Twenty Ten (album)

While Sebastian's recording career has been relatively short, prior to this album he had released five top ten albums which produced ten top fifty singles. Nine of these singles peaked inside the top 15 of the ARIA singles charts, with six reaching the top ten including four number ones.[2] The earliest indication that he would be releasing a retrospective album came in October 2010 when it was revealed he had recorded a new single titled "Who's That Girl".[11] The artwork of the album was revealed shortly after, along with the official track listing.[1]

Sebastian said in an interview with the Daily Telegraph, "It's weird to have a best of, I've only been doing this for seven or eight years. I guess it's one of those things, the record company contract finishes and they've got that in their artillery."[12] In the EPK for the release Sebastian said, "We put together more of a compilation that was packaged in a way that was different. I put 20 of the songs on and then got ten of them and did totally different versions. It gives the fans something else, and takes them back too through that journey"[13] As Sebastian has recorded songs in a variety of genres on his five previous albums, the songs on Twenty Ten range from pop, pop rock, funk, R&B, jazz, gospel through to soul. He said "I have a really eclectic taste in music, so in the best of there are so many styles".[13] The release of Twenty Ten completed Sebastian's original contract he signed when he first won Australian Idol in 2003. In November 2010 he was re-signed by Sony Music for another long-term contract.[14]

"Who's That Girl" was serviced to Australian radio stations on 5 November 2010 and was the most added song in its second week.[31][32] It peaked at number 13 in national radio airplay.[33] Eve came to Australia to film the music video with Sebastian, and they performed the song on the grand final of the Seven Network's The X Factor on 22 November 2010, which was televised in Australia and New Zealand.[34][35] During December 2010 and January 2011 "Who's That Girl" was used by the Seven Network to promote the new season of Desperate Housewives.[36] After The X Factor finished Sebastian made a short promotional trip to Auckland, New Zealand, for an instore appearance and media interviews.[37][38] On his return to Australia he performed on the Hamish and Andy Thank You Tour in Sydney in early December.[39]

Sebastian also performed at a private event to welcome Oprah Winfrey to Sydney during her trip to Australia.[40] During the special Oprah! The Interview which screened on Network Ten on 14 December, Winfrey was shown in the front row of the audience while Sebastian was singing "Who's That Girl".[41] Sebastian sang for Winfrey a second time when she requested he perform at her private crew wrap up party before she left Australia. Although no footage appeared of that performance it was reported in the media at the time.[42][43] It was also reported Winfrey wanted Sebastian to appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show in January 2011 but scheduling difficulties had prevented it.[44] An article with a comprehensive interview with him is featured on the official Oprah site.[45]

On Australia Day 2011, Sebastian performed "Who's That Girl" during Channel Nine's Today at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, and was the headline act at the AusSounds Australia Day Concert at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.[46][47] In March and April he was the support act for Lionel Richie's tour of Australia and New Zealand.[48] He spent the next few months in the US, returning to Australia for The X Factor. On the first live show in September Sebastian sang "Who's That Girl" as part of a judge's medley.[49] In November 2011, Sebastian performed at the ARIA Awards for the second year in succession, where he sang a medley of "Who's That Girl" and his most recent single "Don't Worry Be Happy".[50][51]

"Who's That Girl" was released on 5 November 2010 and was Twenty Ten's only single in Australia.[52] It reached number one on the ARIA Singles Chart and was the second highest selling Australian artist single in 2010, and the fifth highest selling one in 2011.[53][54] It won the Highest Selling Single ARIA Award in 2011 and achieved 5× platinum certification in 2014.[6][8] This was his fifth of six number one singles and Sebastian is currently the only Australian male artist in Australian music history to achieve six number one singles, and he is third overall for all Australian acts. Only Kylie Minogue and Delta Goodrem have more.[55] "Who's That Girl" also reached number one and platinum certification in New Zealand, his second number one single there.[9][10]

"Like It Like That" was released to radio in New Zealand as Twenty Ten's second single there in early 2011, and peaked at number 30 on the New Zealand Singles Chart and achieved gold certification.[9][10]

The album received positive reviews. Jamie Horne, a music reviewer with The Border Mail said, "The inaugural winner's longevity (he has released five albums) can be attributed to the fact that he's an accomplished musician and songwriter [...] A 10-track acoustic disc with the hits reworked (check the swinging take of Like It Like That) and a couple of newies including the dancefloor-ready Who's That Girl with US rapper Eve should make it clear that the former 'Fro' is not that uncool after all".[56] David Lim, a music journalist and announcer on radio station Joy 94.9 wrote when reporting on the album's chart debut, "Twenty Ten – debuts at #9. Still not good enough. Take my word for it, the acoustic disc is totally worth emptying your coin purse for".[57] Chris Havercroft from X-Press Magazine said, "He dabbles in throwaway pop with Elevator Love and shows off his Memphis chops with Hold on I'm Coming. It is the dancefloor where Sebastian does his most damage and when teaming up with rapper Eve for new single 'Who's That Girl' he shows his knack for targeting his audience. Love him or loathe him, upon listening to Twenty Ten it's hard to deny that Sebastian has quite the set of pipes on him".[58] The Daily Telegraph music editor Kathy McCabe wrote, "Sebastian has matured into a genuine hitmaker, his gift with melody so finely-honed he can pretty much punch out a catchy number in his sleep."[59] AllMusic reviewer Jon O'brien said, "it's a testament to his vocal abilities and songwriting skills that, unlike many of his fellow winners, he's remained popular enough to see out his rather ambitious Sony contract, scoring five number ones since his victory in 2003. This comprehensive two-disc, 30-track collection, which reveals a subtle and natural progression with each album, explains why he's managed to survive once the show's publicity machine died down."[60]

Twenty Ten was released on 19 November 2010 and debuted on the ARIA Albums Chart at number nine, and reached a peak of number four in its seventh week. It spent 18 weeks in the ARIA top 50, including 12 weeks in the top ten.[64] It became the fifth highest selling Australian artist album in Australia in 2010 within six weeks of release and achieved 2× platinum certification in 2014.[4][5] Twenty Ten also reached No. 24 on the New Zealand Albums Chart.[9]

[65]

Credits are adapted from album liner notes.[67]

Disc one

• Lead vocals (all tracks) – Guy Sebastian

Disc two