Relentless (Jason Aldean album)

Relentless is the second studio album by American country music artist Jason Aldean. It was released on May 29, 2007 via Broken Bow Records. The album debuted at number 4 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and at number one on the Top Country Albums chart, selling about 98,000 copies in its first week.[5] On October 4 of the same year, the album was certified gold by the RIAA. It was certified platinum in September 2012.[6]

Relentless
Studio album by
ReleasedMay 29, 2007 (2007-05-29)
Recorded2007
Genre
Length44:57
LabelBroken Bow
ProducerMichael Knox
Jason Aldean chronology
Jason Aldean
(2005)
Relentless
(2007)
Wide Open
(2009)
Singles from Relentless
  1. "Johnny Cash"
    Released: February 5, 2007
  2. "Laughed Until We Cried"
    Released: August 1, 2007
  3. "Relentless"
    Released: May 5, 2008
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]
Entertainment WeeklyC[2]
Country Standard Time[3]
Billboardfavorable[4]

Relentless has produced three chart singles for Aldean on the Hot Country Songs charts. The lead-off single "Johnny Cash" (originally recorded by Tracy Byrd on his 2004 album Greatest Hits) and "Laughed Until We Cried" both reached No. 6 on that chart, and the title track reached No. 15 in late 2008. Thus, it is Aldean's only album to date to not produce a number one single.

Critical reception

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Ken Tucker of Billboard gave a positive review, saying that "every cut features full, guitar-driven production". He considered "Johnny Cash", "Back in This Cigarette" and "I Break Everything I Touch" standout tracks.[4]

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Johnny Cash"3:11
2."Laughed Until We Cried"3:23
3."Do You Wish It Was Me"
  • Julie Adkison
  • Clawson
4:25
4."I Use What I Got"3:07
5."Who's Kissing You Tonight"3:25
6."Relentless"
3:42
7."My Memory Ain't What It Used to Be"
4:14
8."No"3:41
9."Back in this Cigarette"
  • Joe Doyle
  • Michael Mobley
4:35
10."Grown Woman" (duet with Miranda Lambert)3:58
11."I Break Everything I Touch"3:20
12."Not Every Man Lives"3:56
Total length:44:57

Chart performance

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Singles

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Year Single Peak chart positions
US Country US CAN
2007 "Johnny Cash" 6 68
"Laughed Until We Cried" 6 61 88
2008 "Relentless" 15 103

Certifications

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Region Certification
United States (RIAA)[6] Platinum

Personnel

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Musicians

  • Jason Aldean – lead vocals
  • Kurt Allison – electric guitar
  • Tony Harrell – piano, B3 organ, Wurlitzer
  • Wes Hightower – background vocals
  • Michael Johnson – steel guitar
  • Tully Kennedy – bass guitar
  • Steve King – B3 organ on "Johnny Cash"
  • Miranda Lambert – vocals on "Grown Woman"
  • Liana Manis – background vocals
  • Wendell Mobley – background vocals on "No"
  • Mike Noble – acoustic guitar
  • Danny Rader – acoustic guitar
  • Rich Redmond – drums, percussion
  • Adam Shoenfeld – electric guitar
  • Jack Sizemore – electric guitar on "Johnny Cash"

Technical

Visuals

  • Luellyn Latocki – art direction
  • Ron Roark – art direction
  • Kristin Barlowe – photography
  • Marcus Melton – cover design
  • Latocki Team Creative – graphic design

References

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  1. ^ Anderson, Rick. "Relentless review". Allmusic. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  2. ^ Willman, Chris (June 1, 2007). "Relentless Review". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  3. ^ Sudhalter, Michael. "Jason Aldean - Relentless". Country Standard Time. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  4. ^ a b Tucker, Ken (June 2, 2007). "Reviews". Billboard. 119 (22): 43.
  5. ^ Katie Hasty, "R. Kelly Flirts His Way To No. 1 Album Chart Debut", Billboard.com, June 6, 2007.
  6. ^ a b "American album certifications – Jason Aldean – Relentless". Recording Industry Association of America.
  7. ^ "Jason Aldean Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  8. ^ "Jason Aldean Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  9. ^ "Jason Aldean Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  10. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2007". Billboard. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  11. ^ "Top Country Albums – Year-End 2007". Billboard. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  12. ^ "Top Country Albums – Year-End 2008". Billboard. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
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