Shattered Dreams

Shattered Dreams is the first album from British/Irish girl band Ace Rejects. It is due to be released in early 2011, shortly after the release of the group's second single, Jealous Games. The girl group have achieved one Number one hit from the album with Jealous Games and achieved two number two hits with The Game/You Want What?! and Sparks.

It has so far sold over 700,000 copies in the UK alone.

Album Information
The album was recorded over a number of weeks from October to December 2010. The girls were still recording the album whilst promoting their debut single, "Top of the World". The girls have worked with a number of different producers including Xenomania, Starsmith and Khlas Auhland. Ace Rejects have also worked with a number of different writers including Elice Claire, Genevere Johnson, Violetta DiNozzo and Sienna Martinez. The album was seen by the girls as a "good stepping stone" to work from, and hence why the girls have worked with many different producers. Initially the girls were meant to work with producers Dr.Luke and Max Martin, but after several failed songs, the group decided their songs did not "fit" the sound they aimed to achieve. By the end of January, all the songs were recorded and produced.

Critical Reception
Most reviews were positive for the album. The Guardian commented that the album was a "good mix of pop and electro gems." The Sun also commented that the album was a "surefire Number 1 for the biggest girls in British music right now." The Times also complimented the "sheer brassiness and attitude in the girl' lyrics." Many critics also complimented the songs written by other artists, particularly "Jealous Games" by Elice Claire and "Is This A Dream?" by Bella-May. However, the album did receive some negative commentary. The Independent commented that tracks such as Hurt and Top of the World were not "overally good" and seemed "too generic and safe". The production on "Hurt" was also criticized by many critics. One commentator from NME suggested that only a few tracks stood out, but all in all "it was too much tacky pop" to be taken seriously.

Singles
The first single from the album to be released was Top of the World. It was released on 27th December 2010 and debuted at Number 10 in the UK Charts. The following week it rose to Number 7 and become the girl's first Top 10 hit. The song stayed for 9 weeks in the UK Top 40. It has secured a gold certification.

The second single to be released from the album was Jealous Games. The single was the band's first release in the Republic of Ireland. It was released in Ireland on 11th February 2011 and released in the UK on 14 February 2011. Initially it charted at Number 4 in the Irish charts, however it rose the following week to Number 1. The single debuted at Number 1 in the UK charts, and dropped to Number 2 the following week. So far it has been certified platinum. It stayed in the chart for 6 weeks.

The third single to be released from the album was a double A-Side The Game/You Want What?!. The single was also be the first release the girls will make in Europe. However, Europe only got You Want What?! as a release. The single was released on 13 June 2011. It charted at Number 2 in the UK Charts and hit the Top 5 and Top 10 across Europe and Ireland.

The fourth single to be announced from the album was Sparks. It was released on 8 August 2011 in the UK and Europe and earlier in Ireland. It sold over 100,000 copies in its first week, despite charting at Number 2, becoming the band's biggest first week release. It has so far been certified platinum in the UK charts. It has sold approximately 306,000 copies in the UK becoming the girl's biggest hit yet.

The fifth single that will be released from the album is fan favorite [[Is This A Dream?}]. It is due to be released on 31 October 2011 around the UK and Europe.

Tracklisting

 * 1) "Top of the World"
 * 2) "Boyz"
 * 3) "Jealous Games"
 * 4) "Sparks"
 * 5) "Hurt"
 * 6) "The Game"
 * 7) "Is This A Dream?"
 * 8) "Why Not Me?"
 * 9) "I Like"
 * 10) "You Want What?!"
 * 11) "Unpretty"

Charts
Shattered Dreams debuted at Number 7 in the Irish Charts on 25th February 2011, making it the girl's first Top 10 album in the country. On 27th February 2011, the album debuted at Number 1 in the UK Music charts. It held off competition from Indigo Peak and Thorn City. It sold over 82,000 copies in it's first week, beating it's nearest contender Thorn City by less than 18,000 copies. The album has so far been certified Platinum selling over 700,000 copies.