Album: Tissues and Issues

Introduction
"Tissues and Issues" is the 5th studio album by Welsh vocalist, songwriter, and actress Charlotte Church, launched in 2005. Wandering off from her opera and symphonic music roots, the album represents a significant shift in Church's profession as she checks out pop music, including elements of pop, rock, and electronic soundscapes. Although "Tissues and Issues" amassed blended reviews from critics, it ended up being a modest industrial success, peaking at number 5 on the UK Albums Chart.

Track Listing and Production
The album includes eleven tracks, all of which display Church's remarkable range and vocal control. The opening track, "Call My Name", was launched as the lead single of the album, showing Church's ability to produce catchy, pop-infused tunes. Other standout tracks consist of the anthemic "Crazy Chick", which became a hit and peaked at number two in the UK, and the sultry "Show a Little Faith", offering listeners a darker, more reflective side to Church's music.

Produced by multiple Grammy-nominated producers Guy Chambers and Brian Rawlings, the album has a polished and professional quality, with a production design perfectly matched for Church's voice. The record sees Church working together with an outstanding lineup of songwriters, including Gary Barlow from Take That and American songwriter Matthew Gerrard, who is understood for his work with Kelly Clarkson and Jesse McCartney.

Styles and Lyrics
Throughout "Tissues and Issues", Church checks out themes of love, heartbreak, self-discovery, and personal development, providing listeners an insight into her emotional journey and point of views as a lady. Lyrically, Church veers from sassy, in-your-face tracks like "Call My Name" to tender and vulnerable ballads such as "Confessional Song" and "Moodswings", exposing the large range of feelings that the singer experienced during that duration in her life.

The title of the album itself - "Tissues and Issues" - is a sign of both the emotional vulnerability showcased in her lyrics and the troubles Church faced in her personal life during the album's production. In interviews, Church acknowledged that the album was an opportunity for her to resolve certain emotional challenges and conflicts she experienced throughout her shift from child prodigy to adult artist.

Reception and Legacy
Although "Tissues and Issues" enjoyed commercial success and produced several hit singles, the album received mixed reviews from critics, who applauded Church's singing capabilities however slammed the genre shift from classical crossover to modern pop. Some reviewers felt that the album did not have cohesion and did not fully take advantage of Church's prospective as a singer.

Nonetheless, "Tissues and Issues" stands as a turning point in Church's career, strengthening her position as an ambitious and flexible artist. The album marks the start of Charlotte Church's pivot towards a more contemporary, pop-oriented sound and far from her earlier classical recordings.

Conclusion
Though "Tissues and Issues" may not have been unanimously applauded by critics, it represents a significant minute in Charlotte Church's profession, as she boldly stepped away from her classical roots to welcome a more contemporary noise. The album ultimately allowed Church to explore a wide range of themes, emotions, and musical styles, showing her adaptability and growth as an artist. Today, "Tissues and Issues" remains a necessary album in Church's discography, solidifying her status as an engaging and ever-evolving musical force.

Artist: Charlotte Church

Charlotte Church Charlotte Church, Welsh singer-songwriter and actress, through her biography and inspiring quotes on this website.
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