Hello Fascination is the second studio album by electronic rock duo Breathe Carolina. It was released on August 18, 2009, through Fearless Records. It was produced by Mike Green and Matt Squire.

Two singles were released in support of the album: "Hello Fasciation" and "I.D.G.A.F.". The album was met with mixed reviews from music critics and debuted at number 43 on the Billboard 200.

Background and release

The duo signed with Fearless Records in April 2009. "This is our vision of everything we are – and we are so excited to share this huge piece of ourselves," Kyle Even explains.

The album was released on August 18, 2009. It peaked at number 43 on the Billboard 200 and spent approximately two weeks on the chart. It also peaked in the Rock, Alternative, Independent, and Dance/Electronic Album Charts. A deluxe edition was released exclusively via iTunes on July 6, 2010, including five bonus tracks, three remixes, and a music video. "Hello Fascination" and "The Dressing Room" are available as downloadable content for the iPhone application Tap Tap Revenge.

Singles

"Hello Fascination" premiered via the duos MySpace page on July 24, 2009 before it was released for digital download on August 2, 2009 as the first single from the album. A trailer for the accompanying music video was released on January 27. The video was directed by Spence Nicholson and premiered on the duo's official MySpace page on February 3, 2010 whilst premiering on Fearless's YouTube channel on February 8. The song earned an MTV nomination for Best Freshman Video. The album's second single, "I.D.G.A.F.", was available for free download on the duo's Twitter page on June 8, 2010. An accompanying music video was shot in Los Angeles, California and was released on July 28. A clean version of the track was released on the deluxe edition of the album. The duo released "Welcome to Savannah" as a promotional single on June 30, 2009.

A limited vinyl edition of the album was released on February 3, 2010.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic
AbsolutePunk2.3/10

Tim Sendra of AllMusic gave the album 3 and a half stars out of 5, positively saying, "Hello Fascination won't top any year-end critics polls, but while it is playing, the goofy lyrics, bubblegum snappy melodies, and overall feeling of joyousness will make you feel good. What could be better than that?" However, Drew Beringer of AbsolutePunk gave the album a highly negative review, saying that "Breathe Carolina will sell a lot of copies, so good for them, but that doesn’t make this band any less despicable to self-respecting fans of music".

The album debuted at No. 43 on the Billboard 200 and sold 11,000 copies in its first week. The album sold over 60,000 copies in the US to date.

Track listing

Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)ProducerLength
1."Hello Fascination"David Schmitt Kyle Even Mike Green Simon WilcoxMike Green3:21
2."I'm the Type of Person to Take It Personal"Schmitt Even Green WilcoxGreen4:14
3."Take Me to Infinity"Schmitt Even Green WilcoxGreen3:35
4."Dressed Up to Undress"Schmitt Even Matt SquireMatt Squire3:40
5."I.D.G.A.F."Schmitt Even Green WilcoxGreen3:14
6."Welcome to Savannah"Schmitt Even SquireSquire3:36
7."I Have to Go Return Some Video Tapes"Schmitt Even Green WilcoxGreen3:43
8."The Dressing Room"Schmitt Even GreenGreen3:28
9."Tripped and Fell in Portland"Schmitt Even Green WilcoxGreen3:56
10."Can I Take You Home?"Schmitt Even Green WilcoxGreen3:53
11."My Obsession"Schmitt Even SquireSquire4:22
12."Velvet"Schmitt Even Green Wilcox Shawn HarrisGreen3:15
13."Rescue"Schmitt Even Green HarrisGreen4:57
Total length:49:20
Japanese bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)ProducerLength
14."Have You Ever Danced?" (featuring Jeffree Star, Austin Carlile and Dave Strauchman)Schmitt Even Green Wilcox Jeffree StarGreen4:34
Deluxe edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
14."Have You Ever Danced?" (featuring Jeffree Star, Austin Carlile and Dave Strauchman)Schmitt Even Green Wilcox Star4:34
15."Don't Forget: Lock the Doors" (Originally appeared on the Gossip EP)Schmitt Even3:51
16."I.D.G.A.F." (Radio Edit)Schmitt Even Green Wilcox3:14
17."Hello Fascination" (Sex Machine Remix)Schmitt Even Green Wilcox3:22
18."Hello Fascination" (DJ Sucio Remix)Schmitt Even Green Wilcox3:22
19."Can I Take You Home?" (Smile Future Remix)Schmitt Even Green Wilcox5:14
20."With or Without You" (U2 cover)Brian Eno Daniel Lanois3:56
21."See You Again" (Miley Cyrus cover, originally released on Punk Goes Pop 2)Destiny Hope Cyrus Antonina Armato Tim James3:23

Personnel

Credits for Hello Fascination adapted from AllMusic.

Breathe Carolina Kyle Even – screamed vocals, clean vocals, synthesizers, keyboards, programming, guitar, bass David Schmitt – clean vocals, synthesizers, keyboards, programming, guitar, drums, percussions Additional musicians Eric Armenta – drums, percussionProduction Matt Squireproduction, engineering, mixing Mike Green – production, engineering, mixing Alan Douches – mastering Jason Paul Roberts – photography

Charts

Chart performance for Hello Fascination
Chart (2009)Peak position
US Billboard 20043
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)8
US Top Dance Albums (Billboard)2
US Independent Albums (Billboard)5
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)11