||
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| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 82/100[2] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
Composition edit
In an interview, frontman Brian Sella talked about the idea for the album title. He stated that "The inspiration for the name Back On Top sort of just came from… it was an idea that we had like, a while ago, when we all kind of got a kick out it. We thought it was pretty funny, it was a little bit cocky, but also kind of confusing because it didn’t make any sense, which we thought was kind of our style. You can kind of grasp on different parts of it."
He then went on to talk about the writing and recording process, stating "the writing and recording process sort of… we wrote the album, and then we went out to record it in California. The recording process was intense, and it was the most "professional," I guess you could say, style of recording that we’ve ever done. We got to work with an awesome producer and we got to throw our ideas at him, and I think we got to kind of learn how to make an album professionally, you know? We were like, “All right, we’re making an album, we got a job, we’re here to do it,” and we were very proud of how it came out, for sure."[3]
Release edit
The band announced they were releasing their first album under Fueled By Ramen on July 30, 2015. They released the lead single, Help, off the album the same day.[4][5]
Reception edit
In an AllMusic review by James Christopher Monger, the Front Bottoms are recognized for "making the jump to a major label without losing any authenticity in process", with Monger calling the album a "spirited set of good time folk-punk that's as hook-filled and hilarious as it is filthy."[6]
Track listing edit
Original release edit
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Motorcycle" | 3:26 |
| 2. | "Summer Shandy" | 3:35 |
| 3. | "Cough It Out" | 4:20 |
| 4. | "HELP" | 3:45 |
| 5. | "Laugh Till I Cry" | 3:47 |
| 6. | "Historic Cemetery" (featuring GDP) | 4:19 |
| 7. | "The Plan (Fuck Jobs)" | 3:38 |
| 8. | "Ginger" | 3:14 |
| 9. | "2YL" | 4:11 |
| 10. | "West Virginia" | 4:13 |
| 11. | "Plastic Flowers" | 4:08 |
| Total length: | 42:36 | |
Outtakes edit
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Tighten Up" | 3:30 |
| 2. | "Joanie" | 3:07 |
| Total length: | 6:37 | |
Charts edit
| Chart (2015) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[7] | 32 |
| US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)[8] | 6 |
| US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[9] | 10 |
References edit
- ^ Monger, James Christopher. The Front Bottoms – Back on Top: Review at AllMusic. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
- ^ "Metacritic Review". Metacritic. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
- ^ McGrath, Ryan. "Back On Top: An Interview with The Front Bottoms". The Aquarian. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
- ^ Sacher, Andrew (31 July 2015). "The Front Bottoms detail 'Back On Top' LP, release 3rd single, announce tour, including 2 NYC shows (BV presents)". Brooklyn Vegan. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
- ^ Sharp, Tyler. "The Front Bottoms announce new album with "Help" single". Alternative Press. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
- ^ Monger, James Christopher. The Front Bottoms – Back on Top: Review at AllMusic. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
- ^ "The Front Bottoms Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
- ^ "The Front Bottoms Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
- ^ "The Front Bottoms Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2019.