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Product Description
Review
For many people (including me), Gabrielle has always seemed a mite middle of the road, her well-crafted soul-pop winning her a permanent berth on daytime radio alongside Celine, Mariah and co.
However, maybe the relative failure of her last album Play To Win has inspired the formerly eyepatched one to take a few more risks. Her voice - more conversational than the foghorn favoured by many modern R'n'B singers - is still instantly recognisable. But on Always, it is wrapped around a more eclectic, better-produced, funkier set of songs.
The production takes it out of Magic FM land and into more interesting waters. And maybe it's the influence of the sainted Kanye West, but there's a definite early 70s soul vibe. However, the lyrics are still a slight weak point, tending towards the prosaic and the therapy-speakish at times.
The first single from what the singer has described as her 'break-up album' is 'Why', quoting Wild Wood and featuring the voice and guitar of Mr Weller himself; while Gabrielle's voice seems raspier, with a touch of Macy Gray. The prominent strings introduce one of the album's central motifs.
'Always' is another tale of a shattered relationship, its updated '70s soul feel strengthened by harp, cooing backing vocals, hip-hoppy beats, and a chiming guitar hook.
'Heartbreaker''s Primal Screamesque rock/soul stomp is more evidence of the unexpected. This unashamed party track starts with a beat filched from Bobby and co's 'Rocks', while 'When We Were One' is another meditation on loss, as hip-hop beats mesh with strings once more.
'Closure''s break-up blues places churchy organ against a funky backbeat. It's simple, dignified and effective, Gabrielle refusing to over-emote, and demonstrating that less is more.
'Every Little Teardrop' seems to take its melody from Lenny Kravitz's 'It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over'. It's not the album's strongest track, but that's no crime in such company. This album isn't going to change the world, but it's a very pleasant surprise. --Ben Wood
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It was "Bridget Jones's Diary" that got my attention in relation to Gabrielle with her amazing song, "Out of Reach". Since then, I haven't followed her every musical move, but when I saw that she was releasing a new album, my interest was piqued again. Seeing her recently on T.V. for a behind the scenes mini-documentary about the making-of her single "Why", I finally decided to purchase ALWAYS.
The overall feel of the album is about love at the end stages. Some of the tracks are more sombre than others, whilst there are tracks that show you that someitmes the person who does the leaving is often the one who shall regret walking away (for example, "Cold Sober Moment").
As another reviewer has said, although the breakup of relationships is the dominant theme here, Gabrielle has done it in a way that does not depress you as you listen. Thankfully this means that you can easily listen to the entire album in one sitting without wanting to give up on life.
Perhaps because of the way I came to her music, when Gabrielle is doing the 'standard' ballad, I personally thinks she shines. "Why" is one such example, although she does give it a new flavour by introducing a guest vocalist, Paul Weller. "Every Little Teardrop" is also another favourite of mine - it is something that I can feel an affinity to - and perfectly shows the idea that even after heartache there is a way to heal and not be fooled by those who are not worthy of our affections and our time.
Overall this is a fantastic album. If you enjoy soul, but with influences from other areas, this album could be just what you are looking for.
The overall feel of the album is about love at the end stages. Some of the tracks are more sombre than others, whilst there are tracks that show you that someitmes the person who does the leaving is often the one who shall regret walking away (for example, "Cold Sober Moment").
As another reviewer has said, although the breakup of relationships is the dominant theme here, Gabrielle has done it in a way that does not depress you as you listen. Thankfully this means that you can easily listen to the entire album in one sitting without wanting to give up on life.
Perhaps because of the way I came to her music, when Gabrielle is doing the 'standard' ballad, I personally thinks she shines. "Why" is one such example, although she does give it a new flavour by introducing a guest vocalist, Paul Weller. "Every Little Teardrop" is also another favourite of mine - it is something that I can feel an affinity to - and perfectly shows the idea that even after heartache there is a way to heal and not be fooled by those who are not worthy of our affections and our time.
Overall this is a fantastic album. If you enjoy soul, but with influences from other areas, this album could be just what you are looking for.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
our gab has been around a long time now and her albums - though few and far between - never disappoint!
how she can come up with writing so many songs about lost love - but each one that touches the listener - will never cease to amaze me as they are all positive and not maudling!
the new album harks back to great gabrielle, but some songs have a feel of the last album which, despite being a comparitive flop, i thought was her best yet! also you get some get motown type numbers..even a bit of 70s glam rock!
track by track
"always"is a good opener but the production sounds "tinny" and spoils it 7/10
"heartbreaker" has a 70s glam rock feel and again the production lets it down 5/10
"why" the 1st single and reworking of paul wellers "wildwood" failed to set the charts alight..still its a great track and deserved to do a lot better 9/10
"i remember" harks back to motown and has a great happy feel 8/10
"every little teardrop" again is full of the motown sound and it works 7/10
"im not in love" has the same guitar rifts from the last album..it works! a lovely song 8/10
"wiser" sounds like its of the phil spector christmas album - very motown in the 60's.... i can see the supremes singing this 8/10
"wiser" has the country sound of the last album...pure vocals...great lyrics 8/10
"all i want" has a big orchestra behind it..a big track handled will style 9/10
"its breaking my heart" is a lovely track with great lyrics..my favourite so far 9/10
"cold sober" is another lovely gabrielle track...although without a choir...i has the feel that the track is building to a climax 8/10
"show me love" is a great track! gabrielle doing what she does best! 8/10
"closure" the final track is about ending a relationship and has a orchesra to back her up 10/10 well they say save the best till last!
like all her albums this album is great - although i dont like the production on some of the tracks as they take away from the listening experience!
the tracks get better as the album goes on! if you love her you will love this as she delivers the goods once again!
how she can come up with writing so many songs about lost love - but each one that touches the listener - will never cease to amaze me as they are all positive and not maudling!
the new album harks back to great gabrielle, but some songs have a feel of the last album which, despite being a comparitive flop, i thought was her best yet! also you get some get motown type numbers..even a bit of 70s glam rock!
track by track
"always"is a good opener but the production sounds "tinny" and spoils it 7/10
"heartbreaker" has a 70s glam rock feel and again the production lets it down 5/10
"why" the 1st single and reworking of paul wellers "wildwood" failed to set the charts alight..still its a great track and deserved to do a lot better 9/10
"i remember" harks back to motown and has a great happy feel 8/10
"every little teardrop" again is full of the motown sound and it works 7/10
"im not in love" has the same guitar rifts from the last album..it works! a lovely song 8/10
"wiser" sounds like its of the phil spector christmas album - very motown in the 60's.... i can see the supremes singing this 8/10
"wiser" has the country sound of the last album...pure vocals...great lyrics 8/10
"all i want" has a big orchestra behind it..a big track handled will style 9/10
"its breaking my heart" is a lovely track with great lyrics..my favourite so far 9/10
"cold sober" is another lovely gabrielle track...although without a choir...i has the feel that the track is building to a climax 8/10
"show me love" is a great track! gabrielle doing what she does best! 8/10
"closure" the final track is about ending a relationship and has a orchesra to back her up 10/10 well they say save the best till last!
like all her albums this album is great - although i dont like the production on some of the tracks as they take away from the listening experience!
the tracks get better as the album goes on! if you love her you will love this as she delivers the goods once again!
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Many people (including me) felt slightly disappointed upon the release of Play To Win- a rather typical and at times forgettable album. There were a few highlights but I don't play the album as much as the Greatest Hits or Rise. Not only that but there were no clear singles, hence why they both flopped and probably the reason why this album isn't selling well and the single performed poorly. However this album is fantastic- Gabrielle has moved away from her traditional sound to create a quirky and innovative new album. The music at times on this album is very very unusual the songs and lyrics are fantastic!
1.Always-This track is upbeat quirky brill, but it almost sounds messy! 8/10
2.Heartbreaker-Catchy and upbeat, but on repeated listens gets worse. 7/10
3.Why-The first single and a real grower what a fantastically soulful ballad and her vocals sound better than ever before. 10/10
4.I Remember-Again very quirky. Love it! 8/10
5.Every Little Teardrop-Upbeat and again super vocals. 10/10
6.I'm Not In Love-A ballad- superb! 9/10
7.Love Me Like You Do-A fantastic chorus, dynamic wonderful. 10/10
8.Wiser-A ballad but very very catchy. 9/10
9.All I Want-Another strong song. 8/10
10.It's Breaking My Heart-Probably the most forgettable song on the album. 6/10
11.Cold Sober Moment-Back on form and an amazingly brill song. 9/10
12.Show Me Love-A nice ending. 7/10
...Closure-A bit more of a typical ballad, strong vocally. 7.5/10
1.Always-This track is upbeat quirky brill, but it almost sounds messy! 8/10
2.Heartbreaker-Catchy and upbeat, but on repeated listens gets worse. 7/10
3.Why-The first single and a real grower what a fantastically soulful ballad and her vocals sound better than ever before. 10/10
4.I Remember-Again very quirky. Love it! 8/10
5.Every Little Teardrop-Upbeat and again super vocals. 10/10
6.I'm Not In Love-A ballad- superb! 9/10
7.Love Me Like You Do-A fantastic chorus, dynamic wonderful. 10/10
8.Wiser-A ballad but very very catchy. 9/10
9.All I Want-Another strong song. 8/10
10.It's Breaking My Heart-Probably the most forgettable song on the album. 6/10
11.Cold Sober Moment-Back on form and an amazingly brill song. 9/10
12.Show Me Love-A nice ending. 7/10
...Closure-A bit more of a typical ballad, strong vocally. 7.5/10
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Gabrielle Always (C.D)
This is a brillent album. The first two tracks are quite quick. Then the tracks after that are the Gabrielle that I know. Includes the track "Why".
Published 5 months ago by Jennifer Panting
Gabrielle never fails to deliver
I always wait in anticipation for a new release from Gabrielle as she is one of my favourite artists. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Amillionmiles
ok ish
Always not as good as her earlier stuff but still worth a listen gone is the eye patch for long hair cover up, maybe this album is reason for her not charting as much now, for the... Read more
Published 14 months ago by claw b4
Duet with Paul Weller - brilliant
Bought this as it had the duet with Paul Weller - quite a good album
Published 20 months ago by D. Freeman
Another 'classy' Album under her belt!
Another great Album from 'Gabrielle'.
Incredibly, I still tend to think of 'Gabrielle' as a fairly 'new' Artist - and that does seem incredible I know, but she came... Read more
Incredibly, I still tend to think of 'Gabrielle' as a fairly 'new' Artist - and that does seem incredible I know, but she came... Read more
Published on 24 Mar 2010 by FAMOUS NAME
Excellent return to form!
I have to admit after the dismal effort that was ''Play To Win'' I wasn't expecting great things to emerge from this album. How wrong I was to think that! Read more
Published on 9 Oct 2007 by Madonna Fan 1988
The best thing Gabrielle has ever recorded
There is no question - this is Gabrielle's masterpiece album. She's not groundbreaking in the Madonna/Bjork sense of the word... Read more
Published on 9 Oct 2007 by Mr. Nm Edwards
Brilliant !!!
Once again Gabrielle has released an album that you can play over and over again. The song structure is as always well thought out which gives the listener a good mix of the deep... Read more
Published on 8 Oct 2007 by Christine Rees
WOW GABRIELLE.... Fantastic Come Back...
A fantastic album, I really love it, well worth the money, Track 3 - Why is amazing, I love the beat and the paul weller vocals in the background are fab... Read more
Published on 3 Oct 2007 by Mapoo
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