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Product Description
Review
The run-up to Christmas has spawned yet another Westlife-shaped stocking filler, their 11th long-player in a reign which has so far spawned over 44 million album sales worldwide. Predictably, Gravity’s 12 tracks prove not timeless, but as outside of the realms of ambition, place and time as the 10 albums that have come before.
Gravity is the musical equivalent of greetings-card copy, and sees the four-piece attempting to break into a sentimental sweat... with a rockier edge. Or at least that’s how they’d like this album to be billed. The reality is a host of songs as predictable as Westlife have ever been, with the standard quota of covers (two), the standard quota of upbeat numbers (two) and the standard quota of ‘wholesome’ (throughout).
They meet their own standard, sure – but Westlife are becoming their own boilerplate so much so that the style guide has gone over word-limit. Lyrically, Gravity is full of the regular wist – “so if I’m dreaming / don’t wake me up I’m so alive,” sings Shane Filan on Beautiful Tonight. But even if there is some emotion or situation-specific context to the songs on Gravity, they’re lost in that same waterbed of cliché.
The songs on Gravity aren’t as de facto soppy as their previous albums, perhaps because of John Shanks (Alanis Morissette, Carlos Santana, Bon Jovi) coming on board as producer – but this isn’t a move in any direction at all, more just a marketing strategy. There’s a cover of Hoobastank’s The Reason, and another of Athlete’s Chances, and that seems enough to set Westlife’s intentions in stone. To suggest there’s any passion for rock is as ingenious as the story that the album’s one-word title came from a suggestion on Twitter, as has been played out.
For music made to sound so easy on the ear, Mark Feehily’s vocals often sound shrill; but such is the temporary nature of these songs that a trace of character outside of the middle-ground just slips by. Westlife aim for the real-instruments respect and songwriting nous of Gary Barlow, but fall flat on an overuse of words desperately trying to be genuine – it’s all about empathy, and familiar imagery alongside the cliché.
There’s not an arrangement here without lilting piano suspensions, lush strings, a windswept chorus and a defiant key change – and it’s questionable what this album has to offer to anyone other than a completist.
--Natalie Shaw
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pop at its very best!! Proof is in the listening!,
This review is from: Gravity (Audio CD)
I hardly ever write a review on here, but after seeing a few for the single release of Safe, and reading some of the negative comments being made, I thought it is time for genuine fans and those who have liked some of their material before to take a stand. It is difficult not to be negative in return to those who are quick to dismiss them, but it happens because there are an awful lot of people out there, who will simply take great albums like this one for face-value, and yet be quick to pass harsh judgement. I have seen one for this album or ready, without any sound reasoning other than to just hate.That said (and out of the way), your initial impression of this album is what a difference a year makes in the music industry indeed - I mean, we saw a subtle change in direction for the lads last year, but their ever-maturing sound (for those in doubt) is well and truly upon us. We have gone from the mellow, catchiness and intense balladry of Where We Are to something rather joyous, upbeat and most importantly something still relatively fresh!! It is Pop at its very best and still very relevant, even in this ever-evolving music business. I thought Where We Are was their greatest album yet, but true to their word, this album is by far their very best!! Just amazing - the vibe is fresh (contrary to the same old criticism of the lads every year), there is a little bit of everything on there, and as always a few cracking favourites that you will have upon first listening. Fans (neutrals, haters and the like), make no mistake about it, 12 years on...these lads are in the form of their lives - their recent performances of Safe simply proves this. What you have here are great vocals, and just straightforward Pop at its best. My only one wish is that the media and music lovers in general were not so quick to paint Westlife with the same brush year in, year out. Sure enough some of their earlier albums were of a set formula, but give their last two albums a chance, and you'll be spoilt for choice...Shadows, The Difference, Safe, I Will Reach You, I Get Weak...they all have a great vibe and feeling to them. For me, the critics get lazy every year, but these lads certainly don't. They're a band being reborn for me, so relax, forget any negative presumptions you may have of the band and allow yourself to be entertained. It is ultimately a collection of easy-to-listen-to songs, whatever mood you may be in. Is that not also a good sign of great music too? Buy it for sure, if not least for some the re-energizers as 'I Will Reach You' and 'Beautiful Tonight'.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Westlife at its best,
This review is from: Gravity (Audio CD)
Great Album, each song is world class. Every Westlife Fan will enjoy it. And those who aren't fans yet, listen to it! Safe, I will reach you, Before it`s too late, these are songs Westlife Fans have waited for.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Take That album we wanted,
By
This review is from: Gravity (Audio CD)
This is a strange review for me. For some reason I have a guilty pleasure around westlife. I was sad to see Bryan (Brian) leave as I like his vocals and some of his introductions of song writing. By the way Brian has produced some great solo albums since Irish Son worth checking out.Anyway, I digress. This album is a change for Westlife, though subtle. First it includes some songs actually co written by them, as well as no covers (I think). Also we get to hear Nicky and Kian as well, which is a great pleasure, as though they don't have the strongest voices, they have a tone that is good and vulnerable, which really adds character. But most importantly is the production and co writing by John Shanks (who worked on Take That's last albums). The sound is full and lush and gives a presence that is very enjoyable. This is almost the Take That album that we were all waiting for (ie minus Robbie and not sounding like Rudebox). Uptempo and ballads are included here and worth a few listens. If you are missing the 4 piece Take That, definately give this a try, and for Westlife fans this is a positive step to independance. Let's hear some more songs from the band. They always sound better when they have written them. I know many will say they haven't written any, but check out their older albums and B sides and they did write songs. Sadly Simon and Louie tend to want to bury them now. Good stuff worth a listen all - give these hard working guys a break?
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