Imperfect Circle: Difference between revisions

Browse history interactively ← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisual WikitextInline

Revision as of 17:15, 15 November 2019 edit76.73.253.86 (talk) →Personnel ← Previous edit		Latest revision as of 16:18, 3 September 2024 edit undoInternetArchiveBot (talk \| contribs)Bots, Pending changes reviewers5,387,807 edits Rescuing 1 sources and tagging 0 as dead.) #IABot (v2.0.9.5
(49 intermediate revisions by 20 users not shown)
Line 11:		Line 11:
	\| recorded = 2018		\| recorded = 2018
	\| studio =		\| studio =
	\| genre = ~~{{hlist\|~~]<ref name="bbtl" />\|]<ref name="st" />}}		\| genre = ]<ref name="bbtl" /><ref name="st" />
	\| length = 42:31		\| length = 42:31
	\| label = ]		\| label = ]
Line 20:		Line 20:
	\| next_title =		\| next_title =
	\| next_year =		\| next_year =
	\| misc = {{~~Extra chronology~~		\| misc = {{Singles
	\| artist = ] studio album
	\| type = studio
	\| prev_title = ]
	\| prev_year = 2005
	\| title = Imperfect Circle
	\| year = 2019
	\| next_title =
	\| next_year =
	}}
	{{Singles
	\| name = Imperfect Circle		\| name = Imperfect Circle
	\| type = studio		\| type = studio
Line 46:		Line 36:
	}}		}}

	'''''Imperfect Circle''''' is the sixth studio album by American rock band ], released on ] on November 1, 2019.<ref name="bb" /> It is their first new studio album in fourteen years; it has received mixed reviews.		'''''Imperfect Circle''''' is the sixth studio album by American rock band ], released on ] on November 1, 2019.<ref name="bb" /> It is their first new studio album in fourteen years; it has received mixed reviews and modest commercial success.

	==Recording and release==		==Recording and release==
	The album was announced in December 2018, along with their ], the first outing the band had made since 2008.<ref name="ap" /> Once the group decided to ~~reform~~, they went to vocalist ]'s management company to help them arrange for recording and promotion.<ref name="gn" /> The band members decided to record again concurrent with the decision to tour<ref name="cst" /> and used the opportunity to debut new tracks live.<ref name="js" /> This release is the first from the band in 14 years and the title was announced on August 9, 2019.<ref name="bb" />		The album was announced in December 2018, along with their ], the first outing the band had made since 2008.<ref name="ap" /> Once the group decided to re-form, they went to vocalist ]'s management company to help them arrange for recording and promotion.<ref name="gn" /> The band members decided to record again concurrent with the decision to tour<ref name="cst" /> and used the opportunity to debut new tracks live.<ref name="js" /> This release is the first from the band in 14 years and the title was announced on August 9, 2019.<ref name="bb" />

	To promote the album, the single "Rollin'" was made available with pre-orders on their site and to the general public on September 6.<ref name="bb" /> The band enlisted ] and ] to record them, along with a variety of guest musicians.<ref name="usa" /> Individual band members brought in songs that they had considered for solo efforts (guitarist ], with "Turn It Up") or that resulted from ]s (singer ] with pop musician ] on "Wildfire Love"), finally arriving at 17 tracks recorded in the studio.<ref name="rs" /> The band worked with outside songwriters for this recording, admonishing them, "We ~~don’t~~ want you to write the Hootie song... Write a song and ~~we’ll~~ make it sound like Hootie."<ref name="america" /> The goal for songwriting was authenticity and an ability to speak to the average person.<ref name="people" />		To promote the album, the single "Rollin'" was made available with pre-orders on their site and to the general public on September 6.<ref name="bb" /> The band enlisted ] and ] to record them, along with a variety of guest musicians.<ref name="usa" /> Individual band members brought in songs that they had considered for solo efforts (guitarist ], with "Turn It Up") or that resulted from ] (singer ] with pop musician ] on "Wildfire Love"), finally arriving at 17 tracks recorded in the studio.<ref name="rs" /> The band worked with outside songwriters for this recording, admonishing them, "We don't want you to write the Hootie song... Write a song and we'll make it sound like Hootie."<ref name="america" /> The goal for songwriting was authenticity and an ability to speak to the average person.<ref name="people" />

	The band released the track listing and lead single "~~Rollin’~~" on September 5.<ref name="bbtl" /> "Miss California" and "Lonely on a Saturday Night" followed, with "Hold On" coming out on October 18.<ref name="ho" /> Some sources indicated that the song "Unafraid" would be on the final release but it was cut.<ref name="rs" />		The band released the track listing and lead single "Rollin'" on September 5.<ref name="bbtl" /> "Miss California" and "Lonely on a Saturday Night" followed, with "Hold On" coming out on October 18.<ref name="ho" /> Some sources indicated that the song "Unafraid" would be on the final release but it was cut.<ref name="rs" />

			While touring to support the album in 2019, Hootie & the Blowfish made a recording of ]'s "]"<ref name="rem" /> and added it to digital copies of ''Imperfect Circle'' in 2020.<ref name="lmr" />

	==Reception==		==Reception==
	The band's hometown paper, '']'' ran a negative review written by ] writer Mark Kennedy, who acknowledged some solid musicality but ultimately concluded that the album is made up of "utterly forgettable songs" and "nothing on this album is fresh".<ref name="pandc" /> A second review in the same paper from their local writer Kalyn Oyer was more positive.<ref name="pandc2" /> In ], Tyler Clark awarded the album a C–, calling it "painfully bland" but praises Rucker's vocals and lyrics.<ref name="cos" /> The editorial staff of ] gave the release four out of five stars, with reviewer ] called this "a nice blend between the group's signature college rock singalongs and Rucker's slick, cheerful solo work" and praised the album's positive feel, writing, "This friendliness lends itself to a collection of songs that are resolutely sturdy, designed to sound more charming over time, and the inherent warmth of Imperfect Circle is reason enough to give the tunes a chance to grow."<ref name="amg" /> The '']'' published a mixed interview that called the songs "earnest and yet utterly forgettable" which are "nice when you play them but make no discernible impression".<ref name="tg" />		The band's hometown paper, '']'' ran a negative review written by ] writer Mark Kennedy, who acknowledged some solid musicality but ultimately concluded that the album is made up of "utterly forgettable songs" and "nothing on this album is fresh".<ref name="pandc" /> A second review in the same paper from their local writer Kalyn Oyer was more positive: she wrote, "''Imperfect Circle'' doesn’t have an 'I Only Wanna Be With You' on it, but some Hootie fans won’t care about that. There are still plenty of catchy, if cheesy, songs."<ref name="pandc2" />

			In ], Tyler Clark awarded the album a C−, calling it "painfully bland" but praises Rucker's vocals and lyrics.<ref name="cos" /> The editorial staff of ] gave the release four out of five stars, with reviewer ] called this "a nice blend between the group's signature college rock singalongs and Rucker's slick, cheerful solo work" and praised the album's positive feel, writing, "This friendliness lends itself to a collection of songs that are resolutely sturdy, designed to sound more charming over time, and the inherent warmth of Imperfect Circle is reason enough to give the tunes a chance to grow."<ref name="amg" /> The '']'' published a mixed interview that called the songs "earnest and yet utterly forgettable" which are "nice when you play them but make no discernible impression".<ref name="tg" /> Ken Tucker of '']'' opines "This collection manages the tricky challenge of sounding like classic Hootie while also extending the group's sound for the 21st century", calling it "a well-made, frequently thoughtful album".<ref name="fa" />

			==Commercial performance==
			''Imperfect Circle'' debuted at No. 3 on ''Billboard''{{'}}s ] and No. 26 on ] based on 17,000 units, 15,000 of which are pure album sales. It is their first appearance on the Country chart, and their highest entry on ''Billboard'' 200 since 1998.<ref name="bbcountry" /> It has sold 42,700 copies in the United States {{as of\|March 2020\|lc=yes}}.<ref name="sales" />

	==Track listing==		==Track listing==
	#"New Year's Day" (Tofer Brown, Hootie & the ~~Blowﬁsh~~, ], ~~Jeﬀ~~ Trott) – 3:32		#"New Year's Day" (Tofer Brown, Hootie & the Blowfish, ], Jeff Trott) – 3:32
	#"Miss California" (Andrew DeRoberts, David Ryan Harris, Hootie & the ~~Blowﬁsh~~) – 3:12		#"Miss California" (Andrew DeRoberts, David Ryan Harris, Hootie & the Blowfish) – 3:12
	#"Wild Fire Love" (], Kyle Rife, ], ]) – 3:33		#"Wild Fire Love" (], Kyle Rife, ], ]) – 3:33
	#"Hold On" (], ]) – 3:22		#"Hold On" (], ]) – 3:22
	#"Turn It Up" (Hootie & the ~~Blowﬁsh~~, Trott) – 3:21		#"Turn It Up" (Hootie & the Blowfish, Trott) – 3:21
	#"Not Tonight" (DeRoberts, David Ryan Harris, Hootie & the ~~Blowﬁsh~~) – 3:20		#"Not Tonight" (DeRoberts, David Ryan Harris, Hootie & the Blowfish) – 3:20
	#"We Are One" (Hootie & the ~~Blowﬁsh~~) – 2:04		#"We Are One" (Hootie & the Blowfish) – 2:04
	#"Everybody but You" (Hootie & the ~~Blowﬁsh~~, Frank Rogers) – 3:30		#"Everybody but You" (Hootie & the Blowfish, Frank Rogers) – 3:30
	#"Lonely on a Saturday Night" (Hootie & the ~~Blowﬁsh~~, Paslay, Trott) – 3:10		#"Lonely on a Saturday Night" (Hootie & the Blowfish, Paslay, Trott) – 3:10
	#"Why" (Chris August, Hootie & the ~~Blowﬁsh~~, ]) – 3:19		#"Why" (Chris August, Hootie & the Blowfish, ]) – 3:19
	#"Rollin{{'}}" (Adam Doleac, Hootie and the ~~Blowﬁsh~~, Zach Kale, John King) – 3:17		#"Rollin{{'}}" (Adam Doleac, Hootie and the Blowfish, Zach Kale, John King) – 3:17
	#"Half a Day Ahead" (Hootie & the ~~Blowﬁsh~~) – 3:24		#"Half a Day Ahead" (Hootie & the Blowfish) – 3:24
	#"Change" (Hootie & the ~~Blowﬁsh~~) – 3:27		#"Change" (Hootie & the Blowfish) – 3:27

			'''2020 reissue:'''
			#<li value="14">"]" (], ], ], ]) – 4:23

	==Personnel==		==Personnel==
			Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.<ref name="liner" />

	'''Hootie & the Blowfish'''		'''Hootie & the Blowfish'''
	*] – guitar; backing vocals; piano on "Miss California"; mandolin on "Hold On", "Everybody but You", and "Change"; keyboards on "Hold On" and "Half a Day Ahead"		*] – guitar; backing vocals; piano on "Miss California"; mandolin on "Hold On", "Everybody but You", and "Change"; keyboards on "Hold On" and "Half a Day Ahead"
	*] – bass guitar, backing vocals, ] on "Turn It Up" and "Half a Day Ahead"		*] – bass guitar, backing vocals, ] on "Turn It Up" and "Half a Day Ahead"
	*] – vocals, guitar		*] – vocals, guitar
	*] – drums, percussion, backing vocals		*Jim "Soni" Sonefeld – drums, percussion, backing vocals
			{{Div col}}

	'''Additional personnel'''		'''Additional personnel'''

Line 225:		Line 227:
	*Patrick Warren – strings		*Patrick Warren – strings
	*Brian Willis – editing		*Brian Willis – editing
			{{div col end}}

	==Charts==		==Charts==
	''Imperfect Circle'' was the band's first appearance on ], where it debuted at third place with 17,000 units, including 15,000 in album sales.<ref name="bbcountry" />
	{\| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"		{\| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
			\|+Sales chart performance for ''Imperfect Circle''
	\|-		\|-
	! scope="col"\| Chart (2019)		! scope="col"\| Chart (2019)
	! scope="col"\| Peak~~<br />position~~		! scope="col"\| Peak
	\|-		\|-
	! scope="row"\| ] (])<ref name="aria"/>		! scope="row"\| ] (])<ref name="aria" />
	\| 24		\| 24
	\|-		\|-
Line 249:		Line 252:

	==References==		==References==
	{{~~Reflist~~\|refs=		{{reflist\|refs=
	<ref name="america">{{Cite web \|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/06/arts/music/hootie-and-the-blowfish-cracked-rear-view.html \|title=Hootie & the Blowfish, Great American Rock Band (Yes, Really) \|last=Caramanica \|first=Jon \|date=June 6, 2019 \|accessdate=August 10, 2019 \|work=]}}</ref>		<ref name="america">{{Cite web \|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/06/arts/music/hootie-and-the-blowfish-cracked-rear-view.html \|title=Hootie & the Blowfish, Great American Rock Band (Yes, Really) \|last=Caramanica \|first=Jon \|date=June 6, 2019 \|accessdate=August 10, 2019 \|work=]}}</ref>
	<ref name="amg">{{Cite web \|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/imperfect-circle-mw0003317463 \|title=''Imperfect Circle'' – Hootie & the Blowfish \|last=Erlewine \|first=Stephen Thomas \|publisher=] \|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine \|accessdate=November 2, 2019}}</ref>		<ref name="amg">{{Cite web \|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/imperfect-circle-mw0003317463 \|title=''Imperfect Circle'' – Hootie & the Blowfish \|last=Erlewine \|first=Stephen Thomas \|publisher=] \|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine \|accessdate=November 2, 2019}}</ref>
	<ref name="ap">{{Cite web \|url=https://www.apnews.com/5a7e556d2f6b479f9e21825166507c15 \|title=Rockers Hootie & the Blowfish Return with New Album, Tour \|last=Hall \|first=Kristin M. \|date=December 3, 2018 \|accessdate=August 9, 2019 \|publisher=]}}</ref>		<ref name="ap">{{Cite web \|url=https://www.apnews.com/5a7e556d2f6b479f9e21825166507c15 \|title=Rockers Hootie & the Blowfish Return with New Album, Tour \|last=Hall \|first=Kristin M. \|date=December 3, 2018 \|accessdate=August 9, 2019 \|publisher=]}}</ref>
	<ref name="aria">{{cite web\|url=http://cdn.aria.com.au/pdfs/40F1405AA5D7C0456D4FBE2C2E70EFDBED1B410567EF5E5737D6A31C16B5643D/ARIA%20Digital%20Albums%20Chart.pdf?seq=26\|title=ARIA Australian Top 50 Digital Albums\|publisher=]\|date=November 11, 2019\|accessdate=November 9, 2019}}</ref>		<ref name="aria">{{cite web\|url=http://cdn.aria.com.au/pdfs/40F1405AA5D7C0456D4FBE2C2E70EFDBED1B410567EF5E5737D6A31C16B5643D/ARIA%20Digital%20Albums%20Chart.pdf?seq=26\|title=ARIA Australian Top 50 Digital Albums\|publisher=]\|date=November 11, 2019\|accessdate=November 9, 2019}}</ref>
	<ref name="bb">{{Cite ~~web~~ \|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8527067/hootie-the-blowfish-announce-imperfect-circle-album \|title=Hootie & the Blowfish Announce ''Imperfect Circle', First Album in 15 Years \|last=Aniftos \|first=Rania \|date=August 9, 2019 \|accessdate=August 9, 2019 \|~~work~~=]}}</ref>		<ref name="bb">{{Cite magazine \|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8527067/hootie-the-blowfish-announce-imperfect-circle-album \|title=Hootie & the Blowfish Announce ''Imperfect Circle', First Album in 15 Years \|last=Aniftos \|first=Rania \|date=August 9, 2019 \|accessdate=August 9, 2019 \|magazine=]}}</ref>
	<ref name="bbcountry">{{Cite ~~web~~ \|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/8543338/miranda-lambert-wildcard-no-1-top-country-albums \|title=Miranda Lambert Ties No. 1 Record on Top Country Albums Chart, Hootie & the Blowfish Debut \|last=Asker \|first=Jim \|date=November 12, 2019 \|accessdate=November 12, 2019 \|~~work~~=]}}</ref>		<ref name="bbcountry">{{Cite magazine \|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/8543338/miranda-lambert-wildcard-no-1-top-country-albums \|title=Miranda Lambert Ties No. 1 Record on Top Country Albums Chart, Hootie & the Blowfish Debut \|last=Asker \|first=Jim \|date=November 12, 2019 \|accessdate=November 12, 2019 \|magazine=]}}</ref>
	<ref name="bbtl">{{Cite ~~web~~ \|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8529158/hootie-the-blowfish-imperfect-circle \|title=Hootie & the Blowfish Reveals ''Imperfect Circle'' Track List, Shares 'Rollin'' \|last=Graff \|first=Gary \|date=September 5, 2019 \|accessdate=September 5, 2019 \|~~work~~=]}}</ref>		<ref name="bbtl">{{Cite magazine \|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8529158/hootie-the-blowfish-imperfect-circle \|title=Hootie & the Blowfish Reveals ''Imperfect Circle'' Track List, Shares 'Rollin'' \|last=Graff \|first=Gary \|date=September 5, 2019 \|accessdate=September 5, 2019 \|magazine=]}}</ref>
	<ref name="cos">{{Cite web \|publisher=] \|last=Clark \|first=Tyler \|title=Hootie & the Blowfish Return with the Painfully Bland ''Imperfect Circle'' \|date=October 30, 2019 \|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2019/10/album-review-hootie-and-the-blowfish-imperfect-circle/ \|accessdate=November 2, 2019}}</ref>		<ref name="cos">{{Cite web \|publisher=] \|last=Clark \|first=Tyler \|title=Hootie & the Blowfish Return with the Painfully Bland ''Imperfect Circle'' \|date=October 30, 2019 \|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2019/10/album-review-hootie-and-the-blowfish-imperfect-circle/ \|accessdate=November 2, 2019}}</ref>
	<ref name="cst">{{Cite web \|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/8/22/20825618/hootie-the-blowfish-runite-tour-chicago-darius-rucker \|title=		<ref name="cst">{{Cite web \|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/8/22/20825618/hootie-the-blowfish-runite-tour-chicago-darius-rucker \|title= Seems Like Old Times for Newly Reunited Hootie & the Blowfish \|last=Despres \|first=Tricia \|work=] \|date=August 22, 2019 \|accessdate=August 22, 2019}}</ref>
			<ref name="fa">{{Cite web \|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/12/04/784781445/hootie-the-blowfish-comeback-album-brings-the-band-into-the-21st-century \|last=Tucker \|first=Ken \|work=] \|publisher=] \|date=December 4, 2019 \|accessdate=December 5, 2019 \|title=Hootie & The Blowfish Comeback Album Brings the Band into the 21st Century}}</ref>
	Seems Like Old Times for Newly Reunited Hootie & the Blowfish \|last=Despres \|first=Tricia \|work=] \|date=August 22, 2019 \|accessdate=August 22, 2019}}</ref>
	<ref name="gn">{{Cite web \|url=https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/life/2019/08/15/hootie-and-blowfish-tour-reunion-reflections-boom-bad-times/2018205001/ \|title=Hootie & the Blowfish Reunion Tour and 'Imperfect Circle': 'So Very, Very Good,' Drummer Says \|last=McCollum \|first=Biran \|date=August 15, 2019 \|accessdate=August 24, 2019 \|work=]}}</ref>		<ref name="gn">{{Cite web \|url=https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/life/2019/08/15/hootie-and-blowfish-tour-reunion-reflections-boom-bad-times/2018205001/ \|title=Hootie & the Blowfish Reunion Tour and 'Imperfect Circle': "So Very, Very Good," Drummer Says \|last=McCollum \|first=Biran \|date=August 15, 2019 \|accessdate=August 24, 2019 \|work=]}}</ref>
	<ref name="ho">{{Cite ~~web~~ \|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/hootie-and-the-blowfish-new-song-hold-on-album-imperfect-circle-900847/ \|title= Hear Hootie and the ~~Blowfish’s~~ Optimistic New Song ~~‘Hold~~ ~~On’~~ \|last=Freeman \|first=Jon \|date=October 18, 2019 \|accessdate=October 18, 2019 \|~~work~~=]}}</ref>		<ref name="ho">{{Cite magazine \|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/hootie-and-the-blowfish-new-song-hold-on-album-imperfect-circle-900847/ \|title= Hear Hootie and the Blowfish's Optimistic New Song "Hold On" \|last=Freeman \|first=Jon \|date=October 18, 2019 \|accessdate=October 18, 2019 \|magazine=]}}</ref>
	<ref name="js">{{Cite web \|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/entertainment/music/2019/08/24/hootie-blowfish-redefine-legacy-play-new-song-alpine-valley-music-theatre/2078266001/ \|title=Hootie & the Blowfish Redefine the Band's Legacy, and Reclaim Its Relevance, at Alpine Valley Music Theatre \|last=Levy \|first=Piet \|work=] \|date=August 24, 2019 \|accessdate=August 25, 2019}}</ref>		<ref name="js">{{Cite web \|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/entertainment/music/2019/08/24/hootie-blowfish-redefine-legacy-play-new-song-alpine-valley-music-theatre/2078266001/ \|title=Hootie & the Blowfish Redefine the Band's Legacy, and Reclaim Its Relevance, at Alpine Valley Music Theatre \|last=Levy \|first=Piet \|work=] \|date=August 24, 2019 \|accessdate=August 25, 2019}}</ref>
			<ref name="liner">{{cite AV media notes\|title=Imperfect Circle\|others=Hootie & the Blowfish\|publisher=Capitol Nashville\|year=2019\|type=booklet\|id=B0031043-02}}</ref>
			<ref name="lmr">{{Cite web \|accessdate=July 31, 2020 \|language=en-US \|url=https://www.hootie.com/new-r-e-m-cover-of-losing-my-religion-now-available-on-imperfect-circle/ \|date=July 17, 2020 \|title=New R.E.M. Cover of "Losing My Religion" Now Available on ''Imperfect Circle'' \|publisher=]}}</ref>
	<ref name="pandc">{{Cite web \|url=https://www.postandcourier.com/charleston_scene/music-review-hootie-the-blowfish-return-but-new-album-blows/article_5024f838-fb41-11e9-9cd8-7f097c9624eb.html \|title=Music Review: Hootie & the Blowfish Return but New Album Blows \|work=] \|date=October 30, 2019 \|accessdate=October 30, 2019 \|last=Kennedy \|first=Mark}}</ref>		<ref name="pandc">{{Cite web \|url=https://www.postandcourier.com/charleston_scene/music-review-hootie-the-blowfish-return-but-new-album-blows/article_5024f838-fb41-11e9-9cd8-7f097c9624eb.html \|title=Music Review: Hootie & the Blowfish Return but New Album Blows \|work=] \|date=October 30, 2019 \|accessdate=October 30, 2019 \|last=Kennedy \|first=Mark}}</ref>
	<ref name="pandc2">{{Cite web \|url=https://www.postandcourier.com/charleston_scene/hootie-the-blowfish-s-new-album-isn-t-profound-but/article_76309886-fe91-11e9-85bb-17a0a888fe7a.html \|title= Hootie & the ~~Blowfish’s~~ New Album ~~Isn’t~~ Profound, but It ~~Wasn’t~~ Meant to Be \|work=] \|date=November 4, 2019 \|accessdate=November 4, 2019 \|last=Oyer \|first=Kalyn}}</ref>		<ref name="pandc2">{{Cite web \|url=https://www.postandcourier.com/charleston_scene/hootie-the-blowfish-s-new-album-isn-t-profound-but/article_76309886-fe91-11e9-85bb-17a0a888fe7a.html \|title= Hootie & the Blowfish's New Album Isn't Profound, but It Wasn't Meant to Be \|work=] \|date=November 4, 2019 \|accessdate=November 4, 2019 \|last=Oyer \|first=Kalyn}}</ref>
	<ref name="people">{{Cite web \|url=https://people.com/music/hootie-and-the-blowfish-release-imperfect-circle/ \|title=Hootie and the Blowfish Release First Album in Nearly 15 Years: 'We've Certainly Benefited from Being Away' \|last=Blumberg \|first=Perri Ormont \|work=] \|date=November 8, 2019 \|accessdate=November 10, 2019}}</ref>		<ref name="people">{{Cite web \|url=https://people.com/music/hootie-and-the-blowfish-release-imperfect-circle/ \|title=Hootie and the Blowfish Release First Album in Nearly 15 Years: 'We've Certainly Benefited from Being Away' \|last=Blumberg \|first=Perri Ormont \|work=] \|date=November 8, 2019 \|accessdate=November 10, 2019}}</ref>
	<ref name="rs">{{Cite web \|url=https://~~www.rollingstone~~.com~~/music/music-features~~/hootie-and-the-blowfish-~~tour~~-~~reunion~~-~~interview~~-~~837673~~/ \|~~title~~=~~How~~ ~~Hootie and the Blowfish Embraced Their Past for One of Summer’s Biggest Tours~~ \|last=~~Browne~~ \|first=~~David~~ ~~\|work=]~~ \|~~date~~=~~May~~ ~~27,~~ ~~2019~~ ~~\|accessdate=August~~ 9, ~~2019~~}}</ref>		<ref name="rem">{{Cite web \|accessdate=July 31, 2020 \|language=en-US \|date=May 20, 2020 \|url=https://americansongwriter.com/hootie-and-the-blowfish-cover-of-losing-my-religion-rem/ \|work=] \|last=Taylor \|first=Katherine Yeske \|title=Hootie & the Blowfish Explains Influence, Importance of R.E.M.}}</ref>
			<ref name="rs">{{Cite magazine \|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/hootie-and-the-blowfish-tour-reunion-interview-837673/ \|title=How Hootie and the Blowfish Embraced Their Past for One of Summer's Biggest Tours \|last=Browne \|first=David \|magazine=] \|date=May 27, 2019 \|accessdate=August 9, 2019}}</ref>
			<ref name="sales">{{cite web\|url=http://roughstock.com/news/2020/03/44165-top-10-country-albums-pure-sales-chart-march-9-2020\|title=Top 10 Country Albums Pure Sales Chart: March 9, 2020\|work=RoughStock\|first=Matt\|last=Bjorke\|date=March 10, 2020\|accessdate=March 22, 2020\|archive-date=March 19, 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319184203/http://roughstock.com/news/2020/03/44165-top-10-country-albums-pure-sales-chart-march-9-2020\|url-status=dead}}</ref>
	<ref name="st">{{Cite web \|url=http://www.startribune.com/90s-hitmakers-hootie-and-the-blowfish-headed-to-minnesota-state-fair-we-re-back/545223062/ \|title='90s Hitmakers Hootie and the Blowfish Headed to Minnesota State Fair: 'We're Back' \|last=Brean \|first=Jon \|date=August 20, 2019 \|accessdate=August 24, 2019 \|work=]}}</ref>		<ref name="st">{{Cite web \|url=http://www.startribune.com/90s-hitmakers-hootie-and-the-blowfish-headed-to-minnesota-state-fair-we-re-back/545223062/ \|title='90s Hitmakers Hootie and the Blowfish Headed to Minnesota State Fair: 'We're Back' \|last=Brean \|first=Jon \|date=August 20, 2019 \|accessdate=August 24, 2019 \|work=]}}</ref>
	<ref name="tg">{{Cite web \|url=http://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/features/story/2019/nov/08/music-review-hootie-blowfish/803154/ \|title=Music Review: Hootie & the Blowfish \|date=November 8, 2019 \|accessdate=November 11, 2019 \|work=]}}</ref>		<ref name="tg">{{Cite web \|url=http://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/features/story/2019/nov/08/music-review-hootie-blowfish/803154/ \|title=Music Review: Hootie & the Blowfish \|date=November 8, 2019 \|accessdate=November 11, 2019 \|work=]}}</ref>
Line 279:		Line 286:

	{{Hootie & the Blowfish}}		{{Hootie & the Blowfish}}

			{{Authority control}}

	]		]
	]		]

Latest revision as of 16:18, 3 September 2024

For the Under the Dome episode, see Imperfect Circles.

2019 studio album by Hootie & the Blowfish

Imperfect Circle

Studio album by Hootie & the Blowfish

Released

November 1, 2019 (2019-11-01)

Recorded

2018

Genre

Country rock

Length

42:31

Label

Capitol Nashville

Producer

Hootie & the Blowfish chronology

Live in Charleston
(2006)

Imperfect Circle
(2019)

Singles from Imperfect Circle

"Rollin'"
Released: September 6, 2019
"Miss California"
Released: September 20, 2019
"Lonely on a Saturday Night"
Released: October 4, 2019
"Hold On"
Released: October 17, 2019
"Turn It Up"
Released: October 25, 2019

Imperfect Circle is the sixth studio album by American rock band Hootie & the Blowfish, released on Capitol Records Nashville on November 1, 2019. It is their first new studio album in fourteen years; it has received mixed reviews and modest commercial success.

Recording and release

The album was announced in December 2018, along with their Group Therapy Tour, the first outing the band had made since 2008. Once the group decided to re-form, they went to vocalist Darius Rucker's management company to help them arrange for recording and promotion. The band members decided to record again concurrent with the decision to tour and used the opportunity to debut new tracks live. This release is the first from the band in 14 years and the title was announced on August 9, 2019.

To promote the album, the single "Rollin'" was made available with pre-orders on their site and to the general public on September 6. The band enlisted Frank Rogers and Jeff Trott to record them, along with a variety of guest musicians. Individual band members brought in songs that they had considered for solo efforts (guitarist Mark Bryan, with "Turn It Up") or that resulted from jam sessions (singer Darius Rucker with pop musician Ed Sheeran on "Wildfire Love"), finally arriving at 17 tracks recorded in the studio. The band worked with outside songwriters for this recording, admonishing them, "We don't want you to write the Hootie song... Write a song and we'll make it sound like Hootie." The goal for songwriting was authenticity and an ability to speak to the average person.

The band released the track listing and lead single "Rollin'" on September 5. "Miss California" and "Lonely on a Saturday Night" followed, with "Hold On" coming out on October 18. Some sources indicated that the song "Unafraid" would be on the final release but it was cut.

While touring to support the album in 2019, Hootie & the Blowfish made a recording of R.E.M's "Losing My Religion" and added it to digital copies of Imperfect Circle in 2020.

Reception

The band's hometown paper, The Post and Courier ran a negative review written by Associated Press writer Mark Kennedy, who acknowledged some solid musicality but ultimately concluded that the album is made up of "utterly forgettable songs" and "nothing on this album is fresh". A second review in the same paper from their local writer Kalyn Oyer was more positive: she wrote, "Imperfect Circle doesn’t have an 'I Only Wanna Be With You' on it, but some Hootie fans won’t care about that. There are still plenty of catchy, if cheesy, songs."

In Consequence of Sound, Tyler Clark awarded the album a C−, calling it "painfully bland" but praises Rucker's vocals and lyrics. The editorial staff of AllMusic Guide gave the release four out of five stars, with reviewer Stephen Thomas Erlewine called this "a nice blend between the group's signature college rock singalongs and Rucker's slick, cheerful solo work" and praised the album's positive feel, writing, "This friendliness lends itself to a collection of songs that are resolutely sturdy, designed to sound more charming over time, and the inherent warmth of Imperfect Circle is reason enough to give the tunes a chance to grow." The Texarkana Gazette published a mixed interview that called the songs "earnest and yet utterly forgettable" which are "nice when you play them but make no discernible impression". Ken Tucker of Fresh Air opines "This collection manages the tricky challenge of sounding like classic Hootie while also extending the group's sound for the 21st century", calling it "a well-made, frequently thoughtful album".

Commercial performance

Imperfect Circle debuted at No. 3 on Billboard's Top Country Albums and No. 26 on Billboard 200 based on 17,000 units, 15,000 of which are pure album sales. It is their first appearance on the Country chart, and their highest entry on Billboard 200 since 1998. It has sold 42,700 copies in the United States as of March 2020.

Track listing

"New Year's Day" (Tofer Brown, Hootie & the Blowfish, Eric Paslay, Jeff Trott) – 3:32
"Miss California" (Andrew DeRoberts, David Ryan Harris, Hootie & the Blowfish) – 3:12
"Wild Fire Love" (Joel Crouse, Kyle Rife, Darius Rucker, Ed Sheeran) – 3:33
"Hold On" (Jim Beavers, Chris Stapleton) – 3:22
"Turn It Up" (Hootie & the Blowfish, Trott) – 3:21
"Not Tonight" (DeRoberts, David Ryan Harris, Hootie & the Blowfish) – 3:20
"We Are One" (Hootie & the Blowfish) – 2:04
"Everybody but You" (Hootie & the Blowfish, Frank Rogers) – 3:30
"Lonely on a Saturday Night" (Hootie & the Blowfish, Paslay, Trott) – 3:10
"Why" (Chris August, Hootie & the Blowfish, James T. Slater) – 3:19
"Rollin'" (Adam Doleac, Hootie and the Blowfish, Zach Kale, John King) – 3:17
"Half a Day Ahead" (Hootie & the Blowfish) – 3:24
"Change" (Hootie & the Blowfish) – 3:27

2020 reissue:

"Losing My Religion" (Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, Michael Stipe) – 4:23

Personnel

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.

Hootie & the Blowfish

Mark Bryan – guitar; backing vocals; piano on "Miss California"; mandolin on "Hold On", "Everybody but You", and "Change"; keyboards on "Hold On" and "Half a Day Ahead"
Dean Felber – bass guitar, backing vocals, Moog bass on "Turn It Up" and "Half a Day Ahead"
Darius Rucker – vocals, guitar
Jim "Soni" Sonefeld – drums, percussion, backing vocals

Additional personnel

"New Year's Day":

Sean Badum – assistant recording engineering
Michael Brauer – mixing
Elliott Elsey – vocal engineering
Ian Fitchuk – Hammond B3 organ, piano, Wurlitzer electric piano
Lars Fox – editing
Joe LaPorta – mastering engineering
Buckley Miller – programming, recording engineering
Eric Paslay – backing vocals
Jeff Trott – production, acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards, backing vocals

"Miss California":

David Dorn – keyboards
Julian King – recording engineering
Joe LaPorta – mastering engineering
Justin Niebank – engineering, mixing
Bryce Roberts – assistant recording engineering
Frank Rogers – production, baritone guitar, recording engineering
Brian David Willis – editing

"Wildfire Love":

Sean Badum – assistant recording engineering
Michael Brauer – mixing
Elliott Elsey – vocal engineering
Joe LaPorta – mastering engineering
Buckley Miller – programming, recording engineering
Matt Rollings – Hammond B3 organ, piano, Wurlitzer electric piano
Lucie Silvas – vocals on "Wild Fire Love"
Jeff Trott – production, acoustic guitar, string arrangement
Brian Willis – editing

"Hold On":

David Dorn – keyboards
Julian King – recording engineering
Justin Niebank – engineering, mixing
Bryce Roberts – assistant recording engineering
Frank Rogers – production, baritone guitar, recording engineering
Brian David Willis – editing

"Turn It Up":

Sean Badum – assistant recording engineering
Michael Brauer – mixing
Sheryl Crow – backing vocals
Elliott Elsey – vocal engineering
Ian Fitchuk – Hammond B3 organ, Wurlitzer electric piano
Lars Fox – editing
Joe LaPorta – mastering engineering
Buckley Miller – programming, recording engineering
Charlton Singleton – trumpet
Gavin Smith – trombone
Mark Sterbank – tenor saxophone
Jeff Trott – production, acoustic guitar, keyboards, backing vocals

"Not Tonight":

Sean Badum – assistant recording engineering
Michael Brauer – mixing
Sheryl Crow – backing vocals
Elliott Elsey – vocal engineering
Ian Fitchuk – Hammond B3 organ, Wurlitzer electric piano
Lars Fox – editing
Joe LaPorta – mastering engineering
Buckley Miller – programming, recording engineering
Jeff Trott – production, acoustic guitar, backing vocals

"We Are One":

Sean Badum – assistant recording engineering
Michael Brauer – mixing
Sheryl Crow – backing vocals
Elliott Elsey – vocal engineering
Joe LaPorta – mastering engineering
Buckley Miller – piano, programming, recording engineering
Jeff Trott – production, acoustic guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
Michael Webb – Hammond B3 organ, Mellotron, piano, Wurlitzer electric piano
Brian Willis – editing

"Everybody but You":

David Dorn – keyboards
Julian King – recording engineering
Joe LaPorta – mastering engineering
Justin Niebank – engineering, mixing
Bryce Roberts – assistant recording engineering
Frank Rogers – production, baritone guitar, recording engineering
Brian David Willis – editing

"Lonely on a Saturday Night":

Sean Badum – assistant recording engineering
Michael Brauer – mixing
Elliott Elsey – vocal engineering
Ian Fitchuk – piano, Wurlitzer electric piano
Gary Greene – percussion
Joe LaPorta – mastering engineering
Buckley Miller – programming, recording engineering
Eric Paslay – backing vocals, guitar
Jeff Trott – accordion, production, acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards, Mellotron, backing vocals
Michael Webb – Hammond B3 organ, Mellotron, piano, Wurlitzer electric piano
Brian Willis – editing

"Why":

Sean Badum – assistant recording engineering
Michael Brauer – mixing
Elliott Elsey – vocal engineering
Gary Greene – percussion
Joe LaPorta – mastering engineering
Buckley Miller – programming, recording engineering
Eric Paslay – backing vocals, guitar
Matt Rollings – Hammond B3 organ, Mellotron, piano, Wurlitxzer electric piano
Jeff Trott – production, acoustic guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
Brian Willis – editing

"Rollin'":

Sean Badum – assistant recording engineering
Michael Brauer – mixing
Adam Doleac – backing vocals
Elliott Elsey – engineering
Ian Fitchuk – conga, Hammond B3 organ, piano, Wurlitzer electric piano
Joe LaPorta – mastering engineering
Buckley Miller – programming, recording engineering
Eric Paslay – backing vocals, guitar
Jeff Trott – production, acoustic guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
Brian Willis – editing

"Half a Day Ahead":

Sean Badum – assistant recording engineering
Michael Brauer – mixing
Elliott Elsey – vocal engineering
Ian Fitchuk – Hammond B3 organ, Mellotron, piano, Wurlitzer electric piano
Joe LaPorta – mastering engineering
Buckley Miller – programming, recording engineering
Eric Paslay – backing vocals, guitar
Jeff Trott – production, acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards, backing vocals
Brian Willis – editing

"Change":

Sean Badum – assistant recording engineering
Michael Brauer – mixing
Elliott Elsey – vocal engineering
Ian Fitchuk – piano
Joe LaPorta – mastering engineering
Buckley Miller – recording engineering
Eric Paslay – backing vocals, guitar
Jeff Trott – production, acoustic guitar
Patrick Warren – strings
Brian Willis – editing

Charts

Sales chart performance for *Imperfect Circle*
Chart (2019)	Peak
Australian Digital Albums (ARIA)	24
Scottish Albums (OCC)	22
UK Albums (OCC)	100
US Billboard 200	26
US Top Country Albums (Billboard)	3

References

^ Graff, Gary (September 5, 2019). "Hootie & the Blowfish Reveals Imperfect Circle Track List, Shares 'Rollin". Billboard. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
Brean, Jon (August 20, 2019). "'90s Hitmakers Hootie and the Blowfish Headed to Minnesota State Fair: 'We're Back'". Star Tribune. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
^ Aniftos, Rania (August 9, 2019). "Hootie & the Blowfish Announce Imperfect Circle', First Album in 15 Years". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
Hall, Kristin M. (December 3, 2018). "Rockers Hootie & the Blowfish Return with New Album, Tour". Associated Press. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
McCollum, Biran (August 15, 2019). "Hootie & the Blowfish Reunion Tour and 'Imperfect Circle': "So Very, Very Good," Drummer Says". The Greenville News. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
Despres, Tricia (August 22, 2019). "Seems Like Old Times for Newly Reunited Hootie & the Blowfish". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
Levy, Piet (August 24, 2019). "Hootie & the Blowfish Redefine the Band's Legacy, and Reclaim Its Relevance, at Alpine Valley Music Theatre". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
Doerschuk, Bob (August 8, 2019). "Hootie & the Blowfish Set Release Date for New Album Imperfect Circle". USA Today. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
^ Browne, David (May 27, 2019). "How Hootie and the Blowfish Embraced Their Past for One of Summer's Biggest Tours". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
Caramanica, Jon (June 6, 2019). "Hootie & the Blowfish, Great American Rock Band (Yes, Really)". The New York Times. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
Blumberg, Perri Ormont (November 8, 2019). "Hootie and the Blowfish Release First Album in Nearly 15 Years: 'We've Certainly Benefited from Being Away'". People. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
Freeman, Jon (October 18, 2019). "Hear Hootie and the Blowfish's Optimistic New Song "Hold On"". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
Taylor, Katherine Yeske (May 20, 2020). "Hootie & the Blowfish Explains Influence, Importance of R.E.M." American Songwriter. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
"New R.E.M. Cover of "Losing My Religion" Now Available on Imperfect Circle". Hootie & the Blowfish. July 17, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
Kennedy, Mark (October 30, 2019). "Music Review: Hootie & the Blowfish Return but New Album Blows". The Post and Courier. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
Oyer, Kalyn (November 4, 2019). "Hootie & the Blowfish's New Album Isn't Profound, but It Wasn't Meant to Be". The Post and Courier. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
Clark, Tyler (October 30, 2019). "Hootie & the Blowfish Return with the Painfully Bland Imperfect Circle". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Imperfect Circle – Hootie & the Blowfish". AllMusic Guide. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
"Music Review: Hootie & the Blowfish". Texarkana Gazette. November 8, 2019. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
Tucker, Ken (December 4, 2019). "Hootie & The Blowfish Comeback Album Brings the Band into the 21st Century". Fresh Air. NPR. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
Asker, Jim (November 12, 2019). "Miranda Lambert Ties No. 1 Record on Top Country Albums Chart, Hootie & the Blowfish Debut". Billboard. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
Bjorke, Matt (March 10, 2020). "Top 10 Country Albums Pure Sales Chart: March 9, 2020". RoughStock. Archived from the original on March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
Imperfect Circle (booklet). Hootie & the Blowfish. Capitol Nashville. 2019. B0031043-02.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
"ARIA Australian Top 50 Digital Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. November 11, 2019. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
"Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
"Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
"Hootie the Blowfish Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
"Hootie the Blowfish Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 12, 2019.

External links

Official website
Announcement from the band's website
Imperfect Circle at Discogs (list of releases)
Imperfect Circle at MusicBrainz (list of releases)

v t e Hootie & the Blowfish
Mark Bryan Dean Felber Darius Rucker Jim Sonefeld
Studio albums	Cracked Rear View Fairweather Johnson Musical Chairs Hootie & the Blowfish Looking for Lucky Imperfect Circle
EPs	Kootchypop
Other albums	Scattered, Smothered and Covered The Best of Hootie & the Blowfish: 1993–2003 Live in Charleston
Singles	"Hold My Hand" "Let Her Cry" "Only Wanna Be with You" "Time" "Drowning" "Hey, Hey, What Can I Do" "Old Man & Me (When I Get to Heaven)" "Tucker's Town" "I Go Blind" "I Will Wait"
Other	Group Therapy Tour

Categories:

Misplaced Pages