Magazines or Novels

Magazines or Novels
Studio album by
Andy Grammer
ReleasedAugust 5, 2014
Genre
Length42:48
LabelS-Curve
Andy Grammer chronology
Crazy Beautiful
(2013) 		Magazines or Novels
(2014) 		Spotify Singles
(2017)
Singles from Magazines or Novels
  1. "Back Home"
    Released: March 25, 2014
  2. "Honey, I'm Good"
    Released: November 11, 2014
  3. "Good to Be Alive (Hallelujah)"
    Released: August 24, 2015
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic [1]
NewsdayC [2]

Magazines or Novels is the second studio album by American recording artist Andy Grammer, released on August 5, 2014, through S-Curve Records. It includes the triple-platinum selling hit single "Honey, I'm Good" which peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100. A special edition exclusive to Target stores was released in May 2015 featuring two newly recorded tracks: "Kamikaze" and "Amazing".[3] A re-issued deluxe edition was released on November 20, 2015, with new artwork and included the album's third single, "Good to Be Alive (Hallelujah)".[4]

Singles

Prior to the album's release, Grammer released a single "Back Home" on March 25, 2014, co-written by Grammer and Ryan Met of the band AJR, who co-produced the track with Jon Levine. The single was used in the 2016 MacGillivray Freeman film National Parks Adventure. The album's second single, "Honey, I'm Good" was co-written by Grammer and Nolan Sipe and produced by Sipe, Steve Greenberg and Brian West.[5] Grammer went on the "Siren Songs" tour with Los Angeles-based recording artist Hughie Stone Fish in September 2014.[6]

The second single "Honey, I'm Good" was released in the US in November 2014, and eventually impacted radio in February 2015. It became his biggest single to date, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and being certified triple-platinum by the RIAA.

In August 2015, during his run on Dancing with the Stars, Grammer released a new single "Good to Be Alive (Hallelujah)"[7] (also written by Ryan Met from AJR) which was included on a reissued deluxe version on November 6, 2015.

Critical reception

Judah Joseph from The Huffington Post gave a positive review of the album saying "it is in ways reminiscent of John Mayer's earlier work" and compared Grammer's voice to Gavin DeGraw and Adam Levine's. "Magazines or Novels displays a level of consistent creativity and continued talent. [...] It surpasses the standard he set back in 2011". Joseph concluded describing the album as "emotionally complex collection of songs".[8] Newsday reviewer Glenn Gamboa gave the album a C grade commenting "it feels like a desperate attempt to manufacture another hit" while he ultimately "ends up with cut-rate approximations of other artists (Maroon 5 and OneRepublic)."[9] James Dinh from "SheKnows.com" analyzed the meanings of the songs and its contrasting lyrics and stated that "Grammer sprinkles a variety of lyrical themes throughout Magazines or Novels. While he plays up his lust for women (even though he's married) on the country-pop hoedown "Baby, I'm Good", he switches it up and assumes the role of sweet husband on the retro-sounding "Forever", using his easy-breezy falsetto to sing about how long his girl takes to get ready."

Track listing

Magazines or Novels — Standard edition[10]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Honey, I'm Good"
3:19
2."Back Home"
3:19
3."Pushing"
  • Grammer
  • Met
3:09
4."Forever"
3:39
5."Holding Out"
3:29
6."Remind You"Grammer4:28
7."Masterpiece"Grammer3:35
8."Sinner"
3:41
9."Red Eye"
3:36
10."Blame It on the Stars"
3:12
11."Kiss You Slow"Grammer4:16
Magazines or Novels — Target exclusive edition (bonus tracks)[11]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
12."Amazing"Grammer3:36
13."Kamikaze"Grammer3:08
Magazines or Novels — Deluxe edition (bonus tracks)[4]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
12."Co-Pilot"
3:05
13."Good to Be Alive (Hallelujah)"Grammer3:09
14."Fences"Grammer3:38
15."Honey, I'm Good" (duet with Eli Young Band)
  • Grammer
  • Sipe
3:19
16."Honey, I'm Good." (DJ Mike D Remix)
  • Grammer
  • Sipe
3:33

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[15] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Jurek, Thom. "Magazines or Novels - Andy Grammer". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 2, 2016. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
  2. ^ Gamboa, Glenn (August 4, 2014). "Andy Grammer's 'Magazines or Novels' review: You've read this one before". Newsday. Archived from the original on February 4, 2016. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
  3. ^ "Andy Grammer Official Twitter". Archived from the original on 2015-06-17. Retrieved 2015-06-13.
  4. ^ a b "Magazines or Novels (Deluxe Edition) by Andy Grammer on iTunes". iTunes Store. Archived from the original on February 4, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  5. ^ "Andy Grammer Announces 'Back Home' Summer Tour". cbslocal.com. April 8, 2014. Archived from the original on August 14, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  6. ^ "Andy Grammer Unveils New Feel-Good Single 'Back Home': Listen". Ryanseacrest.com. March 25, 2014. Archived from the original on January 20, 2015. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  7. ^ "Entertainment". Archived from the original on 2015-08-27. Retrieved 2015-08-26.
  8. ^ Joseph, Judah (August 1, 2014). "Review: Andy Grammer, Magazines or Novels". The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  9. ^ Gamboa, Glenn (August 20, 2014). "Andy Grammer's 'Magazines or Novels' review: You've read this one before". Newsday. Archived from the original on August 6, 2014. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  10. ^ "Magazines or Novels by Andy Grammer on iTunes". iTunes Store. Archived from the original on January 28, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  11. ^ "Andy Grammer - Magazines Or Novels - Target Exclusive". Target Corporation. Archived from the original on January 16, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  12. ^ "Andy Grammer Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  13. ^ "Andy Grammer Chart History (Digital Albums)".[dead link] Billboard. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
  14. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2015". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 22, 2017. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  15. ^ "American album certifications – Andy Grammer – Magazines or Novels". Recording Industry Association of America.