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, originally released on 6 October 2008 through Slam Dunk Records. After forming in 2004, they released an EP titled We Know What It Means to Be Alone in 2006, and went on a tour with Elliot Minor in support of the release. After releasing "Save It for the Bedroom" as a single to promote their tour, the band gained attention from both independent and major record labels.

Following their tour with Elliot Minor, the writing process for the new album began. Although all the music's writing was credited to the entire band, vocalist Josh Franceschi and guitarist Max Helyer were usually the biggest creative forces among the group, being responsible for the ideas behind the songs. The band's work resulted in the album having a sound that most critics associated with pop punk, though this result was unintended. The album was recorded in two weeks at Outhouse Studios in Reading, Berkshire with producers Matt O'Grady and John Mitchell.

"If I Were In Your Shoes", "Gossip", and "Jealous Minds Think Alike" were released as singles to promote the album, the latter of which became the band's first charting song. During the album's recording sessions, "Save It for the Bedroom" was re-recorded, and this version became the album's fourth single. Two more singles, "Finders Keepers" and "Kiss and Tell", later appeared on re-releases of the album. The latter four singles managed to chart, and the album itself peaked at number 25 on the UK Albums Chart. Take Off Your Colours was certified gold in the UK for shipments of 100,000 copies in July 2012.

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, and drummer Joe Phillips.[1] The group released an EP, We Know What It Means to Be Alone in 2006,[2] after which, Phillips left the band.[1] He was replaced by Dan Flint, who the band had gone to college with, following the band's appearance at Slam Dunk Festival 2007. Flint was initially asked to fill in on drums for a tour, before being asked to join the band. 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 Records,[5] a label co-founded by the band with help from their manager and fans.[6] The single featured "You've Made Your Made (So Sleep in It)" as the B-side,[7] and both tracks would later appear on Take Off Your Colours.[8] A music video for the song had been released a few days prior and was directed by Lawrence Hardy.[9] The band's release sold more copies than Elliot Minor's single, which was released through a major label. 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] By 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, with support from Flood of Red. During the latter month, the band were writing further material.[10] All of the songs on the album were written and arranged by the band.[8] Typically, Helyer or Franceschi would have an idea that the band would then flesh out together. Occasionally, the band would record demos and change sections of them.[3]

I think the tent holds about two and a half [thousand] and there were three thousand people watching us.

—Josh Franceschi, 2008[11]

The title, Take Off Your Colours, comes from the film The Warriors (1979).[12] The album's sound has been described by critics as pop punk[13][14][15] and emo pop.[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."[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," according to Barnes.[17] The band gauged the reaction to the new material by playing the songs live.[18] You Me at Six performed at Reading Festival 2008, and the audience was larger than their tent's capacity.[11]

The band began recording in spring 2008 at Outhouse Studios in Reading, Berkshire[8] over the course of two weeks.[19] Matt O'Grady and John Mitchell handled producer duties, with Mitchell also mixing the proceedings, while Tim Turan mastered the album. "Save It for the Bedroom" and "You've Made Your Bed (So Sleep in It)", which were initially released as a single in 2007, were re-recorded during the album's recording process. Franceschi's sister Elissa provided additional vocals on "Always Attract".[8]

Release and touring

Vocalist Josh Franceschi (left) and bassist Matt Barnes (right) performing on the Take Off Your Colours Tour in Oxford on 26 October 2008.

A music video was released for "If I Were in Your Shoes" on 14 February 2008, which was directed by Lawrence Hardy.[20] Also during February, the band supported The Audition during their headlining tour of the UK.[10] "If I Were in Your Shoes" was released as single on 17 March through Slam Dunk, with "Taste" as the B-side.[21] On 26 June, it was announced the band had signed a one-album contract with Slam Dunk. 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] "Gossip" was released as the second single, with "All Your Fault" as the B-side, on 28 July.[22] A music video for song was directed by Greg Allan.[23] On 11 August, the band released "If You Run" as a free download from their website.[24]

On 11 September, a music video was released for "Jealous Minds Think Alike",[25] which was directed by Shane Davey.[26] The song was released as a single on 29 September, with "Blue Eyes Don't Lie" as the B-side.[27] It was the band's first recording to chart, peaking at number 100 on the UK Singles Chart in November.[28] 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.[29] Later in the month, the band toured the UK[30] with support from Houston Calls and Farewell.[31] On 19 February 2009, the band released a music video for "Save It for the Bedroom", which was directed by Davey.[32] In early March, the band toured the UK.[33] "Save It for the Bedroom" was released as a single on 9 March.[34]

The band also announced that they had signed to Epitaph Records on 9 March.[35] Epitaph released Take Off Your Colours in the US on 21 July.[36] This version featured several bonus tracks: "Finders Keepers", originally a non-album single,[nb 1] and acoustic versions of "Save It for the Bedroom" and "Finders Keepers", in addition to the B-sides to "Gossip", "Jealous Minds Think Alike", and the re-recorded version of "Save It for the Bedroom".[38] In August, the band went on the 2009 edition of Warped Tour.[38] In early September, the band toured the UK.[39] A deluxe edition of Take Off Your Colours was released on 14 September in the UK.[40] It features the original album on one disc and another disc of five additional songs: two non-album singles ("Finders Keepers" and "Kiss and Tell"[nb 2]) and B-sides to "Gossip", "Jealous Minds Think Alike", and the re-recorded version of "Save It for the Bedroom".[42] Between September and November, the band supported The Academy Is... and Mayday Parade in the US on the AP Fall Ball Tour.[43]

Reception and legacy

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[16]
Alternative Press[13]
Alter the Press!3/5[44]
Big Cheese[14]
BlogcriticsFavourable[15]
Kerrang![45]
Rock Sound7/10[46]
Strange Glue7/10[47]
The Guardian[48]
The Northern EchoFavourable[49]

The album peaked on the UK Albums Chart at number 25, and the deluxe edition re-entered the chart, peaking at number 61.[50] While "If I Were In Your Shoes" and "Gossip" failed to chart, "Jealous Minds Think Alike" peaked at number 100[50] and "Save It For the Bedroom" peaked at number 146.[51] While promoting the deluxe version of the album, "Finders Keepers" and "Kiss and Tell" reached number 33 and 42, respectively.[50] In March 2012, the album was certified silver in the UK, and four months later, it was certified gold.[52]

Reviews for the album were generally positive. Alter the Press! reviewer Sean Reid said the album showed the band had "potential to reach the level of success as bands such as Fall Out Boy and Panic At The Disco [sic]."[44] Big Cheese reviewer Jen Walker called the album "a refreshing English pop punk debut", which contained "clear musical influences" from New Found Glory, Panic! at the Disco, and Brand New.[14] Blogcritics reviewer Jeff Perkins praised the album's hooks,[15] as did Strange Glue reviewer Aidan Williamson.[47]

Evan Lucy of Alternative Press gave a mixed review of the album, feeling "some songs feel ripped from Fall Out Boy's Take This to Your Grave," but praised songs which were less adherent to pop punk, namely "Tigers and Sharks" and "Always Attract".[13] AllMusic reviewer Jon O'Brien criticised the album's sound, describing it as "a potential stop-gap for those who feel like they've grown out of the schoolboy pop-punk of Busted but aren't quite ready yet to embrace the post-hardcore of Fightstar," complaining that the band followed a "well-worn formula" of emo pop.[16] However, AllMusic reviewer Jason Birchmeier later regarded Take Off Your Colours as an "impressive debut album" which 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 explained 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.[8]

No. Title Length
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
Total length:
 50:58

Personnel

Personnel per booklet.[8]

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

Chart positions and certifications

Peak positions

Original release
Chart (2008) Peak
position
UK Album Chart[50] 25
Reissue
Chart (2009) Peak
position
UK Album Chart[50] 61

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/Sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[55] Gold 100,000^

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

References

Notes
  1. ↑ "Finders Keepers" was released on 25 May 2009.[37]
  2. ↑ "Kiss and Tell" was released on 7 September 2009.[41]
Citations
  1. 1 2 McMahon, ed., 2014, p. 20
  2. ↑ Birchmeier, Jason. "You Me at Six | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Interview with Dan Flint - You Me At Six - Dec 09". Mike Dolbear DRUMS. December 2009. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  4. 1 2 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 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Take Off Your Colours (CD). You Me at Six. Slam Dunk Records. 2008. SLAMD005.
  9. ↑ Lawrence Hardy (17 October 2007). You Me At Six - Save It For The Bedroom. YouTube. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  10. 1 2 Richardson, Shane (5 December 2007). "The Youth Of The Nation - You Me At Six". Gigwise. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  11. 1 2 Williams, Scott (6 October 2008). "Josh Franceschi lead singer of You Me At Six talks about the new album, playing Reading and Leeds, and more on Monday 6 October 2008". egigs.co.uk. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  12. 1 2 Harrison, Ruth (28 October 2008). "You Me At Six show their true colours". FemaleFirst. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  13. 1 2 3 Lucy 2009, p. 109
  14. 1 2 3 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.
  15. 1 2 3 Perkins, Jeff. "Music Review: You Me At Six - Take Off Your Colours". Blogcritics. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  16. 1 2 3 O'Brien, Jon. "Take Off Your Colours - You Me at Six | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 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. ↑ 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.
  21. ↑ "If I Were in Your Shoes - You Me at Six | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  22. ↑ "Gossip - You Me at Six | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  23. ↑ You Me at Six (26 February 2009). You Me At Six - Gossip. YouTube. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  24. ↑ Katie (11 August 2008). "You Me At Six - free new song!". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 24 March 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  25. ↑ Rock Sound (11 September 2008). "YMA6 Jealous Minds Think Alike - News". Rock Sound. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  26. ↑ You Me at Six (26 February 2009). You Me At Six - Jealous Minds Think Alike. YouTube. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  27. ↑ "Jealous Minds Think Alike - You Me at Six | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  28. ↑ "UK Charts > You Me at Six". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  29. ↑ Dan (30 September 2008). "You Me At Six in-stores!". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 6 December 2008. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  30. ↑ Rock Sound (9 July 2008). "YMA6 Touring - News". Rock Sound. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  31. ↑ Pascarella, Tony (2 August 2008). "Houston Calls UK Dates". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  32. ↑ Rock Sound (19 February 2009). "You Me At Six - Save It For The Bedroom - Videos". Rock Sound. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  33. ↑ Knight, David (17 February 2009). "You Me At Six's Save It For The Bedroom by Shane Davey". Promonews. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  34. ↑ "Save It for the Bedroom - You Me at Six | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  35. ↑ Djamoos, Anton (10 March 2009). "You Me at Six Sign to Epitaph". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  36. ↑ DeAndrea, Joe (24 May 2009). "You Me at Six Release Date". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  37. ↑ McCarthy, Jenny (25 May 2009). "Single Reviews Released 25 May 2009". top40-charts.com. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  38. 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.
  39. ↑ Rock Sound (19 August 2009). "You Me At Six Announce Intimate Shows - News". Rock Sound. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  40. ↑ "news news news…". youmeatsix. Archived from the original on 1 August 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  41. ↑ May, Phill (7 September 2009). "You Me at Six - Kiss and Tell". rocklouder.co.uk. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  42. ↑ Rock Sound (14 September 2009). "You Me At Six Tour Diary - News". Rock Sound. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  43. ↑ 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. 1 2 Reid, Sean (2 October 2008). "Album Review: You Me At Six - Take Off Your Colours". Alter the Press!. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  45. ↑ Bryant 2008, p. 52
  46. ↑ Walker 2009, p. 84
  47. 1 2 Williamson, Aiden. "Music Review: You Me At Six: Take Off Your Colours". Strange Glue. Retrieved 2009-08-17.
  48. ↑ Johnston, Emma (October 12, 2008). "Pop review: You Me at Six, Take Off Your Colours". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 2008-10-12.
  49. ↑ Spears, Chloe (12 January 2009). "Take Off Your Colours by You Me At Six". The Northern Echo. Archived from the original on 11 January 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  50. 1 2 3 4 5 "UK Charts > You Me at Six". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  51. ↑ "Chart Log UK 2009 Special Single-File Version Chart Coverage and Record Sales 2009". zobbel.de. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  52. ↑ "Certified Awards". BPI. 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.
  55. ↑ "British album certifications – You Me at Six – Take Off Your Colours". British Phonographic Industry. Enter Take Off Your Colours in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select album in the field By Format. Select Gold in the field By Award. Click Search
Sources
  • Bryant, Tom (October 2008). "You Me at Six: Take Off Your Colours (Slam Dunk) KKKK". Kerrang!. London: Bauer Media Group (1228). ISSN 0262-6624. 
  • Lucy, Evan (September 2009). "Throwback Pop-Punk: You Me at Six – Take Off Your Colours". Alternative Press. Cleveland: Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. (254). ISSN 1065-1667. 
  • McMahon, James, ed. (29 March 2014). "Here Come the Cavaliers!". Kerrang!. London: Bauer Media Group (1510). ISSN 0262-6624. 
  • Shari Black Velvet (February 2008). "Sounds Like A Plan". Black Velvet. Redditch: Shari Black Velvet (55). 
  • Walker, Jen (June 2009). "You Me at Six – Take Off Your Colours". Rock Sound. London: Freeway Press Inc. (123). ISSN 1465-0185. 
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