Insomniatic
Encyclopedia
Insomniatic is the second studio album
by American teen pop duo
Aly & AJ. The album was released on July 10, 2007 in the United States
, and was later released in the UK and Italy
on October 22, 2007 with new cover art. The album features a more electropop, electronic rock and dance-pop
influenced sound different from their debut with the use of synthesizers, synth-rock guitars, vocoder, and electronic instruments.
As of December 2007, the album has sold over 215,000 copies in the U.S. It is also the last album under the Aly & AJ moniker and with Hollywood Records
.
.com's The Leak section posted all 12 songs on the standard edition of the album in their entirety, on July 3, 2007. The song "Blush" was excluded in the MTV.com full album stream as well not being included in the iTunes
edition.
The song "Like Whoa
" was featured in an episode of MTV
's The Hills
and the girls' made-for-TV (MTV) movie Super Sweet 16: The Movie
, which premiered on July 8, 2007 and in High School Musical 3: Senior Year
on October 24, 2008. The song eventually became the album's second single.
Instrumental versions of all 12 songs are available commercially on the iTunes Store
, alongside the standard 12-track album with vocals.
The album's title is not actually a word ("insomniac" serves as both a noun and an adjective); the definition of Insomniatic as stated by them is: A state of mind where one becomes addicted to the deprivation of sleep caused by an epic revelation of joy.
The Australian release of the album features the cover art same as the deluxe edition, aside from the "Deluxe Edition" tag. It also features with the original "Chemicals React
" track as the first track, following the rest of the standard album.
Fraser McAlpine of BBC Radio had this to say about the album:
Tommy2.Net says
clip. The deluxe edition only had a Japanese release, on March 5, 2007.
, on 22 October 2007 in the UK
and Italy
— with a new cover art — and ultimately in Singapore
in April 2008. An enhanced Deluxe Edition was released in Japan on 5 March 2008. The cover of the Deluxe Edition (aside from the "deluxe edition" tag) was used for an Australian release on 15 March 2008.
* Features the original "Chemicals React" as first track, followed by the rest of the standard album.
"
"Like Whoa
"
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by American teen pop duo
Duet (music)
A duet is a musical composition for two performers. In classical music, the term is most often used for a composition for two singers or pianists; with other instruments, the word duo is also often used. A piece performed by two pianists performing together on the same piano is referred to as...
Aly & AJ. The album was released on July 10, 2007 in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and was later released in the UK and Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
on October 22, 2007 with new cover art. The album features a more electropop, electronic rock and dance-pop
Dance-pop
Dance-pop is dance-oriented pop music that originated in the early 1980s. Developing from post-disco, it is generally up-tempo music intended for clubs with the intention of being danceable or merely dancey...
influenced sound different from their debut with the use of synthesizers, synth-rock guitars, vocoder, and electronic instruments.
As of December 2007, the album has sold over 215,000 copies in the U.S. It is also the last album under the Aly & AJ moniker and with Hollywood Records
Hollywood Records
Hollywood Records is an American record label owned by Disney Music Group, a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company.-History:Hollywood Records was founded in 1989 by then-Disney CEO Michael Eisner with the idea of expanding the music operations of the company and to develop and promote...
.
Album information
MTVMTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
.com's The Leak section posted all 12 songs on the standard edition of the album in their entirety, on July 3, 2007. The song "Blush" was excluded in the MTV.com full album stream as well not being included in the iTunes
ITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
edition.
The song "Like Whoa
Like Whoa
"Like Whoa" is a song by American pop duo Aly & AJ, written and recorded by the duo for their second studio album, Insomniatic. It is the second and final single from the album, released in 2008. The single release in the UK was cancelled for unknown reasons...
" was featured in an episode of MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's The Hills
The Hills
The Hills is a reality television series which originally aired on MTV from May 31, 2006 until July 13, 2010. The show uses a reality television format, following the personal lives of several young adults living in Los Angeles, California, but tends towards a narrative format more commonly found...
and the girls' made-for-TV (MTV) movie Super Sweet 16: The Movie
Super Sweet 16: The Movie
Super Sweet 16: The Movie is an MTV television film, based on the series My Super Sweet 16. It stars teen pop stars Aly & AJ and features performances by Hellogoodbye and Pretty Ricky...
, which premiered on July 8, 2007 and in High School Musical 3: Senior Year
High School Musical 3: Senior Year
High School Musical 3: Senior Year is a 2008 American romantic musical film and the third and final installment in the High School Musical trilogy. Its theatrical release in the United States began on October 24, 2008...
on October 24, 2008. The song eventually became the album's second single.
Instrumental versions of all 12 songs are available commercially on the iTunes Store
ITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
, alongside the standard 12-track album with vocals.
The album's title is not actually a word ("insomniac" serves as both a noun and an adjective); the definition of Insomniatic as stated by them is: A state of mind where one becomes addicted to the deprivation of sleep caused by an epic revelation of joy.
The Australian release of the album features the cover art same as the deluxe edition, aside from the "Deluxe Edition" tag. It also features with the original "Chemicals React
Chemicals React
"Chemicals React" is a pop rock song written and recorded by American pop rock duo Aly & AJ, for the re-release of their debut album Into the Rush...
" track as the first track, following the rest of the standard album.
Critical reception
The album has generally received positive reviews from critics.Fraser McAlpine of BBC Radio had this to say about the album:
Aly and AJ's previous album was rock-pop, some of it light and bubbly, some of it bordering on heaviness. Staccato, often angry pop but still definitely pop. Their second offering, 'Insomniatic,' with this as the lead single seems to have kept the staccato and the venom but added more layers of pop, to create something that sounds like My Chemical Romance going through a blender with some soft-hearted Angry Girl Music.
Don't let the tango at the start fool you, even as the synths and the vocoder cut in, this is a rock song playing with electronics. Chirpy keyboards flag up the growl of their voices as they deliver self-conscious lines like 'it took too long, it took too long, it took too long for you to call back and normally I would just forget that, except for the fact it was my birthday, my stupid birthday', kicking a guy to the curb for being a forgetful loser amid a glorious barrage of seething rhythms, clicky noises and general madness, as the Michalka sisters swing between honeyed murmurs and psychosis, making for the most danceable mental breakdown I've heard in quite some time.
Tommy2.Net says
Several tracks point toward synth rock by the use of samples, loops and vocal processing including the lead single, Potential BreakUp Song which proves to be a good barometer for the direction they're heading. Along with the electronic beats, this album features a blend of 70's and 80's guitar tones that infuse Bullseye, Like It Or Leave It, and If I Could Have You Back with a sufficient amount of energy
United States
- The sisters sang an edit of the lead single from Insomniatic, "Potential Breakup SongPotential Breakup Song"Potential Breakup Song" is a electropop song written by American teen pop duo Aly & AJ, and is the first single from their second studio album, Insomniatic . It was a very successful single in the summer and early fall of 2007, topping many video countdowns, and becoming Aly & AJ's most successful...
", on Live with Regis & Kelly on July 4, 2007 and again on The View on September 3, 2007 - On July 9, 2007 both sisters were on The Early ShowThe Early ShowThe Early Show is an American television morning news talk show broadcast by CBS from New York City. The program airs live from 7 to 9 a.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday; most affiliates in the Central, Mountain, and Pacific time zones air the show on tape-delay from 7 to 9 a.m. local time. ...
where they did a short interview. - On August 1, 2007 both sisters were on MTVMTVMTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's Total Request LiveTotal Request LiveTotal Request Live is a television series on MTV that featured popular music videos. TRL was MTV's prime outlet for music videos as the network continues to concentrate on reality-based programming. In addition to music videos, TRL featured daily guests...
to take viewers backstage at one of their concert stops. In the week of August 26, the girls hosted and co-hosted the show again. - The video for "Potential Breakup Song" premiered on Disney ChannelDisney ChannelDisney Channel is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company. It is under the direction of Disney-ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney. The channel's headquarters is located on West Alameda Ave. in...
in August 2007. - They performed songs from Insomniatic with Miley CyrusMiley CyrusMiley Ray Cyrus is an American actress and pop singer-songwriter. She achieved wide fame for her role as Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel sitcom Hannah Montana....
as the supporting act replacing the Jonas BrothersJonas BrothersThe Jonas Brothers are an American boy band. The band gained its popularity from the Disney Channel children's television network. From the shore region of New Jersey, the band consists of three brothers: Paul Kevin Jonas II , Joseph Adam Jonas , and Nicholas Jerry Jonas...
. Soon after they were replaced by EverlifeEverlifeEverlife is a pop rock band made of three sisters, Amber, Sarah, and Julia Ross.-Early:Everlife originated in Indiana, Pennsylvania. The band were formed in the winter of 1997 with Sarah on the drums, Amber on the guitar, and Julia on keyboard....
because of AJ's busy schedule, filming her first solo role in The Lovely BonesThe Lovely Bones (film)The Lovely Bones is a 2009 American drama film directed by Peter Jackson. It is a film adaptation of the award-winning and best-selling 2002 novel of the same name by Alice Sebold. The film stars Saoirse Ronan as Susie Salmon, alongside Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz as Susie's parents Jack and...
.
United Kingdom
- The girls performed "Potential Breakup Song" near the London EyeLondon EyeThe London Eye is a tall giant Ferris wheel situated on the banks of the River Thames, in London, England.It is the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe, and the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom, visited by over 3.5 million people annually...
to promote the UK release in October. - On October 3, 2007, Aly & AJ performed "Potential Breakup Song" on This MorningThis Morning (TV series)This Morning is a British daytime television programme broadcast on ITV. As of September 2011, its main presenters are Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, and Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes, with various other presenters standing in for illness or contributing to sections of the programme.The...
, a British morning show. - On October 10, 2007, the sisters performed "Potential Breakup Song" and a version of "Like Whoa" with an extended "RelaxRelax (song)"Relax" is the debut single by British dance group Frankie Goes to Hollywood, released in the UK by ZTT Records in 1983. The song was later included on the album Welcome to the Pleasuredome ....
" dance break at G-A-YG-A-YG-A-Y is a gay nightclub in London. It operated from the London Astoria music venue for 15 years until July 2008. The Boston Globe described it as "London's largest gay-themed club night", NME reported that it "attracts 6,000 clubbers each week", and The Independent described it as "the one London...
, a London-based nightclub. - They performed with UK band McFly in LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
as a supporting act on the tour. - They were also featured on a Saturday morning television show called TMi on BBC Television
Track listing
- "Blush" was removed from latter pressings of the album due to the song's sexual nature.
Deluxe edition
A deluxe edition of the album was originally scheduled to be released on November 6, 2007, then on March 4, 2008, later on March 18 to be canceled in North America afterwards. The 6-song extended CD includes acoustic performances at the Abbey Road Sessions in the UK, and a remix, along with a bonus DVD that contains music videos to Aly & AJ's main singles. Though early reports were notifying the DVD would include Aly & AJ's My Super Sweet 16/18 Birthday Party Review, My Super Sweet 16/18 Birthday Party, The Aly & AJ Sister Act MTV special, and an Aly & AJ featured MTV CribsMTV Cribs
MTV Cribs and CMT Cribs, depending on which channel it airs, is a franchise reality television program that originated on the MTV Networks' MTV. It later aired on its CMT channel that features tours of the houses and mansions of celebrities. The first show aired September 2000...
clip. The deluxe edition only had a Japanese release, on March 5, 2007.
Release history
The album was released on 10 July 2007 in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, on 22 October 2007 in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
— with a new cover art — and ultimately in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
in April 2008. An enhanced Deluxe Edition was released in Japan on 5 March 2008. The cover of the Deluxe Edition (aside from the "deluxe edition" tag) was used for an Australian release on 15 March 2008.
| Region | Version | Date |
|---|---|---|
| North America North America North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas... |
Basic album | 10 July 2007 |
| North America (iTunes ITunes iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.... ) |
Instrumental album | |
| Selected parts of Europe Europe Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting... |
Basic album | 22 October 2007 |
| Japan Japan Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south... |
Basic album | November 7, 2007 |
| Deluxe Edition | 5 March 2008 | |
| Australia Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... |
Basic album* | 18 March 2008 |
Singles
"Potential Breakup SongPotential Breakup Song
"Potential Breakup Song" is a electropop song written by American teen pop duo Aly & AJ, and is the first single from their second studio album, Insomniatic . It was a very successful single in the summer and early fall of 2007, topping many video countdowns, and becoming Aly & AJ's most successful...
"
- Released: May 24, 2007 (Canada), June 26, 2007 (US), October 8, 2007 (UK)
- Chart positions: #17 (US), #72 (Canada), #22 (UK)
"Like Whoa
Like Whoa
"Like Whoa" is a song by American pop duo Aly & AJ, written and recorded by the duo for their second studio album, Insomniatic. It is the second and final single from the album, released in 2008. The single release in the UK was cancelled for unknown reasons...
"
- Released: January, 2008 (US)
- Charts positions: #63 (US), #66 (Canada), #92 (AUS)
Chart performance
The album debuted at #15 in the official United States Billboard 200 albums chart, selling over 39,000 copies in its first week, becoming Aly & AJ's highest debut to date. Insomniatic remained on the charts for 18 weeks in total, dropping out after the fourteenth week, to re-enter six weeks later.| Chart (2007) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Japan Oricon Oricon , established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc... International Album Chart |
90 |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
72 |
| U.S. Billboard Billboard charts The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine... 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
15 |