This Life (album)

This Life is the debut album by Irish Acoustic hip-hop group The Original Rudeboys (now O.R.B.), released on 23 March 2012 in Ireland[9] and 12 April 2012 in the UK through Gotta Run Records.[10] It came in at number 1 on The Independent Charts and number 3 on the Irish Album Chart.[11] It has been certified Multi Platinum in Ireland by the IRMA.[12][13] It was met with generally mixed reviews from music critics.

This Life
Studio album by The Original Rudeboys
Released	Ireland 23 March 2012[1] United Kingdom 12 April 2012
Recorded	2011–2012 in Surrey, UK[2]
Genre	Acoustic hip hop pop
Length	36:31
Label	Gotta Run Records[3]
Producer	Jake Gosling[4]
The Original Rudeboys chronology
This Life (2012) All We Are (2014)
Singles from This Life
"Stars in My Eyes" Released: 14 October 2011[5] "Travelling Man" Released: 9 March 2012[6] "Written Songs" Released: 20 July 2012[7] "Blue Eyes" Released: 9 November 2012[8]

The album was recorded in the UK with Jake Gosling, best known for producing Ed Sheeran's multi-platinum debut album.[14]

The first single, "Stars in My Eyes", was released 14 October 2011 and peaked at No. 18 on the Irish Singles Chart.[15][16]The second single, "Travelling Man", released 9 March 2012 was met with similar success and peaked at No. 23 on the Irish Singles Chart.[17][18] The third single, Written songs was released 20 June 2012 and mirrored the success of the first two singles by reaching No. 39 on the Irish Singles Chart.[19] The fourth and final single, "Blue Eyes", was released 9 November 2012 after being re-recorded and remixed by Ash Howes who has previously worked with The Saturdays, One Direction and Ellie Goulding.[20]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Sean "Neddy" Arkins, Robert Burch, Sean Walsh.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Stars in My Eyes"	2:59
2.	"Travelling Man (Co-written with Jake Gosling)[21]"	3:43
3.	"Sunny Days"	3:47
4.	"Me and My Mind"	3:59
5.	"Live Your Life"	3:55
6.	"Bringing Me Down"	2:58
7.	"Blue Eyes"	3:57
8.	"Complicated"	3:52
9.	"In Too Deep"	3:18
10.	"Written Songs"	4:10

Deluxe version bonus track[22]

No.	Title	Length
11.	"Feel The Same"	3:16
12.	"Dublin Days"	4:11

[23]

Charts

Chart	Peak position
Irish Albums Chart	3
Irish Independent Albums Chart[24]	1

Reception

Critical opinion for This Life was mixed. Jackie Hayden of Hot Press called it "passionate rap with an Irish passport" and praised the contrast between the two vocalists.[25] Niall Swan of Irish music website "Golden Plec" said "Burch's vocals are reminiscent of Jason Mraz or Jack Johnson in their prime and it is the contrast between the accents of the two vocalists which make The Original Rudeboys be exactly what they claim to be, original."[26] While The Irish Times critisied the blending of Burch and Arkins vocals stating they created "odd Frankensteins of songs".[27] John Meagher of the Irish Independent was also critical of the two vocalists calling Burchs' voice "bland" and stating Arkins' "Dublinese rapping" wouldn't have any impact internationally.[28]

References

1. "The Original Rudeboys confirm album release date". Retrieved 14 August 2012.
2. "The Original Rudeboys confirm album release date". Retrieved 14 August 2012.
3. "The Original Rudeboys – Gotta Run". Archived from the original on 1 February 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
4. "The Original Rudeboys confirm album release date". Retrieved 14 August 2012.
5. "iTunes – Music – Stars in My Eyes – Single by The Original Rudeboys". Retrieved 14 August 2012.
6. "The Original Rudeboys confirm album release date". Retrieved 14 August 2012.
7. "iTunes – Music – Written Songs (Feeling Good) – EP by The Original Rudeboys". Retrieved 14 August 2012.
8. "iTunes – Music – Blue Eyes – Single by The Original Rudeboys". Retrieved 14 December 2012.
9. "Our Debut Album "This Life"". Retrieved 14 August 2012.
10. "The Original Rudeboys – Gotta Run". Archived from the original on 1 February 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
11. "10 things you (probably) didn't know about The Original Rudeboys". Retrieved 14 August 2012.
12. "The Original Rudeboys add second date to Olympia Theatre date due to demand". Archived from the original on 5 March 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
13. ""This Life" goes GOLD". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
14. "The Original Rudeboys – Gotta Run". Archived from the original on 1 February 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
15. "Whelan's Blog Archive – The Original Rudeboys". Archived from the original on 2 June 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
16. "Original Rudeboys – Stars in My Eyes – Music Charts". Retrieved 14 August 2012.
17. "The Original Rudeboys Announce Two Christmas Shows at the Academy". Archived from the original on 4 August 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
18. "Original Rudeboys – Travelling Man – Music Charts". Retrieved 14 August 2012.
19. "Original Rudeboys – Written Songs – Music Charts". Retrieved 14 August 2012.
20. "The Original Rudeboys to release new single". Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
21. "Whelan's Blog Archive – The Original Rudeboys". Archived from the original on 2 June 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
22. https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/this-life-deluxe-edition/id572627789
23. "This Life – The Original Rudeboys: Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards: Allmusic". Retrieved 14 August 2012.
24. "Top 10 Independent Artist Albums, Week Ending 29 March 2012". Chart-Track. GfK. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
25. "This Life". Retrieved 14 August 2012.
26. "Review: The Original Rudeboys – This Life". Retrieved 14 August 2012.
27. "The Original Rudeboys". The Irish Times. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
28. "Life story too nice for inner-city Rudeboys". Retrieved 14 August 2012.