Invincible is the second studio album released by English boy band Five. The album was released in the United Kingdom by RCA Records on 8 November 1999, and was later released in the United States on 16 May 2000. The album was executively produced by Simon Cowell and Richard "Biff" Stannard.

Four singles were released from Invincible, including the UK chart-toppers "Keep on Movin" and "We Will Rock You". During their performance at Rock in Rio 2001, group member Scott Robinson stated that the title track "Invincible" was intended to be released as a single, but they decided against it as they were working on their third album.

The album reached number four on the UK Albums Chart, the lowest-charting original album by the band, although it went on to become their biggest seller in UK, being certified double platinum.

Background The original version of the album, released in November 1999, contains a total of fifteen tracks, including the hidden track, "Inspector Gadget". It also contains the original album version of "We Will Rock You". A limited-edition version of the standard album, containing an exclusive photo booklet, birthday calendar and free poster was also made available in certain countries in Europe.Images for Five – Invincible

For the album's release stateside in May 2000, the track listing was revised, removing "Mr. Z", "Sunshine" and "Battlestar", remixing "Don't Wanna Let You Go", and adding the track "Don't Fight It Baby", originally contributed by the band for the soundtrack to the film Loser.

The Japanese edition of the album retains the original track listing, but includes the B-side recording "Reminiscing" as a bonus track, and an enhanced section, containing two videos. A special edition of the album was later released in November 2000, featuring a bonus disc, containing five tracks recorded at the Manchester Evening News Arena during the band's Invincible Tour on 26 March 2000. Disc one was also altered, replacing the original version of "We Will Rock You" with the single mix, adding "Don't Fight It Baby"Amazon.com: Don't Fight It Baby / Stop Pushing Me: Five: Music and a remix of "Keep on Movin" as bonus tracks, and including an enhanced section, containing four music videos.

Critical reception

Peter Fawthrop, from AllMusic, stated that the album is "dizzying, fun, danceable, and all-around glowing." He noted that the group projects a youthful energy, drawing in listeners with their cocky humor and ambition, but also pointed out the "sophomoric lyrics" and sexual themes, which may not resonate with their teenage audience. Fawthrop highlighted the standout tracks "You Make Me a Better Man" and "Mr. Z," praising the latter for its witty and humorous approach. Despite some weaker tracks, he concluded that the album shows the group has potential.

Chris Charles, from BBC News, stated that Invincible by Five starts strong with the infectious track "If Ya Gettin' Down," but quickly falls into typical boy band territory. He criticized songs like "Don't Wanna Let You Go" for trying to sound tough but failing, while the album is largely filled with "sugary nonsense" ballads. Although tracks like "Mr Z" show potential with commendable rapping, Charles argues that Five often revert to clichés, and if they want to be taken seriously, they need to move away from these cheesy lyrics.

Chart performance The album reached number four on the UK Albums Chart, the lowest-charting original album by the band, although it went on to become their biggest seller, being certified double platinum.BPI website - search "Five" The album also peaked at number 108 on the US Billboard 200.

Track listing All tracks are produced by Julian Gallagher and Richard Stannard except where noted.

Notes signifies an additional producer signifies a remixer "If Ya Gettin' Down" includes a sample from "Last Night a D.J. Saved My Life", performed by Indeep "Battlestar" includes a sample of "Battlestar Galactica", performed by John Williams and The Boston Pops Orchestra

Personnel

Five Jason "J" Brown – vocals; Rhodes piano on track 13 Sean Conlon – vocals; piano on track 7 Richard Abidin "Abs" Breen – vocals Ritchie Neville – vocals Scott Robinson – vocals Additional musicians Mista Dexter – turntables on tracks 1, 2, 4, 8, 10, 11, 12 and 14 Filo – backing vocals on tracks 1, 2, 4, 7, 10, 11 and 13 John Themis – guitar on tracks 2, 7, 8 and 13 Steve Lewinson – bass on tracks 2, 7, 8 and 55 Chris Laws – drums on track 2 Steve McCutcheon – keyboards on track 2 Sharon Murphy – backing vocals on track 2 Brian May – guitar on tracks 4 and 22 Roger Taylor – drums on track 22 Andy Caine – backing vocals on track 4 Mikkel Storleer Eriksen – additional vocals on track 5 Mats Berntoft – guitar on track 9 Sead – turntables on track 9 Anders Von Hofsten – backing vocals on track 9 Andreas Carlsson – backing vocals on track 9 Snake Davis – flute on track 11 Maren Hernandez – additional vocals on track 15 Wayne Hector – backing vocals on track 15 Alistair Tennant – backing vocals on track 15 Jonathan Pearce – commentary on track 16

Production and additional personnel Simon Cowell – executive production Richard "Biff" Stannard – executive production; production on all tracks except 5, 6 and 9; mixing on track 10 Julian Gallagher– production on all tracks except 5, 6 and 9; mixing on track 10 Richard Norris – production on tracks 4, 12 and 14 Stargate – production on tracks 5 and 6; remix and additional production on track 3 Steve Mac – production, mixing and arrangements on track 15; additional production and additional mixing on tracks 2 and 16 Jake – production, recording, keyboards and programming on track 9 Per Magnusson – production, recording, keyboards and programming on track 9 Adrian Bushby – recording and mixing on all tracks except 5, 6, 9 and 10; mix engineering on track 10 Jake Davies – Pro Tools engineering on tracks 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14 and 55; mixing on tracks 2 and 16; additional arrangements on track 12 Matt Howe – mix engineering on tracks 2, 15 and 16 Chris Laws – engineering and programming on track 15; additional programming on tracks 2 and 16 Daniel Pursey – engineering assistance on track 2; mix engineering assistance on tracks 15 and 16 Justin Shirley-Smith – recording on track 4 Matt Sime – vocal recording on track 10 Alvin Sweeney – recording assistance on tracks 2, 3, 7, 8, 14 and 55; mixing assistance on track 16 Conal Markey – recording on track 10; recording assistance on tracks 1, 2 and 11; mixing assistance on track 16 Dave Morgan – recording assistance on tracks 7, 12 and 14 Pat McGovern – recording assistance on tracks 1 and 11 Steve McKeown – string arrangements on track 7 Paul West – art direction, graphic design Paula Benson – art direction, graphic design Valerie Phillips – photography

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1999–2000)PeakpositionAustralian Dance Albums (ARIA)1Canadian Albums (RPM)49Danish Albums (Tracklisten)20Estonian Albums (Eesti Top 10)4European Albums ChartBillboard – Google Books10 Greek Albums (IFPI)3Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)5Icelandic Albums (Tónlist)9Irish Albums (IRMA)Billboard – Google Books5Italian Albums (FIMI)Billboard – Google Books10Italian Albums (Musica e Dischi) Set "Tipo" on "Album". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "5ive". 11Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE) 45

Year-end charts Chart (1999)PositionAustralian Album (ARIA)41Belgian Albums Chart (Ultratop Flanders)48Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)91Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) 61Italian Albums (FIMI)58Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)71UK Albums (OCC)27Chart (2000)PositionAustralian Albums (ARIA)65Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)40Canadian Albums (Neilsen SoundScan)148Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)73 European Albums (Eurochart Hot 100)85UK Albums (OCC)54

Certifications and sales

Invincible Tour

The Invincible Tour was a 2000 concert tour by Five in promotion of the album.

Background Along with the band's native UK, the tour went to Europe, Australasia and—as a foursome—South America, after member Ritchie Neville contracted chickenpox and had to be flown back to England in order to recover.

Concert synopsis

Set list This set list was played at the Manchester EN Arena on 26 March 2000. "Battlestar" "Shake" "Everybody Get Up" "When the Lights Go Out" "It's the Things You Do" "Got the Feelin" "Until the Time Is Through" "Slam Dunk (Da Funk)" "If Ya Gettin' Down" "Serious" "Two Sides to Every Story" "Don't Wanna Let You Go" "Invincible" "Keep On Movin" "We Will Rock You" (Encore)

Tour dates

Date City Country VenueEurope 26 February 2000 Saint Petersburg Russia SKK Arena 27 February 2000 Moscow Olympiysky Sports 10 March 2000 Glasgow Scotland Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre 11 March 2000 12 March 2000 14 March 2000 Cardiff Wales Cardiff International Arena 15 March 2000 17 March 2000 Dublin Ireland Point Theatre 18 March 2000 20 March 2000 Manchester England MEN Arena 21 March 2000 Birmingham NEC Arena 22 March 2000 24 March 2000 London Wembley Arena 25 March 2000 26 March 2000 Manchester MEN Arena 28 March 2000 Sheffield Sheffield Arena 29 March 2000 Newcastle Newcastle Arena 31 March 2000 Manchester MEN Arena 1 April 2000 London Wembley Arena 2 April 2000 4 April 2000 Cologne Germany E Werk 6 April 2000 Rotterdam Netherlands Rotterdam Ahoy 7 April 2000 8 April 2000 Ghent Belgium Flanders Expo 9 April 2000 Berlin Germany Columbiahalle 11 April 2000 Copenhagen Denmark Forum Copenhagen 12 April 2000 Stockholm Sweden Stockholm Globe Arena 14 April 2000 Hamburg Germany Docks 16 April 2000 Munich Zenith 17 April 2000 Milan Italy Mediolanum Forum 19 April 2000 Barcelona Spain Palau dels Esports de Barcelona 20 April 2000 Madrid Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad de MadridOceania 24 April 2000 Perth Australia Perth Entertainment Centre 26 April 2000 Adelaide Adelaide Entertainment Centre 28 April 2000 Sydney Sydney Superdome 29 April 2000 Melbourne Melbourne Park 30 April 2000 2 May 2000 Brisbane Brisbane Entertainment Centre 3 May 2000 Newcastle Newcastle Entertainment Centre 6 May 2000 Auckland New Zealand North Shore Events Centre 7 May 2000 Wellington Queens WharfSouth America 11 May 2000 Santiago Chile Monumental Theatre 13 May 2000 Buenos Aires Argentina Ferrocarril Oeste Stadium 15 May 2000 Córdoba Córdoba La Usina 17 May 2000 São Paulo Brazil Via Funchal

References

sv:Invincible (musikalbum)