All I Was
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox album
| name = All I Was
| type = studio
| artist = Tremonti
| cover = Tremontialliwascover.jpg
| alt =
| released = July 17, 2012
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre = {{flatlist|
}}
| length = 49:25
| label = FRET12
| producer = Michael "Elvis" Baskette
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title = Cauterize
| next_year = 2015
| misc = {{Singles
| name = All I Was
| type = studio
| single1 = You Waste Your Time
| single1date = May 7, 2012
| single2 = So You're Afraid
| single2date = October 8, 2012
| single3 = Wish You Well
| single3date = January 4, 2013
| single4 = All I Was
| single4date = February 20, 2013
| single5 = New Way Out
| single5date = June 10, 2013
}}
}}
All I Was is the debut studio album by Tremonti, a band formed by the lead guitarist for the American rock bands Creed and Alter Bridge, Mark Tremonti. Produced by Michael "Elvis" Baskette, the hard rock and alternative metal album reached number 5 on the Billboard Hard Rock chart.{{cite web |url=https://www.metal-revolution.com/reviews/tremonti-all-i-was |title=Tremonti – All I Was |date=2012 |author=Zoran |website=Metal Revolution |access-date=October 21, 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://www.reflectionsofdarkness.com/artists-p-t/11724-cd-review-tremonti-all-i-was |title=CD Review: Tremonti – All I Was |last=Whitely |first=Petra |date=July 16, 2012 |website=Reflections of Darkness |access-date=October 21, 2024}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theoaklandpress.com/2013/02/18/hard-rock-band-just-the-latest-in-all-tremonti-does/ |title=Hard rock band just the latest in 'All' Tremonti does |date=June 17, 2021 |last=Graff |first=Gary |newspaper=The Oakland Press |access-date=October 21, 2024}} It showcases the debut of Tremonti as a lead vocalist and features guitarist, bassist, and backing vocalist Eric Friedman and drummer Garrett Whitlock, both former members of Submersed. The album was released to critical acclaim on July 17, 2012, by FRET12 Records.
Background
Tremonti has expressed interest in releasing a solo album since 2010. He said of his two main projects in an interview with the Nottingham Post, "The bands are so different. And I write so much. I'm going to do a solo record because there are some songs that I'd hate to think wouldn't see the light of day because they don't work for Creed or Alter Bridge."{{cite news |url=http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/entertainmentnews/Alter-Bridge/article-2754136-detail/article.html |title=Interview: Alter Bridge guitarist Mark Tremonti prepares for Rock City |newspaper=Nottingham Post |date=October 15, 2010 |access-date=January 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101020183505/http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/entertainmentnews/Alter-Bridge/article-2754136-detail/article.html |archive-date=October 20, 2010 |url-status=dead }} He decided to do the album during "a three-month window when [Alter Bridge singer] Myles Kennedy was out with Slash and [Creed singer] Scott Stapp was doing some touring."{{cite web|url=http://guitarinternational.com/2012/06/11/mark-tremonti-interview-all-i-was/ |title=Mark Tremonti Interview – All I Was |author=Rob Cavuoto |publisher=Guitar International |date=June 11, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615205247/http://guitarinternational.com/2012/06/11/mark-tremonti-interview-all-i-was/ |archivedate=June 15, 2012 }} He described the album as "melody-driven,"{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/interviews/interviews/alter_bridge_we_wanted_to_stay_relevant_and_not_rely_on_legacy.html |title=Mark Tremonti of Creed and Alter Bridge Interview |author=Steven Rosen |publisher=Ultimate Guitar Archive |date=November 5, 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012013945/http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/interviews/interviews/alter_bridge_we_wanted_to_stay_relevant_and_not_rely_on_legacy.html |archivedate=October 12, 2012 }} and as "a heavier-sounding album," with elements of thrash and speed metal.{{cite web |url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/upcoming_releases/mark_tremonti_working_on_speedthrash_metal_album.html |title=Mark Tremonti Working On Speed/Thrash Metal Album |date=May 18, 2011 |publisher=Ultimate Guitar Archive}} In an interview with Artistdirect, he said that the album is "probably heavier than either Creed or Alter Bridge," and that it will have "lots of soloing." He again emphasized, however, that it will maintain a strong core melody.{{cite web |url=http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/mark-tremonti-talks-solo-album-playing-wembley-arena-with-alter-bridge-creed-and-more/9833329 |title=Mark Tremonti Talks Solo Album, Playing Wembley Arena with Alter Bridge, Creed and More |publisher=Artistdirect |author=Rick Florino |date=January 17, 2012}}
Via Facebook, Alter Bridge announced on April 6, 2011, that the tracking for the album had begun, with an accompanying photo of the recording process.{{cite web |url=http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150147365773558&set=a.10150147365728558.293014.5785083557 |title=Alter Bridge |date=April 6, 2011 |publisher=Facebook |author=Alter Bridge}} On January 20, 2012, Tremonti and FRET12 launched "The Tremonti Project," a website for his solo album where fans can sign up to receive news, previews, live streams, and giveaways.{{cite news |url=http://blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=168722 |title=CREED/ALTER BRIDGE Guitarist MARK TREMONTI Talks Solo Album In New Video Interview |date=January 24, 2012 |work=Blabbermouth}} A list of working song titles, the musician lineup (consisting of Tremonti, rhythm guitarist and bassist Eric Friedman, and drummer Garrett Whitlock), and the album title were officially announced on the webpage.{{cite web |url=http://www.tremontiproject.com/ |title=The Tremonti Project |publisher=FRET12}} On March 20, the album artwork was revealed.{{cite web |url=http://audioinkradio.com/2012/03/alter-bridge-creed-mark-tremonti-artwork-solo-album/ |title=Alter Bridge and Creed's Mark Tremonti Reveals Artwork for Solo Album |date=March 20, 2012 |publisher=Audio Ink Radio |author=Anne Erickson}} According to Tremonti, the album will be released in July 2012 and will be distributed by EMI.{{cite web |url=http://www.freejohnnydare.com/fjd/2012/04/4-4-12-mark-tremonti/ |title=4.4.12 – Mark Tremonti |publisher=Free Johnny Dare |date=April 4, 2012}} He also said he hopes to release the first single from the album soon.{{cite web |url=http://loudwire.com/mark-tremonti-creed-alter-bridge-solo-album-more/ |title= Mark Tremonti Dishes on Creed, Alter Bridge, Solo Album + More |author=Anne Erickson |date= April 4, 2012 |publisher=Loudwire.com}} In addition, Creed and Alter Bridge bassist Brian Marshall said on Twitter that he will be the bassist for Tremonti's solo project,{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/brianamarshall/statuses/178669993658028033 |title=Twitter / @brianamarshall |author=Brian Marshall |date=March 10, 2012}} and he was later confirmed to be a member of Tremonti's touring band for the first leg of the tour.{{cite web|url=http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=172450 |title=ALTER BRIDGE Guitarist MARK TREMONTI Unveils Solo Band (Video) |date=April 10, 2012 |publisher=Roadrunner Records |work=Blabbermouth.net |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414235031/http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=172450 |archivedate=April 14, 2012 }} In late April 2012, Tremonti revealed previews for three songs from his album.{{cite web |url=http://loudwire.com/mark-tremonti-shares-audio-samples-of-solo-disc-all-i-was/ |title=Mark Tremonti Shares Audio Samples of Solo Disc 'All I Was' |author=Mary Ouellette |date=April 21, 2012 |publisher=Loudwire.com}}
According to Billboard, All I Was was set for a July 10, 2012, release on FRET12 Records; "You Waste Your Time" was also announced to be the first single from the album.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/490379/creeds-mark-tremonti-releasing-solo-debut |title=Creed's Mark Tremonti Releasing Solo Debut |author=David Greenwald |magazine=Billboard |date=April 26, 2012}} FMQB reported that "You Waste Your Time" will be released to active rock radio stations in May 2012,{{cite magazine |url=http://www.fmqb.com/article.asp?id=2444158 |title=Quick Hits: Maroon 5, Mark Tremonti, Norah Jones, TLC, Demi Lovato, The Killers, Passion Pit, Van Halen |magazine=FMQB |date=April 26, 2012 |access-date=April 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503050953/http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=2444158 |archive-date=May 3, 2012 |url-status=dead }} and the song was made available for listening on May 6, 2012, on Loudwire.com, a day before its release.{{cite web |url=http://loudwire.com/tremonti-you-waste-your-time-song-review/ |title=Tremonti, 'You Waste Your Time' – Song Review |publisher=loudwire.com |date=May 6, 2012 |author=Mary Ouellette}} The song later reached number 10 on the iTunes Rock Songs Chart.{{cite web |url=http://loudwire.com/mark-tremonti-itunes-top-10-single-you-waste-your-time/ |title=Mark Tremonti Cracks iTunes Top 10 With Single 'You Waste Your Time' |author=Chad Childers |date=May 8, 2012 |publisher=Loudwire.com}} A live music video for the song was released on May 17, 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.noisecreep.com/2012/05/17/tremonti-you-waste-your-time-performance-video/ |title=Tremonti, 'You Waste Your Time': Creed, Alter Bridge Guitarist Makes Solo Debut (VIDEO PREMIERE) |website=Noisecreep |author=Carlos Ramirez |date=May 17, 2012}} The album's final release date was announced as July 17, 2012, on Ultimate Guitar Archive.{{cite web |url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/upcoming_releases/mark_tremonti_to_unleash_all_i_was_on_july_17.html |title=Mark Tremonti To Unleash 'All I Was' On July 17 |date=June 20, 2012 |publisher=Ultimate Guitar Archive}}
In September 2012 it was announced that Wolfgang Van Halen would replace Marshall as the band's touring bassist.{{Cite web |title=Wolfgang Van Halen Joins Mark Tremonti as Touring Bassist |first=Sterling |last=Whitaker |date=September 12, 2012 |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/wolfgang-van-halen-joins-mark-tremonti-as-touring-bassist/ }} Van Halen was subsequently named an official member of the band in March 2013.{{Cite news |title=Wolfgang Van Halen Joins Tremonti, Says Van Halen Working on New Music |first=Gary |last=Graff |newspaper=Billboard |date=March 6, 2013 |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1550724/wolfgang-van-halen-joins-tremonti-says-van-halen-working-on-new-music }}
A previously unreleased B-side, "All That I Got", was released as a single on April 16, 2013.{{cite web |url=http://loudwire.com/mark-tremonti-unreleased-single-pre-production-alter-bridge/ |title=MARK TREMONTI TEASES UNRELEASED SINGLE, BEGINS PRE-PRODUCTION WITH ALTER BRIDGE |date=April 11, 2013 |publisher=Loudwire.com |author=Chad Chillers}} Another B-side called "Gone" was released as a single on September 16, 2014.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3T6wuw8W6c |title=Tremonti New Single: GONE |date=September 8, 2014 |publisher=Tremonti Official Channel on YouTube}}
Reception
{{Album ratings
|rev1 = About.com
|rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |url=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/fr/Tremonti-All-I-Was-Review.htm |title=Tremonti - All I Was Review |author=Chad Bowar |publisher=About.com |date=July 17, 2012 |access-date=July 17, 2012 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304192143/http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/fr/Tremonti-All-I-Was-Review.htm |url-status=dead }}
|rev2 = AllMusic
|rev2score = (favorable){{Cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/all-i-was-mw0002395659|title = All I Was - Tremonti | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic|website = AllMusic}}
|rev3 = Artistdirect
|rev3score = {{Rating|5|5}}{{cite web |url=http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/tremonti-all-i-was-review-5-out-of-5-stars/10171369?fb_ref=homepage |title=Tremonti "All I Was" Review — 5 out of 5 stars |author=Rick Florino |publisher=Aristdirect |date=July 9, 2012}}
|rev4 = Revolver
|rev4score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine |url=http://www.revolvermag.com/reviews/review-tremonti-all-i-was.html |title=Review: Tremonti - All I Was |author=Paige Camisasca |magazine=Revolver |date=July 9, 2012 |access-date=July 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304062927/http://www.revolvermag.com/reviews/review-tremonti-all-i-was.html |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=dead }}
| rev5 = Ultimate Guitar
| rev5Score = {{Rating|9|10}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/compact_discs/tremonti/all_i_was/index.html|title=All I was Review {{!}} Tremonti|date=June 20, 2012|publisher=Ultimate-Guitar.Com|accessdate=December 11, 2012}}
}}
All I Was has received critical acclaim. While declining to give a star rating, AllMusic's James Christopher Monger stated that the album "blend[s] the stadium-sized choruses of Tremonti's previous band with the ferocious attack of classic speed metal, resulting in a voluminous hybrid of brooding post-grunge and breakdown-laden hardcore."{{Cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/all-i-was-mw0002395659|title = All I Was - Tremonti | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic|website = AllMusic}} In his review of the album, Rick Florino of Artistdirect gave it a positive review and a rating of 5 stars out of 5, commenting, "All I Was stands out as perfect from top to bottom." Paige Camisasca of Revolver magazine wrote, "All I Was reveals the remarkable depth of talent behind one of hard rock's core guitarists."
Track listing
{{tracklist
|headline =
|all_writing = Mark Tremonti
|title1 = Leave It Alone
|length1 = 4:39
|title2 = So You're Afraid
|length2 = 3:56
|title3 = Wish You Well
|length3 = 3:00
|title4 = Brains
|length4 = 4:31
|title5 = The Things I've Seen
|length5 = 4:37
|title6 = You Waste Your Time
|length6 = 3:47
|title7 = New Way Out
|length7 = 4:19
|title8 = Giving Up
|length8 = 4:45
|title9 = Proof
|length9 = 4:41
|title10 = All I Was
|length10 = 3:39
|title11 = Doesn't Matter
|length11 = 3:39
|title12 = Decay
|length12 = 3:57
|total_length = 49:25}}
Personnel
;Musicians
- Mark Tremonti – lead guitar, lead vocals
- Eric Friedman – rhythm guitar, bass, backing vocals
- Garrett Whitlock – drums
;Production
- Michael "Elvis" Baskette – producer, mixing
- Jef Moll – engineer
- Kevin Thomas – mix assistant
- Ted Jensen – mastering
- Stephanie Geny – mastering assistant
Charts
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|http://www.tremontiproject.com|name=The Tremonti Project}}
{{tremonti}}
{{Authority control}}