Aftermath (Hillsong United album)

Aftermath (stylized as 'aftər,maθ), formerly known as This Means Love, is the second studio album by Australian Contemporary Christian band Hillsong United. Production for the album began in March 2010 at Studios 301 in Sydney, Australia.[1] It was announced on 10 November 2010, that coinciding with the Aftermath album release in February, Hillsong United would tour the United States and Canada in February and March 2011.[2][3]

Aftermath
Studio album by
Hillsong United
Released15 February 2011
Recorded2010
GenreContemporary Christian, rock
Length68:55
LabelHillsong, Sparrow
ProducerMichael Guy Chislett, Joel Houston, James Rudder
Hillsong United studio album chronology
All of the Above
(2007)		 Aftermath
(2011)		 Zion
(2013)
Hillsong United chronology
Tear Down the Walls
(2009)		 Aftermath
(2011)		 Live in Miami
(2012)
Singles from Aftermath
  1. "Search My Heart"
    Released: 21 January 2011

Aftermath debuted at number one on the US Billboard Christian Albums chart and at number 17 on the US Billboard 200 chart.[4] In the United States, it ranked as the 17th best-selling Christian Album of 2011. The first single of the band, "Search My Heart", was released from the album on 21 January 2011[5] and appeared on the Billboard Christian Songs chart.

Background

In March 2010 it was revealed that Hillsong United was in the studio working on the first part of their latest album.[6] United's Aftermath was originally stated to be a two part project, with a studio release in September 2010 and another in 2011, but would later be conjoined into one album. On 25 May 2010 it was confirmed that stage two of the album was done after three weeks in the studio.[7] The album title was announced via Hillsong United frontman Joel Houston's Twitter account on 27 October 2010.[8] During a broadcast of Hillsong Backstage at Hillsong Conference 2010, it was uncovered that the album would debut in February 2011. There was a photo shoot lasting 3 days in over 10 different locations for the album artwork and photo collection on their website.[9][10] The album leaked on 15 January 2011, exactly one month before the album's planned release date, when it was unintentionally made available for purchase on the US iTunes Store.

Talking about how the album was created, Joel Houston said: "We took a whole year off really doing something. And we had a bit of a soul search and talked to each other and said, 'if we're gonna do this, as in United, and keep moving with it, what's it going to look like? And how prepared are we? ...Maybe to just ride on the coattails of what we've been doing for the last ten years or so or do we want to really take this thing forward?' And I think we collectively decided, 'you know what? Let's throw ourselves into it like it's the first time we've ever done anything'."[11] The album marks Marty Sampson's return, who sings the title track "Aftermath".[12]

Concerning the title, Houston said: "Normally 'aftermath' has a negative, even traumatic, connotation. At the same time, when I look at the Crucifixion as an event, it paints an extraordinarily negative and horrific picture. But the aftermath of the Cross is hope for all mankind. It's grace, freedom, peace, life and everything that is good about God. I absolutely love that picture."[5]

Track listing
Standard Edition[13]
No.TitleWriter(s)Worship leaderLength
1."Take Heart"Joel HoustonJoel Houston7:37
2."Go"Matt CrockerMatt Crocker3:37
3."Like an Avalanche"Joel Houston, Dylan ThomasJill McCloghry4:23
4."Rhythms of Grace"Chris Davenport, Dean UssherDavid Ware5:44
5."Aftermath"Joel HoustonMarty Sampson5:00
6."B.E." (Interlude)  2:54
7."Bones"Joel Houston Jill McCloghryJill McCloghry6:16
8."Father"Joel HoustonJoel Houston6:51
9."Nova"Joel Houston, Matt Crocker, Michael Guy ChislettMatt Crocker5:45
10."Light Will Shine"Matt Crocker, Marty SampsonJonathon Douglass3:36
11."Search My Heart"Joel Houston, Matt CrockerMatt Crocker6:05
12."Awakening"Reuben Morgan, Chris TomlinJad Gillies7:11
13."Search My Heart" (Radio Version)Joel Houston, Matt CrockerJad Gillies3:55
Total length:66:14
iTunes Deluxe Edition[14]
No.TitleLength
1."Go" (Music Video) 
Total length:69:57

Reception

Critical response
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[15]
Christian Music Zine[16]
Christianity Today[17]
Jesus Freak Hideout[18]
Louder Than The Music[19]

Allmusic's Jared Johnson gave the album four out of five stars, saying: " Aftermath shows that Hillsong continue to set the bar high and blur the lines between studio albums and live worship.[15] Lindsay Williams of Crosswalk.com described the album as "a compilation album with singers trading lead vocals from song to song" and pointed out the title track ("Aftermath"), "Like An Avalanche", "Father", and "Awakening" as highlights of the album. She added: "Hillsong combines the musical prowess heard in mainstream music—even borrowing soundscapes from British bands like Coldplay at times—and pairs this atmospheric aura with reverent lyrics. Yet, Hillsong goes beyond the congregational-friendliness common to modern worship anthems by adding their own artistic flair."[20] John Brandon of Christianity Today pointed out "Take Heart", "Go" and "Search My Heart" as the highlights of the album and summarized it saying: "More textured than previous releases, the new Hillsong United is also more experimental."[17] Writing for Jesus Freak Hideout, Ryan Barbee concluded: "this offering definitely shows glimpses of brilliance, pure worship and a broadening of the creative horizons. For churches it might not offer what previous releases did, but it might influence a little bit of change."[18] Jono Davies of Louder Than The Music wrote: "Creativity spills out on this album. [...] Overall this is another stunning album from Hillsong United, but is it the best album they have ever made? I don't know, but it's up there.[19] Today's Christian Music's Matt Conner called the album "a testament to a mature, talented ensemble coming together to forge their best work yet".[21]

Accolades

Aftermath was nominated at the 43rd GMA Dove Awards for Praise & Worship Album of the Year.[22]

Charts
Album charts
Chart (2011) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[23] 4
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[24] 12
US Billboard 200[25] 17
US Digital Albums (Billboard)[26] 5
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[27] 1
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[28] 32
Year-end charts
Chart (2011) Position
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[29] 17
Singles chart
Year Song Peak Chart Position
US Christian Songs (Billboard)[30]
2011 "Search My Heart" 20
Singles year-end chart
Year Single Position
US Christian Songs (Billboard)[31]
2011 "Search My Heart" 50

References
  1. "Greetings from 301… » Jimmy's World". Jamesrudder.com. 18 April 2010. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  2. "LATE BREAKING NEWS!: Hillsong UNITED AFTERMATH North American 2011 Tour Announced Today". Fusemix.com. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  3. "HILLSONG UNITED RETURNS TO NORTH AMERICA FOR 12-CITY, MAJOR MARKET 2011 "AFTERMATH" TOUR". Fusemix.Com. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  4. "Hillsong United's Christian Music Finds Broad Appeal". Urban Christian News. 9 June 2011. Archived from the original on 19 June 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  5. "Hillsong UNITED Returns to U.S. for Aftermath Tour". CBN.com. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  6. "Sydney, Australia – March 2010 //United Studio Album// » Jimmy's World". Jamesrudder.com. 29 March 2010. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  7. "Stage 2 of the United Album complete.. » Jimmy's World". Jamesrudder.com. 25 May 2010. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  8. "Twitter / joelhouston". Retrieved 23 October 2012.
  9. "Blog | Hillsong Collected Blog Site". Hillsongcollected.com. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  10. "Hillsong United". Hillsong United. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  11. Barbee, Ryan (3 July 2011). "Hillsong United Interview". Jesus Freak Hideout. John DiBiase. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  12. Cummings, Tony (11 May 2011). "Hillsong United: In the Aftermath of the Australians' second studio album". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  13. https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/aftermath/id721215477
  14. https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/aftermath-deluxe-edition/id720104778
  15. Johnson, Jared. "Aftermath Review". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  16. Hess, Tyler (15 February 2011). Aftermath - Hillsong United: Review. Christian Music Zine. Retrieved 2011-10-11.
  17. Brandon, John (15 February 2011). "Review | Hillsong United: Aftermath". Christianity Today. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  18. Barbee, Ryan (13 February 2011). "Hillsong UNITED, "Aftermath" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. John DiBiase. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  19. Davies, Jono (21 January 2011). "Reviews - Hillsong United - Aftermath". Louder Than The Music. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  20. Williams, Lindsay (17 February 2011). "Aftermath's Results Are Powerful Praise". Crosswalk.com. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  21. Conner, Matt. "Hillsong UNITED | Aftermath". Today's Christian Music. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  22. "And the Nominees Are... 43rd Annual Dove Award Nominations Announced in Atlanta". GMC TV. 22 February 2012. Archived from the original on 27 January 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  23. "Australiancharts.com – Hillsong United – Aftermath". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  24. "Charts.nz – Hillsong United – Aftermath". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  25. "Hillsong United Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  26. "Hillsong United Chart History (Digital Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  27. "Hillsong United Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  28. "Hillsong United Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  29. "Christian Albums : 2011 Year-End Charts - Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  30. "Billboard - Artists - Hillsong United - Chart History - Hot Christian Songs". Billboard. 26 March 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  31. "Christian Songs: 2011 Year-End Charts - Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
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