The Color of Silence
Studio album by
Tiffany
ReleasedNovember 7, 2000
Recorded1999–2000
GenrePop
Length62:02
LabelEureka
ProducerTim Feehan
Tiffany chronology
Greatest Hits
(1996)		 The Color of Silence
(2000)		 Dust Off and Dance
(2005)
Singles from The Color of Silence
  1. "I'm Not Sleeping"
    Released: September 26, 2000
  2. "Open My Eyes"
    Released: August 21, 2001

The Color of Silence is the fifth studio album by American singer Tiffany, released on November 7, 2000. It represented a "comeback" for Tiffany, being her first studio album released in seven years, and the first released in the United States in ten years. It was released after Tiffany returned to California after living in Nashville, Tennessee for a few years attempting to develop her career as a songwriter, as well as to make a return as a country music artist. The song "Open My Eyes" was used in the film BearCity.

Background

After the success of her first two albums Tiffany and Hold an Old Friend's Hand,[1] Tiffany decided to change her musical direction from teen-pop to R&B and new jack swing for her third album New Inside.[2][3] Her frustration with the music business and her desire to move away from her "pop star" image led her to develop a new, sexier image.[1][4] New Inside was released on September 25, 1990, by MCA Records.[2] It received mixed reviews by critics, with most of the criticism targeted towards its "overproduction" of the tracks.[5][6] The album was a commercial flop. The album did not chart in the US, and none of the singles appeared in the Billboard charts, but the album garnered success in Japan.[7] Her fourth album, Dreams Never Die, returned to pop music, but was only released on November 21, 1993, in Asia.[1]

Tiffany was turned to alcohol and drugs, but her bodyguard, Frank D'Amato, convinced her to quit her solace.[1] After being exhausted of performing at the Las Vegas Hilton and ignored by the music industry, she decided to take a break to focus on her family and reconnecting to herself.[8] In 1995, Tiffany moved to Nashville to develop her career as a songwriter and an attempt as a country artist.[9] Tiffany started writing music with Music City's professionals.[10] At the time, Tiffany expanded her skills and recorded some country demos, although she felt that she "isn't a country kind of girl".[8] Tiffany also stated that she was "always shy as a writer" and "didn't [knew] how to put thoughts into lyrics."[11] After a few years, she moved back to California to start her music process again.[12]

Production

After moving back to California, one of Tiffany's friends, Tina, convinced her to meet Brad Schmidt at his studio.[12] For the first three months, the working relationship struggled due to Tiffany's roots from Nashville.[12] Despite the conflict, Tiffany wrote her songs influenced by Bonnie Raitt and Melissa Etheridge.[12] Tiffany and Tim Feehan met and collaborated some of the songs for the album, but Tiffany felt that they were "too adult contemporary".[11][12] The first song written for the album, "Silence", survived the relationship, as they almost quit due to creative differences.[11][12] Tiffany stated that after this song, she felt "more confident" and seemed that her songwriting relationship with Feehan had a "style".[12]

After Tiffany's bodyguard, Frank D'Amato, died of cancer at the age of 34, Tiffany created the melody and wrote the two lines of the lyrics of "If Only", which was later given to Joe Brooks to collaborate.[12] Tiffany once believed that the writing of the song helped her heal her mourning of his death.[12] Joe Brooks wrote "Betty" and gave it to Tiffany since he wanted her to make it her own, although she thought that the original song was great.[12]

Music and lyrics

Overview

The Color of Silence is a reflection of Tiffany's life at the time.[11] The main themes of the album included femme power messages and alternative angst.[13] Recurring themes include pain, frustration, longing, and desire.[1] The Color of Silence is a pop album incorporated by dance, blues, gospel, and electronica music.[8] Tiffany co-wrote seven songs on the standard edition of the album.[8] Her most autobiographical album to date, Tiffany stated in a November 3, 2000, interview with Shawn Winstan of Herald News Service that she not only lent her voice, but also her "heart and soul" to the album by writing majority of the tracks.[12]

Songs

"Open My Eyes" is a "guitar-etched" pop rock song that sees Tiffany telling a guy to "open [her] eyes" to move on and find a resolution of herself.[11][13] Tiffany explained that it is a "very strong song for a woman".[11] I'm Not Sleeping" is an emotional, verbal abuse song from a female's point-of-view, expressing that she "lost a big chunk of herself and regained her power", but she emancipates and "doesn't go back to try and prove anything to him."[11][12] Music critic Melissa Rugglerl stated that the song is the "first indication of maturity."[14] The song accompanies "rocky" rhythms,[11] African drums,[11] guitar strums,[11] "slow-building" basslines,[14] and minimal keyboard effects.[14] It features a guest rap by Krayzie Bone.[11][13][14] According to Tiffany, the production of the song was inspired by "Voices Carry" by 'Til Tuesday.[11] Accompanied by melancholic guitars, marching band cadence, and bagpipes, "Piss U Off" finds Tiffany being "dumped", as she "succinctly puts it, but with a twist."[11] The lyrics compare two lovers to hateful neighbors.[13] "I Will Not Breakdown" had Tiffany singing in a "decidedly-sassy mood", which was thrown by a "touch of diva attitude". The song tells that Tiffany refuses to breakdown her situations and circumstances, such as "[giving] in to people and their negative opinions of [her]."[11] Regarding the song's production, Rugglerl stated that the "ghost of [Alanis Morrissette] floats through the insinuating guitars and beefy chorus".[14]

"Keep Walking" is a "bittersweet" love song.[11] Michael Paoletta of Billboard described the song's production as "reminiscent of an Oasis track."[11] "If Only" is a piano-driven ballad dedicated to Tiffany's bodyguard, Frank D'Amato.[11][15] The first couple verses were Tiffany's reflection on how she felt on his death.[12] "Silence" is an autobiographical rock song influenced by Middle Eastern music. It tells a story about Tiffany grappling with her past.[11] "All the Talking" is an acoustic pop song about dreams and realities.[11] "Good Enough For Me" is about Tiffany's call for unity and being clearly nonjudgmental.[11] "Christening" is a funk song about female independence.[11] "Betty" is a ballad that tells a "bittersweet tale" about a girl who committed suicide.[11] "Cinnamon" is a downtempo, guitar-slashed track about a girl who's a "Jezebel [and] a big mess."[11][16] "Butterfly" finds Tiffany in her own theme of personal growth.[11]

Release

Originally, The Color of Silence was going to be released by Modern Records, but it was later switched to Eureka Records. The album was originally scheduled to be released on October 10, 2000, but for unknown reasons, it was delayed.[11] It was released on November 7, 2000.[12]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[13]

The Color of Silence received critical acclaim, becoming her best-reviewed album to date.[10] A Billboard front-page article called it "thoughtful, intelligent, and full of grace", and said that it could be considered "Tiffany's equivalent to Alanis Morissette's landmark Jagged Little Pill."[11] Music critic Melissa Rugglerl rated the album a "B+", praising "Piss U Off" as "clever".[14] Peter Fawthrop of AllMusic rated the album three out of five stars, highlighting the songs "Piss U Off", "Silence", and "Betty". Fawthrop praised "Piss U Off" for having "boasting, clever lyrics" and "one of the great melodies on an album filled with hooks", and stated that the album is "extravagant and unbridled, spilling with good ideas molded into eclectic rock pieces and passionate pop songs and ballads."[13]

Track listing

Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Open My Eyes"
4:32
2."I'm Not Sleeping (featuring Krayzie Bone)"
  • Tiffany
  • Brooks
  • Feehan
  • Anthony Henderson
3:39
3."Piss U Off"
  • Tiffany
  • Brooks
  • Feehan
3:48
4."I Will Not Breakdown"
  • Tiffany
  • Brooks
  • Gene Black
4:12
5."Keep Walking"
  • Cary Devore
  • Scott Shiflett
3:37
6."If Only"
  • Tiffany
  • Brooks
4:13
7."Silence"
  • Tiffany
  • Feehan
  • Black
4:15
8."All the Talking"
  • Tiffany
  • Brooks
  • Feehan
3:55
9."Good Enough for Me"
  • Tiffany
  • Brooks
  • Feehan
  • Black
4:12
10."Christening"Ovis4:17
11."Betty"Brooks4:29
12."Cinnamon"
  • Tiffany
  • Brooks
  • Feehan
4:42
13."Butterfly"
  • Brooks
  • Feehan
3:43
Total length:62:02
Bonus tracks on international release
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
14."As I Am"Tiffany2:36
15."Falling"
  • Tiffany
  • Feehan
3:57
16."Flown"
  • Tiffany
  • Feehan
4:30
Total length:73:05
Bonus tracks on download version
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
14."Sometimes"
  • Tiffany
  • Feehan
4:41
15."As I Am"  
Total length:69:19

Personnel

  • Tiffany – lead vocals, backing vocals (1, 3, 7, 10, 12, 13)
  • Tim Feehan – keyboards (1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 13, 15), electric bass (1–4, 7–9, 11–13, 15), drum programming (1–4, 7–9, 11–13, 15), backing vocals (1, 4, 7–9, 13, 14), synthesizers (3, 6, 9, 11), accordion (3), bagpipes (3), guitars (9), all instruments (16)
  • Cary Devore – acoustic piano (5)
  • Joe Brooks – guitars (1–3, 6, 8, 9, 11–13), backing vocals (1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 13), synthesizers (2, 6, 11), Wurlitzer electric piano (3, 8), additional synthesizers (3, 9), harmonica (3, 8), acoustic piano (6, 11), keyboards (12)
  • David Frederic – additional electric guitars (1), guitars (4)
  • Gene Black – guitars (4, 7, 9, 15), electric sitar (7)
  • John Thomas – guitars (5)
  • Cisco De Luna – additional guitars (10)
  • Romeo Antonio – guitars (12)
  • Brent Hoffert – electric guitars (14)
  • Mark Dutton – bass (5)
  • Clark Souter – bass (14)
  • Herman Matthews – drums (2, 4, 7, 12)
  • Mark Wickliffe – drums (5)
  • Michael Fisher – percussion (2, 6, 9, 11), kalimba (2), vibraphone (9), tambora (9)
  • David "Ovis" Means – percussion (5), backing vocals (5, 7), additional synthesizers (8), all instruments (10), keyboards (14), drums (14)
  • Krayzie Bone – rap (2)
  • Doug Elkins – backing vocals (7)
  • Ked – backing vocals (8)
  • London Jones – backing vocals (9, 11, 15, 16)

Production

  • Tiffany – production supervisor, exclusive management
  • Tim Feehan – producer (1–4, 7–9, 11–13, 15, 16), mixing (1–3, 6–9, 11–13, 15, 16)
  • David "Ovis" Means – producer (5, 14), mixing (5, 10, 14), recording (10, 14), Pro Tools mix engineer (10)
  • Joe Brooks – producer (6, 11)
  • Jerry Christie – recording (1–4, 6–9, 11–13, 15, 16), Pro Tools mix engineer (12)
  • Paul Wagner – recording (5, 10, 14)
  • David Frederic – Pro Tools mix engineer (1–9, 11, 13), recording (5), mixing (5)
  • Robert Biles – mixing (1–4, 6–9, 11–13, 15, 16)
  • Glenn Sweitzer – art direction, design
  • Ron Davis – photography, exclusive management
  • Brad Schmidt – exclusive management
  • Calvin Haugen – stylist
  • Lynn Rodgers – hair, make-up
  • Bulmaro Garcia – hair, make-up (center spread)

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Harmon, Rod (December 28, 2000). "Tiffany's now ready to play with the big girls". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. 46. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  2. 1 2 "'New Inside' Is More Than Just An Album Title For Singer Tiffany". Chicago Tribune. December 6, 1990. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  3. ↑ Jenkins, Mark (February 10, 1991). "Barbie Sings! Plus the Latest from Other Living Dolls". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  4. ↑ Eakin, Marah (August 21, 2012). "Tiffany on "I Think We're Alone Now," being the queen of the mall, and dubstep | Mall Week | Set List". The A.V. Club. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  5. ↑ DeKnock, Jan (October 18, 1990). "Tiffany New Inside (MCA) (STAR)(STAR) 1/2..." Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  6. ↑ Sandow, Greg (October 12, 1990). "New Inside Review | Music Reviews and News". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  7. ↑ "ニュー・インサイド ティファニーのプロフィールならオリコン芸能人事典-ORICON STYLE". Oricon.co.jp. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Laban, Linda (November 1, 2000). "Before Britney ..." The Daily Spectrum. p. 34. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  9. ↑ Keel, Beverly, "Tiffany's starting all over again – in country", Country Weekly, Vol. 3, No. 52, December 24, 1996, p. 17.
  10. 1 2 Paulson, Dave (August 21, 2016). "Tiffany: How Nashville helped a teen star grow up". The Tennessean. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Paoletta, Michael (August 19, 2000). "Tiffany Tells Her Stories Her Way: Eureka's 'Silence' Aims For Adult Audience" (PDF). Billboard. pp. 1, 99. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Winstian, Shawn (November 3, 2000). "The COLOR of Success: Tiffany readies stateside comeback with new CD". Northwest Herald. pp. 80–81. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Fawthrop, Peter. "Tiffany - The Color of Silence Album Review by Peter Fawthrop". AllMusic. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Rugglerl, Melissa (January 18, 2001). "Tiffany's 'Silence' surprises". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. 49. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Second Verse", People Weekly, September 25, 2000, p. 85
  16. ↑ Harmon, Rod (December 22, 2000). "Tiffany tries to overcome ghost of teen-star past". The Toronto Star. p. 73. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.