| Tubthumper | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1 September 1997 | |||
| Recorded | August 1996 – February 1997 | |||
| Studio | Woodlands Studio (Castleford) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 58:49 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer |
| |||
| Chumbawamba chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Tubthumper | ||||
| ||||
Tubthumper is the eighth studio album and the major label debut by English rock band Chumbawamba, released on 1 September 1997 by EMI. The album was written and produced by Chumbawamba, with additional production from Neil Ferguson. A musical departure from the group's anarcho-punk roots, the album incorporates elements of pop rock, dance-pop, and alternative rock. Thematically, the album acts as a social commentary on a variety of political issues, particularly that of class conflict. Tubthumper was promoted with three singles: "Tubthumping", "Amnesia", and "Drip, Drip, Drip". "Top of the World (Olé, Olé, Olé)", a standalone single previously featured on the official music compilation album for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, was included on a European reissue of Tubthumper.
Tubthumper received generally positive reviews from music critics, who noted it as a sonically distinctive record, in addition to praising its subtle social commentary. Following the international commercial success of lead single "Tubthumping", the album peaked at number three in the United States and within the top ten in several other countries. The album's release was met with several controversies, including controversial comments in interviews by group vocalist Alice Nutter and allegations of the band selling out after signing to a major label. Tubthumper remains as Chumbawamba's most successful album, having sold over 3.2 million units in the United States alone.