New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ D. Baron Media) -
Music fans throughout the U.S. greeted Colbie Caillat's second album BREAKTHROUGH with a rousing 'welcome back' this week, sending the much-heralded sophomore effort straight to the peak of the Billboard Top Album Charts. The coveted No 1 Soundscan achievement was made loftier when BREAKTHROUGH hit the top spot on the iTunes Album Chart, making Caillat one of the few female artists to have both her debut and followup albums open at No 1 on the popular digital music destination.
Caillat was in London when she heard the news. 'It just reminds me that when you work hard for something that is important to you, it will be recognized. It makes me want to keep working harder! I'm so proud of this record and everyone who worked on it with me. We all did this together and I can't thank everyone enough. And I can't stop smiling!!!!:)'
The 12-track Breakthrough, released on August 25th, is the inspired follow-up to breakthrough debut, COCO, which spawned the 2007 award winning mega-hit 'Bubbly,' and went on to sell more than 2 million albums. The scorching success of Breakthrough, buoyed by the hit first single 'Fallin' For You,' currently nearing the 300,000 digital-sales plateau, (it entered the iTunes single chart at No 2, logging in as the most added single at Hot AC radio four weeks in a row), continues Colbie's groundbreaking trajectory. Music's first truly global myspace phenom is now one of the decade's best-selling female singer/songwriters.
Universal Republic's innovative grassroots radar has helped consolidate her digital reign (Colbie's online profile has registered more than 40 million views/75 million song-plays) transforming the singer into one of pop music's rare mainstream female 'franchise' players. Critics are also weighing in with positive reviews for Breakthrough's subtle musical architecture: 'Breakthrough is a satisfying way to spend the last days of summer,' People; 'Colbie Caillat's mellow tunes make you want to kick back on a beach,' US Weekly; 'Warm and inviting,' Billboard; 'Caillat's voice is clear and ringing and she can write hooks...', Rolling Stone; '...wonderfully warm,' USA Today.
'We're thrilled but not surprised at the strength of Colbie's return, wholeheartedly embraced by music lovers all over the globe,' stated Avery Lipman, Co-President & Chief Operating Officer of Universal Republic. 'She's poured her heart and soul into Breakthrough, creating a fun, far-reaching work that is irresistible on a multitude of levels. Colbie has proven once again she is ultimate singer/songwriter for our times: A unique artist able to connect one-on-one with a global audience."
Colbie's intimate relationship with her fans could be gleamed in the way she shared her songwriting process with online followers, writing more than 50 songs for Breakthrough, but narrowing down the selections by putting several rough mixes on her myspace site for instant feedback.
The aptly titled Breakthrough was joined by a diverse group of songwriters, producers, and artists, invited by Colbie early-on - including John Shanks (Michelle Branch, Celine Dion), Rick Nowels (Madonna, Nelly Furtado), and American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi (Kelly Clarkson, Celine Dion). Frequent Colbie collaborators Jason Reeves and Mikal Blue also contributed.
The singer has also endeared herself to fans by engaging in a unique slew of promotions for the new album, most recently appearing on NBC's Today Show, and The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien. Colbie was also honored as only the second music artist ever to be featured on the cover of iconic teen series Archie Comics, appearing as a guest music performer for Archie, Betty, Veronica and the rest of the famed Riverdale High School crowd.
For all her followers who can't get to Riverdale, Colbie is scheduled to hit the road on an exciting new U.S. tour, performing selected gems from Breakthrough and her previous album, COCO, beginning on September 15th in San Diego, CA. Billed as the Breakthrough Tour, also featuring singer Howie Day, the trek will run through September and October, and hit, among other cities, Chicago on October 9th, New York City on October 16th, Dallas, TX, on October 23rd, and winding up in Colbie's home turf of Los Angeles on October 28th.
Fans anxious for a glimpse of Colbie's trademark effervescent style have been lapping up the new video for 'Fallin' For You" currently rocketing up VH1s Top 20 Countdown, and other video outlets. Directed by the award-winning Malloy Brothers, the video also stars SNL cast member Bobby Moynihan.
Other songs on Breakthrough include 'Begin Again,' 'You Got Me,' 'Rainbow,' and 'I Never Told You,' among others. A special Breakthrough 'Deluxe Edition' includes five additional songs, among other bonus features.
Recently, Colbie's extraordinary debut single, 'Bubbly,' was named BMI's Song Of The Year at the 2009 BMI Awards, with Colbie sharing honors as one of BMI's Songwriters Of the Year.
After being universally hailed as one of the most talented artists to come out of the digital social networking landscape in 2007, Colbie's "Bubbly" became a multi-format smash at virtually every radio, video and online platform imaginable. The song was No 1 on AC and Hot AC radio for nearly half a year, soaring to the top of The Top 40 charts as it became one of the Best Selling digital tracks of all time, with COCO becoming one of the most enduring digital albums in music history.
Colbie has been nominated for a host of honors throughout her career, including an American Music Award and Teen Choice Awards, winning 6 coveted 2008 WORF Awards (handed out by a survey of online critics and bloggers), including Female Icon Of The Year, as well as being named a Billboard 'Rising Star,' and chosen for VH1's 'You Oughta Know.'
