Superior is the third studio album by Danish singer-songwriter Tim Christensen, released on 24 November 2008Discogs (2010). "Tim Christensen - Superior at Discogs". Retrieved on 12 October 2010. on CD, limited edition Digipak CD/DVD which includes a 30-minute making-of, and a double vinyl box set which also includes the CD and DVD, as well as an outsize poster."Press release: Superior - new CD, November 2008". Retrieved on 28 April 2011.
Overview Superior was the first album to be released on Mermaid Records after Sony Music Entertainment Denmark became the label's main shareholder.Sony Music Entertainment (Denmark) A/S. (2011). "Mermaid Records" . Retrieved on 26 April 2011. To date, it is the only studio album in Christensen's musical career without a separate Japanese bonus release.
The title song "Superior" has Christensen opening up about himself. According to the press release, "The song Superior pins Christensen down on a more personal level: what kind of thoughts are running through his mind? What concerns him? In the revealing lyrics, the popular songwriter stands naked. He’s brutally honest and vulnerable. (...) The song is all about refusing to let yourself be controlled by what people expect of you, but rather trusting your own gut feeling and believing that you’re good enough the way you are. Be it in your career or in love." It also refers to having to deal with the expectations people had of him since his previous album: "[D]uring work on Superior, he’s felt the huge success of Honeyburst as a burden pressing down on his shoulders."
"Wonder of Wonders" is the first song Christensen has written on piano.Tuxen, Henrik (22 November 2008). "Tim Christensen – Superior sang for sang" (Tim Christensen - Superior song by song). GAFFA. "India" was written in his sleep; he woke up, recorded a basic version, and was back to sleep in under 20 minutes. The riff of "Follow My Lead" is played on a baritone guitar, which according to Christensen is "probably the most unsexy guitar there is, but it sounds great." "Song for Shelly" was written for his former girlfriend, Michelle Djarling.Tuxen, Henrik (27 November 2008). "Tim Christensen – Jeg tror på mit talent" (Tim Christensen – I believe in my talent). GAFFA.
A song named "Sooner or Later" did not make it onto the album, but was included on the Japanese edition, to be released on 26 September 2012.HMV (2012). Superior dvd ltd. Retrieved on 26 August 2012. On 9 November 2011, Christensen recorded this song as part of his "low key late night sessions".Christensen, Tim (9 November 2011). Late night session : Sooner Or Later (Superior-outtake/bonus track). Facebook.
Reception It received mixed reviews, but to keep the audience from thinking it largely got bad reviews, Mermaid Records decided to cite all reviews, good and bad.Svidt, Ole Rosenstand (9 January 2009). "Tim Christensen citerer dårlige anmeldelser" (Tim Christensen cites bad reviews). GAFFA. This was even taken further by using some of these phrases on T-shirts,Svidt, Ole Rosenstand (4 June 2009). "Tim Christensen på lang sommerturné" (Tim Christensen on long summer tour). GAFFA. such as ugens flødebolle ("this week's cream puff). It was voted the Melodic.net best album of 2008. It took until 7 December 2009NRC Rocks met Eric Corton (30 November 2009). Tim Christensen . before it was released in the Netherlands on PIAS Recordings.Hjortskov, Anders (3 December 2009). "Tim Christensen indtager Holland" (Tim Christensen overtakes Holland). GAFFA.
Four songs off the album were released as a single: "Superior" (2008),Vimeo (24 December 2009). "Tim Christensen - Superior". "Hard To Make You Mine" (2009), "India" (2009),Vimeo (24 December 2009). "Tim Christensen - India". and "Tell Me What You Really Want" (2009).Vimeo (24 December 2009). "Tim Christensen - Tell Me What You Really Want". The latter video was made by Paul "Yellow1" Wilson, who also did the cover art for this album.
Track listing
Limited edition bonus DVD
The disc itself is named PERFEKTIONIST_DVD, referring to the lyrics "I'm a bit of a perfectionist" in the title track of Superior.
Credits: Theis Molin (director, producer), Christoffer Dreyer (editor, producer), Lars Bonde (director of photography), © 2008 tmfilm.dk.
Personnel Tim Christensen – vocals, guitars, bass, drums, producerAdditional instruments: tenor guitar, acoustic baritone guitar, mandolin, piano, Mellotron, Minimoog, Wurlitzer electric piano, Fender Rhodes, Fender Rhodes Piano Bass, keyboards, glockenspiel, vibraphone, dulcimer Additional musicians Olaf Olsen – drums (on tracks 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, and 12) Laust Sonne – drums (on track 9) Christoffer Møller – string arrangement Prague Philharmonic Orchestra – strings Jan Chalupecky – conductor Production Nick Foss – executive producer Rune Nissen-Petersen – producer, engineer, mixer Nikolaj Vinten – mastering Paul Wilson – designer, artwork, photography Helene Hasen – photography Dan Christensen – front cover photo
Notes