Flags is the third studio album by New Zealand singer and songwriter, Brooke Fraser. It was released on 8 October 2010 by Sony Music Entertainment in Australia. Fraser undertook a concert tour in New Zealand, North America, the United Kingdom and Australia to promote the album.
The album has been commercially successful in Australia and New Zealand, peaking at No. 3 and No. 1 on the charts of those countries respectively. It has also appeared on various Billboard charts. The lead single, country-pop song "Something in the Water", has peaked at No. 1 on the New Zealand Singles Chart.
Background
Fraser cited her move to Los Angeles as a major inspiration, saying "I was really frustrated and felt like I needed to get away and be somewhere where I could completely focus...and just to try and get a little bit of head space. It was the best decision we ever made". She called Flags "a graduation".
Writers of tracks on Flags include Fraser, her husband Scott Ligertwood, and Switchfoot's Jon Foreman. The album was produced by Fraser herself, which she called "one of the scariest things I've ever done".
According to Fraser, "Crows + Locusts" was inspired by a farming family, while "Ice on Her Lashes" is about death and grief. "Betty" is based on hiding things. The title track, "Flags", was brought about by cultural identity and injustice.
Release and promotion
Flags was released by Sony Music Entertainment in Australia on 8 October, and in New Zealand on 11 October. Wood and Bone released the album in the United Kingdom and the United States on 12 October.
After the album's release, Fraser toured New Zealand, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, France and Italy.
Reception
Critical reception
Flags garnered critical acclaim from ten ratings by music critics. Jen Rose of Jesus Freak Hideout gave Flags five out of five stars, appreciating Fraser's versatility on the album, and noted it as a highlight of 2010 music. The Nelson Mail Nick Ward praised Fraser's maturity on the album, noting the balance of both dark and joyful songs. John Brandon from Christianity Today lauded the "slick production and lighter tone" on Flags, rating it four out of five stars. Russell Baillie of The New Zealand Herald commended Fraser's writing and production skills, rating it four out of five. Andrew Leahey of Allmusic said that Fraser "stretches her boundaries by focusing on ambience and atmospheric textures", and rating the album three-and-a-half out of five stars, dubbing it "a pleasant listen even during its weaker moments". The Dominion Post Tom Cardy registered that while "Fraser works within the confines of conventional pop and rock...she largely avoids its worst excesses", also rating the album three-and-a-half out of five.
Matt Conner of CCM Magazine gave Flags four out of four stars noting that it "doesn't live up to Albertine", but it was still an impressive effort. Mike Rimmer of Cross Rhythms gave Flags ten out of ten commenting that "With a beautiful voice, intelligent heartfelt arrangements and perfectly crafted songs, Brooke's career continues on an upward trajectory." Kevin Davis of New Release Tuesday gave Flags four-and-a-half stars out of five calling it a "stunning album". Lindsay Whitfield of Soul Shine Magazine gave Flags four stars out of five writing that "Fraser has yet again proven she is not to be grouped with many of the shoe-gazing acoustic acts out there today, she writes exceptionally-crafted songs with purposeful lyrics and catchy backbeats and is as much a great author in my books as she is a great songwriter." Joshua Hedlund of Indie Vision Music gave Flags four stars out of four noting that "The excellent lyrics are delivered in Fraser's simple, soothing, strong vocals."