Better in the Dark
Encyclopedia
Better in the Dark is the third studio album
by Australia
n dance
group Rogue Traders
. It was released in Australia by Columbia Records
on 13 October 2007 (see 2007 in music
). The album was produced by band member James Ash
— who has also produced the band's previous albums and the lead singer Natalie Bassingthwaighte
described the album as a step up, a bit older and more grown-up. Better in the Dark debuted in the top ten on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart
and is their second highest-selling album to date. The album has yielded three singles: "Don't You Wanna Feel
", "I Never Liked You
" and "What You're On
". The album was never released in the U.K., although the album was released in China, with "Voodoo Child" replacing "Better In The Dark" and the word "Traders" being removed from the front cover.
Lead singer Bassingthwaighte became part of the songwriting process on the album, co-writing on many of the songs with Ash and his wife Melinda Appleby. Bassingthwaighte states "We'd sit in a room and throw ideas around. It was interesting that all three of us instinctively knew when we had a great idea". Ash states that many of the songs on the album seem to be about being in nightclubs and he did not realise that until they finished recording it, hence the title 'Better in the Dark'.
Limited Edition Bonus DVD
All footage recorded live at The Chapel in Australia.
was released and spent a total of 14 weeks inside the ARIA top 50 Singles chart peaking at 10, and being accredited Gold.
The success of Here Come The Drums was not repeated despite positive reviews on the album, from the band. The album debuted at #4 on the ARIA Albums chart. It quickly fell out of top 50, after 6 weeks. It certified Gold in its 4th week. Three weeks after exiting top 50 it re-entered at #48, and spent a further 15 weeks inside top 50. After exiting again it re-entered at #46, spending its final week (23rd overall) in the top 50. The album received a Platinum certification and has sold roughly 100, 000 copies in Australia, compared to Here Come The Drums which was certified 4x Platinum.
The second single I Never Liked You
was released in January and debuted at #11 on the ARIA Singles Chart. It jumped to its peak of #9 the next week, and continues to slowly fall out of the chart the following weeks. It was certified Gold in June 2008
The third single What You're On
debuted and peaked at #30 on the ARIA Singles Chart in late April 2008. It then fell slowly out of the chart spending a total of 7 weeks inside the Top 50
, contains six live high definition
performances filmed live at the Chapel in 5.1 surround sound
. The double disc version was limited to a few thousand copies.
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n dance
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
group Rogue Traders
Rogue Traders
Rogue Traders are an Australian electronic pop rock band fronted by Melinda "Mindi" Jackson with James Ash on keyboards, Tim Henwood on guitars and Peter Marin on drums. The group's original members met in London in 1989. Before forming Rogue Traders, Ash and Davis worked together on many...
. It was released in Australia by Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
on 13 October 2007 (see 2007 in music
2007 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2007.-January:*January 1 - George Shearing is knighted for services to music in the Queen's New Year Honours List. Evelyn Glennie becomes a Dame...
). The album was produced by band member James Ash
James Ash
James Ash , is an English-born Australian musician, songwriter and record producer. He is the co-founder and keyboardist of Australian electro-rock group, the Rogue Traders...
— who has also produced the band's previous albums and the lead singer Natalie Bassingthwaighte
Natalie Bassingthwaighte
Natalie Bassingthwaighte is an Australian actress, singer-songwriter and television personality. She began her career as an actress on the television series All Saints. She then starred in the American television movie Counterstrike...
described the album as a step up, a bit older and more grown-up. Better in the Dark debuted in the top ten on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
and is their second highest-selling album to date. The album has yielded three singles: "Don't You Wanna Feel
Don't You Wanna Feel
"Don't You Wanna Feel" is a dance-pop-rock song written by James Ash and Natalie Bassingthwaighte for the Rogue Traders' third studio album Better in the Dark. It was released on schedule as the album's first single on 29 September 2007...
", "I Never Liked You
I Never Liked You (song)
"I Never Liked You" is a dance-pop song performed by Australian band Rogue Traders. The song was written by James Ash, Melinda Appleby, Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Timothy Henwood, and produced by Ash for the band's third studio album Better in the Dark...
" and "What You're On
What You're On
"What You're On" is a dance-pop song written by James Ash, Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Steve Davis, and produced by Ash for the Rogue Traders's third studio album Better in the Dark . Co-writer, Ash, states the song deals with addiction...
". The album was never released in the U.K., although the album was released in China, with "Voodoo Child" replacing "Better In The Dark" and the word "Traders" being removed from the front cover.
Content and writing
Band member Ash states that on this album they are more of a band and he felt the previous album was a studio record due to this album not having any samples. The band did not want to repeat themselves, Ash states "We have a sound that is ours, and we had to be mindful we didn't lose any of our fans. So for us, 'Better In The Dark' is about growth, not reinvention".Lead singer Bassingthwaighte became part of the songwriting process on the album, co-writing on many of the songs with Ash and his wife Melinda Appleby. Bassingthwaighte states "We'd sit in a room and throw ideas around. It was interesting that all three of us instinctively knew when we had a great idea". Ash states that many of the songs on the album seem to be about being in nightclubs and he did not realise that until they finished recording it, hence the title 'Better in the Dark'.
Track listing
- "Calling All Lovers" (Jamie ApplebyJames AshJames Ash , is an English-born Australian musician, songwriter and record producer. He is the co-founder and keyboardist of Australian electro-rock group, the Rogue Traders...
, Melinda Appleby) – 4:01 - "Don't You Wanna FeelDon't You Wanna Feel"Don't You Wanna Feel" is a dance-pop-rock song written by James Ash and Natalie Bassingthwaighte for the Rogue Traders' third studio album Better in the Dark. It was released on schedule as the album's first single on 29 September 2007...
" (Appleby, Natalie BassingthwaighteNatalie BassingthwaighteNatalie Bassingthwaighte is an Australian actress, singer-songwriter and television personality. She began her career as an actress on the television series All Saints. She then starred in the American television movie Counterstrike...
, Steve Davis, Dougal Drummond) – 3:16 - "I Never Liked YouI Never Liked You (song)"I Never Liked You" is a dance-pop song performed by Australian band Rogue Traders. The song was written by James Ash, Melinda Appleby, Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Timothy Henwood, and produced by Ash for the band's third studio album Better in the Dark...
" (Appleby, Appleby, Bassingthwaighte, Timothy Henwood) – 3:29 - "Candy Coloured Lights" (Appleby, Appleby, Bassingthwaighte) – 4:18
- "Speak & Destroy" (Appleby, Appleby) – 3:47
- "Childlike" (Appleby) – 4:26
- "On Your Way to the Disco" (Appleby) – 4:02
- "8th Wonder of the World" (Appleby) – 3:16
- "Better in the Dark" (Appleby) – 3:52
- "What You're OnWhat You're On"What You're On" is a dance-pop song written by James Ash, Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Steve Davis, and produced by Ash for the Rogue Traders's third studio album Better in the Dark . Co-writer, Ash, states the song deals with addiction...
" (Appleby, Bassingthwaighte, Davis) – 4:56 - "Throw Your Arms Around Me" (Appleby, Appleby) – 4:49
- "The Price We Pay" (Appleby, Appleby, Appleby, Bassingthwaighte) – 4:01
- On the ChinaChinaChinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
/Hong KongHong KongHong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
edition, the track "Better in the Dark" is omitted due to restrictions. Instead, "Voodoo Child" is included as a bonus track.
Limited Edition Bonus DVD
All footage recorded live at The Chapel in Australia.
- "Don't You Wanna FeelDon't You Wanna Feel"Don't You Wanna Feel" is a dance-pop-rock song written by James Ash and Natalie Bassingthwaighte for the Rogue Traders' third studio album Better in the Dark. It was released on schedule as the album's first single on 29 September 2007...
" - "I Never Liked YouI Never Liked You (song)"I Never Liked You" is a dance-pop song performed by Australian band Rogue Traders. The song was written by James Ash, Melinda Appleby, Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Timothy Henwood, and produced by Ash for the band's third studio album Better in the Dark...
" - "What You're OnWhat You're On"What You're On" is a dance-pop song written by James Ash, Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Steve Davis, and produced by Ash for the Rogue Traders's third studio album Better in the Dark . Co-writer, Ash, states the song deals with addiction...
" - "Better in the Dark"
- "In Love AgainIn Love Again"In Love Again" is the fifth and final single released by Australian electro-rock group Rogue Traders from their second album Here Come the Drums. It was released for digital download in Australia in 2006. At the time of its release, digital downloads were not included as part of the main singles...
" - "Voodoo Child"
Chart performance / singles
In October 2007, the first single Don't You Wanna FeelDon't You Wanna Feel
"Don't You Wanna Feel" is a dance-pop-rock song written by James Ash and Natalie Bassingthwaighte for the Rogue Traders' third studio album Better in the Dark. It was released on schedule as the album's first single on 29 September 2007...
was released and spent a total of 14 weeks inside the ARIA top 50 Singles chart peaking at 10, and being accredited Gold.
The success of Here Come The Drums was not repeated despite positive reviews on the album, from the band. The album debuted at #4 on the ARIA Albums chart. It quickly fell out of top 50, after 6 weeks. It certified Gold in its 4th week. Three weeks after exiting top 50 it re-entered at #48, and spent a further 15 weeks inside top 50. After exiting again it re-entered at #46, spending its final week (23rd overall) in the top 50. The album received a Platinum certification and has sold roughly 100, 000 copies in Australia, compared to Here Come The Drums which was certified 4x Platinum.
The second single I Never Liked You
I Never Liked You (song)
"I Never Liked You" is a dance-pop song performed by Australian band Rogue Traders. The song was written by James Ash, Melinda Appleby, Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Timothy Henwood, and produced by Ash for the band's third studio album Better in the Dark...
was released in January and debuted at #11 on the ARIA Singles Chart. It jumped to its peak of #9 the next week, and continues to slowly fall out of the chart the following weeks. It was certified Gold in June 2008
The third single What You're On
What You're On
"What You're On" is a dance-pop song written by James Ash, Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Steve Davis, and produced by Ash for the Rogue Traders's third studio album Better in the Dark . Co-writer, Ash, states the song deals with addiction...
debuted and peaked at #30 on the ARIA Singles Chart in late April 2008. It then fell slowly out of the chart spending a total of 7 weeks inside the Top 50
Charts
| Chart (2007) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian ARIA Albums Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
4 |
| Chart | Certification | Sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia ARIA Australian Recording Industry Association The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956... |
Platinum | 100,000 |
End of year charts
| Year | Country | Chart | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Australia | ARIA | 85 |
Release history
The album was released in two versions: a single disc version, and a double disc version. The first disc includes the standard album. The second disc, a DVD-VideoDVD-Video
DVD-Video is a consumer video format used to store digital video on DVD discs, and is currently the dominant consumer video format in Asia, North America, Europe, and Australia. Discs using the DVD-Video specification require a DVD drive and a MPEG-2 decoder...
, contains six live high definition
HD DVD
HD DVD is a discontinued high-density optical disc format for storing data and high-definition video.Supported principally by Toshiba, HD DVD was envisioned to be the successor to the standard DVD format...
performances filmed live at the Chapel in 5.1 surround sound
Surround sound
Surround sound encompasses a range of techniques such as for enriching the sound reproduction quality of an audio source with audio channels reproduced via additional, discrete speakers. Surround sound is characterized by a listener location or sweet spot where the audio effects work best, and...
. The double disc version was limited to a few thousand copies.
| Country | Date | Label | Format | Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... |
13 October 2007 | Columbia Records Columbia Records Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company... |
CD Compact Disc The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,... |
88697173392 |
| CD / DVD DVD A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions.... |
88697173412 |