Flying Colours (Bliss n Eso album)


Flying Colours is the third studio album by Australian hip-hop group Bliss n Eso. It was released by Illusive Sounds on 26 April 2008.
At the J Awards of 2008, the album was nominated for Australian Album of the Year.
At the ARIA Music Awards of 2008, the album won the ARIA award for Best Urban Release.

Background and release

The album was recorded in three different continents over twelve months, and features Illmaculate, a 20 piece African Zulu Choir, Debaser, Hyjak and Phrase. In an interview with The Age newspaper Jonathan Notley explained that the band's previous albums were recorded on the fly, in sporadic periods whenever they could score some studio time, whereas with Flying Colours, the Sydneysiders relocated to Melbourne for three months of dedicated writing and recording at Richmond's Sing Sing Studios
"We decided to get out of Sydney and go somewhere where we could get up every day and just focus on making the record. It was great. We weren't worried about the pressure of what people would think, or forcing it or trying to make hits" - Notley

The cover of the album features artwork by tattoo artist, Steve Cross from Melbourne. It depicts a man with blazing coloured wings leaping off a cliff.
"With this album we wanted to do something a bit different than just pictures of us. We kinda wanted to go a little bit more creative and imaginative. We thought of this concept of this guy like leaping off this cliff with these flaming colourful wings, and it kind of really worked with the context of this album and obviously the title." - Notley

In an interview with X-Press Magazine Notley indicated their surprise at the album's success.
"To tell you the truth it smashed any of my expectations. The reception for the record has been fantastic so we couldn't really be happier at the moment." - Notley

Reception

It was featured as the Triple J feature album in the week leading up to its release.

Track listing

All songs written by Jonathon Notley, Max MacKinnon and Noam Dishon, except where noted
Flying Colours
  1. "The Beginning" – 1:41
  2. "Woodstock 2008" – 4:27
  3. "Eye of the Storm" – 3:27
  4. "Bullet and a Target" – 4:15
  5. "Happy in My Hoody" – 4:19
  6. "Destiny Lane" – 3:41
  7. "Zion Bash" – 2:51
  8. "The Sea is Rising" – 5:36
  9. "Gorilla Militia" – 3:14
  10. "How to Listen, Part 1" – 3:02
  11. "Climb These Cliffs" – 3:41
  12. "At Midnight" – 5:21
  13. "Royal Flush" – 3:52
  14. "$5 Steak" – 5:35
  15. "The Truth" – 4:41
  16. "Never Give Up" – 4:31
  17. "Field of Dreams" – 3:24
Flying Colours limited edition bonus disc
  1. "The Dark Tower" – 5:49
  2. "Lonely Streets" – 4:33
  3. "Bullet and a Target" – 3:58
  4. "Mexican Spit Fire" – 2:30
  5. "Choof Choof Train" – 4:09

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart Peak
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