Breakout

Breakout
Studio album by Miley Cyrus
Released	July 22, 2008 (2008-07-22) (see release history)
Recorded	March — May 2008
Genre	pop rock,[1] dance pop,[1] teen pop,[1]
Length	39:43
Label	Hollywood
Producer	John Fields, Antonina Armato, Tim James, Anne Preven, Scott Cutler, Matthew Wilder
Professional reviews
Allmusic link Billboard (positive) link The Boston Globe (positive) link Entertainment Weekly (B) link Los Angeles Times link The New York Times (mixed) link Radar Online (negative) link Rolling Stone link Slant Magazine link The Village Voice (positive) link Virgin Media link
Miley Cyrus chronology
Hannah Montana 2/Meet Miley Cyrus (2007) Breakout (2008) Hannah Montana: The Movie (2009)
Platinum edition
Singles from Breakout
"7 Things" Released: June 17, 2008 "See You Again (Rock Mafia Remix)" Released: August 25, 2008 "Fly On The Wall" Released: December 9, 2008

Breakout is the debut solo studio album by American teen pop singer Miley Cyrus. The CD is her first musical work apart from Hannah Montana. It was released under Hollywood Records on July 22, 2008, in the United States and debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart with first week sales of about 371,000 copies.^[2]

On October 17, 2008, the album was certified Platinum by the RIAA for more than 1 million copies shipped in the U.S.^{[3][dead link]}

Contents 1 Background 2 Promotion 2.1 Singles 2.2 Japan Edition 2.3 Platinum Edition 3 Track listing 4 Critical reception 5 Release history 6 Chart performance 7 Charts 8 Personnel 8.1 Production 9 References

Background

Breakout is the first album by Miley Cyrus that does not have any affiliation to the Hannah Montana character. Cyrus has said that Meet Miley Cyrus was "just meeting me, finding out who I am", while Breakout was inspired by "what's been going on in my life in the past year."^[4] "I wanted to embrace my older audience a little more, kind of taking shackles off and doing the music I wanted to do," Cyrus said of Breakout.^[5] Cyrus co-wrote all but four songs on the album.^[4] "Songwriting is what I really want to do with my life forever, [...] I just hope this record showcases that, more than anything, I'm a writer"^[6] A majority of the songs are co-written by Antonina Armato and Tim James, the writers of "See You Again" and "Good and Broken".

Three of the four songs that Cyrus did not co-write are covers. "These Four Walls" was originally recorded by MTV reality TV star Cheyenne Kimball, who released it under the song title, "Four Walls"; the song had appeared on her debut album The Day Has Come. Coincidentally, Kimball also has a song titled "Full Circle", but Cyrus's song of the same name is an original composition. Cyrus in "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" covered Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun". The song was previously performed by Cyrus with the The Cheetah Girls on their Party's Just Begun Tour. Cyrus recorded it as a solo song when it didn't appear on the Cheetah Girls' debut album TCG. The album's title track was written by Gina Schock of the Go-Go's,^[7] Ted Bruner and Trey Vittetoe. It was initially recorded as a demo track by Katy Perry, who provides background vocals on the song as well as on "The Driveway". "Simple Song" is the only other song that does not feature a writing credit from Cyrus. The song was originally a song written and recorded by American country musician, Jeffrey Steele.

Promotion

Cyrus performed a free concert at Bryant Park on July 18, as a part of Good Morning America's summer concert series.^[8] She guest hosted TRL on two consecutive days. Cyrus also appeared on Today, and performed as a part of their summer concert series, shutting down 84th street for the first time because of the number of fans who were in attendance.

The album was released in the United Kingdom via the label Polydor on September 1, 2008.^[9] The album released a promotional single "See You Again (Rock Mafia Mix)" also known as (2008 Mix), which was released on August 25, 2008.

Singles

• "7 Things" was the first single to be released from Breakout. It premiered on Radio Disney on May 12, 2008, with a wider premiere on Elvis Duran the following day.^[10] The music video was aired by ABC and Disney Channel on June 20, 2008.^[11] The video shows Cyrus singing with a band in front of a gray background, with many girls showing their emotions and singing along. "7 Things" debuted at number 84 on the Billboard Hot 100.^[12] After the single was released via the iTunes Store two weeks later, it rose sixty spots from number 70 to number 10.^[13] It became Cyrus' highest charting single on the Hot 100 until "The Climb" debuted at #6 in March 2009. "7 Things" was released in the United Kingdom in November, and has already entered the UK Singles Chart on downloads alone.^[14]

• "See You Again (2008 Mix)" (better known as the Rock Mafia Remix) was released in the United Kingdom as a digital single on August 11, 2008. The song spent eleven weeks on the UK Singles Chart.^[15] It peaked at number eleven, making it her first top twenty in the region.^[15]

• "Fly on the Wall" was initially aired on Radio Disney in August 9, 2008, and subsequently released to mainstream radio on November 4, 2008.^[16] Cyrus has performed the song on the closing ceremonies at the Disney Channel Games, ABC's Good Morning America^[17] NBC's Today, and FNMTV.^[18] In the music video, Miley is shown getting chased by paparazzi, she tries to flee from the chase and ends up in a parking lot. "Fly On The Wall" peaked at #16 on the UK Singles Chart giving Cyrus her third top 30 hit. "Fly On The Wall" made its debut on the Canadian Hot 100 at number 73.^[19]

Japan Edition

In Japan the album has two versions. One a CD only, Breakout with the same tracklisting, but with two bonus tracks. And a Deluxe Edition CD + DVD. The DVD content consists of music video, live performances, photo gallery and more.^[20]

Platinum Edition

On November 18, 2008 the album was re-released as a Platinum Edition which features the bonus tracks "Someday" and "Hovering", a duet with her older brother Trace Cyrus.^[21] The reissue also features a bonus DVD with the "7 Things" music video, live performances and more.^[21]

Track listing

This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2009)

Additional notes

• "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" is a cover of "Girls Just Want to Have Fun", by Cyndi Lauper on the album She's So Unusual.

Critical reception

Breakout received generally favorable reviews.^[22] Billboard magazine described the album as "still age-appropriate for minors", but "for the big kids too."^[23] They noted that the album relies "entirely on the full-blooded, all-American guitar".^[23] The Los Angeles Times agreed, calling it "a slightly tougher, more guitar-based sound."^[24] They noted that, compared to Cyrus's previous albums, Breakout is "unlikely fodder for the razzle-dazzle road shows and 3-D concert films to come", but "rarely less than fascinating."^[24] Entertainment Weekly said the "best tunes let Cyrus be feisty without graduating to Avril-like levels of petulance".^[7] However, they described the second half of the album as "overly ballad-heavy".^[7]

Many reviewers felt that the album was still calculated, although a step away from Cyrus' portrayal of Hannah Montana. The Village Voice said that "Miley often sounds held-back and controlled" but called her "a rare talent".^[25] The album, according to The Boston Globe, "subtracts any trace of edge" from the songs; they further noted that while Cyrus "break[s] from the shiny, happy "Hannah Montana" character, [...] she hasn't scuffed up her sound so much".^[26] allmusic noted that "while Breakout isn't as much of a breakthrough as it could be, it still moves Miley closer to an identity and career outside of Hannah."^[1] However, T'Cha Dunlevy of The Gazette did not feel that Cyrus had separated herself from Hannah Montana, writing, "Cyrus claims this is a more mature album, it remains generic teen-pop through and through."^[27] The Sacramento Bee agreed, saying that "with its overblown power chords, frenetic synth-pop and defiant lyrics, the 12 tracks here aren't much of a stylistic stretch from 2007's 'Hannah Montana 2 / Meet Miley Cyrus'."^[28]

The New York Times slated the album entirely, labeling it "a lackluster album, floated by two or three strong singles."^[29] The Hartford Courant said it was "actually just a mash-up of moves tried and discarded by Lohan/Duff/fill-in-the-Disney-diva-of-your choice."^[30]

Cyrus received comparisons to Natalie Maines ("These Four Walls"),^[7] Wilson Phillips and Bonnie Raitt ("Bottom of the Ocean"),^[23][24] the Pussycat Dolls ("Fly on the Wall"),^[1][23][29] and Shania Twain ("7 Things").^[1] According to one reviewer, "Cyrus' sound is still a mix of Avril Lavigne-esque sass and Michelle Branch-like vulnerability, served with a bright sheen borrowed from new wave".^[1]

Release history

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2009)

Region	Date	Label
Canada[31][dead link]	July 22, 2008	Hollywood Records
Sweden[32]
United States[33][dead link]
Hong Kong[34]	July 23, 2008	Hollywood Records/EMI
Argentina	July 28, 2008	Universal Music
Malaysia	August 1, 2008
Philippines	August 3, 2008	Hollywood Records
Brazil[35]	August 5, 2008
Taiwan	August 8, 2008
Australia	August 30, 2008
United Kingdom[9]	September 1, 2008	Fascination Records
Indonesia		Hollywood Records
New Zealand
Peru	September 2, 2008
Poland	September 4, 2008
Chile	September 7, 2008
Italy	September 12, 2008
Spain	September 16, 2008
Germany	September 26, 2008	Universal Music
Japan[20]	October 15, 2008	Avex Trax
France	October 20, 2008	Hollywood Records
Platinum Edition
Canada	November 18, 2008	Hollywood Records
United States[36]
Hong Kong		Hollywood Records/EMI
Malaysia		Universal Music
Australia	November 22, 2008	Hollywood Records
Philippines	November 28, 2008
United Kingdom	December 1, 2008	Polydor Records
Spain	December 2, 2008
Brazil	December 5, 2008	Hollywood Records
Argentina	December 15, 2008	Universal Music

Chart performance

Breakout was "neck and neck" with Sugarland's third studio album Love on the Inside in the race for Billboard #1, initially separated by just 2,000 copies.^[37] Within three days, the album had sold 205,000 copies, leading Sugarland by 16,000 copies.^[38] Ultimately the album debuted at #1 on the US Billboard 200 chart with first week sales of about 371,000 copies. This was the second-biggest sales week of the year for a female artist; Mariah Carey's E=MC² previously sold 463,000 copies in its first week.^[2] The album sold 163,000 copies in its second week, but fell to number two.^[39] Breakout remained at number two in its third week, selling about 102,000 copies,^[40] then number four in its fourth week on the chart, selling about 85,000 copies.^[41] In its fifth week on the Billboard 200 it was at number six with about 62,000 copies sold.^[42]

• In Canada, the album debuted at number one with 27,000 copies, becoming Cyrus' first number one in Canada; her previous album reached number three.^[43] Breakout stayed at the number one spot for two weeks, but dropped to #2 behind the soundtrack of the movie Mamma Mia!^{[citation needed]}

• On September 14, 2008, Breakout topped the Australia ARIA Album charts becoming her first number #1 album outside North America.^[44] She is also the youngest artist to top the Australian charts since Avril Lavigne. On November 17, 2008, the album was certified Platinum, selling over 70,000 copies.^[44]

• In New Zealand, the album debuted at number three on September 8, 2008 and peaked at number two. The album was certified Gold after five weeks Platinum, selling over 15,000 copies.^[45] The album spent twenty five weeks on the chart.^[46]

• In Poland, Breakout was certified Gold on February 11, 2009, selling over 10,000 copies.^[47]

• In the UK, the album has sold more than 300,000 copies as of July 18, 2009.^[48]

• In Ireland, Breakout was certified Platinum on January 20, 2009, selling over 15,000 copies.^[49]

• In Spain, the album was certified Gold on April 21, 2009, selling over 40,000 copies.^{[citation needed]}

• In Germany, Breakout was certified Gold on 2009, selling 100,000 copies.^{[citation needed]}

• In Austria, Breakout was certified Gold on 5 May, 2009, selling over 10,000 copies.^[50]

• In France, the album has sold over 22,840 copies.^[51]

• In Italy, the album was certified Silver on 2008, selling over 20,000 copies.^{[citation needed]}

Charts

Chart (2008–2009) (Part 1) Peak position Australian Albums Chart[52] 1 Austrian Albums Chart[52] 12 Belgium Albums Chart[52] 38 Brazil ABPD Top 20 Albums[53] 9 Canadian Albums Chart[54] 1 Denmark Albums Chart[52] 27 Finnish Albums Chart[55] 28 France Albums Chart[52] 30 German Albums Chart[52] 16 Irish Albums Chart[52] 11 Italian Albums Chart[56] 6

Chart (2008–2009) (Part 2) Peak position Japan Oricon Weekly Album Chart[57] 10 Mexico Albums Chart[52] 23 New Zealand Albums Chart[52] 2 Norwegian Albums Chart[52] 15 Poland Albums Chart[52][58] 15 Spanish Albums Chart[52] 7 Swiss Albums Chart[52] 25 UK Albums Chart[52] 10 U.S. Billboard 200[54] 1 Platinum Edition New Zealand Albums Chart[59] 10

Personnel

• Vocals – Miley Cyrus
• Backup vocal – Miley Cyrus, John Fields, Jon Lind, William Owsley III, Katy Perry, Anne Preven, Ryan Star, Terry Wood, Gigi Worth
• Guitar – John Fields, James Harrah, Dave Levitta, William Owsley III, Tim Pierce
• Bass – John Fields, Cliff Williams, Sean Hurley, Paul Bushnell
• Drums – Dorian Crozier

Production

• Executive Producer – Jason Morey
• Producers – John Fields, Antonina Armato, Tim James, Anne Preven, Scott Cutler, Matthew Wilder
• Mastering – Robert Vosgien
• Engineers – Matthew Wilder, Peter Anderson, Scott Campbell, John Fields, Steve Hammons, Nigel Lundemo, Gavin MacKillop, Heather Sturm
• Mixing – Mark Endert, Steve Hammons, Chris Lord-Alge, Clif Norrell, Paul Palmer
• A&R – Jon Lind, Christi Parker
• Photography – Sheryl Nields

References

Preceded by Untitled by Nas	U.S. Billboard 200 number-one album August 9, 2008 – August 16, 2008	Succeeded by Love on the Inside by Sugarland
Preceded by All Hope Is Gone by Slipknot	Australian ARIA Albums Chart number-one album September 15, 2008 – October 10, 2008	Succeeded by Death Magnetic by Metallica

v • d • e Miley Cyrus Studio albums Meet Miley Cyrus  · Breakout EPs The Time of Our Lives Live albums Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tours Best of Both Worlds  · Wonder World Television Hannah Montana Books Miles to Go Related Discography · Hannah Montana discography · All songs  · Awards and nominations  · Miley Stewart

v • d • e Miley Cyrus singles Meet Miley Cyrus "See You Again"  · "Start All Over" Breakout "7 Things"  · "Fly on the Wall" Hannah Montana: The Movie "The Climb"  · "Hoedown Throwdown" The Time of Our Lives "Party in the U.S.A."  · "When I Look at You" Featured singles "Ready, Set, Don't Go"  · "Just Stand Up!"  · "Send It On" Other songs "I Miss You" · "Breakout" · "Butterfly Fly Away"