Shades of Purple
Shades of Purple | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 7 March 2000[1] | |||
Recorded | 1999-2000 | |||
Genre | Pop | |||
Length | 51:07 | |||
Label | Atlantic | |||
Producer |
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M2M chronology | ||||
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Alternative cover | ||||
Singles from Shades of Purple | ||||
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Shades of Purple is the debut studio album by Norwegian
The album received a positive critical response. Robert Christgau gave the album an 'A−', praising the duo's singing. Michael Paoletta from Billboard said it was "poised to be the soundtrack of spring/summer 2000." Shades of Purple sold over 1.5 million units worldwide and was nominated for best pop album at the 2000 Spellemannprisen awards.
Background and composition
Marion Raven and Marit Larsen come from Lørenskog in the district east of Oslo.[3] They became friends at age five, and formed their own band when they were eight.[4] They released a children's album, Synger Kjente Barnesanger, under the band name "Marit & Marion", which was nominated for a Spellemannprisen award[3] when they were both 12 years old.[5] They continued writing pop songs and sent demo recordings out. One of the demos ended up at Atlantic Records and they were signed to a worldwide contract in 1998,[6] after which they shortened their name to M2M, which reflects the initials of both their first names.[4]
The album was recorded in London, Sweden and New York,[3] when Raven was 14 and Larsen was 15.[7] Raven and Larsen co-wrote most of the songs on the album.[8] "Girl in Your Dreams" was the first song Raven had ever written.[8] She wrote it when she was 13 about a boy she liked that was not interested in her.[9] The pair wrote over 30 songs in anticipation of recording; 16 of these were recorded, and 13 made it onto the US version of the album. One of the unreleased songs, "The Feeling is Gone", was released as a B-side on the European[10] and Japanese[11] single versions of "Don't Say You Love Me", and also appears on the Australian version of the album.[12]
The track "Our Song" uses the chorus of the Bee Gees' hit single "Too Much Heaven" as its own chorus.[13][10] Raven and Larsen had previously been unaware of "Too Much Heaven"; the chorus was added at the suggestion of their producer.[10] When questioned about the album title, M2M replied that purple was their favourite colour and they wanted "a title that expressed that the album is us and through our eyes."[10]
Release and promotion
The album was released in both Europe and Asia in mid-February 2000[1] and the US on 7 March.[1] It had been released worldwide by the end of March, except in Sweden where a shipment of 20,000 copies was delayed for at least four weeks due to a legal dispute with a local band there that also used the name "M2M".[14]
In December 1999
Beginning in August 1999, M2M toured and performed extensively to promote their debut single "Don't Say You Love Me", performing several concerts in the US[20] and throughout Asia,[21] as well as appearing on an episode of the show One World,[22] and performing at Walt Disney World in February 2000.[23] M2M continued to keep a high profile following the release of Shades of Purple, appearing on Top of the Pops in March 2000[24][25] embarking on a tour of US high schools[26] and touring with Hanson in September.[16]
Singles
"Don't Say You Love Me" was released in October 1999 as the lead song from the Pokémon: The First Movie soundtrack.[27] There was a minor lyric change between the versions, as the original version contained the lyrics "then you start kissing me", which was deemed inappropriate for Pokémon's young viewers and was changed to "then you said you love me". The original version was retained on Shades of Purple.[10] Promoted by a "nonstop marketing effort", advanced airing on Radio Disney and the affiliation with Pokémon, the single was successful.[20] It charted at No. 2 in Norway, No. 4 in both Australia and New Zealand,[28] No. 16 in the UK[29] and No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100.[30] It was certified gold in both Australia[31] and the US,[32] and was nominated for the year's best song at the 2000 Spellemannprisen awards.[33]
The second single from the album was '"
Reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [39] |
Entertainment Weekly | B[40] |
Rolling Stone | [41] |
The Village Voice | A−[42] |
The album received critical acclaim. The Village Voice's Robert Christgau stated that "even when the writing is ordinary, the quality teenpop, some assembly-line and some personalized, is transfigured by the duo's singing."[42] Entertainment Weekly critic Arion Berger wrote that M2M's "precise Euro-dance pop is fun, fun, fun, and behind the lip gloss is enough insecurity to charm."[40] Heather Phares from AllMusic said "Overall, Shades of Purple is a strong debut from a young group that still sounds fresh and innocent ... something of a rarity in teen pop."[39] Michael Paoletta from Billboard gave a favourable review, saying "The 13 tracks on display here showcase a seasoned singing style that is, quite frankly, the antithesis of teen sensations like Britney Spears", concluding "Beautifully sun-kissed, Shades of Purple is poised to be the soundtrack of spring/summer 2000."[13] The album was nominated for the best pop album at the 2000 Spellemannprisen awards.[33]
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Don't Say You Love Me" |
|
| 3:46 |
2. | "The Day You Went Away" |
|
| 3:43 |
3. | "Girl in Your Dreams" | Raven | Rowe | 3:31 |
4. | "Mirror Mirror" |
|
| 3:21 |
5. | "Pretty Boy" |
|
| 4:40 |
6. | "Give a Little Love" |
|
| 3:59 |
7. | "Everything You Do" |
|
| 4:02 |
8. | "Don't Mess with My Love" |
| Bralower | 3:44 |
9. | "Dear Diary" |
| Bralower | 3:58 |
10. | "Do You Know What You Want" |
| Full Force | 4:06 |
11. | "Smiling Face" |
| Rowe | 4:15 |
12. | "Our Song" |
| Jazayeri, Mather | 3:54 |
13. | "Why" |
| Bralower | 4:20 |
Total length: | 51:07 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
14. | "The Feeling Is Gone" |
| Rowe | 3:14 |
Total length: | 54:21 |
Credits and personnel
Credits are taken from AllMusic.[2] Writers and producers are mentioned in track listing.
M2M | Additional musicians | Production | Artwork and management |
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|
|
|
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Charts
Chart (2000) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australian Albums (ARIA)[43] | 63 |
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[44] | 97 |
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[45] | 7 |
US Billboard 200[30] | 89 |
US Top Heatseekers[30]
|
1 |
References
- ^ a b c Arnesen, Jon (5 February 2000). "M2M make their name via Atlantic". Music & Media. 17 (6): 3.
- ^ a b "M2M – Shades of Purple – Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 29 December 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ Taylor, Chuck (27 November 1999). "Atlantic's M2M aims for kid, adult appeal". Billboard. 111 (48): 15, 98.
- ^ a b "Sounds From the Big Room". The Sunday Mail. Brisbane. 30 June 2002. p. F03.
- ^ "M2Ms favoritt-gutter". Verdens Gang (in Norwegian). 30 December 1999. Archived from the original on 3 October 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
- ^ "Biography". M2M Music. Archived from the original on 3 June 2002. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
- ^ "Storsalg kan gi ny gullkontrakt". Verdens Gang (in Norwegian). 1 March 2002. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
- ^ a b Hay, Carla (13 May 2000). "M2M Crosses Atlantic". Billboard. Nielsen N.V.: 149.
- ^ Disney Channel in Concert: BBMak & M2M in Concert (Television program). Disney Channel. 29 April 2000.
- ^ Canoe.com. 3 April 2000. Archived from the originalon 30 September 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
- Amazon.com. Archivedfrom the original on 3 October 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
- ^ M2M (2000). Shades of Purple (CD). Australia: Atlantic Records. 7567-92964-2.
- ^ a b Paoletta, Michael (11 March 2000). "M2M: Shades of Purple". Billboard: 26.
- ^ "Plateselskap avviser pengekrav". Verdens Gang (in Norwegian). 27 March 2000. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
- ^ "M2M debuterer med Aguilera". Verdens Gang (in Norwegian). 17 December 1999. Archived from the original on 29 December 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ a b "M2M: Gigant-underskudd tross million-salg". Verdens Gang (in Norwegian). 18 September 2000. Archived from the original on 29 December 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
- ^ "2000 News Archive". M2M Music. Archived from the original on 15 April 2002.
- ^ Barry A. Jeckell (1 March 2002). "Jewel Takes Labelmate M2M On The Road". Billboard. Archived from the original on 29 December 2016. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
- ^ "M2M Online". M2M. Archived from the original on 22 January 2002.
- ^ Nielsen N.V.: 15, 98.
- ^ "M2M tilbake i Norge". Verdens Gang (in Norwegian). 24 November 1999. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
- ^ One World: "Band on the Run" (television episode). Universal Television. 27 November 1999. Event occurs at 3:44.
- ^ "M2M møtte sine fans". Verdens Gang (in Norwegian). February 14, 2000. Archived from the original on 29 September 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
- ^ "Plateselskap avviser pengekrav". Verdens Gang (in Norwegian). March 27, 2000. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
- ^ Top of the Pops (Television episode). BBC One. 31 March 2000.
- ^ "Slapper av før M2M-sirkuset". Verdens Gang (in Norwegian). 8 February 2000. Archived from the original on 29 December 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
- ^ "M2M Set to Thrill Fifth Ave. Throngs; NYC Flagship Warner Bros. Studio Store Performance to Mark Pokemon Album Release/Film Opening". Business Wire. 28 October 1999. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
- ^ "M2M – Don't Say You Love Me". lescharts.com. Archived from the original on 27 January 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
- ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ a b c d e "M2M: Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 1 October 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2000 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 24 May 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
- ^ "RIAA – Gold & Platinum Searchable Database". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on 29 December 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
- ^ a b "Herborg ble Årets spellemann". Verdens Gang (in Norwegian). 2 March 2001. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
- ^ "M2M – Mirror Mirror (song)". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 19 July 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
- ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
- ^ "Production Notes". Billboard: 73. 27 January 2001.
- ^ M2M (2000). The Day You Went Away (Promo single). Atlantic Records. 0756872387.
- ^ Brown, Marisa. "The Day You Went Away: The Best of M2M". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 1 October 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
- ^ a b Phares, Heather. "Shades of Purple – M2M". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 1 October 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
- ^ a b Berger, Arion (10 March 2000). "Shades of Purple". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 23 August 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
- ^ Hunter, James (27 April 2000). "M2M: Shades Of Purple". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 30 August 2002. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
- ^ a b Christgau, Robert (2 May 2000). "Consumer Guide: Alt Lives!!". The Village Voice. Archived from the original on 9 August 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
- ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 173.
- ^ M2MのCDアルバムランキング、M2Mのプロフィールならオリコン芸能人事典-ORICON STYLE. Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 29 December 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ "M2M Albums". norwegiancharts.com. Archived from the original on 11 July 2012. Retrieved 1 October 2015.