The Complex
Studio album by
Blue Man Group
ReleasedApril 22, 2003
Recorded2002–2003
Length58:41
LabelLava/Atlantic
ProducerTodd Perlmutter, Matt Goldman, Phil Stanton, Chris Wink
Blue Man Group chronology
Audio
(1999) 		The Complex
(2003) 		Las Vegas 4 Song Sampler
(2005)
Blue Man Group studio album chronology
Audio
(1999) 		The Complex
(2003) 		Three
(2016)
Singles from The Complex
  1. "The Current"
    Released: March 14, 2003
  2. "I Feel Love"
    Released: May 15, 2003
  3. "Sing Along"
    Released: June 6, 2003
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic [1]

The Complex is the second studio album by Blue Man Group, released in 2003. It is a concept album that takes place in two separate worlds: the world of the rock concert, as in the song "Time to Start," and the alienating world of the modern urban workplace, as in the songs "Sing Along," "The Current", and "The Complex." Both worlds are then tied together in the song "What Is Rock," which contrasts the celebratory "loss of identity" within a rock performance with the dehumanizing "loss of identity" within the workplace. These themes were illustrated during performance by animations that told the story of a faceless worker eventually escaping "up to the roof" and discovering their true self.

The Complex produced three singles, and debuted at #60 on the Billboard charts. As with the previous album, a DVD-Audio version was released, containing a high-definition (96 kHz/24-bit) 5.1 surround sound mix. AllMusic reviewer Robert L. Doerschuk states "Although its inspirations, musical and conceptual, trace as far back as Kraftwerk, The Complex serves as a reminder that modern devices and glistening production values can be applied to the most primal creative instincts, if utilized by the right — blue — hands".[2]

Track listing

The Complex
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Above"Dyas, Goldman, Heinemann, Pai, Perlmutter, Stanton, Wink2:46
2."Time to Start"Dyas, Goldman, Stanton, Wink3:43
3."Sing Along" (featuring Dave Matthews)Dyas, Goldman, Stanton, Wink3:25
4."Up to the Roof" (featuring Tracy Bonham)Dyas, Gleitsman, Goldman, Heinemann, Perlmutter, Stanton, Wink3:51
5."Your Attention"Dyas, Goldman, Heinemann, Pai, Perlmutter, Stanton, Wink4:09
6."Persona" (featuring Josh Haden)Dyas, Gleitsman, Goldman, Stanton, Wink4:30
7."Piano Smasher"Dyas, Golden, Goldman, Perlmutter, Stanton, Wink3:00
8."White Rabbit" (featuring Esthero)Grace Slick2:54
9."The Current" (featuring Gavin Rossdale)Dyas, Gleitsman, Goldman, Stanton, Wink3:48
10."Shadows, Pt. 2" (featuring Tracy Bonham and Rob Swift)Dyas, Gleitsman, Goldman, Perlmutter, Stanton, Wink2:56
11."What Is Rock" (featuring Arone Dyer and Peter Moore)Dyas, Gleitsman, Goldman, Stanton, Wink3:11
12."The Complex" (featuring Peter Moore)Dyas, Gleitsman, Goldman, Heinemann, Stanton, Wink6:25
13."I Feel Love" (featuring Annette Strean of Venus Hum)Bellotte, Moroder, Summer5:13
14."Exhibit 13"Banks, Dyas, Goldman, Heinemann, Parrulli, Stanton, Wink4:01
15."Mandelbrot No. 4" (hidden track) 4:19
Total length:58:41

Personnel

Production

Charts

Album

Chart (2003) Peak
position
Billboard 200 60
Billboard Top Internet Albums 60

Songs

Year Song Chart Position
2003 "Sing Along" Adult Top 40 37
2004 "I Feel Love" Hot Dance Club Play 7

References

  1. ^ https://www.allmusic.com/album/r627529
  2. ^ Doerschuk, R. L. AllMusic. Accessed June 29, 2009.

External links

Blue Man Group
Authority control databases
Categories