Like It Like That (album)
Like It Like That is the fifth album by Australian singer Guy Sebastian. The album was produced by David Ryan Harris and Fredrik Odesjo and was released in Australia on 23 October 2009 and in the US on 29 June 2010.[1][2] The album contains a duet with Jordin Sparks, and also three tracks with John Mayer on guitar and backing vocals.[3][4] It peaked at number six on the ARIA Albums Chart and gained platinum certification.[5][6] The title track "Like It Like That" was one of the most successful singles of Sebastian's career. It reached number one on the ARIA Singles Chart, and achieved 4× platinum certification.[7][8] "Art of Love" was also a top ten single, spending five months in the ARIA top 50 and double platinum certification.[8][9] In 2010 Sebastian received six ARIA Music Award nominations for the album and two of its singles.[10][11]
Like It Like That
23 October 2009 (AUS)
29 June 2010 (US)
November 2008 – September 2009
David Ryan Harris, Fredrik Odesjo
Critical reception[edit]
The title track "Like It Like That" was named one of the best singles of the year by both Rave Magazine and The Music Network.[40][41] "Art of Love" was one of the twenty songs shortlisted for the 2010 APRA Song of the Year and "All to Myself" was shortlisted in 2011.[42][43] Sebastian received two peer judged ARIA Music Award nominations in 2010. The album was nominated for Best Pop Release, and he was nominated as Best Male Artist. Sebastian also received nominations for Most Popular Australian Artist, Most Popular Australian Album, and Most popular Australian Single for "Like It Like That" and "Art of Love.[10] The album received many positive reviews. Paul Cashmere from Undercover Music wrote, "By covering the classics on The Memphis Album Guy Sebastian discovered Guy Sebastian. He has drawn from that epitome and created what should be considered the debut album from the next phase of his career. [...] If The Memphis Album was Guy's initiation into becoming a Soul Man then Like It Like That is the graduation.[44] Ara Jansen said in The West Australian, "While there are plenty of pop elements to the album, Sebastian has finally and unabashedly unleashed his soul side. He's also done it with a big grin on his face as songs such as the wonderful "Magic" and the title track fizz like a soft drink on a hot day."[45] A reviewer for TV Central wrote, "There's no doubt in anyone's mind that Sebastian's previous 'Memphis' record has inspired him like no other. From the first beat of his new album, it screams soul. It's bold, brash, but it works – it really works. It's probably one of the most cohesive albums from Sebastian to date. Listening from start to finish, you truly feel like you’ve experienced a musical journey. [...] The album, while not without its flaws, is definitely one of the most artistically complex records we've heard from an 'Australian Idol' artist to date. It's rich, multi-layered and engaging."[46]
In a review in the Sunday Herald Sun Bryan Patterson gave Like It Like That a 4 out of 5 star rating and said, "Happily, Sebastian's big soul songs have more of an upbeat New York sound than the slick and imposed LA production that seems to be the fate of most Idol winners. It is now time to forgive and forget that Sebastian had his start in a sometimes exploitative and often tacky TV talent show. When you're good – really good – inauspicious starts don't really matter[...] Sebastian has paid his dues and finally found his sound. And it's good music, all written or co-written by the young man."[47] The Daily Telegraph music editor Kathy McCabe also gave the album 4 out of 5 stars saying, "Sebastian steps up in songwriting and performance on the soul tracks which were no doubt inspired by his Memphis sessions detour. "All to Myself" is a knock-out song, and book-end song "Attention" is a sexy, hip-swinging soul number which perfectly showcases Sebastian's vocal range."[48] American radio announcer and music journalist Tony Peters wrote, "Great soul music is still out there, you just gotta hunt for it. In this case, that means going halfway around the world. [...] "All to Myself" and "Attention" both have that classic Motown stompin' feel that makes you move your feet, while "Bring Yourself" has conversational lyrics akin to Stevie Wonder's best work. Sebastian had a hand in composing the entire album, and he doesn't just re-write classic soul songs. He's obviously immersed himself in the genre and can truly add to it."[49][50]
Commercial performance[edit]
Like It Like That peaked at number six on the ARIA Albums Chart, spending 29 weeks in the ARIA top 100, including 19 nonconsecutive weeks in the top 50, and gained platinum certification.[5]