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Blurring the Edges

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Blurring the Edges is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Meredith Brooks. It was released on May 6, 1997, by Capitol Records. Following the release of her self-titled debut studio album (1986) and her departure from the short-lived band the Graces, Brooks temporarily retired from the music industry. Uninterested in the cynicism of grunge music that reigned in the early nineties, Brooks became re-inspired to write music with a more positive message. Brooks co-wrote the album with her friend Shelly Peiken, with further songwriting contributions from Larry Dvoskin, Christopher Ward, Stan Lynch, John Corey, Kevin Dukes, and Tom DeLuca. Brooks enlisted David Ricketts to produce the effort, with Geza X helming production on a single song.

Blurring the Edges
Studio album by
Meredith Brooks
ReleasedMay 6, 1997 (1997-05-06)
Recorded1995–1997
Studio
  • The Salt Mines (Hollywood)
  • Alpha (Burbank)
  • City Lab Sound Design (Hollywood)
GenreRock
Length50:55
Label
Producer
Meredith Brooks chronology
Meredith Brooks
(1986) 		Blurring the Edges
(1997) 		See It Through My Eyes
(1997)
Singles from Blurring the Edges
  1. "Bitch"
    Released: March 25, 1997
  2. "I Need"
    Released: August 1997
  3. "What Would Happen"
    Released: October 7, 1997[1]
  4. "Stop"
    Released: June 19, 1998[2]

Music critics were divided in their opinions of Blurring the Edges. Some critics praised Brooks's lyricism and hooks, while others believed that the album tread familiar grounds. Many critics also compared Brooks to her contemporaries, Alanis Morissette and Sheryl Crow. Blurring the Edges was a commercial success. In the United States, the album peaked at number 22 on the Billboard 200 album chart and was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album was also certified Gold in the United Kingdom and received a multi-platinum certification in Canada. Blurring the Edges has sold over three million copies worldwide.

The album was supported by four singles. The album's lead single, "Bitch," was an international commercial success, reaching the top twenty in 16 countries. The song was certified Gold in New Zealand, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States, while receiving a Platinum certification in Australia. As a result of the song's success, Brooks is often cited as a one-hit wonder. Follow-up singles "What Would Happen" and "Stop" achieved moderate commercial success in the United States, while "I Need" had little commercial impact. To further promote the album, Brooks made a variety of radio and television appearances, embarked on a month-long tour, and opened for the Rolling Stones on tour.

Background

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In 1986, Brooks released her self-titled debut studio album; released exclusively in Europe, the album received minimal recognition.[3] The following year, Brooks formed the pop rock band the Graces, alongside Charlotte Caffey and Gia Ciambotti, who experienced moderate success with their 1989 single "Lay Down Your Arms".[4] Disenchanted by the music industry due to the rise in success of the grunge genre, Brooks exited the group in 1991 and temporarily retired as a recording artist. Brooks explained: "I was really bored with music, to a point, during the grunge period ... I wasn't interested in being necessarily a part of that, and I wasn't finding a lot of interest for what I was writing about."[5] However, Brooks eventually became re-inspired to go against this prevailing trend in rock music and write songs with a more positive message. Brooks began writing music with her friend, Shelly Peiken, which resulted in a song titled "Bitch".[4] In 1995, Brooks signed to Capitol Records after her manager, Lori Leve, played "Bitch" for the record label's vice president of A&R, Perry Watts-Russell.[6]

Recording and production

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The entirety of the album—sans "Bitch"—was recorded at the Salt Mines and Alpha Studios in Hollywood and Burbank, respectively, and produced by David Ricketts. "Bitch" was recorded at City Lab Sound Design in Hollywood, whilst production on the track was helmed by Geza X.[7] Influenced by guitarists such as Eric Clapton, Lindsey Buckingham, and James Honeyman-Scott, Brooks set out to play lead guitar throughout the entirety of the album.[8][5] Brooks claimed that Chrissie Hynde was the album's strongest influence and that she was fearful people would view Blurring the Edges as an imitation of Hynde's work.[8] Brooks cited "Pollyanne," a song about expressing positivity when faced with a cynical partner, as most illustrative of her mindset at the time of writing the album.[9]

Music and lyrics

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Brooks described the overall theme of the album as about resurrection.[10] "My Little Town" was inspired by Brooks' experience growing up and moving away from her hometown of Corvallis, Oregon.[11] "Shatter" has a theme of nonconformity, which was inspired by Brooks' efforts to create a record that aligns with her own vision and to not give in to pressures by music industry officials.[12]

Release and promotion

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Blurring the Edges was first released on May 6, 1997 in the United States. Promotion for the album began in April 1997, where Brooks performed across the country at small venues to introduce herself to new audiences. The vice president of marketing at Capitol Records, Steve Rosenblatt, explained: "We're going to send [Brooks] around the country and set up little events where it'll just be Meredith and her music, where she can talk to people and talk about her songs, and then play her songs in a very intimate setting."[5] To further promote the album, Brooks embarked on a month-long tour that commenced on August 3 in her hometown of Portland, Oregon. This tour included several stops at the Lilith Fair tour.[13] A recorded performance of "Wash My Hands" was later included on the live album Lilith Fair: A Celebration of Women in Music (1998).[14] In September 1997, Brooks opened for the MTV Video Music Awards through a webcast.[15] This performance marked the first ever multi-camera webcast and was the first time MTV live streamed audio and video.[12] In July 1997, Brooks paid promotional visits to the United Kingdom and Germany, with further performances throughout Europe in September.[16] In 1998, Brooks was an opening act for the Rolling Stones on their Bridges to Babylon Tour. After playing two songs from her ten-song set, the crowd began to boo and threw bottles, batteries, and coins at her.[17]

"Wash My Hands" was intended as the lead single from the album, before it was replaced with "Bitch".[18]

On January 20, 2023, an expanded edition of Blurring the Edges was released in celebration of the album's 25th anniversary.[19]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [20]
Christgau's Consumer Guide [21]
Entertainment WeeklyB+[22]
The Guardian     [23]
Los Angeles Times    [24]
Music Week     [25]

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic compared Brooks to Alanis Morissette, stating that "Blurring the Edges isn't necessarily a bad album -- Brooks is a competent melodicist and her lyrics are occasionally promising -- yet it isn't a distinctive one."[20] Steven Mirkin of Entertainment Weekly similarly noted that the album touches on familiar material, specifically comparing it to Sheryl Crow's Tuesday Night Music Club (1993). However, Mirkin went on to praise the album as "leavened with hooks and humor and a refreshing, unself-conscious swagger."[22] In a more critical review, Paul Verna of Billboard referred to Brooks as an Alanis Morissette imitator, commenting that "[Brooks'] ample writing and performing talents are underserved by her tendency to follow rather than lead."[26]

Mala Mortensa of Alternative Press noted "Bitch" as a highlight from the album. She further discussed the album's influence, stating, "[t]he alt-rock showcase was a stunning showcase of the 'bad bitch' mentality that largely defines the alternative scene. No doubt, [Brooks'] fiery energy has inspired many aspiring women to date."[27]

Commercial performance

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In the United States, Blurring the Edges debuted at number 25 on the US Billboard 200 for the chart dated May 24, 1997. The album reached its peak position of number 22 the following week and ultimately spent 47 weeks on the chart, with its final appearance being on the chart dated April 11, 1998.[28] On the year-end chart for 1997, Blurring the Edges reached a position of number 83.[29] The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the album Platinum, which denotes one million album-equivalent units.[30]

Track listing

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Blurring the Edges – Standard edition[7]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."I Need"
4:10
2."Bitch"
  • Brooks
  • Peiken
4:12
3."Somedays"
3:45
4."Watched You Fall"
4:50
5."Pollyanne"
  • Brooks
  • Peiken
3:14
6."Shatter"
  • Brooks
  • Peiken
3:59
7."My Little Town"
3:59
8."What Would Happen"Brooks5:16
9."It Don't Get Better"
4:12
10."Birthday"
  • Brooks
  • Peiken
3:14
11."Stop"
  • Brooks
  • Dvoskin
5:00
12."Wash My Hands"
  • Brooks
  • Dvoskin
  • Peiken
5:04
Total length:50:55
Blurring the Edges – Japanese edition (bonus tracks)[31]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
13."Down by the River"
  • Brooks
  • Tom DeLuca
4:14
14."Bitch" (Transistor mix)
  • Brooks
  • Peiken
4:07
Total length:59:16
Blurring the Edges – Expanded edition (bonus tracks)[32]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
13."Little Slice"
  • Brooks
  • Dvoskin
3:27
14."Every Time She Walks Away"
  • Brooks
  • DeLuca
3:40
15."I Need" (Crusty mix)
  • Brooks
  • Peiken
4:58
16."Bitch" (live in Germany)
  • Brooks
  • Peiken
4:35
17."What Would Happen" (live in Germany)Brooks6:02
18."Wash My Hands" (live in Germany)
  • Brooks
  • Dvoskin
  • Peiken
5:21
Total length:1:18:58

Personnel

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Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Blurring the Edges.[7]

Charts

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Singles

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Year Single Chart Position
1997 "Bitch" US Adult Top 40[51] 14
US Hot Dance Music/Club Play[51] 34
US Modern Rock Tracks[51] 4
US Billboard Hot 100[51] 2
US Top 40 Mainstream[51] 1
"What Would Happen" US Adult Top 40[51] 21
US Top 40 Mainstream[51] 15
1998 US Billboard Hot 100[51] 46
"Stop" US Top 40 Mainstream[51] 40

Certifications and sales

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)[52] Gold 25,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[53] 2× Platinum 200,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[54] Gold 50,000^
Norway (IFPI Norway)[55] Gold 25,000*
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[56] Gold 25,000^
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[57] Gold 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[58] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[30] Platinum 1,000,000^
Summaries
Worldwide — 3,000,000[59]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Release formats for Blurring the Edges
Region Date Edition(s) Format(s) Label Ref.
United States May 6, 1997 Standard
Capitol [5]
Europe July 21, 1997 [16]
United Kingdom August 11, 1997 CD

References

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  1. ^ "New Releases". Radio & Records. No. 1217. October 3, 1997. p. 86.
  2. ^ "National Radio Formats: Added This Week". Radio & Records. No. 1253. June 19, 1998. p. 14.
  3. ^ Browne, David (November 14, 1997). "Music Review: 'The Beacon Street Collection';'See It Through My Eyes'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Meredith Brooks". MTV News. June 10, 1999. Archived from the original on May 3, 2022. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d Morris, Chris (April 12, 1997). "With a Hot New Cut, Capitol's Brooks Makes Radio Connection". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 15. pp. 12, 40.
  6. ^ "Meredith Brooks Undergoes 'Deconstruction' on New LP". MTV News. October 6, 1999. Archived from the original on May 3, 2022. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c Blurring the Edges (CD liner notes). Meredith Brooks. Capitol Records. 1997. CDP 7243 8 36919 2 0.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ^ a b Crowe, Jerry (June 11, 1997). "Isn't It Ironic?". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  9. ^ Willman, Chris (June 13, 1997). "Interview with Meredith Brooks". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  10. ^ "Musical Muses" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1198. May 23, 1997. p. 22. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  11. ^ Raskauskas, Nancy (September 6, 2007). "Brooks flows full circle". Corvallis Gazette-Times. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  12. ^ a b "Meredith Brooks Shows Another Side". MTV News. September 4, 1997. Archived from the original on May 2, 2022. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  13. ^ "Brooks' Bitchin' Tour". MTV News. July 11, 1997. Archived from the original on May 2, 2022. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  14. ^ "Lilith Fair Live Album to Benefit RAINN and LIFEbeat". MTV News. March 30, 1997. Archived from the original on May 2, 2022. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  15. ^ "Meredith Brooks to Open for Video Music Awards Online". MTV News. September 2, 1997. Archived from the original on March 16, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  16. ^ a b "Radio embraces 'the next Alanis'" (PDF). Music Week. July 26, 1997. p. 10. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  17. ^ "They Wanted Mick". Wired. March 31, 1998. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  18. ^ ""I Always Think of 'Bitch' as the Resurrection Song": Meredith Brooks Prepares to be Honored at Today's She Rocks Awards". Guitar Player. June 2, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  19. ^ "Meredith Brooks' 'Blurring The Edges' Returns In Expanded Digital Edition". uDiscover Music. January 20, 2023. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  20. ^ a b Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Blurring the Edges – Meredith Brooks". AllMusic. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  21. ^ Christgau, Robert (October 15, 2000). "Meredith Brooks". Christgau's Consumer Guide: Albums of the '90s. Macmillan Publishing. ISBN 9780312245603.
  22. ^ a b Steve Mirkin (May 16, 1997). "Blurring the Edges Review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  23. ^ Sullivan, Caroline (August 15, 1997). "Music: This week's pop CD releases". The Guardian.
  24. ^ Scribner, Sara (May 25, 1997). "In Brief; ** 1/2 Meredith Brooks, "Blurring the Edges," Capitol". Los Angeles Times.
  25. ^ "Reviews: Albums" (PDF). Music Week. August 2, 1997. p. 21. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  26. ^ Verna, Paul (May 24, 1997). "Reviews & Previews". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 21. p. 53.
  27. ^ Mortensa, Mala (March 19, 2021). "110 alternative albums by women that have influenced music since the '90s". Alternative Press. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  28. ^ a b "Meredith Brooks Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  29. ^ a b "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1997". Billboard. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  30. ^ a b "American album certifications – Meredith Brooks – Blurring the edges". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  31. ^ Blurring the Edges (CD liner notes). Meredith Brooks. Capitol Records. 1997. TOCP-50215.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  32. ^ "Blurring the Edges (Expanded Edition)". Apple Music. iTunes. January 20, 2023. Archived from the original on January 20, 2023. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  33. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Meredith Brooks – Blurring the Edges". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  34. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Meredith Brooks – Blurring the Edges" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  35. ^ "Ultratop.be – Meredith Brooks – Blurring the Edges" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  36. ^ "Ultratop.be – Meredith Brooks – Blurring the Edges" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  37. ^ "Meredith Brooks Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  38. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Meredith Brooks – Blurring the Edges" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  39. ^ "Meredith Brooks: Blurring the Edges" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  40. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Meredith Brooks – Blurring the Edges" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  41. ^ "Charts.nz – Meredith Brooks – Blurring the Edges". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  42. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Meredith Brooks – Blurring the Edges". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  43. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Meredith Brooks – Blurring the Edges". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  44. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Meredith Brooks – Blurring the Edges". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  45. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  46. ^ "Jahreshitparade Alben 1997". austriancharts.at. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  47. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1997". Ultratop. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  48. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1997". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  49. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  50. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1997". hitparade.ch. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  51. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Meredith Brooks Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  52. ^ "Austrian album certifications – Meredith Brooks – Blurring the edges" (in German). IFPI Austria.
  53. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Meredith Brooks – Blurring the edges". Music Canada.
  54. ^ "Dutch album certifications – Meredith Brooks – Blurring the edges" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Enter Blurring the edges in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1998 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  55. ^ "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
  56. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Blurring the edges')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  57. ^ Salaverrie, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (PDF) (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Madrid: Fundación Autor/SGAE. p. 945. ISBN 84-8048-639-2. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  58. ^ "British album certifications – Meredith Brooks – Blurring the edges". British Phonographic Industry.
  59. ^ "Picture of Success". Billboard. June 6, 1998. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
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