Attention Attention

Initial work on the album began in late 2016, after the band had finished the tour in support of their prior album, Threat to Survival. In February 2017, Smith announced that they had begun work on their sixth studio album.{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/shinedown-22-pieces-written-possible-first-concept-album/|title=Shinedown Have Potential Concept Album in the Works|website=Loudwire|last=Divita|first=Joe|date=February 9, 2017|access-date=January 10, 2018}} Bass had been working on writing 22 separate pieces of music over the course of their 2016 tour, separate from the rest of the band, who wanted to just concentrate on touring.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/shinedown-is-working-on-possible-concept-album-says-brent-smith/|title=SHINEDOWN Is Working On Possible Concept Album, Says BRENT SMITH|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=February 8, 2017|access-date=January 10, 2018}} Bass had just begun presenting the material to Smith, who, while unsure how much exactly would go into the future album, did say that he was very impressed, and that the material may fit together into a concept album, a first for the band. They joined Iron Maiden on tour in Europe in April and May, and began recording soon after.{{cite web|url=http://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=23458|title=IRON MAIDEN Set To Hit The Stages On The European The Book Of Souls 2017 Tour|publisher=KNAC|last=Petro|first=Larry|date=April 13, 2017}} Upon the resuming work on the album and beginning work in the studio, the band decided to actually only use one of the 22 originally proposed songs by Bass, but the work of the original 22 songs still inspired them to press forward in sticking with the concept album idea overall, just with different songs.

In January 2018, Myers announced that the band had finished the recording the album and that Bass was working on finalizing the production and mixing of the album.

Attention Attention has been described as hard rock,{{cite web|first=Anne|last=Erickson|title=Shinedown Crafts Heavy, Hopeful Rock On 'Attention Attention' – Review|url=http://audioinkradio.com/2018/04/shinedown-attention-attention-review/|website=Audio Ink Radio|date=April 23, 2018|access-date=May 5, 2018}}{{cite web|first=Wes|last=Derby|url=https://metalnation.com/album-review-shinedown-attention-attention/|title=Album Review: Shinedown – Attention Attention|publisher=Metalnation|date=April 28, 2018|access-date=July 21, 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/30-best-hard-rock-albums-2018/|title=Top 30 Best Hard Rock Albums of 2018|publisher=Loudwire|date=November 26, 2018|access-date=November 27, 2018}} pop rock,{{cite web|url=http://www.sonicabuse.com/2018/05/shinedown-attention-attention-album-review/|title=Shinedown – 'Attention Attention' Album Review|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180721221848/http://www.sonicabuse.com/2018/05/shinedown-attention-attention-album-review/|archive-date= July 21, 2018|publisher=Sonic Abuse|date=May 13, 2018|access-date=July 28, 2018}} alternative rock, and arena rock,{{cite web|url=https://www.rocksins.com/reviews/shinedown-attention-attention-33254/|title=Shinedown –Attention Attention|publisher=Rock Sins|date=May 3, 2018|access-date=August 14, 2018}} with electronic elements.{{cite web|url=https://crypticrock.com/shinedown-attention-attention-album-review/|title=Shineown – Attention Attention (Album Review)|website=Cryptic Rock|date=April 30, 2018|access-date=July 21, 2018}} The sound of the album has been compared to bands like Imagine Dragons, Awolnation, and X Ambassadors. Attention Attention is a concept album. The album tells a story of an individual in a very negative mental and emotional place and, over the course of the fourteen songs, has them work through their issues, becoming a completely changed person by the end of the last song. Smith outlined the album's progression:

{{quote|"At the beginning of the record, you can feel this intensity and these bold statements that are being made, but as the record progresses, you hear the individual and the record start to shift, and they start to get their confidence back, and they start to understand what's going on, because they're having to face emotions that they've never really faced before. We call it digging in the dirt mentally. This person has to flush it out. In order to be able to get out of this room and out of this chair and go back into the world, they have to train themselves mentally. They have to accept the fact that it's not always going to be great. It's not always going to be exactly the way you want it."}}

Myers also described the album's sound as "heavier than Threat to Survival".{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/shinedown-completes-recording-new-album-its-heavier-than-threat-to-survival-says-zach-myers/|title=Shinedown Completes Recording New Album: 'It's Heavier Than 'Threat To Survival',' Says ZACH MYERS|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=January 7, 2018}}

The band tentatively planned to finish the album in late 2017, release a first single in January 2018, and then release the album in April.{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/shinedown-spring-2018-album-first-single-january/|title=Shinedown Announce Plans for New Album and Single for 2018|website=Loudwire|last=Christopher|first=Michael|date=July 13, 2017|access-date=January 10, 2018}} Plans were eventually pushed back; on March 7, 2018, the title was revealed and the album was announced for release on May 4, and its first single "Devil", was released.{{cite web|url=http://teamrock.com/news/2018-03-07/shinedown-announce-new-album-release-video-for-devil-single|title=Watch the video for Devil, the new single from Shinedown|publisher=Team Rock|date=March 7, 2018}} The band announced that there would be a video created for every song on the album, and that the video project would be led by Bill Yukich, the lead editor on Beyoncé's Lemonade film for HBO.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8232518/shinedown-attention-attention-album-devil-video|title=Shinedown Announces New Album 'Attention Attention,' Releases Single 'DEVIL': Video Premiere|magazine=Billboard|date=March 7, 2018}} The band also embarked on a co-headlining tour with Godsmack to promote the release, as part of Live Nation's "Ticket to Rock" program of tours.{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/shinedown-godsmack-co-headline-summer-tour-live-nation-ticket-to-rock-program/|title=Shinedown + Godsmack to Co-Headline 2018 Summer Tour|website=Loudwire|date=5 March 2018 }}

On April 5, a second song, "The Human Radio" was released as a promotional single, accompanied by a music video.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/video-premiere-shinedowns-the-human-radio/ |title=Video Premiere: Shinedown's 'The Human Radio' |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=April 6, 2018 |access-date=April 6, 2018}} On August 8, "Get Up" was released as the second single, accompanied by a music video.{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/shinedown-get-up-video/|title=Shinedown Explore Themes of Depression + Grief With 'Get Up' Video|website=Loudwire|date=August 8, 2018|access-date=August 16, 2018}} A third single for the song "Monsters" was released to radio on March 1, 2019 followed by a music video.{{Cite web|url=https://waaf.radio.com/blogs/anthony-capobianco/shinedown-drops-official-video-monsters|title=Shinedown Drops Official Video For "Monsters"|date=June 12, 2019|website=WAAF 107.3 FM|access-date=September 4, 2019|archive-date=February 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223003621/https://waaf.radio.com/blogs/anthony-capobianco/shinedown-drops-official-video-monsters|url-status=dead}} Later, an animated video for the song was also released.{{Cite web|url=http://www.therockstationz93.com/2019/07/03/shinedown-releases-animated-music-video-for-monsters/|title=Shinedown Releases Animated Music Video for 'Monsters'|date=July 3, 2019|website=Z93 | WKQZ-FM}} A fourth single for the song "Attention Attention" was released on September 24, 2019 followed by a music video. All four songs have made it to the top of the Active Rock Charts. The band plans to release a video for every song on the album.{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/shinedown-to-film-videos-for-all-songs-on-attention-attention/|title=Shinedown To Film Videos For All Songs On 'Attention Attention'|date=July 2, 2019|website=Blabbermouth.net}}

The band released a film based on the album. The film was directed by Bill Yukich and was released on September 3, 2021.{{cite web|first=Chad|last=Childers|url=https://loudwire.com/shinedown-attention-attention-film-vod-screening/|title=Shinedown's Cinematic 'Attention Attention' Film Heads to VOD|date=July 20, 2021|website=Loudwire|access-date=September 3, 2021}}

{{Album ratings

| MC = 75/100{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/attention-attention/shinedown|title='Attention Attention' on Metacritic|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=June 14, 2018}}

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|first=Neil|last=Yeung|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/attention-attention-mw0003161574|title=Shinedown Attention Attention|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=June 14, 2018}}

| rev2 = Altwire

| rev2Score = B−{{cite web|first=Mark|last=Stoneman|url=https://www.altwire.net/2018/05/02/album-review-shinedown-attention-attention/|title=Album Review Shinedown – Attention Attention|date=May 2, 2018|access-date=July 28, 2018}}

| rev3 = Classic Rock

| rev3Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|first=Philip|last=Wilding|url=https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/shinedown-attention-attention-album-review|title=Shinedown - Attention Attention album review|date=May 4, 2018|access-date=June 14, 2018}}

| rev4 = Distorted Sound

| rev4Score = 9/10{{cite web|first=Jessica|last=Howkins|url=https://distortedsoundmag.com/album-review-attention-attention-shinedown/|title=Album Review: Attention Attention - Shinedown|date=May 3, 2018|access-date=July 28, 2018}}

| rev5 = Kerrang!

| rev5Score = 3/5{{Cite journal|date=May 10, 2018|title=Attention Attention - Review|journal=Kerrang!|page=55|via=Wasted Talent Ltd}}

| rev6 = Metal Hammer

| rev6Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web|first=Matt|last=Mills|url=https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/shinedown-attention-attention-album-reviewed|title=Shinedown – Attention Attention album reviewed|date=May 2, 2018|access-date=July 28, 2018}}

| rev7 = Music Existence

| rev7Score = {{Rating|4.6|5}}{{cite web|first=Naomi|last=Sanders|url=https://musicexistence.com/blog/2018/04/27/album-review-shinedown-attention-attention/|title=Album Review: Shinedown – Attention Attention|date=April 27, 2018|access-date=March 11, 2019}}

| rev8 = Rock 'N' Load

| rev8Score = 10/10{{cite web|url=http://rocknloadmag.com/album-review/shinedown-attention-attention-album-review/|title=Shinedown – 'Attention Attention' – Album Review|date=April 26, 2018|access-date=August 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815094222/http://rocknloadmag.com/album-review/shinedown-attention-attention-album-review/|archive-date=August 15, 2018|url-status=dead}}

| rev9 = Salute

| rev9Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|first=Joshua|last=Leep|url=https://salutemag.com/2018/05/04/shinedown-attention-attention-review/|title=Review: Shinedown is about to get heavy on 'Attention Attention'|date=May 4, 2018|access-date=July 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728191028/https://salutemag.com/2018/05/04/shinedown-attention-attention-review/|archive-date=July 28, 2018|url-status=dead}}

| rev10 = Sputnikmusic

| rev10Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/76937/Shinedown-Attention-Attention/|title=Shinedown Attention Attention|publisher=Sputnikmusic|access-date=June 14, 2018}}

}}

Attention Attention received generally positive reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has an average score of 75 out of 100, which indicates "Generally favorable reviews" based on 4 reviews. AllMusic described the album as "expertly crafted" album that "maintain[s] high energy on 14 tracks of fuel-injected might", concluding that it was a "fun, engaging ride" that "maintain[s] Shinedown's power". Mark Stoneman, writing for Altwire said, "Attention Attention is an easy step up from the band’s previous effort and offers something that is generally fun and rewarding; it’s nothing revolutionary or ground-breaking, but then it was never going to be."

Jessica Howkins, writing for Distorted Sound, stated that "Shinedown have released their best album to date." Howkins calls the album "incredible, raw and strong with very minor flaws." Joshua Leep, writing for Salute, commenting, "the overall vibe of Attention Attention still has that slightly dated mid/late 2000s post-grunge vibe to it. Leep also said, rather than recycling an old sound...Shinedown manage[s] to use this sound to drive home the message of the album even further."

The Sputnik Music staff review described the album as the band's true follow up to The Sound of Madness (2008), stating that "There were moments on Amaryllis (2012) – and certainly throughout Threat to Survival (2015) – that Smith’s talents were underutilized, misplaced, and flat-out squandered...with Attention Attention placing the impetus behind Shinedown’s aggressive rock tendencies, Brent Smith is back in his element in a way that hasn’t happened since, well, The Sound of Madness...they both excel at balancing the group’s heavy, southern-rock roots with their infectious pop-sensibilities." Matt Mills, writing for Metal Hammer, was a little less positive calling songs like "Black Soul" and "Kill Your Conscience" "hilarity-inducing head-scratchers." Mills was more positive towards songs like "Devil", "Evolve", and "Brilliant" saying, "the anthems’ bouncing energy already feels destined to ignite live crowds." Music Existence wrote, "overall, it’s a very interesting concept to explore in an album, and one that many listeners can relate to."

Rock 'N' Load complimented the production and saying "[it will leave] you to enjoy every nuance." Classic Rock gave the album a positive review saying that the album is "punchier" and "angrier even, than previous records." Kerrang! was a little less positive writing, "a couple of tracks...could probably have been left on the side of the road," but praised the album for its "immense vocals" and "thunderous, thirst-quenching melod[ies]."

{{Track listing

| all_writing = Brent Smith and Eric Bass, except where noted

| title1 = The Entrance

| length1 = 0:39

| title2 = Devil

| length2 = 3:27

| title3 = Black Soul

| length3 = 3:23

| title4 = Attention Attention

| note4 = Smith, Dave Bassett

| length4 = 3:51

| title5 = Kill Your Conscience

| note5 = Smith, Bass, Bassett

| length5 = 3:52

| title6 = Pyro

| note6 = Smith, Bassett

| length6 = 3:51

| title7 = Monsters

| length7 = 4:08

| title8 = Darkside

| length8 = 3:53

| title9 = Creatures

| note9 = Smith, Bass, Bassett, Barry Kerch

| length9 = 3:56

| title10 = Evolve

| note10 = Smith, Zach Myers, Scott Stevens

| length10 = 2:57

| title11 = Get Up

| length11 = 4:06

| title12 = Special

| note12 = Smith, Myers, Stevens

| length12 = 3:44

| title13 = The Human Radio

| length13 = 4:09

| title14 = Brilliant

| length14 = 4:34

| total_length = 50:31

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Japanese/Walmart bonus tracks{{cite web|url=https://wmg.jp/shinedown/discography/19265/|title=Shinedown / シャインダウン「Attention Attention / アテンション・アテンション」 {{!}} Warner Music Japan|work=ワーナーミュージック・ジャパン {{!}} Warner Music Japan|access-date=September 19, 2020|language=ja-JP}}

| title15 = Headcase

| length15 = 3:20

| title16 = ANWTD

| note16 = "A New Way to Die"

| length16 = 3:24

| total_length = 57:15

}}

;Notes

• The Walmart bonus tracks are a digital download release; they are not present on the physical disc. However, the Japanese pressing of the album has the bonus tracks on the physical disc.
• All track titles are stylised in all caps except for "Special", which is stylized in lowercase.

Adapted from the album's liner notes.{{cite AV media notes|title=Attention Attention|others=Shinedown|publisher=Atlantic|year=2018|type=booklet|id=2-567367}}

Shinedown

• Brent Smith – lead vocals
• Zach Myers – guitar, backing vocals, piano
• Eric Bass – bass, backing vocals, acoustic guitar, production, mixing, engineering
• Barry Kerch – drums

Additional personnel

• Doug McKean – engineering
• Eric Rickert – engineering
• Mike Fasano – drum tech
• HooGie J Donais – guitar tech
• Ted Jensen – mastering

{{col-start}}

{{col-2}}

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"| Chart (2018) ! scope="col"| Peak position
scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA){{cite web|url=http://www.ariacharts.com.au/charts/albums-chart|title=ARIA Australian Top 50 Albums|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|date=May 14, 2018|access-date=May 12, 2018}} | 45
{{album chart|Austria|21|artist=Shinedown|album=Attention Attention|rowheader=true|accessdate=May 17, 2018}}
{{album chart|Flanders|87|artist=Shinedown|album=Attention Attention|rowheader=true|accessdate=May 11, 2018}}
{{album chart|Wallonia|190|artist=Shinedown|album=Attention Attention|rowheader=true|accessdate=May 11, 2018}}
{{album chart|BillboardCanada|8|artist=Shinedown|rowheader=true|accessdate=May 15, 2018}}
{{album chart|Czech|59|date=201819|rowheader=true|accessdate=April 8, 2019}}
{{album chart|Netherlands|77|artist=Shinedown|album=Attention Attention|rowheader=true|accessdate=May 11, 2018}}
{{album chart|Germany4|21|id=354693|artist=Shinedown|album=Attention Attention|rowheader=true|accessdate=May 11, 2018}}
scope="row"| Japanese Albums Chart (Oricon){{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/330278/products/1274851/1/|publisher=Oricon ME inc.|title=Shinedown Attention Attention|language=ja|access-date=August 2, 2018}} | 141
scope="row"| New Zealand Heatseeker Albums (RMNZ){{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/albums/2018-05-11|title=NZ Heatseeker Albums Chart|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|date=May 14, 2018|access-date=May 11, 2018}} | 2
{{album chart|Scotland|4|date=20180511|rowheader=true|accessdate=May 12, 2018}}
{{album chart|Sweden|31|artist=Shinedown|album=Attention Attention|rowheader=true|accessdate=May 11, 2018}}
{{album chart|Switzerland|10|artist=Shinedown|album=Attention Attention|rowheader=true|accessdate=May 16, 2018}}
{{album chart|UK2|8|date=20180511|rowheader=true|accessdate=May 12, 2018}}
scope="row"| US Billboard 200{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8455743/post-malone-beerbongs-bentleys-spends-second-week-no-1-billboard-200-albums-chart|title=Post Malone's 'Beerbongs & Bentleys' Spends Second Week at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart|magazine=Billboard|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=May 13, 2018|access-date=May 14, 2018}} | 5
{{album chart|BillboardAlternative|1|artist=Shinedown|rowheader=true|accessdate=May 15, 2018}}
{{album chart|BillboardHardRock|1|artist=Shinedown|rowheader=true|accessdate=May 15, 2018}}
{{album chart|BillboardRock|1|artist=Shinedown|rowheader=true|accessdate=May 15, 2018}}

{{col-2}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"| Chart (2018) ! scope="col"| Position
scope="row"| US Top Rock Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2018/hot-rock-albums|title=Top Rock Albums – Year-End 2018|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 8, 2020}} | 58

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|award=Gold|title=Attention Attention|type=album|artist=Shinedown|relyear=2018|certyear=2023|refname="MC"|access-date=November 6, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Gold|title=Attention Attention|type=album|artist=Shinedown|relyear=2018|certyear=2021|refname="RIAA"|accessdate=November 24, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Bottom | nosales=true | noshipments=true | streaming=true}}

{{reflist}}

{{Shinedown}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2018 albums

Category:Shinedown albums

Category:Atlantic Records albums

Category:2010s concept albums