Automatons
Studio album by
ReleasedAugust 19, 2009 (2009-08-19)
GenreElectronica, pop, alternative
Length50:07 (U.S.)
46:20 (Japan)
LabelSixteenth Republic Records (U.S.)
P-Vine Records/Blues Interactions (Japan)
ProducerSvoy
Svoy chronology
Eclectric
(2007)
Automatons
(2009)
Grow Up
(2011)
Alternative Cover
Japan Edition Cover
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Celebrity Cafe[1]
iLOUD.jp[2]
Bounce Magazinefavorable[3]
Lounge-Music.jpfavorable[4]
CDJournal Magazinefavorable[5]
Billboard Japanfavorable[6]

Automatons is the second solo album by Svoy. It was originally released in Japan August 19, 2009, on historic P-Vine Records/Blues Interactions. U.S./International release followed on November 2, 2010, on Sixteenth Republic Records.

Background

Automatons expands upon artist's signature diverse sound by simultaneously paying tribute to his broad scope of musical influences and the sonic language of so-called "processed humanity". Svoy created 15 new selections of music and lyrics (including original cover of the Bee Gees' classic "Lonely Days" and an excerpt from "Silentium!", a poem by Fyodor Tyutchev). Two songs on Automatons were written and performed in collaboration with Adam Levy (multi platinum-selling songwriter/singer/guitarist for Tracy Chapman, Amos Lee and Norah Jones' Handsome Band, grandson of George Wyle, author of Christmas song "It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"); as well as Ilya Lagutenko (frontman/leader of Russia's superstar rock band Mumiy Troll, MTV Award winner, legendary multi-hit songwriter/singer/actor, whose acting credits include "Night Watch" (2005), international blockbuster by director Timur Bekmambetov ("Wanted", 2008)).

Album's lead single "Beautiful Thing" reached No. 69 on the Billboard Japan Hot TOP 100 Airplay and No. 82 on Billboard Japan Hot 100 Singles chart. Besides remaining in top 40 and 100 airplay charts of numerous major Japanese radio networks for over 8 weeks, the song peaked at No. 3 on Alpha Station FM Kyoto 89.4's TOP 40 Overseas Chart. Also in 2009, Automatons reached No. 100 on the Billboard Japan Top Independent Albums and Singles chart.

In February, 2011, the album and its title track received two nominations at The 10th Independent Music Awards in Best Dance/Electronica Album and Best Dance/Electronica Song categories, winning in the latter category in March, 2011.[7] 10th Independent Music Awards judging panel included Seal, Fall Out Boy, Portishead, McCoy Tyner, Counting Crows, Aerosmith, Ozzy Osbourne, Suzanne Vega, Jesse Harris, Tom Waits, Aimee Mann, Jonatha Brooke among other notable artists and music industry professionals.[8]

In July 2011, it was announced that Automatons also won The 10th Independent Music Awards' Vox Populi (fan-based portion of the annual awards) in both Best Dance/Electronica Song and Best Dance/Electronica Album categories.[9]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Over Me"Svoy3:21
2."Automatons"Svoy3:00
3."Beautiful Thing"Svoy3:07
4."I'm Yours (You're Mine)"Svoy3:08
5."Automatons Interlude"Svoy0:18
6."25 AM"Svoy5:34
7."Intentions" (with Ilya Lagutenko)Svoy, Ilya Lagutenko3:47
8."Words"Fyodor Tyutchev0:18
9."Words in Vain" (with Adam Levy)Svoy, Adam Levy4:57
10."Psychotherapist"Svoy3:49
11."Adore"Svoy1:39
12."Science (In/Out)"Svoy4:26
13."Lonely Days"Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, Maurice Gibb4:11
14."One For the Road" ("Tyburn Tree (One for the Road)" on Japan edition)Svoy4:47
U.S. Bonus Track
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
15."Driving Away 3010"Svoy3:47

Personnel

Charts

Single Peak chart positions
Japan Hot 100 Airplay
Japan Hot 100 Singles
"Beautiful Thing" 69 82
Album Peak chart positions
Japan Top Independent Albums and Singles
Automatons 100

Release history

Region Date Label
Japan August 19, 2009 P-Vine Records/Blues Interactions
United States November 2, 2010 Sixteenth Republic Records

References

  1. The Celebrity Cafe review Archived October 30, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  2. iLOUD.jp review
  3. Bounce Magazine review
  4. Lounge-Music.jp review
  5. CDJournal Magazine review
  6. Billboard Japan review
  7. "10th Independent Music Awards Winners".
  8. "10th Independent Music Awards Judges".
  9. "10th Independent Music Awards Vox Populi".
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