Read My Lips (Sophie Ellis-Bextor album)
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''Read My Lips'' is the debut studio album by English singer
Sophie Ellis-Bextor Sophie Michelle Ellis-Bextor (born 10 April 1979) is an English singer and songwriter. She first came to prominence in the late 1990s as the lead singer of the indie rock band Theaudience. After the group disbanded Ellis-Bextor went solo and ach ...
. It was released on 27 August 2001 by Polydor Records. After the disbandment of the Britpop group
Theaudience Theaudience (styled as theaudience) were an English rock band, formed in London in 1996. They released one album and saw three singles enter the UK Singles Chart. The band's singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor became a successful solo artist after the b ...
, in which Ellis-Bextor served as vocalist, she was signed to Polydor. Prior to the LP's completion, the singer collaborated with several musicians, including band Blur's bassist Alex James,
Moby Richard Melville Hall (born September 11, 1965), known professionally as Moby, is an American musician, songwriter, singer, producer, and animal rights activist. He has sold 20 million records worldwide. AllMusic considers him to be "among the ...
and
New Radicals New is an adjective referring to something recently made, discovered, or created. New or NEW may refer to: Music * New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz Albums and EPs * ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013 * ''New'' (EP), by Regurgitator, ...
frontman Gregg Alexander. The record was described as a collection of 1980s
electronica Electronica is both a broad group of electronic-based music styles intended for listening rather than strictly for dancing and a music scene that started in the early 1990s in the United Kingdom. In the United States, the term is mostly used to r ...
and 1970s
disco Disco is a genre of dance music and a subculture that emerged in the 1970s from the United States' urban nightlife scene. Its sound is typified by four-on-the-floor beats, syncopated basslines, string sections, brass and horns, electric pia ...
music. Critical response to ''Read My Lips'' was polarised, with music critics denouncing its content that was, according to one magazine, Q, of lesser quality than "
Groovejet (If This Ain't Love) "Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)" is a song by Italian electronic music producer Spiller with lead vocals performed by British singer-songwriter Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Various versions of the single were later featured on the German reissue and som ...
"—the singer's collaboration with Italian DJ
Spiller Cristiano Spiller (born 3 April 1975) is an Italian electronic music DJ and record producer. He is best known for his 2000 single " Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)", featuring Sophie Ellis-Bextor. The song reached number-one in the UK, Australia, ...
and according to others, inherently malign simply on account of being chart pop. The album reached number two on the UK Albums Chart, and has since been certified double platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). It spawned four singles: " Take Me Home", " Murder on the Dancefloor", double A-side single " Get Over You"/"Move This Mountain" and "
Music Gets the Best of Me "Music Gets the Best of Me" is a song by British singer-songwriter Sophie Ellis-Bextor, released as the fourth and final single from her debut solo album, '' Read My Lips'' (2001). The single was one of two new tracks that appeared on the re-iss ...
".


Background

Following the disbandment of Britpop group
Theaudience Theaudience (styled as theaudience) were an English rock band, formed in London in 1996. They released one album and saw three singles enter the UK Singles Chart. The band's singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor became a successful solo artist after the b ...
, Ellis-Bextor provided vocals for the song "
Groovejet (If This Ain't Love) "Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)" is a song by Italian electronic music producer Spiller with lead vocals performed by British singer-songwriter Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Various versions of the single were later featured on the German reissue and som ...
" by Italian DJ
Spiller Cristiano Spiller (born 3 April 1975) is an Italian electronic music DJ and record producer. He is best known for his 2000 single " Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)", featuring Sophie Ellis-Bextor. The song reached number-one in the UK, Australia, ...
. The song was a commercial success, and Ellis-Bextor signed to Polydor. She was contacted by director
Baz Luhrmann Mark Anthony Luhrmann (born 17 September 1962), known professionally as Baz Luhrmann, is an Australian film director, producer, writer and actor. With projects spanning film, television, opera, theatre, music and recording industries, he is re ...
, who offered her a role in the 2001 film '' Moulin Rouge!'', but the singer refused in order to focus on her career as a recording artist. The success of "Groovejet" also prompted American musician
Moby Richard Melville Hall (born September 11, 1965), known professionally as Moby, is an American musician, songwriter, singer, producer, and animal rights activist. He has sold 20 million records worldwide. AllMusic considers him to be "among the ...
to notice Ellis-Bextor, and revealed interest in working with her due to her "amazing" voice, as he described it. He instructed his record company to "track" Ellis-Bextor "down" so they could start working as soon as Moby finished his tour. The two ultimately wrote five songs in New York City, which did not make the final cut of ''Read My Lips''. Furthermore, she also recorded with Blur bassist Alex James, as well as former frontman of the
New Radicals New is an adjective referring to something recently made, discovered, or created. New or NEW may refer to: Music * New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz Albums and EPs * ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013 * ''New'' (EP), by Regurgitator, ...
, Gregg Alexander, while Damian LeGassick was recruited for his programming and keyboard work. The album's title was chosen due to the strong lipstick Ellis-Bextor used for the album artwork, the " Take Me Home" music video and “Read My Lips” is sung in the opening verse of the album track “The Universe Is You”. The album photography was shot by Mert Alas.


Composition

An "eclectic" album, ''Read My Lips'', is a collection of
1980s File:1980s replacement montage02.PNG, 420px, From left, clockwise: The first Space Shuttle, ''Columbia'', lifts off in 1981; US president Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev ease tensions between the two superpowers, leading to the ...
electronica Electronica is both a broad group of electronic-based music styles intended for listening rather than strictly for dancing and a music scene that started in the early 1990s in the United Kingdom. In the United States, the term is mostly used to r ...
and
1970s File:1970s decade montage.jpg, Clockwise from top left: U.S. President Richard Nixon doing the V for Victory sign after his resignation from office following the Watergate scandal in 1974; The United States was still involved in the Vietnam War i ...
disco Disco is a genre of dance music and a subculture that emerged in the 1970s from the United States' urban nightlife scene. Its sound is typified by four-on-the-floor beats, syncopated basslines, string sections, brass and horns, electric pia ...
. The album opener and first single is a cover version of
Cher Cher (; born Cherilyn Sarkisian; May 20, 1946) is an American singer, actress and television personality. Often referred to by the media as the Honorific nicknames in popular music, "Goddess of Pop", she has been described as embodying female ...
's 1979 song " Take Me Home", described as a "disco groove". Betty Clarke from '' The Guardian'' observed that her voice in the song is reminiscent of
Audrey Hepburn Audrey Hepburn (born Audrey Kathleen Ruston; 4 May 1929 – 20 January 1993) was a British actress and humanitarian. Recognised as both a film and fashion icon, she was ranked by the American Film Institute as the AFI's 100 Years...100 Stars, t ...
's Eliza Doolittle (in the movie '' My Fair Lady''). " Move This Mountain", co-written by Alex James, is a "vibrant" ballad with a trip hop-influenced sound. Following track and second single, " Murder on the Dancefloor", is a
dance-pop Dance-pop is a popular music subgenre that originated in the late 1970s to early 1980s. It is generally uptempo music intended for nightclubs with the intention of being danceable but also suitable for contemporary hit radio. Developing from a ...
and disco record, that utilises bass guitar and piano in its instrumental. "Sparkle" has "speeding beats and equally speeding
keyboards Keyboard may refer to: Text input * Keyboard, part of a typewriter * Computer keyboard ** Keyboard layout, the software control of computer keyboards and their mapping ** Keyboard technology, computer keyboard hardware and firmware Music * Musi ...
", while "Final Move" contains "tinny beats" and "electro swirls". The latter was deemed a "subdued version" of "Murder on the Dancefloor" with "similar kaleidoscope synth". "I Believe" was described as "funky" and "live-sounding", while "Leave the Others Alone" involves "cold beats" and "big, full-throttle keyboards". "By Chance" was particularly noted for showcasing Ellis-Bextor's accent. Re-release new song "
Get Over You "Get Over You" and "Move This Mountain" are two songs by British Pop music, pop singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor. In most countries, "Get Over You" was released as the sole single, but in the United Kingdom, the two tracks were released as a double A- ...
" is a "polite" Euro disco take on " I Will Survive".


Singles and promotion

Promotion for ''Read My Lips'' launched with the release of " Take Me Home", a cover of the song by singer
Cher Cher (; born Cherilyn Sarkisian; May 20, 1946) is an American singer, actress and television personality. Often referred to by the media as the Honorific nicknames in popular music, "Goddess of Pop", she has been described as embodying female ...
, which was released on 13 August 2001. Although its production and Ellis-Bextor's vocal performance in the song were heavily criticised, the single reached number two on the UK Singles Chart. After the release of the album, " Murder on the Dancefloor" was serviced as its second single on 3 December 2001. It peaked in the top 10 of the charts in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK. A double A-side single including new re-release song "
Get Over You "Get Over You" and "Move This Mountain" are two songs by British Pop music, pop singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor. In most countries, "Get Over You" was released as the sole single, but in the United Kingdom, the two tracks were released as a double A- ...
" and original album track "Move This Mountain" was released on 10 June 2002, in a set of two CD singles. Ellis-Bextor, who had previously felt uncomfortable with the idea of touring, confirmed a UK-only tour in January 2002, which took place from April to May. Later, in July 2002, other dates of the tour were revealed for 2003.


Critical reception

Toby Manning from '' Q'' cited "Take Me Home" and "Move This Mountain" as the album's highlights, but, overall, he thought that the record failed to live up to the standard set by the previous collaboration with
Spiller Cristiano Spiller (born 3 April 1975) is an Italian electronic music DJ and record producer. He is best known for his 2000 single " Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)", featuring Sophie Ellis-Bextor. The song reached number-one in the UK, Australia, ...
. He also found that the album's music and the distinctive pronunciation of Ellis-Bextor's vocal delivery did not work to complimentary effect. Betty Clarke from '' The Guardian'' described the album as a "sophisticated package" but said "there's little to love and even less fun to be had". Kelvin Hayes from AllMusic dubbed it "a disappointing debut from Ellis-Bextor, fusing Human League synth with beats and cinematic strings", but described "Murder on the Dancefloor" as the "shimmering highlight" from the album. A critic from entertainment.ie said "the material on her debut solo album only rarely does justice to her distinctive upper-crust voice", and said that "most of the songs sound laboured and plod where they should swing". In contrast to the previous reviews, Andrew Arora from Blue Coupe had a more positive response to the record. Arora said "it lands somewhere between
Pet Shop Boys The Pet Shop Boys are an English synth-pop duo formed in London in 1981. Consisting of primary vocalist Neil Tennant and keyboardist Chris Lowe, they have sold more than 50 million records worldwide, and were listed as the most successful duo i ...
' synth-pop faculty and Blondie's '' Parallel Lines'' album", although he claimed that fans of "Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)" "should not expect much from this album, but it does deliver a dynamic electro disco sound that is sometimes analogous to her breakthrough-hit single".


Commercial performance

''Read My Lips'' debuted at number four on the UK Albums Chart with first-week sales of 23,023 copies. Although the original ten track edition dropped down and out of the charts over the next few weeks, a twelve track UK edition, released December 2001, peaked at number three in January 2002 following the singles chart success of Murder on the Dancefloor. Finally a fifteen-track edition with a considerably revised running order was released in summer 2002 and peaked at number two - 41 weeks after the original edition first charted. On 21 June 2002, it was certified double platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). ''Enter'' Read My Lips ''in the field'' Search''. Select'' Title ''in the field'' Search by''. Select'' album ''in the field'' By Format''. Click'' Go The album had sold 833,968 copies as of January 2014.


Track listing

Notes * signifies an additional producer


Personnel

*
Sophie Ellis-Bextor Sophie Michelle Ellis-Bextor (born 10 April 1979) is an English singer and songwriter. She first came to prominence in the late 1990s as the lead singer of the indie rock band Theaudience. After the group disbanded Ellis-Bextor went solo and ach ...
– vocals *Matt Rowe –
producer Producer or producers may refer to: Occupations *Producer (agriculture), a farm operator *A stakeholder of economic production *Film producer, supervises the making of films **Executive producer, contributes to a film's budget and usually does not ...
* Gregg Alexander – producer *Damian LeGassick – producer, programming, keyboards, guitars *Gary Wilkinson – producer * Ben Hillier – producer, programming, piano, drums * Alex James – producer, bass guitar, guitars * Steve Osborne – producer *Marko Rakascan – producer, recording, programming, engineer, guitars, mixing *Henri Korpi – producer, arranger, keyboards, programming *Blackcell – producer, arranger * R. Hall – producer, recording *Jeremy Wheatley – additional production, mixing, remixing *
Yoad Nevo Yoad Nevo is a Multi Platinum Producer and Mixer known for his work with Sia, Ed Sheeran, Giggs, Jem, Pet Shop Boys, Bryan Adams, Girls Aloud, Sugababes, The Dandy Warhols, Goldfrapp, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Moby, Air, Morcheeba, amongst other ...
– programming, guitars, percussion, keyboards, drum programming *
Guy Pratt Guy Adam Pratt (born 3 January 1962) is a British musician. He is best known for his prolific work as a session bass player, working with artists including Pink Floyd (also David Gilmour and Nick Mason), Roxy Music (also Bryan Ferry), Gary M ...
– bass guitar * John Themis – guitars *Rosie Wetter – string arrangement *Nick Franglen – programming *
Bacon Bacon is a type of salt-cured pork made from various cuts, typically the belly or less fatty parts of the back. It is eaten as a side dish (particularly in breakfasts), used as a central ingredient (e.g., the bacon, lettuce, and tomato sand ...
&
Quarmby Quarmby is a district of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England. It is situated 2 miles west of Huddersfield town centre between Oakes, Paddock and Longwood. The holders of the manor in the reign of Edward the Confessor 1042–66 were Gamel a ...
– recording *Jake Davies – mix engineer, additional programming, sound design *Ross Newell – guitars, keyboards, bass *Juliet Roberts – backing vocals *Sylvia Mason-James – backing vocals *Saphena Aziz – backing vocals *Jennifer John – backing vocals *Darren Nash – assistant engineer *Stefan Skarbek – programming *Rik Simpson – engineer *Aidan Love – programming, arrangement *Andrea Wright – assistant engineer *Niklas Flyckt – mixing *Gordon Elmquist – assistant engineer *Nina Woodford – background vocals *Emma Holmgren – background vocals *Mathias Johansson – guitar, bass, keyboards, programming *Ben Thacker – engineer


Charts


Weekly charts


Year-end charts


Certifications


Tour

The ''Read My Lips Tour'' was the debut concert tour by
Sophie Ellis-Bextor Sophie Michelle Ellis-Bextor (born 10 April 1979) is an English singer and songwriter. She first came to prominence in the late 1990s as the lead singer of the indie rock band Theaudience. After the group disbanded Ellis-Bextor went solo and ach ...
, in support of her debut studio album. Beginning January 2003, the tour visited the European continent. As of 2013, it is the biggest tour Ellis-Bextor has ever headlined.


Background

The ''Read My Lips ''tour is the biggest tour Ellis-Bextor has ever gone on, having 38 dates and two legs.Read My Lips Tour.
Sophie Online. Retrieved 15-08-2013.
The Shepherd's Bush Empire gig was recorded, later being released in Ellis-Bextor's first video album, '' Watch My Lips''.


Setlist

This setlist was obtained from the concert held 3 May 2002 at the Shepherd's Bush Empire in London, England. It does not represent all concerts for the duration of the tour. #"Sparkle" #"The Universe Is You" #"Lover" #"
A Pessimist Is Never Disappointed "A Pessimist Is Never Disappointed" is an indie-rock song written by Billy Reeves for Theaudience's eponymous album ''Theaudience'', released as the third single on 11 May 1998. "A Pessimist Is Never Disappointed" became one of the band's most p ...
" #"By Chance" #"Final Move" #"Is It Any Wonder" #"Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)" #"Everything Falls into Place" #" Murder on the Dancefloor" #" Move This Mountain" ;Encore #
  • "
    Get Over You "Get Over You" and "Move This Mountain" are two songs by British Pop music, pop singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor. In most countries, "Get Over You" was released as the sole single, but in the United Kingdom, the two tracks were released as a double A- ...
    "
  • #" Take Me Home (A Girl Like Me)"


    Tour dates


    Notes


    References


    External links

    *
    Review + Details
    *
    Read My Lips Tour dates
    {{DEFAULTSORT:Read My Lips (Album) 2001 debut albums Albums produced by Ben Hillier Albums produced by Moby Albums produced by Steve Osborne Polydor Records albums Sophie Ellis-Bextor albums Electropop albums