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Product Description
Review
The comeback trail for Boyzone was a bumpy one long before the death of Stephen Gately in October 2009, an event that delayed completion of this fourth studio album.
Back Again… No Matter What, released in 2008 to coincide with reunion activity – the group had been effectively disbanded since 2000 – was a poorly received rehashing of 1999’s best-of set, By Request; its three new songs offered little beyond the established, ballad-heavy formula. Tour tickets sold well, but unlike 1990s rivals-cum-peers Take That, Boyzone didn’t noticeably embrace a fresh audience upon their return.
While Take That have now courted the affections of three generations, the stolid, workmanlike approach to arrangement on Boyzone albums has always been too clinical to enjoy comparable appeal. And it was only after Take That’s split in 1996 that Boyzone hit their creative stride, with third album Where We Belong (1998) featuring a number of tracks written by the singers themselves.
Sadly, in the same year they took Westlife on tour with them, leading to a period of pop dominance that most will want to forget. Seven numbers ones in a row: who’d admit to buying them now? Anyway, pardon the digression: back to Brother matters, and album four from Boyzone plays out largely to expectations. It’s soft about its edges, its lyrical content exclusively syrupy – but that’s fine, as at this stage in their career, pronounced progression was never a likely option. The four play to recognised strengths, and their writing/producing team – with credits like Leona Lewis, Celine Dion and Delta Goodrem – is an accomplished, if not particularly showy one.
It’s sad, though, that Gately eulogy-of-sorts Gave It All Away – written by Mika, and featuring the late singer’s easily identifiable vocals – is so very poor. Beginning with backwards strings, the song shuffles to an awkward, cod-reggae beat – imagine Ali Campbell on auto pilot, writing for the money. Such is the opener’s weakness that Love Is a Hurricane can’t fail to impress. Invigoratingly breezy, and featuring a strong Ronan Keating lead vocal, it’s evidence that Boyzone can raise the pace when it suits them, rare though such instances are. Let Your Wall Fall Down is another welcome diversion into such territories.
But with ballads dominating, Brother is a Boyzone album for Boyzone fans – younger ears accustomed to the faster RnB tempos of contemporary boybands like JLS may wonder what the fuss was ever about. --Mike Diver
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
41 of 41 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have been anticipating this album ever since Boyzone first got back together. Back then all I and the other fans had was total excitement at the thought of new material. After the tragic loss of Stephen this album was always going to be a totally different experience, both for the Boyz and for the listener.
Having Gave It All Away as the opening track was the right choice, and sums up the old Boyzone, from then on the other Boyz are left to fend on their own and they do extremely well. Far less ballads than we are used to with Boyzone albums, almost every song has an up tempo beat. Love Is A Hurricane is a belter, the fact that Mikey has lead vocals on a couple of tracks is fantastic and even Shane sings solo at one point!!
One of the highlights is One More Song, perfectly placed in the middle of the album as if to remind us why this album was recorded. The lyrics are beautiful, such as "without your voice, it's just not a song." This is a real tear-jerker and just makes you realise (as if you needed reminding) how loved Steo was. The ending of the song is particularly poignient, with the lyrics leaving us in no doubt who they are singing about.
Let Your Wall Fall Down has a fantastic choir at the beginning which was a real surprise, and the album closes with Stronger, the only other track that the Boyz had with Stephen's vocals on. To say this song is haunting would be an understatement, and it brings the album full circle - they start it as a five piece, and they end it as one. Stephen's absence on the majority of this album is heartbreaking, but I know he would be so, so happy with his bandmates and best friends for producing a truely great album. They have done him proud and I, as a fan since nine years old, am truely proud to call myself a fan of this brilliant group and their remarkable album. I urge anyone to buy it.
Having Gave It All Away as the opening track was the right choice, and sums up the old Boyzone, from then on the other Boyz are left to fend on their own and they do extremely well. Far less ballads than we are used to with Boyzone albums, almost every song has an up tempo beat. Love Is A Hurricane is a belter, the fact that Mikey has lead vocals on a couple of tracks is fantastic and even Shane sings solo at one point!!
One of the highlights is One More Song, perfectly placed in the middle of the album as if to remind us why this album was recorded. The lyrics are beautiful, such as "without your voice, it's just not a song." This is a real tear-jerker and just makes you realise (as if you needed reminding) how loved Steo was. The ending of the song is particularly poignient, with the lyrics leaving us in no doubt who they are singing about.
Let Your Wall Fall Down has a fantastic choir at the beginning which was a real surprise, and the album closes with Stronger, the only other track that the Boyz had with Stephen's vocals on. To say this song is haunting would be an understatement, and it brings the album full circle - they start it as a five piece, and they end it as one. Stephen's absence on the majority of this album is heartbreaking, but I know he would be so, so happy with his bandmates and best friends for producing a truely great album. They have done him proud and I, as a fan since nine years old, am truely proud to call myself a fan of this brilliant group and their remarkable album. I urge anyone to buy it.
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
To be honest as soon as I heard they were releasing a new album after the death of Stephen Gately I was dubious as to what it would sound like.
You can hear the others singing as well. I have not always been the biggest fan so I don't always know who is actually singing now as Stephen and Ronan had the most distinctive voices.
After reading the reviews the song Ruby is well sung by Mikey and I think it would be great if he sang more on future albums as he has a good voice.
What has surprised me the most is the amount of great upbeat songs such as Ruby, Love Is A Hurricane, Too Late For Hallelujah, Seperate Cars and Let Your Will Fall Down.
I do think and I may be slated for this but I feel Too Late For Hallelujah reminds me of the Snow Patrol song Chasing Cars.
I think they could gain more new fans from this album as it is so upbeat despite still having the slower songs that they are known for.
The songs featuring Stephen, Gave It All Away and Stronger are great and show his voice of well and I think that the opening and closing tracks featuring his voice are a nice tribute to such a good person and great singer.
I would definately recommended this album as it is refreshing to hear them come back with a great sound.
You can hear the others singing as well. I have not always been the biggest fan so I don't always know who is actually singing now as Stephen and Ronan had the most distinctive voices.
After reading the reviews the song Ruby is well sung by Mikey and I think it would be great if he sang more on future albums as he has a good voice.
What has surprised me the most is the amount of great upbeat songs such as Ruby, Love Is A Hurricane, Too Late For Hallelujah, Seperate Cars and Let Your Will Fall Down.
I do think and I may be slated for this but I feel Too Late For Hallelujah reminds me of the Snow Patrol song Chasing Cars.
I think they could gain more new fans from this album as it is so upbeat despite still having the slower songs that they are known for.
The songs featuring Stephen, Gave It All Away and Stronger are great and show his voice of well and I think that the opening and closing tracks featuring his voice are a nice tribute to such a good person and great singer.
I would definately recommended this album as it is refreshing to hear them come back with a great sound.
35 of 39 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Whilst I am writing this review prior to the release date, I have heard most of the songs in full on another site and I have to say that this is a very good album.
It is extremely sad that Stephen is missing and "Gave it all away" (written by Mika) is a heart wrenching track which features Stephens vocals and it feels like the end of an era. Whilst many groups would have left the industry, I am pleased that these guys have been so brave and released a new album which is obviously dedicated to Stephen. This makes this album very special indeed. You may be forgiven for thinking that as this album is the first since the loss of their bandmate it would be a depressing album, put together in a hurry, but this cannot be further from the truth. Whilst there are a number of lyrics that could be taken as a message to Stephen, it is far from a sad album and infact the songs and the lyrics are very positive overall.
Boyzone, obviously losing one of their lead singers do sound slightly different, but in a fresh way and whilst Stephens absence is noticeable, you do get to hear Mikey, Keith & Shayne singing more than you did before. Ronan is still the lead singer but it is nice to hear the other boys too.
I like the song "Right here waiting" which is a ballad but has a poppy beat, it has some lovely words. Another one to look out for is "Stronger" which is very moving.
This is a different but positive offering and I hope that Boyzone will continue to perform and release new material together.
It is extremely sad that Stephen is missing and "Gave it all away" (written by Mika) is a heart wrenching track which features Stephens vocals and it feels like the end of an era. Whilst many groups would have left the industry, I am pleased that these guys have been so brave and released a new album which is obviously dedicated to Stephen. This makes this album very special indeed. You may be forgiven for thinking that as this album is the first since the loss of their bandmate it would be a depressing album, put together in a hurry, but this cannot be further from the truth. Whilst there are a number of lyrics that could be taken as a message to Stephen, it is far from a sad album and infact the songs and the lyrics are very positive overall.
Boyzone, obviously losing one of their lead singers do sound slightly different, but in a fresh way and whilst Stephens absence is noticeable, you do get to hear Mikey, Keith & Shayne singing more than you did before. Ronan is still the lead singer but it is nice to hear the other boys too.
I like the song "Right here waiting" which is a ballad but has a poppy beat, it has some lovely words. Another one to look out for is "Stronger" which is very moving.
This is a different but positive offering and I hope that Boyzone will continue to perform and release new material together.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
CD
Great service would use downloads again and recommend it to my friends its so easy to use no waiting for the postman to drop the CD through the door
Published 3 months ago by noddy
Great purchase!
If you're looking for the "old-boyzone" sounding album - this is not the choice for you. It's an older, wiser and manlier, somewhat rustic Boyzone ;) And I love it! Read more
Published 8 months ago by Vaiva
Brilliant album!
I have always loved Boyzone and this album really is special. The stand out songs are Gave It All Away, Love Is A Hurricane, Ruby, Too Late For Hallelujah, One More Song, Til The... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Fernando Pestana
Boyzone-Brother
This is the album I was unsure would get realised but it was and Iam so glad this is by far up with the 'Where We Belong' album for top ratings. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Ms. K. L. Johnson
Boyzone Brother
I have always been a fan of Boyzone & in particular Ronan Keating so when I first seen the CD advertised on TV I didn't hesitate in Buying it & I'm not disappointed. Read more
Published 18 months ago by bellek
A few good tracks
I love Boyzone, but unfortunately without Stephens vocals on only 2 tracks it leaves Brother sounding more like a Ronan solo album rather than a Boyzone one. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Sampantha
Great !!!
what a wicked album. love the 1st one by Mika. the more you listen to the album the catchier the songs become. Love it !!!!
Published 21 months ago by tracey
Brother - Boyzone
A very moving well put together CD. The words that Stephen Gately sings at the beginning are rather prophetic and brought tears to my eyes when I first heard it. Read more
Published 24 months ago by Mrs. J. A. Whyte
Brother CD
This CD is brilliant. In perfect condition and a fantastic new sound.
Would definately buy more CD's from this seller
Would definately buy more CD's from this seller
Published 24 months ago by J. Morris
Best album by Boyzone
I have all the Boyzone CDs, but this is the best. They put everything into recording this after the death of Stephen Gately. Read more
Published on 21 May 2010 by Pamela Stevens
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