Lee Ryan
Studio album by
Lee Ryan
Released1 August 2005
Recorded2004–2005 (Los Angeles, United States)
GenrePop, pop rock
Length43:40
LabelBrightside, Sony BMG
ProducerAsh Howes, Martin Harrington, Cutfather & Joe, Remee, Steve Mac, Lee Ryan, Hugh Goldsmith (exec.)
Italian cover
Singles from Lee Ryan
  1. "Army of Lovers"
    Released: 18 July 2005
  2. "Turn Your Car Around"
    Released: 10 October 2005
  3. "When I Think of You"
    Released: 30 January 2006
  4. "Real Love"
    Released: 7 April 2006

Lee Ryan is the debut and only solo studio album to be released by English boy band Blue lead singer, Lee Ryan. The album was the first release from the singer on the record label Sony BMG in August 2005, spawning 4 singles. All of which entered on domestic music charts, pushing the album to moderate success.

Background and production

At the end of February 2005 Lee Ryan was diagnosed with nodules on his throat, causing the cancellation of the farewell tour of Blue.[1] The tour was scheduled to start on 11 of March. With no further plans with the band, all members decided to focus on their solo projects. According to the spokesperson of the band this was "not the end" and "they're taking a break, but they haven't officially split". Ryan revealed on ITV2 documentary The Big Reunion that soon after, he was approached by record executives to pursue a solo career.[2] He signed a $1.1 million record deal with Sony BMG and was looked after by music chief Hugh Goldsmith to help him produce and write his debut album.[3] The record label had high hopes for his career, hoping that he would become the new Robbie Williams. Lee Ryan admitted that there were parallels between himself and the former Take That star, but is reluctant to encourage the comparison.[4] He said: "Aside from making a similar career change, I don't want to be compared too heavily with Robbie's style - but I do admire him for his success as a solo artist." According to an interview with Craig McLean, Ryan wrote a lot of tracks for the album, enough to fill half of his second album as well.[5] He mainly worked with Ash Howes and Martin Harrington, who had already worked with Natalie Imbruglia and Dido, while had recently produced Kylie Minogue's hit single Love at First Sight. Lee Ryan wanted to collaborate with Kylie Minogue, hoping she would sing backing vocals on a track.[6] His plans unfortunately never materialised. Army of Lovers was chosen as the first single of the album. Dolce & Gabbana also signed Ryan up to be the face of their new line of clothing in the United Kingdom.[7] Ryan did not receive any money for the deal, he was just going to be provided with many new clothes and he should wear at least one piece of Dolce & Gabbana when promoting the album or performing live.

Release and promotion

The album was released on 1 August 2005, debuting at #6 on the UK Albums Chart which was its peak position. It remained inside the top 75 for another three weeks before disappearing from the chart completely. The album was also released in Europe to moderate success. It managed thought to reach #3 in Italy. Ryan did several appearances to European television channels in order to promote his album, including an appearance in TVP2, where he sang an unplugged version of "In the Morning"[8] and Italy where he sang the Italian version of the first single Army of Lovers "Ho Te".[9] Shortly after the release of the album Ryan released his second single, Turn Your Car Around, which was also moderately successful, doing no boost to the album sales, which remained outside the top 75 in the UK. January 2006 saw the release of the album's third single When I Think of You, which peaked at #15 on the UK Singles Chart and while it succeed in promoting the album's sales a bit, as the album re-entered the UK Albums Chart for four more weeks, it became Ryan's last release from the album in the United Kingdom.

The album's fourth single, Real Love, was not released in the United Kingdom due to poor sales of the album and its former singles, however, the song was released across Europe and was used as the theme to the film Ice Age: The Meltdown. Ryan also secured a vocal role in the British version of the film.[10] The song received additional production from Brian Rawling and Paul Meehanfor its release as a single.[11]

Because of the album poor sales Ryan was later dropped from his record label.

Singles

Army of Lovers was the first single from the album, released on 18 July 2005. The single peaked at #3 on the UK Singles Chart, but found higher success staying at #1 for four weeks in Italy. The physical single featured an acoustic version of the song, an album sampler featuring samples of "When I Think of You", "Parking" and "Jump" and the music video.[12]

The second singe released from the album was Turn Your Car Around on 10 October 2005. The single peaked at #12 on the UK Singles Chart, but found higher success peaking at #2 in Italy and reaching #1 in the European Top 20. The physical single featured three b-sides: "Best of You (BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge)", "These Words (Gold Horizons)" and "Movin' On", as well as the music video.[13] The Italian version of the single also included the song "Ho Te", the Italian version of the first single Army of Lovers.

"When I Think of You" was the third song to be released as single from the album on 30 January 2006. The single peaked at #15 on the UK Singles Chart, before dropping out of the top forty the following week. The physical single featured a new B-side called "I Can Let Go Now".[14]

A final single was released from the album, which also served as the lead single from the film soundtrack Ice Age: The Meltdown. The song Real Love received additional production from Brian Rawling and Paul Meehanfor, being released on 7 April 2006. The single was not released in the UK due to the low sales of the album and the mediocre sales of the previous singles, however it found success in Italy and Australia. The single also featured a club remix by the Sharp Boys.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic
Laut.de

The critical reception of the album was mixed to negative. Jon O'Brien from AllMusic gave the album 3,5 out of 5 stars, stating that "Ryan has produced a surprisingly sophisticated and authentic debut".[15] He also gave credit to his vocal abilities while recognising his "undeniable talents". Michael Hubbard from MusicOMH found that Lee Ryan's debut album "showcases vocal prowess" but he thought that the songs "are a mixed bag of made-to-order drivetime ditties and flaccid shelf filler".[16]

Bine Jankowski of Laut.de gave 2 out of 5 stars, commenting that the album was extremely mainstream, ideal for dentist's waiting rooms and lifts.[17] Caroline Sullivan commented on Lee Ryan's debut album as a disappointment, while reviewing Simon Webbe's Sanctuary on The Guardian.[18]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Army of Lovers"Nigel HoyleAsh Howes, Martin Harrington2:58
2."Turn Your Car Around"Ben NovakHowes, Harrington3:32
3."When I Think of You"Alan Gowdy, Bill Biddle, Lynn Sylvers, Mike HamiltonHowes, Harrington3:14
4."Real Love"John Reid, Joe Belmatti, Mich Hansen, RemeeCutfather & Joe, Howes, Harrington, Remee[a]3:15
5."Parking"Steve Mac, Wayne HectorMac3:37
6."Wish the Whole World Knew"Howes, Lee Ryan, Harrington, HectorHowes, Harrington4:09
7."Close to You"Ryan, HoyleHowes, Harrington3:26
8."Miss My Everything"Ryan, Robert Taylor, Shaffer SmithHowes, Harrington2:48
9."Daydreamer"Ryan, HoyleHowes, Harrington3:17
10."Jump"Howes, Ryan, Harrington, HectorHowes, Harrington3:40
11."How Do I?"Howes, Ryan, Harrington, HectorHowes, Harrington4:15
12."In the Morning"Ryan, SmithHowes, Harrington, Ryan[a]3:21
Japanese bonus tracks[19]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
13."These Words"Ryan, HoyleTroublemaker3:14
14."Movin' On"Ryan, OctaveOctave 4 O'Vious Ent3:30
15."Army of Lovers" (music video)HoyleHowes, Harrington3:00
Italian bonus tracks[20]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
13."Ho Te"Lee Ryan, Luca Campaner, Emanuela PanizzoCampaner, Panizzo3:07
14."These Words"Ryan, HoyleTroublemaker3:14
15."Che Viso Avrai"Lee Ryan, Luca Campaner, Emanuela PanizzoCampaner, Panizzo4:23
German bonus tracks[21]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
13."Best of You"Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Taylor Hawkins, Chris Shiflett 3:08
14."I Can Let Go Now"Ryan, Hoyle 3:24
15."Real Love" (Sharp Boys club mix)Reid, Belmatti, Hansen, RemeeCutfather & Joe, Howes, Harrington, Remee[a], Sharp Boys[b]7:08
Notes[22]
  • ^[a] signifies a co-producer
  • ^[b] signifies a remixer

Charts

Chart (2005) Peak
position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[23] 68
French Albums (SNEP)[24] 115
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[25] 79
Irish Albums (IRMA)[26] 42
Italian Albums (FIMI)[27] 3
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[28] 40
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[29] 61
UK Albums (OCC)[30] 6

Certifications and sales

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Italy (FIMI)[31] Gold 40,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[32] Silver 60,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ↑ "Boy band Blue scrap farewell tour". 25 February 2005. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  2. ↑ "The Big Reunion: Blue's Lee Ryan says "I wish someone had warned us a…". archive.ph. 5 May 2013. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  3. ↑ "Lee Ryan Set To Be Next Robbie Williams". www.femalefirst.co.uk. 23 May 200. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  4. ↑ "Blue The Phenomenon That Was". www.femalefirst.co.uk. 15 August 2005. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  5. ↑ "Craig McLean talks to Lee Ryan, pop star". The Observer. 3 July 2005. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  6. ↑ "Lee Ryan desperate to work with Kylie Minogue". www.femalefirst.co.uk. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  7. ↑ "Lee Ryan Ambassador for D&G". www.femalefirst.co.uk. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  8. ↑ "Lee Ryan - In The Morning live on TVP". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
  9. ↑ "Lee Ryan - Ho Te (live in Italy)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
  10. ↑ "Lee Ryan Talks About 'Ice Age 2' Voice Role". popdirt.com. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  11. ↑ "Lee Ryan - Real Love". Discogs. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  12. ↑ "Lee Ryan - Army Of Lovers". Discogs. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  13. ↑ "Lee Ryan - Turn Your Car Around". Discogs. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  14. ↑ "Lee Ryan - When I Think Of You". Discogs. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  15. ↑ Lee Ryan – Songs, Reviews, Credits, retrieved 8 May 2020
  16. ↑ "Lee Ryan – Album Reviews". musicOMH. 31 July 2005. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  17. ↑ "James Dean-Pose für den Fahrstuhl". laut.de (in German). Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  18. ↑ "CD: Simon Webbe, Sanctuary". the Guardian. 4 November 2005. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  19. ↑ "Lee Ryan". 21 September 2005 – via Amazon.
  20. ↑ "Lee Ryan - Lee Ryan". Discogs.
  21. ↑ "Lee Ryan". 10 January 2006 – via Amazon.
  22. ↑ Lee Ryan (booklet). Lee Ryan. Brightside Recordings, Sony BMG Entertainment. 2005. 82876 717072.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  23. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Lee Ryan – Lee Ryan" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  24. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Lee Ryan – Lee Ryan". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  25. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Lee Ryan – Lee Ryan" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  26. ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Lee Ryan". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Italiancharts.com – Lee Ryan – Lee Ryan". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  28. ↑ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2005-10-03" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  29. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Lee Ryan – Lee Ryan". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  30. ↑ "Lee Ryan | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  31. ↑ "Italian album certifications – Lee Ryan – Lee Ryan" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 15 July 2012. Select "2005" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Lee Ryan" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Album e Compilation" under "Sezione".
  32. ↑ "British album certifications – Lee Ryan – Lee Ryan". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
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