| The Bad & the Better | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | May 27, 2014 | |||
| Recorded | 2012–2014 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 47:23 | |||
| Label | Razor & Tie | |||
| Producer |
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| The Ready Set chronology | ||||
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| Singles from The Bad & the Better | ||||
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The Bad & the Better is the fourth studio album by American electropop singer-songwriter The Ready Set. The album title was announced on March 18, 2014, along with the track listing.[2] It was released on May 27, 2014, by Razor & Tie Records.[3] The album was released as a 4 track-EP featuring the singles "Higher", "Freaking Me Out" and "Give Me Your Hand (Best Song Ever)" plus the song "Carry Me Home" digitally outside the United States.[4]
Background
On June 6, 2013, Witzigreuter announced that he finished writing his fourth studio album on Twitter.[5]
On March 18, 2014, the Ready Set signed to Razor & Tie Records announcing the release of his upcoming album, The Bad & the Better. Witzigreuter spoke about being signed to Razor & Tie stating, "I'm so excited to be signed to Razor & Tie. I feel like it's a great opportunity to get more of my music out there in really creative ways, and I've already seen a ton of passion. I think it's going to be a great partnership."[2] Co-owner of Razor & Tie Cliff Chenfeld added, "We are very excited that Jordan and The Ready Set have chosen to work with Razor & Tie. Jordan is an amazing talent and we will do everything we can do to get his music to the largest possible audience."[2]
Singles
The Ready Set released "Give Me Your Hand (Best Song Ever)" as the first single from The Bad & the Better. The song peaked at number 30 on the US Mainstream Top 40 and at number 33 in New Zealand.[6][7] The second official single, "Higher", was released on April 8, 2014.[8] The song was serviced to contemporary hit radio in the United States on May 6, 2014.[9] That same day, the third single, "Freakin' Me Out" was released.[10] The music video was released on October 15, 2014, via VEVO.[11] A live music video for the track "Fangz" directed by Sergio Padilla was released on December 10, 2014.[12]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [13] |
| Alternative Press | [14] |
| idobi Radio |   [15] |
Tim Sendra of AllMusic rated the album three-and-a-half stars, remarking how the release is "all AM pop giddiness, spunky energy, and soft-pedaled, cuddly heartbreak", and how "It's machine-driven, it's juvenile, and it's not going to change the world, but it's a bunch of fun and that's plenty."[13] At Alternative Press, Evan Lucy rated the album two and a half stars, stating that the release is "ultimately disappointing."[14]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Higher" |
| Kirkpatrick | 3:42 |
| 2. | "Freakin' Me Out" |
| Kirkpatrick | 3:06 |
| 3. | "Are We Happy Now?" |
| Kirkpatrick | 3:48 |
| 4. | "Fangz" |
| Kirkpatrick | 3:24 |
| 5. | "Carry Me Home" |
| Kirkpatrick | 3:07 |
| 6. | "Luxury" |
| Kirkpatrick | 3:05 |
| 7. | "Bitter and the Sweetness" |
| Kirkpatrick | 3:31 |
| 8. | "Don't You Need Me" |
| Goldstein | 3:18 |
| 9. | "Bleeding" |
| Kirkpatrick | 3:23 |
| 10. | "Castaway" (featuring Jake Miller) |
| Goldstein | 3:55 |
| 11. | "Give Me Your Hand (Best Song Ever)" |
| Goldstein | 3:48 |
| 12. | "For the Better" | Witzigreuter | Kirkpatrick | 1:45 |
| 13. | "More Than This" |
|
| 3:45 |
| 14. | "Terrible Things" | Witzigreuter | Kirkpatrick | 3:46 |
| Total length: | 47:23 | |||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Higher" |
| Kirkpatrick | 3:42 |
| 2. | "Freakin' Me Out" |
| Kirkpatrick | 3:06 |
| 3. | "Give Me Your Hand (Best Song Ever)" |
| Goldstein | 3:48 |
| 4. | "Carry Me Home" |
| Kirkpatrick | 3:07 |
| Total length: | 13:43 | |||
Personnel
Credits for The Bad & the Better adapted from AllMusic.[16]
|
|
Charts
| Chart (2014) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[17] | 75 |
References
- ^ "Album Review: The Ready Set – "The Bad & The Better"". August 27, 2014. Archived from the original on October 13, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
- ^ a b c Matt Crane (March 18, 2014). "The Ready Set sign to Razor & Tie, announce new album". Alternative Press. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
- ^ "The Ready Set Signs To R&T; Announces 'The Bad & The Better' - PropertyOfZack". propertyofzack.com. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
- ^ "The Bad & The Better by The Ready Set - EP". Apple Music. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
- ^ Brian Kraus (June 8, 2013). "The Ready Set finish writing new album". Alternative Press. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
- ^ "The Ready Set Chart History: Mainstream Top 40". Billboard. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
- ^ "The Ready Set New Zealand Chart Top 40". Retrieved June 6, 2021.
- ^ "The Ready Set Release New Single, Higher". Alternative Press. 8 April 2014. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
- ^ "Top 40 Mainstream Releases". All Access Mediabase. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
- ^ "The Ready Set release new song, Freaking Me Out off upcoming album due out on May 27th!". 6 May 2014. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
- ^ "THE READY SET PREMIERE VIDEO FOR "FREAKIN ME OUT" ON VEVO". Retrieved June 6, 2021.
- ^ "THE READY SET PREMIERE VIDEO FOR "FANGZ" ON VEVO". Retrieved June 6, 2021.
- ^ a b Sendra, Tim (May 25, 2014). "The Bad & the Better – The Ready Set | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
- ^ a b Lucy, Evan (2014). "The Ready Set – The Bad & The Better". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. June 2014 (311): 103. ISSN 1065-1667. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
- ^ Marvel, Emillie. "Album Review: The Ready Set - The Bad & the Better". Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
- ^ "The Bad & the Better - The Ready Set Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
- ^ "The Ready Set Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
This page was last edited on 6 November 2023, at 10:01