''This Life'' is the debut album by Irish acoustic hip-hop group

the Original Rudeboys The Original Rudeboys (O.R.B.) are an acoustic pop/ hip hop group from Dublin. They are notable for their debut album ''This Life'' which was released in 2012 and debuted at number one on the Irish iTunes Charts, and their single "Stars in M ...

(now O.R.B.), released on 23 March 2012 in Ireland and 12 April 2012 in the UK through

Gotta Run Records Rubyworks Records is an independent record label and music management company created in 2001 by Niall Muckian and based in Dublin, Ireland. Rubyworks owns two subsidiary labels, Gotta Run Records and Model Citizen Records. In May 2012 Rubywork ...

. It came in at number 1 on The Independent Charts and number 3 on the

Irish Album Chart The Irish Albums Chart is the Irish music industry standard albums popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA). The charts were previously compiled on behalf of IRMA by Chart-Track, and have been compiled by the ...

. It has been certified Multi Platinum in Ireland by the IRMA. It was met with generally mixed reviews from music critics. The album was recorded in the UK with Jake Gosling, best known for producing Ed Sheeran's multi-platinum debut album. The first single, "Stars in My Eyes", was released on 14 October 2011 and peaked at No. 18 on the

Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is the Republic of Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA) and compiled on their behalf by the Official Charts Company. Chart rankings are bas ...

. The second single, " Travelling Man", released on 9 March 2012 was met with similar success and peaked at No. 23 on the Irish Singles Chart. The third single, Written songs was released 20 June 2012 and mirrored the success of the first two singles by reaching No. 39 on the Irish Singles Chart. The fourth and final single, "Blue Eyes", was released 9 November 2012 after being re-recorded and remixed by Ash Howes who has previously worked with The Saturdays, One Direction and

Ellie Goulding Elena Jane Goulding ( ; born 30 December 1986) is an English singer and songwriter. Her career began when she met record producers Starsmith and Frankmusik, and she was later spotted by Jamie Lillywhite, who became her manager and Artists and ...

Reception

Critical opinion for ''This Life'' was mixed. Jackie Hayden of Hot Press called it "passionate rap with an Irish passport" and praised the contrast between the two vocalists. Niall Swan of Irish music website "Golden Plec" said "Burch's vocals are reminiscent of Jason Mraz or Jack Johnson in their prime and it is the contrast between the accents of the two vocalists which make The Original Rudeboys be exactly what they claim to be, original." While '' The Irish Times'' critisied the blending of Burch and Arkins vocals stating they created "odd Frankensteins of songs". John Meagher of the ''

Irish Independent The ''Irish Independent'' is an Irish daily newspaper and online publication which is owned by Independent News & Media (INM), a subsidiary of Mediahuis. The newspaper version often includes glossy magazines. Traditionally a broadsheet new ...

'' was also critical of the two vocalists calling Burchs' voice "bland" and stating Arkins' "Dublinese rapping" would not have any impact internationally.

Track listing

Charts

References

{{Authority control 2012 debut albums The Original Rudeboys albums Rubyworks Records albums Albums produced by Jake Gosling