A Poet's Life

Updated on Dec 29, 2023

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Recorded 2006-2007 Artist Tim Armstrong Label Hellcat Records		Length 33:44 Release date 22 May 2007 Genres Ska, Reggae

Released May 21, 2007 (UK) May 22, 2007 (US) Producer Tim Armstrong John Morrical Rachel Tejada Similar Tim Armstrong albums, Reggae albums

Tim armstrong into action

A Poet's Life is the first solo album by Tim Armstrong, made in collaboration with Hellcat-signed reggae band The Aggrolites. It was released on May 22, 2007 on Armstrong's own label, Hellcat Records.

The album was initially announced to be released for free as downloads on the internet. Later it was announced that it would be a physical product as well. The album comes with a DVD featuring a video for every song on the album.

History

On August 29, 2006, Armstrong sent out a bulletin over MySpace, the text of which later appeared on Epitaph Records' site (Hellcat Records is a subsidiary of Epitaph) that explained his decision to release a solo LP. Unlike most albums, Armstrong said that it would be free and downloadable over the internet, with one song being released at a time. That same day, the first track, "Hold On", appeared as an MP3 and music video on Epitaph's site. Almost two months later, on October 11, 2006, the second track, "Wake Up", was released in the same manner. No more tracks have been released in this manner, but in March 2007, "Into Action" was played on KROQ-FM.

At some point, Epitaph's site listed a release date of February 6, 2007 but it was later changed to June 7. When KROQ started playing the single Into Action the release date was pushed up to May 22. Despite little promotion Into Action peaked on the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks at number 39 and stayed on the chart for 2 weeks.

In Epitaph's last newsletter, it was said that they will be releasing the last eight tracks of the album (including the video to the track) in the coming weeks before it is released. However, they also mentioned that, they won't be telling listeners where. Those wishing to download the album have to find the songs on various websites. The currently available songs are linked in the Track Listing section below.

Track listing

All songs written by Tim Armstrong

"Wake Up" – 2:59
"Hold On" – 3:52
"Into Action" (featuring Skye Sweetnam) – 3:39
"Translator" – 4:11
"Take This City" – 3:14
"Inner City Violence" – 3:48
"Oh No" – 3:07
"Lady Demeter" – 2:24
"Among The Dead" – 3:32
"Cold Blooded" – 2:45

Links point to download sources for currently available songs. Videos from the DVD are also available for viewing at Hellcat's Youtube page.

Variations

The Japanese release includes a remix of "Into Action" as track 11.

The following tracks were once listed to be on the album, but were removed or renamed for the final release.

"The Dark" – No word on whether this is a song left off the album or if it had its name changed

"Girl, I Only Want What's Best For You" – Now called "Translator"

"Burning Angel" – Now called "Lady Demeter"

Personnel

Tim Armstrong – lead vocals, guitar, video director, video editor, artwork, photography, mixing, engineer, producer

Rachel Tejada – artwork, photography, video editor, video director, producer

John Morrical – guitar, piano, harmonica, mixing, engineer, producer

Jesse Wagner – guitar, backing vocals

Brian Dixon – guitar, engineer

Bibi McGill – guitar

Hunter Perrin – guitar

J. Bonner – bass guitar

Roger Rivas – organ

Korey Horn – drums

Scott Abels – drums

Saliva Cano – percussion

Jubal Jones – saxophone

Ethan Avineri – trumpet

Tom Cook – trombone

DJ Odi – DJ

Skye Sweetnam – vocals on track 3

Daphna Dove – backing vocals

Ritchie Stites – backing vocals

Gene Grimaldi – mastering

Tom D. Klime – layout design

Chris Lasalle – A&R

Camden Lock – wardrobe

Chelsea Rebelle – wardrobe

Songs

1Wake Up2:59
2Hold On3:52
3Into Action3:39

References

A Poet's Life Wikipedia

(Text) CC BY-SA