Slicker Than Your Average
Studio album by
Craig David
Released19 November 2002
Recorded2001–2002
GenreR&B[1]
Length62:09
LabelAtlantic
ProducerColin Lester
Craig David chronology
Born to Do It
(2000)		 Slicker Than Your Average
(2002)		 The Story Goes...
(2005)
Singles from Slicker Than Your Average
  1. "What's Your Flava?"
    Released: 28 October 2002
  2. "Hidden Agenda"
    Released: 20 January 2003
  3. "Rise & Fall"
    Released: 28 April 2003
  4. "Spanish"
    Released: 28 July 2003
  5. "World Filled with Love"
    Released: 13 October 2003
  6. "You Don't Miss Your Water ('Til the Well Runs Dry)"
    Released: 29 December 2003

Slicker Than Your Average is the second studio album by British singer Craig David, released on 19 November 2002 by Atlantic Records. It peaked at number 4 on the UK Albums Chart, number 5 on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart, and number 32 on the U.S. Billboard 200. It was certified Gold by RIAA in the U.S. and double Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry in the UK. As of November 2013, the album has sold over 3.5 million copies worldwide.[2]

The album was released in a number of different versions. The original release contained 13 new tracks. A six-track bonus remix CD was released in Asia that featured remixes of the singles "Rise and Fall" and "Hidden Agenda", as well as versions of "Fill Me In" and the B-side "Four Times a Lady" from the single, "What's Your Flava?".[3]

Background and writing

After David managed to crack the American music industry with his hit debut studio album, Born to Do It, his musical style began to alter to appeal to the worldwide market on his second studio album. In an interview with ANDPOP's Adam Gonshor, David revealed the inspiration for some of the songs on the album. He was forced to stay in a hotel room for a week following the September 11 attacks in New York City in 2001, and it was this event that inspired him to write the song "World Filled with Love". In the interview, he said, "I was thinking, I'm actually in this world that's filled with madness, with this drama that's going on. Some of the things we were talking about in music, in the big picture, are so trivial...I thought music is a form of escapism, so I used it to write a song hopefully for positive means to say, we are in a world that's filled with love."[4] David also commented that the album title could be looked at in two different ways: "On the one hand, it's coming across like I'm arrogant. On the other hand, it's saying I have a lot more composure on the album." The album was leaked onto the internet prior to its official release, but David was not too bothered as he felt that it "spreads the word".

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic62/100[5]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
BBC(Mixed)[6]
Blender[7]
Entertainment.ie[8]
Entertainment WeeklyB–[9]
The Guardian[10]
NME[11]
Robert Christgau(A–)[12]
Rolling Stone[13]

Slicker Than Your Average received mixed to positive reviews from contemporary music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has an average score of 62 based on 14 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[5] BBC Music's Keysha Davis wrote that "Slicker Than Your Average provides the listener with the opportunity to get into the mind of a truly gifted young star...there are enough club friendly tracks to ensure heavy rotation in the hottest nightspots". However, in reference to his success in the United States, she also pointed out "true fans may be a tad bit disappointed by the new super-slick musical direction".[6] AllMusic's Christina Fuoco gave it a rating of three stars out of five and wrote "Slicker Than Your Average is stronger than the average sophomore effort...it proves that Craig David's abilities are innate".[1] Pat Blashill, writing for Rolling Stone magazine, called it "one of the most subtle male R&B records in a good while" and gave it a 3/5 rating.[13] Blender magazine's gave the album a rating of 4/5 and commented "David moves away from underground two-step...toward a modern, mainstream R&B record. Slicker is full of Timbaland-style production, booty-call ballads and even Spanish guitars. Sometimes being real means revealing the marshmallow within."[7]

Ken Tucker, writing for Entertainment Weekly, gave the album a B− and wrote "David has a voice that's fresh and expressive, so it doesn't bode well that on what's only his second album, he's also an artist already reduced to singing about the burdens of fame."[9] The Guardian's Alexis Petridis wrote "His second album has its flaws, but they are largely generic: when it tries to fit too snugly into the R&B template, it tails off. At its best, however, it is a curiously unique record."[10]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Slicker than Your Average"
Marshall & Trell5:58
2."What's Your Flava?"
  • David
  • Henry
  • Marshall
Marshall & Trell3:50
3."Fast Cars"
  • David
  • Henry
  • Marshall
Marshall & Trell4:16
4."Hidden Agenda"
Hill3:54
5."Eenie Meenie" (featuring Messiah Bolical)
  • David
  • Henry
  • Leroy Williams
  • Adam Lyons
Marshall & Trell5:04
6."You Don't Miss Your Water ('Til the Well Runs Dry)"
  • David
  • Hill
5:20
7."Rise & Fall" (featuring Sting)
Soulshock and Karlin4:47
8."Personal"
  • David
  • Henry
  • Marshall
Marshall & Trell5:24
9."Hands Up in the Air"
  • David
  • Hill
Hill4:05
10."2 Steps Back"
Soulshock and Karlin3:48
11."Spanish" (featuring Duke One)
  • David
  • Henry
  • Marshall
Marshall5:03
12."What's Changed" (featuring Katie Holmes)
  • David
  • Hill
Hill4:41
13."World Filled with Love"
  • David
  • Smith
3:45

Bonus tracks

Japan version (bonus DVD)
No.TitleLength
14."Four Times a Lady"5:48
15."Come Together" (Live from Radio City Music Hall, New York City) 
UK version
No.TitleLength
14."Say the Word"7:59

Other releases

Asian Limited Edition – Bonus Remix CD

  1. "What's Your Flava?" (Todd's underground flava vocal remix)
  2. "Hidden Agenda" (Blacksmith rerub featuring Know ?uestion)
  3. "Hidden Agenda" (Soulshock remix)
  4. "Four Times a Lady"
  5. "Rise & Fall" (Blacksmith hiphop rub featuring Fallacy)
  6. "Fill me in" (Acoustic recorded in Seoul)
DVD
  1. "Fill Me In" (Music Video)
  2. "7 Days" (Music Video)
  3. "Walking Away" (Music Video)
  4. "Rendezvous" (Music Video)
  5. "What's Your Flava" (Music Video)
  6. "Hidden Agenda" (Music Video)
  7. "Rise & Fall" (Music Video)

Notes

  • ^[a] signifies remix and additional production.

Sample credits

  • "Personal" contains an interpolation of "T Shirt and Panties" by Jamie Foxx.
  • "Hidden Agenda" contains an interpolation of "Don't Talk" by Jon B.

Personnel

Credits adapted from album's liner notes.[14]

  • Peter Biker – remix and additional producer (track 6)
  • Messiah Bolical – vocals (track 5)
  • Thomas Burbree – mixing (track 5), Pro Tools and post production (tracks 1-3, 5, 8)
  • Craig David – vocals (all tracks), producer (track 13)
  • Kevin "KD" Davis – mixing (track 12)
  • Steve Fitzmaurice – mixing (tracks 4, 13)
  • Marc Francs – mixing (track 3)
  • Rob Haggett – 2nd assistant engineer (tracks 6, 9)
  • Trevor "Trell" Henry – producer (tracks 1-3, 5, 8), mixing (tracks 1-3, 8), rap (track 1)
  • Mark Hill – producer (tracks 4, 6, 9, 12)
  • Katie Holmes – additional vocals (track 12)
  • Kenneth Karlin – producer and arranger (tracks 7, 10)
  • Darryl Lavictoire – mixing (tracks 3, 8), mix engineer (tracks 1, 2)
  • Manny Marroquin – mixing (tracks 7, 10)
  • Anthony Marshall – producer (tracks 1-3, 5, 8, 11), mixing (tracks 1-3, 8, 11)
  • Duke One – vocals (track 11)
  • Onyxstone – Garage MCing (track 5)
  • Fraser T Smith – producer (track 13)
  • Soulshock – producer, arranger, and mixing (tracks 7, 10), remix and additional production (track 6)
  • Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing (tracks 6, 9)
  • Sting – vocals (track 7)
  • David Treahearn – assistant mixing (tracks 6, 9)
  • Paul "P-Dub" Walton – Pro Tools (tracks 6, 9)

Charts

Certifications

Certifications of Slicker Than Your Average, with sales where available
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[48] 2× Platinum 140,000^
Belgium (BEA)[49] Gold 25,000*
France (SNEP)[50] Gold 100,000*
Germany (BVMI)[51] Gold 150,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[52] Gold 40,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[53] Gold 7,500^
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[54] Gold 50,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[55] Gold 20,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[56] 2× Platinum 600,000^
United States (RIAA)[57] Gold 500,000^
Summaries
Europe (IFPI)[58] Platinum 1,000,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Fuoco, Christina. "AllMusic (((Slicker Than Your Average > Overview)))". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 May 2009.
  2. ↑ Ingham, Tim (20 November 2013). "Craig David: the rise and fall (and rise again) of a pop star". Music Week. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  3. ↑ "AllMusic (((Slicker Than Your Average [Bonus Disc] > Overview )))". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 May 2009.
  4. ↑ Gonshor, Adam (29 November 2002). "Craig David releases Slicker Than Your Average". ANDPOP. Retrieved 9 June 2009.
  5. 1 2 "Reviews for Slicker Than Your Average by Craig David". Metacritic. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  6. 1 2 Davis, Keysha (20 November 2002). "BBC Music Review of Craig David - Slicker Than Your Average". BBC Music. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 12 May 2009.
  7. 1 2 "Slicker Than Your Average review". Blender. Retrieved 9 June 2009.
  8. ↑ entertainment.ie review
  9. 1 2 |"Slicker Than Your Average". Entertainment Weekly. 22 November 2002. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  10. 1 2 Petridis, Alexis (8 November 2002). "Pop CD: Craig David: Slicker Than Your Average". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
  11. ↑ "David, Craig : Slicker Than Your Average". NME.
  12. ↑ "Robert Christgau: CG: Craig David".
  13. 1 2 Blashill, Pat (12 December 2002). "Craig David: Slicker Than Your Average: Music Reviews". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 8 July 2007. Retrieved 12 May 2009.
  14. ↑ Slicker Than Your Average (booklet). Atlantic. 2002.
  15. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Craig David – Slicker Than Your Average". Hung Medien. Retrieved 9 June 2009.
  16. ↑ "ARIA Urban Chart – Week Commencing 30th June 2003" (PDF). The ARIA Report (697): 14. 30 June 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 February 2008. Retrieved 15 April 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  17. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Craig David – Slicker Than Your Average" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  18. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Craig David – Slicker Than Your Average" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 9 June 2009.
  19. ↑ "Albums : Top 100". Jam!. 12 December 2002. Archived from the original on 10 December 2004. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  20. ↑ "R&B : Top 50". Jam!. 19 December 2002. Archived from the original on 26 December 2002. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  21. ↑ "Danishcharts.dk – Craig David – Slicker Than Your Average". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  22. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Craig David – Slicker Than Your Average" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 9 June 2009.
  23. ↑ "European Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 20, no. 49. 30 November 2002. p. 12. Retrieved 13 April 2023 – via World Radio History.
  24. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Craig David – Slicker Than Your Average". Hung Medien. Retrieved 9 June 2009.
  25. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Craig David – Slicker Than Your Average" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  26. ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Craig David". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  27. ↑ "Italiancharts.com – Craig David – Slicker Than Your Average". Hung Medien. Retrieved 9 June 2009.
  28. ↑ "スリッカー・ザン・ユア・アヴェレイジ" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 14 April 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  29. ↑ "Charts.nz – Craig David – Slicker Than Your Average". Hung Medien. Retrieved 9 June 2009.
  30. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Craig David – Slicker Than Your Average". Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  31. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  32. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Craig David – Slicker Than Your Average". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  33. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Craig David – Slicker Than Your Average". Hung Medien. Retrieved 9 June 2009.
  34. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  35. ↑ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  36. ↑ "Craig David Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  37. ↑ "Craig David Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  38. ↑ "ARIA End of Year Albums Chart 2002". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  39. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 2002". Ultratop. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  40. ↑ "Canada's Top 200 R&B; albums of 2002". Jam!. Archived from the original on 12 October 2003. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  41. ↑ "Top de l'année Top Albums 2002" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  42. ↑ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2002". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  43. ↑ "ARIA End of Year Albums Chart 2003". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  44. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 2003". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  45. ↑ "Top de l'année Top Albums 2003" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  46. ↑ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  47. ↑ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2003". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  48. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2005 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  49. ↑ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – albums 2002". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021.
  50. ↑ "French album certifications – Craig David – Slicker Than Your Average" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  51. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Craig David; 'Slicker Than Your Average')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  52. ↑ "Dutch album certifications – Craig David – Slicker Than Your Average" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 22 May 2021. Enter Slicker Than Your Average in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 2002 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  53. ↑ "New Zealand album certifications – Craig David – Slicker Than Your Average". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  54. ↑ Salaverrie, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (PDF) (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Madrid: Fundación Autor/SGAE. p. 964. ISBN 84-8048-639-2. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
  55. ↑ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Slicker Than Your Average')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  56. ↑ "British album certifications – Craig David – Slicker Than Your Average". British Phonographic Industry. Select albums in the Format field. Select Platinum in the Certification field. Type Slicker Than Your Average in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  57. ↑ "American album certifications – Craig David – Slicker Than Your Average". Recording Industry Association of America.
  58. ↑ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 2003". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
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