Charm Offensive

Charm Offensive is the fourth studio album by British recording artist Shell Ruin. It was released on September 28, 2008, by Ensemble Entertainment, just shy of a year after the release of Ruin's previous studio album The Dirty Is Done (2007).

Musically, the album contains elements of synthpop and 70s psychedelic folk music, while thematically the album touches heavily upon loss, sex and loneliness. Charm Offensive was written during a break-up, and Ruin was experiencing a string of sexual partners, which are documented in "Deep Comatose" and "Leopard Fur Coat". The album is more metaphorical than her previous two and Ruin's lyrical style is noticeably different to the bigger, pop sound that she had created with The Dirt Is Done in particular.

Despite the change in musical direction and the less commercial appeal of the album, ''Charm Offensive' was Ruin's most successful album to date at the time of its release. The album was also lauded by critics, who praised Ruin's change of direction.

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Album development
Ruin wrote the majority of Original Doll while staying at the Chateau Marmont between August and October 2010. The album was written and produced entirely by Ruin. It is thought that songwriting took place in her hotel during depressive episodes where Ruin contemplated suicide. Recording of the album was completed in two weeks in a Los Angeles recording studio during November 2010.

Promotion
To promote the album, Ruin played a fifteen date Last of the Original Dolls Tour in the United Kingdom during December 2010 which was well-documented by British media. During the tour, Ruin's behaviour was erratic and unusual. She appeared intoxicated in most of the shows and fans of Ruin expressed concern for her wellbeing. During a show in Manchester on December 16, 2010, a group of fans tried to stage an intervention for Ruin before they were escorted off stage by security.

Ruin released the single "Judas" and the promotional single "Asking for It" in January 2011. Both were commercial failures. Ruin gave no interviews to promote the album, nor did she appear on televsion. This was reportedly due to the fact that nobody had invited Ruin to appear and several magazines and television shows refused to work with Ruin at this time.

Track listing
All songs written and produced by Shell Ruin.


 * 1) "You Can Be Happy"
 * 2) "Deep Comatose"
 * 3) "Leopard Fur Coat"
 * 4) "Marble Lions"
 * 5) "Rule With An Iron Fist"
 * 6) "There Is a Place"
 * 7) "Bear (Attacking)"
 * 8) "Jesus Pieces"
 * 9) "Under the Ether"
 * 10) "Velveteen"


 * iTunes digital bonus tracks
 * 1) "Closing Down Sale"
 * 2) "Tight Sweater"
 * 3) "Charm Offensive"