Secret Weapon (album)
| Secret Weapon | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by MxPx | ||||
| Released | July 16, 2007 | |||
| Recorded | February–March 2007 | |||
| Genre | Skate punk, punk rock[1][2][3] | |||
| Length | 49:54 | |||
| Label | Tooth & Nail | |||
| Producer | Aaron Sprinkle | |||
| MxPx chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Secret Weapon | ||||
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Secret Weapon is eighth studio album by punk rock band MxPx. The album's sound goes back to their beginning sound.[1][2][3]
Secret Weapon is available in three different versions:
- The standard version with 16 tracks
- A double 12" vinyl version with special artwork
- A special edition with a "Making of..." DVD, new artwork, and 3 extra tracks
Background
On November 7, 2006, it was announced the group had re-signed with Tooth & Nail Records.[4] In February 2007, the band revealed they were aiming to release an album through the label by mid-2007.[5]
Release
On May 2, 2007, Secret Weapon was announced for release. In the same announcement, the album's track listing was revealed, and the title track was made available for streaming.[6] In May and June, the band headlined the Tooth & Nail Tour with support from the Classic Crime, the Fold, Sullivan, Run Kid Run, Hawk Nelson and Project 86.[7] The album received much online publicity before its release, much due to MxPx's return to Tooth and Nail Records. A new song was released each Sunday night for several weeks before the release, in the order of: "Secret Weapon", "Shut It Down", "Drowning", "You're on Fire", then "Contention". On Sunday, July 8, 2007, the song "Angels" was accidentally leaked on the band's PureVolume page under the incorrect label of "Contention". The mistake was soon corrected, but fans were in turn given an extra taste of the new record.
Secret Weapon was made available for streaming on July 10,[8] before being released a week later through Tooth & Nail Records.[6] The group performed a week's worth of shows on the 2007 edition of Warped Tour between late July and early August.[9] "You're on Fire" was released to radio on August 21.[10] "Shut It Down"s music video received heavy play on the Gospel Music Channel's Rock Block.
Reception
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [11] |
The album debuted at No. 76 on the Billboard 200; it also went to No. 1 on the Billboard's Christian chart. In 2008, the album was nominated for a Dove Award for Rock Album of the Year at the 39th GMA Dove Awards.[12]
Track listing
All songs written by Mike Herrera.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Secret Weapon" (featuring Brian Baker of Bad Religion) | 2:06 |
| 2. | "Shut It Down" (featuring Tim Pagnotta of Sugarcult) | 2:59 |
| 3. | "Here's to the Life" | 2:57 |
| 4. | "Top of the Charts" | 2:33 |
| 5. | "Punk Rawk Celebrity" | 2:42 |
| 6. | "Contention" | 1:16 |
| 7. | "Angels" | 3:15 |
| 8. | "Drowning" | 3:50 |
| 9. | "Chop Shop" | 2:14 |
| 10. | "You're on Fire" | 3:18 |
| 11. | "Bass So Low" | 3:37 |
| 12. | "Sad Sad Song" | 2:44 |
| 13. | "Never Better Than Now" | 2:47 |
| 14. | "Biting the Bullet (Is Bad for Business)" | 3:18 |
| 15. | "Not Nothing" | 3:06 |
| 16. | "Tightly Wound / All About Nothing" (hidden track - featuring Benji Madden of Good Charlotte) | 6:29 |
| Total length: | 49:54 | |
Vinyl & Special edition tracks
In addition to the 16 tracks included on all versions of the album, the special editions come with 3 additional tracks:
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 17. | "The Hoo-Ha Jangle" | 3:29 |
| 18. | "Madcap Scheme" | 2:10 |
| 19. | "Throw Your Body in the Air / All About Nothing" (hidden track) | 6:38 |
Personnel
- Mike Herrera – lead vocals, bass
- Tom Wisniewski – guitars, backing vocals
- Yuri Ruley – drums
References
- 1 2 "Review: MXPX – Secret Weapon". Canyouseethesunset.com. 2007-08-09. Retrieved 2013-02-15.
- 1 2 "Mxpx 'Secret Weapon' | Reviews". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved 2013-02-15.
- 1 2 "MxPx Secret Weapon : B | WEEKEND". Idsnews.com. 2008-02-20. Retrieved 2013-02-15.
- ↑ "MxPx re-sign to Tooth & Nail, reissuing Let It Happen Nov. 21". Alternative Press. November 7, 2006. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
- ↑ "AP exclusive: MxPx officially back on Tooth & Nail, says guitarist". Alternative Press. February 6, 2007. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
- 1 2 "MxPx set title, release date, tracklisting for new album". Alternative Press. May 2, 2007. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
- ↑ "MxPx to lead Tooth & Nail Tour with Hawk Nelson, Project 86". Alternative Press. April 3, 2007. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
- ↑ "MXPX post new album stream". Alternative Press. July 10, 2007. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
- ↑ "MxPx to join Warped Tour from July 28-August 3". Alternative Press. July 13, 2007. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
- ↑ "AllAccess.com Alternative eWeekly". AllAccess. August 14, 2007. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
- ↑ Allmusic review
- ↑ Nominations Announced for 39th GMA Dove Awards on CBN.com (February 14, 2008)