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Product Description
CD Description
Like all great pop music Heartbreak On Hold effortlessly wraps lyrical sadness in songs that make you want to dance. It's not by accident. “I'm that person who always wants to turn a negative into a positive because it's just the way I think,” explains Alexandra. From the frustrated stomp of first single "Elephant", a song written about a relationship that was slowly stalling and an immediate favourite of Alexandra's because it 'it just felt right', to the exuberant throw-your-cares-away dance rush of second single "Let It Go", Heartbreak On Hold is an album that acknowledges the hard times but offers a window of opportunity for people to forget about it all. “Yes it's upbeat and uptempo and I want to get you dancing but I want people to understand the deeper meaning behind the album.”
While "Elephant" and "Let It Go" both slot nicely into the pop trend for dancefloor stompers, Heartbreak On Hold also displays Alexandra's love for 90s dance, specifically the emotional house music of Robin S or the soul-inflected dance of Soul II Soul, as heard most obviously on the heart-burstingly bittersweet title track. Featuring a vocal that almost erupts with emotion (“I tried everything to get over you, trying to make it through but nothing ever seems to work”) it's the kind of song that makes you want to dance while tears stream down your cheeks.
Elsewhere the “very sexy” "Between The Sheets" and "Daylight Robbery" bear a stronger R&B influence, whilst the fluttering synths and four to the floor beat of "This Love Will Survive" marries Alexandra's survival extinct (“Sometimes if you really want something you've got to fight. It's telling the other person 'we will survive'”) to a beat that Alexandra rightfully says you'd have to be dead not to dance to.
Then there's the ballad. Of course there's a ballad, that closes the album and features a lone piano and Alexandra's raw emotion speaking directly to the listener.
While "Elephant" and "Let It Go" both slot nicely into the pop trend for dancefloor stompers, Heartbreak On Hold also displays Alexandra's love for 90s dance, specifically the emotional house music of Robin S or the soul-inflected dance of Soul II Soul, as heard most obviously on the heart-burstingly bittersweet title track. Featuring a vocal that almost erupts with emotion (“I tried everything to get over you, trying to make it through but nothing ever seems to work”) it's the kind of song that makes you want to dance while tears stream down your cheeks.
Elsewhere the “very sexy” "Between The Sheets" and "Daylight Robbery" bear a stronger R&B influence, whilst the fluttering synths and four to the floor beat of "This Love Will Survive" marries Alexandra's survival extinct (“Sometimes if you really want something you've got to fight. It's telling the other person 'we will survive'”) to a beat that Alexandra rightfully says you'd have to be dead not to dance to.
Then there's the ballad. Of course there's a ballad, that closes the album and features a lone piano and Alexandra's raw emotion speaking directly to the listener.
Product Description
CD
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I've got a lot of time for Alexandra Burke. I believe in her.
Her 2009 debut 'Overcome' was a cracking first showing and
her sophomore album 'Heartbreak On Hold' benefits from a
move from Mr Cowell's Syco label to RCA (did she jump or was
she pushed? - either way I can only think that it will work
to her advantage and she deserves it). Feisty and funny in equal
measure Ms Burke also possesses one of the finest voices in the
land. The majority of the twelve songs in this new collection
are unabashedly dance-friendly. Big beats; big soaring tunes
and plenty of room for her to show off her impressive vocal
range. The voice is nicely sultry and smokey in the lower register
and when she opens her valves above the stave the result really
does give you goosebumps. No matter that many of the numbers are a
tad formulaic; it's a good formula. Dance/pop of the shiniest caliber.
Once again she has a veritable gaggle of different producers at her
disposal but the overall sound of the album is remarkably coherent.
I can't say there's anything I haven't found to like here but top
tracks would have to include opening gambit 'Heartbreak On Hold', a
big, fat storming housey confection with a jubilant chorus which
will make plaster fall from ceilings across the land! It's a cracker!
'Elephant', too, is a rumbustious anthem, whose abrasive synths and
pounding rhythm will doubtless have Friends Of Ms Gale gyrating madly
on dancefloors throughout the Shires! 'This Love Will Survive' has a
bit more light and shade, the better to show off Ms Burke's expressive
skills and dynamic artistry.... Read more ›
Her 2009 debut 'Overcome' was a cracking first showing and
her sophomore album 'Heartbreak On Hold' benefits from a
move from Mr Cowell's Syco label to RCA (did she jump or was
she pushed? - either way I can only think that it will work
to her advantage and she deserves it). Feisty and funny in equal
measure Ms Burke also possesses one of the finest voices in the
land. The majority of the twelve songs in this new collection
are unabashedly dance-friendly. Big beats; big soaring tunes
and plenty of room for her to show off her impressive vocal
range. The voice is nicely sultry and smokey in the lower register
and when she opens her valves above the stave the result really
does give you goosebumps. No matter that many of the numbers are a
tad formulaic; it's a good formula. Dance/pop of the shiniest caliber.
Once again she has a veritable gaggle of different producers at her
disposal but the overall sound of the album is remarkably coherent.
I can't say there's anything I haven't found to like here but top
tracks would have to include opening gambit 'Heartbreak On Hold', a
big, fat storming housey confection with a jubilant chorus which
will make plaster fall from ceilings across the land! It's a cracker!
'Elephant', too, is a rumbustious anthem, whose abrasive synths and
pounding rhythm will doubtless have Friends Of Ms Gale gyrating madly
on dancefloors throughout the Shires! 'This Love Will Survive' has a
bit more light and shade, the better to show off Ms Burke's expressive
skills and dynamic artistry.... Read more ›
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By R. Wood
Format:Audio CD
Having owned Burke's first album 'Overcome' since the day of its release and still playing many of its tracks two-and-a-half years since, my expectations were high for her sophomore album. As I'd expected, it has its up and downs. Such is the 'curse' of the fabled 'sophomore slump'.
The album's stand-out tracks are definately 'Elephant', 'Let It Go', 'Fire', 'Tonight' and 'Oh La La'. Whether its pumping beats or piano melodies, its as clear as ever that this girl can REALLY sing. Throughout the album, and on these songs in particular, her voice ranges from raw strength to smouldering power, determined earthiness to broken heart. Few can dispute that the pumping beats of the album's dance tracks - combined with Alexandra's powerful vocals - leave you wanting to do anything other than hit the dance floor.
However, it is worth noting for anyone hoping for something earth-shatteringly original (aka The Adele Factor) on this album, that this is not quite the case. Lyrically, some of the tracks are simply not as strong as those of Burke's debut (she appears to use the word/phrase 'Tonight' in 70% of the songs). Some of the dance tracks are also slightly generic i.e. they lack a sense of clear individuality and artistic direction. However, if like me you come home after a week's hard work and simply want to forget the pompous "Ooh, this isn't exactly original, is it?" thoughts and have a good time, this album is undoubtedly just the ticket.
Burke is clearly a very VERY talented vocalist and I only hope that she continues to make music for a long time. The British music industry needs ferociously hard-working power vocalists like her!
The album's stand-out tracks are definately 'Elephant', 'Let It Go', 'Fire', 'Tonight' and 'Oh La La'. Whether its pumping beats or piano melodies, its as clear as ever that this girl can REALLY sing. Throughout the album, and on these songs in particular, her voice ranges from raw strength to smouldering power, determined earthiness to broken heart. Few can dispute that the pumping beats of the album's dance tracks - combined with Alexandra's powerful vocals - leave you wanting to do anything other than hit the dance floor.
However, it is worth noting for anyone hoping for something earth-shatteringly original (aka The Adele Factor) on this album, that this is not quite the case. Lyrically, some of the tracks are simply not as strong as those of Burke's debut (she appears to use the word/phrase 'Tonight' in 70% of the songs). Some of the dance tracks are also slightly generic i.e. they lack a sense of clear individuality and artistic direction. However, if like me you come home after a week's hard work and simply want to forget the pompous "Ooh, this isn't exactly original, is it?" thoughts and have a good time, this album is undoubtedly just the ticket.
Burke is clearly a very VERY talented vocalist and I only hope that she continues to make music for a long time. The British music industry needs ferociously hard-working power vocalists like her!
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Aurele
Format:Audio CD
Unlike her previous album, it's less R&B and more Europop. It's light pop, feel-good music, dance along-sing-along album.
It is GAGA meets J-LO meets KYLIE meets Donna Summer.
It's addictive. I bought it 2 days ago, and I play it non-stop, at my desk, on the train, in the kitchen...
I know that personally this is now OFFICIALLY the soundtrack of my summer!!!
It is GAGA meets J-LO meets KYLIE meets Donna Summer.
It's addictive. I bought it 2 days ago, and I play it non-stop, at my desk, on the train, in the kitchen...
I know that personally this is now OFFICIALLY the soundtrack of my summer!!!
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By M. Sellick
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
If you enjoyed Alexandra's first album then you will love her second. There are a number of stand out tracks but I just love them all.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Ant
Format:Audio CD
After waiting a long time for Alex to release a new album the time has finally come! I am hugely impressed as a lot of other X Factor winners are all the same and sing ballad after ballad, Alex sings all upbeat songs with the exception of 2 songs. Well done Alex and keep up your amazing work, I love your voice
By Jonathan
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Very different from Alexandra's first album but worth the wait. Some great dance songs, I think Elephant is not the strongest track and I don't know why this was the first single released as there are some stronger tracks. I love this album and I have played it loads of times.
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Good price as good as the first album with great song that will grt you dancing and singing you love it
By Maurilio
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I love Alexandra, but this album has too many uptempo tracks. It takes too much to do too little. Alexandra's vocals are always on point, nothing to comment or complain about it. Whatever happened in her personal life, I hope she has tottaly got over it. I'm pretty sure her 3rd album will be way better than this.
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4.6 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Alexanderer berk
This girl has everything! the cutting wit of Morrissey, the most poetic lyrics since bob dylan and a voice that rivals elvis's for sheer emotion, not really, i think she's awful.
Published 2 months ago by GEORGEM82
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not getting the credit she deserves
This is a great album showcasing arguably the strongest and most robust voice to have ever come out of Britain and the Xfactor. Read more
Published 6 months ago by KittyKatKatie
5.0 out of 5 stars
cd
Alecandra she is very good and I loved the songs on the cd. She has got a lot better and she is easy to listen to and understand
Published 7 months ago by Ms. Jeanette Hayes
1.0 out of 5 stars
rubbish
i did not like this album i got board and kept finding my self skipping alot of the tracks waste of money
Published 8 months ago by Mr. Mark Mcgrane
4.0 out of 5 stars
She does it again!
I must say that when it comes to AB that I will be biased as I loved her since her X factor days. Still listening to the original (Overcome) I saw this as an must have. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Toby Gillett
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well done Alexandra !!
I ordered this album because I absolutely fell in love with her first album and there weren't one song what I didn't like. Read more
Published 9 months ago by film lover:D
5.0 out of 5 stars
Give it a Chance it's a Grower
Like Pantheon I hated this album at first. I am one of Alex's older fans and was soooo disappointed, skimming through the album and only having what money can't buy on repeat. Read more
Published 10 months ago by aspirant
5.0 out of 5 stars
A AMAZING Party Album
First things first- such a good catchy album and thesongs really stick in your head. A great album to have on before you are going to a night club !!!!
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Published 11 months ago by Louis
4.0 out of 5 stars
Some are catchy..
It has definitely improved from Alexandra's last album, but still not keen on some of the songs... Like Fire, What Money Can't Buy and Between The Sheets are quite boring, but some... Read more
Published 11 months ago by RyanTweedy
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