''Make It Better'' is the third studio album by British dance-pop band
Dubstar
Dubstar are an English indie-dance duo,Note: An American indie hip hop artist has released some tracks and video via the Internet under the name "Dubstar", but is not connected to the band in any way. performing songs with hints of Britpop, dre ...
. It was released August 2000 on
Food
Food is any substance consumed by an organism for nutritional support. Food is usually of plant, animal, or fungal origin, and contains essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals. The substance is inge ...
, and spawned two singles: "I (Friday Night)" and "The Self Same Thing". The single "I (Friday Night) was released in the UK on 1 May. Some releases of ''Make It Better'' exclude the tenth and thirteenth tracks, "New Friends" and "Stay Together", respectively.
''Make It Better'' was recorded at Steve Hillier's house in Lansdowne, Brighton, Hove and the Newcastle Arts Centre in Newcastle-upon-Tyre, with the band and Mike "Spike" Drake (who also mixed the recordings) acting as producers.
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Reception
Writing for AllMusic, Dean Carlson found the album very pop orientated. He praised the first three tracks, noting the new use of crunching guitars and rough beats. However, he felt the following tracks were lacklustre.
Track listing
All songs written by Steve Hillier
Dubstar are an English indie-dance duo,Note: An American indie hip hop artist has released some tracks and video via the Internet under the name "Dubstar", but is not connected to the band in any way. performing songs with hints of Britpop, dre ...
, music by Hillier and Chris Wilkie, except where noted.[
# "Take It" – 3:13
# "I" – 2:51
# "The Self Same Thing" – 3:26
# "Mercury" (]Kirsty Hawkshaw
Kirsty Hawkshaw (born 26 October 1969) is an English electronic music vocalist and songwriter. In addition to her work as a solo artist, she is known as the lead vocalist of early 1990s dance group Opus III, and her collaborative work with oth ...
) – 4:07
# "Stay" – 3:44
# "Another Word" (lyrics: Sarah Blackwood
Sarah Blackwood (born 6 May 1971) is an English recording artist. She came to prominence as the lead singer of Dubstar, and as Client B in the band Client (band), Client.
Career
Blackwood was born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England, attended a ...
, Wilkie; music: Hillier, Wilkie) – 4:11
# "When the World Knows Your Name" – 3:33
# "Arc of Fire" – 3:56
# "Believe in Me" – 3:43
# "I'm Conscious of Myself" – 2:49
# "Rise to the Top" – 2:33
# "Swansong" – 3:33
Japanese edition track listing
# "Take It" – 3:13
# "I" – 2:51
# "The Self Same Thing" – 3:26
# "Mercury" – 4:07
# "Stay" – 3:42
# "Another Word" – 4:13
# "When the World Knows Your Name" – 3:33
# "Arc of Fire" – 3:56
# "Believe in Me" – 3:43
# "New Friends" – 2:26
# "I'm Conscious of Myself" – 2:49
# "Rise to the Top" – 2:33
# "Stay Together" – 3:57
# "Swansong" – 3:30
Personnel
Personnel per booklet.Sarah Blackwood
Sarah Blackwood (born 6 May 1971) is an English recording artist. She came to prominence as the lead singer of Dubstar, and as Client B in the band Client (band), Client.
Career
Blackwood was born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England, attended a ...
– vocals
* Steve Hillier – programming
* Chris Wilkie – guitar
Production and design
* Dubstar – producer
* Mike "Spike" Drake – producer, mixing
* Mat Cook – art direction
* Intro – art direction
* Zanna – photography
References
External links
''Make It Better''
at YouTube (streamed copy where licensed)
{{Authority control
2000 albums
Dubstar albums
Food Records albums