Days Without Dawn
| Days Without Dawn | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 18 November 1999 | |||
| Recorded | 1999 | |||
| Studios | Synchrosound Studios (Petaling Jaya, Selangor) | |||
| Genres | Alternative pop, progressive rock | |||
| Length | 44:17 | |||
| Label | Fat Boys Records | |||
| Producers |
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| Jason Lo chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Days Without Dawn | ||||
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Days Without Dawn is the debut studio album by Malaysian singer-songwriter, Jason Lo (credited as LO), released on 18 November 1999 by his own label, Fat Boys Records.
Production
Days Without Dawn is the first official album release by Jason Lo, after previously having recorded a 10-track demo in England with his band Sunday Man and another 10-track album with his renamed band Drop Circle. Upon his return to Malaysia in February 1999, Lo began recording material for what was to be his debut solo album, under his newly-established Fat Boys Records, where he self-financed the album and serves as the producer.
According to Lo, Days Without Dawn was a depiction of "a journey with rocky patches", dealing with themes such as life turmoil and politics. "Evening News", for example, was about reflections instead of "anything that is right or wrong". Another, "Still Running", the first song he written for the album, was inspired by a BBC television show about homeless. Songwriting was handled by Lo, who composed and wrote all 11 songs and produced seven songs while the remaining four was handled by Greg Henderson. He described the whole songwriting process "is like painting, starting with a blank page and putting it up in a gallery". Lo also took inspiration from and blended elements of Radiohead, Green Day and Gin Blossoms to arrange the album.
In the album, he plays lead guitar and rhythm guitars on all tracks though he also plays bass and keyboards. Lo was joined by other musicians who plays respective musical instruments, including Henderson on guitars, Daryn Fletcher on rhythm guitars, Leon Le Mercier on bass and Luke Mason and Paul Morrisson on drums. The album was recorded and mixed at the Synchrosound Studios in Petaling Jaya, Selangor and mastered by Ted Jensen at the Sterling Sound in New York City, United States.
Release and reception
The album was released on 18 November 1999, with "Evening News" and "So Julie" was released as the lead singles and received music videos. It was well-received and selling over 10,000 copies. Zainal Alam Kadir, writing for the New Straits Times, described the album "could be easily part of your collection with many adult contemporary tracks that offers thought-provoking". It also earned Jason Lo three nominations at the seventh edition of Anugerah Industri Muzik.
Track listing
All tracks are written by Jason Lo.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Raining Tuesday" | 3:59 |
| 2. | "Evening News" | 4:24 |
| 3. | "Crash" | 3:52 |
| 4. | "Magical Land" | 5:16 |
| 5. | "This Is Where I Live" | 2:54 |
| 6. | "I'm Not There" | 4:16 |
| 7. | "Days Without Dawn" | 4:27 |
| 8. | "Min" | 5:25 |
| 9. | "Misadventure" | 4:19 |
| 10. | "So Julie" | 4:55 |
| 11. | "Still Running" | 3:29 |
| Total length: | 44:17 | |
Credits and personnel
The credits are adapted from the album's booklet liner notes.
Performers and musicians
- Jason Lo - vocals (all tracks), lead guitars (all tracks), rhythm guitars (all tracks), bass (tracks 8–10), keyboards (track 8)
- Jessica - additional vocals (track 2)
- Sara-Jane Lo - backing vocals (track 4)
- Greg Henderson - backing vocals (tracks 6 and 11), lead guitars (tracks 3, 4, 6 and 11), rhythm guitars (tracks 3, 4 and 11), piano (track 6)
- Daryn Fletcher - lead guitars (track 4), rhythm guitars (track 6)
- Jamie Wilson - lead guitars (track 5)
- Pacai - bass (tracks 1 and 7)
- Leon Le Mercier - bass (tracks 3, 4, 6 and 11)
- Jojet Mohamed - drums (tracks 1, 5 and 9)
- Luke Mason - drums (tracks 2, 7 and 10)
- Paul Morrison - drums (tracks 3 and 4)
- Jenny Chin - strings (track 10)
- Chessman - cello (track 10)
- Bo Derek - viola (track 10)
- Ifaginia London - violin (track 10)
- Steve Bryant - violin (track 10)
Technical and production
- Jason Lo - producer
- Greg Henderson - producer, mixer
- Nick Blasband - executive producer, mixer
- Peter Chong - mixer
- Ahmad Zairi Ariffin - mixer
- Ali Nassiri - artwork
- Ted Jensen - mastering
- Synchrosound Studios - recording and mixing studio
- Sterling Sound - mastering studio
Awards
| Award | Year | Recipient(s) and nominee(s) | Category | Result | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anugerah Industri Muzik | 2000 | Days Without Dawn | Best Local English Album | Nominated | |
| Best Engineered Album | Nominated | ||||
| "So Julie" | Best Music Video | Nominated | |||
Release history
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malaysia | November 18, 1999 | Fat Boys Records, Universal Music Malaysia | ||
References
- ↑ Tan Shin Gee (24 June 2000). "Lo and behold, the truth dawns". The Straits Times. p. 32. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
- ↑ Zainal Alam Kadir (6 December 1999). "Lo is high on potential". New Straits Times. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Francis Dass (28 February 2000). "The highs of Lo's life". New Straits Times. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
- ↑ "Lo road into fame". The New Paper. 20 June 2000. p. 32. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
- 1 2 3 4 Beverley Lim (25 February 2000). "High-flying Lo wows them all". New Straits Times. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
- 1 2 3 Cover sleeve production credits for Days Without Dawn (1999).
- ↑ "Jason Lo to whip up a storm with 'Hurricane'". thestar.com.my. 14 July 2012. Archived from the original on 17 October 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
- ↑ Zainal Alam Kadir (7 February 2000). "Hot and honest duo". New Straits Times. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- 1 2 "List of nominees for AIM 2000". New Straits Times. 27 March 2000. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
- ↑ Days Without Dawn (Media notes). LO. Fat Boys Records. 1999. FB0005.3.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ↑ Hafidah Samat; Faridul Anwar Farinordin (14 April 2000). "They AIM to be the best". New Straits Times. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
- ↑ "Days Without Dawn by Jason Lo". iTunes Store (MY). Apple. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
- ↑ "Days Without Dawn - Album by Jason Lo". Spotify. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
