Backbone is the fifth studio album by Australian pop singer Anthony Callea. The album is produced by James Roche of Bachelor Girl and was released on 16 September 2016. It reunites Callea with Sony Music with whom he signed in 2004 and released two studio albums and two number 1 multi-platinum-selling singles. Callea said, "I'm so fortunate that Denis Handlin and Sony Music have embraced my idea of Backbone and allowed me to make this exciting album with them."
Upon announcement of the album, Callea said "With Backbone, we have explored songs that we all know and love – and we've been able to get to the core of these songs, their lyrics and melody, bringing them to the surface with organic and creative musical instrumentation and vocal delivery." He added, "I wrote the title track when I was in Los Angeles, and it sums up the essence of this album."
Reception Myke Bartlett from The Weekly Review said, "If the choices are a tad obvious, the renditions aren’t. In stripping some songs back and slowing others down, Anthony finds something new in the well-worn." A staff writer in Out in Perth gave the album 4 out of 5 saying, "A friendly sing-a-long with an acoustic guitar and piano. Kicking things off with Michael Jackson’s "Man in the Mirror", which is much more laid back than the original. Callea tackles Queen’s "Somebody to Love" acapella which showcases his vocal abilities. A ballad version of Bananarama’s "Love in the First Degree" is a highlight, while a gender swap take on TLCs "Unpretty" is nice too."
Track listing Tracks on Backbone are "stripped back" renditions of 80s and 90s tracks.
Tour Callea promoted the album with a 5-date tour.
September 2: Tweed Heads (Twin Towns) September 3: Mount Pritchard (Mounties) September 23: Revesby (Revesby Workers Club) September 24: Campbelltown (The Cube) September 30: Melbourne (The Palms at Crown)
Charts Backbone debuted at number one in Australia. It was Callea's second number one album and first since his 2005 self-titled debut album. Backbone sold 2949 in the first week, becoming the lowest selling number one debut of all time in Australia. Chart (2016) Peak position
Personnel Adam Rhodes - Engineer Matt Neighbour - Engineer Carlo Parisi - Drums James Richmond - Percussion James Roach - Piano Mark Amato - Piano Isaac Moran - Guitar Craig Newman - Double bass/ Electric bass Kellie Santin - Saxophone Suzanna Ling - Violin Ruby Paskas - Violin Natasha Conrau - Violin Katie Yap - Viola Charlotte Jacke - Cello / String Captain Susie Ahern - Backing vocals Annette Roche - Backing vocals Rocky Loprevitte - Backing vocals
Release history Region Date Format Label Catalogue Australia 16 September 2016 CD, digital download Sony Music Australia 88985371212
See also List of number-one albums of 2016 (Australia)
References