Take Off Your Colours

Take Off Your Colours
Studio album by You Me at Six
Released 6 October 2008
Recorded Spring 2008
Studio Outhouse Studios, Reading, England
Genre
Length 51:09
Label Slam Dunk
Producer Matt O'Grady, John Mitchell
You Me at Six chronology
We Know What It Means to Be Alone
(2006)		 Take Off Your Colours
(2008)		 Hold Me Down
(2010)
Singles from Take Off Your Colours
  1. "If I Were in Your Shoes"
    Released: 17 March 2008
  2. "Gossip"
    Released: 28 July 2008
  3. "Jealous Minds Think Alike"
    Released: 29 September 2008
  4. "Save It for the Bedroom"
    Released: 9 March 2009
Singles from Take Off Your Colours (Deluxe edition)
  1. "Finders Keepers"
    Released: 25 May 2009
  2. "Kiss and Tell"
    Released: 7 September 2009

Take Off Your Colours is the debut studio album by English rock band You Me at Six.

Background

You Me at Six formed in Weybridge, Surrey in 2004. The band's line-up consisted of vocalist Josh Franceschi, guitarists Max Helyer and Chris Miller, bassist Matt Barnes,[1] and drummer Joe Phillips.[2] The group released an EP, We Know What It Means to Be Alone in 2006,[1] after which, Phillips left the band.[2] He was replaced by Dan Flint, who the band had gone to college with, following the band's appearance at Slam Dunk Festival 2007.[3] Flint was initially asked to fill in on drums for a tour, before being asked to join the band.[3] The band then released another EP later in 2007.[3]

You Me at Six went on tour with Elliot Minor, during which both bands released singles.[4] "Save It for the Bedroom" was released on 22 October 2007 through Slam Dunk.[5][nb 1] The single featured "You've Made Your Made (So Sleep in It)" as the B-side.[7] A music video for the song had been released a few days prior and was directed by Lawrence Hardy.[8] The band's release sold more copies than Elliot Minor's single, which was released through a major label.[6] This situation made it clear to the band that, according to Franceschi, "major labels are good but over the years they have totally lost touch of what sells."[6] Around this time, the group was in discussion with a range of independent and major labels.[6]

Composition and recording

Following the Elliot Minor tour, the group began writing material for their debut album.[4] In late November and early December, the band went on their first headlining tour of the UK,[9] with support from Flood of Red.[10] During the latter month, the band were writing further material for their debut album.[10] All of the songs on the album were written and arranged by the band.[11] Typically, Helyer or Franceschi would have an idea then the band would get together to flesh it out.[3] Occasionally, the band would record demos and change sections of them.[3]

The title, Take Off Your Colours, comes from the film The Warriors (1979).[12] The album's sound has been described as emo pop,[13] and pop punk.[14][15][16] At the time, the group was listening to bands such as Blink-182, New Found Glory and, according to Barnes, "all that sort of Drive-Thru scene, so that's exactly why we wrote like that."[17] One of the members described it as "a mixture of genres. Some songs are pop punk and some are rockier and heavier."[12] The group did not intentially compose a pop punk album but "it just sort of came [out] like that."[17] The band gauged the reaction to the new material by playing the songs live.[18] Discussing "Save It for the Bedroom", Franceschi explained the song was about "Girls, and a whole lot of morals."[4]

The band began recording in spring 2008 at Outhouse Studios in Reading, Berkshire[11] over the course of two weeks.[19] Matt O'Grady and John Mitchell handled producer duties.[11] Mitchell also mixed the proceedings.[11] "Save It for the Bedroom" and "You've Made Your Bed (So Sleep in It)" were both re-recorded during these sessions. Franceschi's sister Elissa provided additional vocals on "Always Attract".[11] Tim Turan mastered the album at TuranAudio.[11]

Release

A music video was released for "If I Were in Your Shoes"[20] on 14 February 2008, which was directed by Lawrence Hardy.[21] Also during February, the band supported The Audition.[10] "If I Were in Your Shoes" was released as single on 17 March through Slam Dunk[21] with "Taste" as the B-side.[22] On 26 June,[23] it was announced the band had signed a one-album contact with Slam Dunk.[6] Franceschi explained that if the group wished to move to a bigger label, they "can easily move on [or] if we are happy we [will] stay [on Slam Dunk]".[6] Franceschi also mentioned that the band wishes to build hype prior to the release of their debut album.[6] "Gossip" was released as a single, with "All Your Fault" as the B-side, on 28 July.[24] A music video for song was directed by Greg Allan.[25] On 11 August, the band released "If You Run" as a free download from their website.[26]

On 11 September, a music video was released for "Jealous Minds Think Alike",[27] which was directed by Shane Davey.[28] The song was released as a single on 29 September, with "Blue Eyes Don't Lie" as the B-side.[29] Take Off Your Colours was released on the 6 October through Slam Dunk. The band did a series of in-store performances to help promote the release.[30] Later in the month, the band toured the UK[31] with support from Houston Calls and Farewell.[32] On 19 February 2009, the band released a music video for "Save It for the Bedroom",[33] which was directed by Davey.[33] In early March, the band toured the UK.[34] "Save It for the Bedroom" was released as a single on 9 March.[35]

Also on 9 March 2009, it was announced the band had signed to Epitaph,[36] who released the album in the US[37] on 21 July.[38] This version featured several bonus tracks: the B-sides to "Save It for the Bedroom", "Gossip" and "Jealous Minds Think Alike" singles, in addition to acoustic versions of "Save It for the Bedroom" and "Finders Keepers".[39] In August, the band went on the 2009 edition of Warped Tour.[39] In early September, the band toured the UK.[40] A deluxe edition of Take Off Your Colours was released on 14 September in the UK.[41] It features the original album on one disc and another disc of five additional songs:[42] two non-album singles ("Finders Keepers" and "Kiss and Tell") and B-sides to the "Save It for the Bedroom" (2009 re-release), "Gossip" and "Jealous Minds Think Alike" singles. Between September and November,[43] the band supported The Academy Is... and Mayday Parade in the US[44] on the AP Fall Ball Tour.[43]

Reception and legacy

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[13]
Alternative Press[14]
Alter the Press!3/5[45]
Big Cheese[15]
BlogcriticsFavourable[16]
Kerrang![46]
Rock Sound7/10[47]
Strange Glue7/10[48]
The Guardian[49]
The Northern EchoFavourable[50]

The album charted on the UK Albums Chart at number 25.[51] The deluxe edition peaked at number 61.[51] "Jealous Minds Think Alike" peaked at number 100.[51] In March 2012, the album was certified silver in the UK, and four months later, it was certified gold.[52] AllMusic reviewer later remarked the album cemented the group "as one of England's hottest up-and-coming rock bands".[53] By November 2009, Franceschi described playing the material live as having "become suffocated almost and we've really overplayed some of them".[19] Prior to Slam Dunk Festival 2015, there were rumours that the band was going to perform Take Off Your Colours in its entirety.[54] Franceschi later explaind the band would be "extensively paying homage to that with songs" from the album.[54]

Track listing

All songs written and arranged by You Me at Six.[11]

  1. "The Truth Is a Terrible Thing" – 2:51
  2. "Gossip" – 2:57
  3. "Call That a Comeback" – 3:26
  4. "Jealous Minds Think Alike" – 3:36
  5. "Save It for the Bedroom" – 3:58
  6. "Take Off Your Colours" – 3:16
  7. "You've Made Your Bed (So Sleep in It)" – 4:19
  8. "If You Run" – 3:57
  9. "Tigers and Sharks" – 4:27
  10. "If I Were in Your Shoes" – 3:00
  11. "Always Attract" – 6:05
  12. "Nasty Habits" – 3:51
  13. "The Rumour" – 5:15
UK deluxe edition bonus tracks
  1. "Kiss and Tell" – 3:19
  2. "Finders Keepers" – 3:13
  3. "Sweet Feet" – 3:35
  4. "All Your Fault" – 4:26
  5. "Blue Eyes Don't Lie" – 3:30

Personnel

Personnel per booklet.[11]

You Me at Six
  • Josh Franceschi – lead vocals
  • Chris Miller – lead guitar
  • Max Helyer – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Matt Barnes – bass guitar
  • Dan Flint – drums, percussion
Additional musicians
Production

Chart performance

Original release
Chart (2008) Peak
position
[51]
UK Album Chart 25
Reissue
Chart (2009) Peak
position
[51]
UK Album Chart 61

References

Footnotes
  1. ↑ Slam Dunk was partially created by the band "with some help from a manager and some mobilisation of an audience via Myspace", according to Rock Sound.[6]
Citations
  1. 1 2 Birchmeier, Jason. "You Me at Six | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  2. 1 2 McMahon, ed., 2014, p. 20
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Interview with Dan Flint - You Me At Six - Dec 09". Mike Dolbear DRUMS. December 2009. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 Moore, Michelle (16 November 2007). "You Me At Six - Interview with You Me At Six". RoomThirteen. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  5. ↑ Richardson, Shane (1 November 2007). "You Me At Six - 'Save It For The Bedroom'". Gigwise. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Kelham, Andrew. "Feature: YMA6 Sign Record Deal". Rock Sound. Archived from the original on 30 June 2008. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  7. ↑ "Save It for the Bedroom - You Me at Six | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  8. ↑ Lawrence Hardy (17 October 2007). You Me At Six - Save It For The Bedroom. YouTube. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  9. ↑ Dan. "You Me At Six dates". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 16 February 2008. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  10. 1 2 3 Richardson, Shane (5 December 2007). "The Youth Of The Nation - You Me At Six". Gigwise. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Take Off Your Colours (CD). You Me at Six. Slam Dunk Records. 2008. SLAMD005.
  12. 1 2 Harrison, Ruth (28 October 2008). "You Me At Six show their true colours". FemaleFirst. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  13. 1 2 O'Brien, Jon. "Take Off Your Colours - You Me at Six | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  14. 1 2 Lucy 2009, p. 109
  15. 1 2 Walker, Jen. "You Me At Six: Take Off Your Colours (Slam Dunk) Irresistible debut full-length from rising Surrey pop punks". Big Cheese. Archived from the original on 5 September 2010. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  16. 1 2 Perkins, Jeff. "Music Review: You Me At Six - Take Off Your Colours". Blogcritics. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  17. 1 2 Carroll, Grace (5 December 2012). "You Me At Six: 'We remind ourselves how lucky we are'". Gigwise. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  18. ↑ Shari Black Velvet 2008
  19. 1 2 Burton, Andy (18 November 2009). "Interview - You Me At Six - Interviews - Music". Virgin. Archived from the original on 29 April 2010. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  20. ↑ Streeter, Brad (15 February 2008). "The UK Has Good Bands Too?". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  21. 1 2 Dan (14 February 2008). "EXCLUSIVE! Watch the new You Me At Six video!". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 1 April 2008. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  22. ↑ "If I Were in Your Shoes - You Me at Six | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  23. ↑ Rock Sound (26 June 2008). "You Me at Six Sign - News". Rock Sound. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  24. ↑ "Gossip - You Me at Six | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  25. ↑ You Me at Six (26 February 2009). You Me At Six - Gossip. YouTube. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  26. ↑ Katie (11 August 2008). "You Me At Six - free new song!". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 24 March 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  27. ↑ Rock Sound (11 September 2008). "YMA6 Jealous Minds Think Alike - News". Rock Sound. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  28. ↑ You Me at Six (26 February 2009). You Me At Six - Jealous Minds Think Alike. YouTube. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  29. ↑ "Jealous Minds Think Alike - You Me at Six | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  30. ↑ Dan (30 September 2008). "You Me At Six in-stores!". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 6 December 2008. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  31. ↑ Rock Sound (9 July 2008). "YMA6 Touring - News". Rock Sound. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  32. ↑ Pascarella, Tony (2 August 2008). "Houston Calls UK Dates". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  33. 1 2 Rock Sound (19 February 2009). "You Me At Six - Save It For The Bedroom - Videos". Rock Sound. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  34. ↑ Knight, David (17 February 2009). "You Me At Six's Save It For The Bedroom by Shane Davey". Promonews. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  35. ↑ "Save It for the Bedroom - You Me at Six | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  36. ↑ Paul, Aubin (9 March 2009). "Epitaph signs You Me At Six". Punknews.org. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  37. ↑ Djamoos, Anton (10 March 2009). "You Me at Six Sign to Epitaph". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  38. ↑ DeAndrea, Joe (24 May 2009). "You Me at Six Release Date". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  39. 1 2 Paul, Aubin (2 June 2009). "You Me At Six plan to reissue debut for July with bonus tracks". Punknews.org. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  40. ↑ Rock Sound (19 August 2009). "You Me At Six Announce Intimate Shows - News". Rock Sound. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  41. ↑ "news news news…". youmeatsix. Archived from the original on 1 August 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  42. ↑ Rock Sound (14 September 2009). "You Me At Six Tour Diary - News". Rock Sound. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  43. 1 2 White, Adam (12 August 2009). "Tours: The Academy Is, Mayday Parade, Set Your Goals on AP's Fall Ball Tour". Punknews.org. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  44. ↑ "Mayday Parade to co-headline the AP Tour Fall Ball". Alternative Press. 22 July 2009. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  45. ↑ Reid, Sean (2 October 2008). "Album Review: You Me At Six - Take Off Your Colours". Alter the Press!. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  46. ↑ Bryant 2008, p. 52
  47. ↑ Walker 2009, p. 84
  48. ↑ Williamson, Aiden. "Music Review: You Me At Six: Take Off Your Colours". Strange Glue. Retrieved 2009-08-17.
  49. ↑ Johnston, Emma (October 12, 2008). "Pop review: You Me at Six, Take Off Your Colours". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 2008-10-12.
  50. ↑ Spears, Chloe (12 January 2009). "Take Off Your Colours by You Me At Six". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  51. 1 2 3 4 5 "UK Charts > You Me at Six". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  52. ↑ "Certified Awards". bpi.co.uk. Retrieved 6 December 2015. Enter You Me at Six in the field Search. Select Artist in the field Search by. Click Search
  53. ↑ Birchmeier, Jason. "Hold Me Down - You Me at Six | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  54. 1 2 Davies, Alan (25 March 2015). "You Me At Six address Slam Dunk Festival 2015 set rumours - Music". Welwyn Hatfield Times. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
Sources

External links

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