Never Going Back to OK is the second album by Christian rock group The Afters, released on February 26, 2008.
The first single from the album is the title track, "Never Going Back to OK". The track has been released as a streaming file on their MySpace website and for purchase on iTunes. Since the album's release, "Keeping Me Alive" and "We Are the Sound" have both been played as singles on Christian radio. "We Are the Sound" was used in commercials and promotion of the reality-talent competition show American Idol. The song "Ocean Wide" also made an appearance on Vampire Diaries.
The music video for the title track was shot in Windsor, Ontario.
Reception Following its release, it debuted at No. 41 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling about 16,000 units in its first week.
The album won a Dove Award for Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year at the 40th GMA Dove Awards. The title song was also nominated for Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year.
The track entitled "Myspace Girl" was heavily criticised in PopMatters. In contrast, the same track was praised in Seventeen Magazine.
Track listing
Never Going Back to OK – EP An EP of this album has also been released exclusively to iTunes, containing three tracks:
Personnel
The Afters Josh Havens – lead vocals, guitars Matt Fuqua – guitars, vocals Brad Wigg – guitars, bass, vocals Marc Dodd – drums
Additional musicians Dan Muckala – programming, string arrangements Chuck Butler – acoustic guitar, bass Jeremy Lutito – drums Justin Sanders – cello John Catchings – strings David Angell – strings David Davidson – strings
Production Dan Muckala – producer, engineer Joe Baldridge – engineer Skye McCaskey – engineer Josh Muckala – assistant engineer Jess Thompson – assistant engineer F. Reid Shippen – mixing Ted Jensen – mastering at Sterling Sound (New York, NY) James Rueger – A&R Dana Salsedo – creative direction benfrankdesign.com – design, layout Esther Havens – photography Melanie Peskett – wardrobe Ray Medrano – grooming Overflow, Inc. – management
References