The Futurist is the only studio album by American actor Robert Downey Jr., produced by Jonathan Elias and Mark Hudson, and released on November 23, 2004, through Sony Classical. The album debuted at number 121 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 16,000 copies in its first week.
The album received mixed reviews. Downey stated in 2006 that he probably will not do another album, as he felt that the energy he put into doing the album was not compensated. He explained that he did not want to spend whatever time he had at home in the studio, but rather with his family.
Recording and composition
The Futurist consists of eight pop ballads written by Downey, as well as two cover songs: "Smile", a Charlie Chaplin composition; and "Your Move", the first half of the song "I've Seen All Good People" by Yes. The song "Hannah" is an allusion to Downey's 2000 film Wonder Boys.
The album was produced by Jonathan Elias and Mark Hudson, with Downey playing on the piano on some of the tracks.
Critical reception
AllMusic's Matt Collar rated the album 3.5/5, and called Downey's lyrics "obtuse". However, he praised his interpretations of other musicians' work, such as "Your Move" by Yes and Charlie Chaplin's "Smile", and called the album "unpredictably moving as the best of Downey's film work."
Elysa Gardner of USA Today wrote that the vibe on Downey's album "can seem pretentious or simply dull after a while, but there is a moody musicality to tracks such as 'Man Like Me' and 'Details'."
Track listing
Personnel Credits adapted from AllMusic.
Robert Downey Jr. – lead and background vocals, piano, keyboards, Wurlitzer, percussion, photography, CD art adaptation Jon Anderson – background vocals on "Your Move" Charlie Bisharat – violin Alan Broadbent – piano Jeff Bunnell – fluglehorn Tom Canning – Hammond B3 Jim Cox – Hammond B3, piano Gregg Bissonette – drums Vinnie Colaiuta – drums Chad Wackerman – drums Alec Puro – drums Armand Sabal-Lecco – bass Nat Williamson – violin Jenny Harding-Morris – guest writer – "Man Like Me" James Woods-Tickton – bass arrangements Lawrence Schwartz – string arrangements Cameron Stone – cello Jimmy Haun – electric guitar Charlie Haden – bass guitar Reggie Hamilton – bass Sarah Hudson – background vocals Steve Dudas – balalaika, acoustic guitar, electric guitar
Jonathan Elias – production, Hammond organ, photography Mark Hudson – production, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, percussion, background vocals, photography Kevin Churko – engineering Doug Reid – engineering Vicenzo LoRusso – engineering, production, photography Bruce Sugar – engineering Lior Goldenberg – mixing Dave Way – mixing Bernie Grundman – mastering Ghian Wright – engineering assistant Vasilia Hughes – production assistant Carles Sanchez – production assistant Mark Valentine – assistant Amy Galland – photography, production coordination Jimmy "Sprünge" LaRiccio – photography Augustine Dei Wojogbe – art direction, design Davis Factor – cover art Indio Falconer Downey – CD art adaptation Robert Wilson – portraits Russell Nachman
In other media "Broken" plays during the end credits to Downey's 2005 film Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. In the 2016 Marvel Studios film, Captain America: Civil War, Clint Barton mockingly refers to Tony Stark (played by Downey) as "The Futurist".
Chart performance
Album Chart (2004) Peak position
"Man Like Me"
Chart (2005)Peakposition
References