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22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A more accomplished sequel from the best voice in dance music!, 6 Dec 2007
I have always loved Cascada. From the day I first discovered them back in 2004 through a European dance music forum until the present, I have been an ardent supporter of their instantly recognisable and incredibly infectious eurodance. Natalie Horler in particular always captivated me with her accomplished and emotional vocal delivery and DJ Manian's productions always put a smile on my face and made me want to dance.
I was overjoyed when they finally broke the UK market with Everytime We Touch, and although I already had an import version of their debut album, I bought the UK release just to show my continued support for the group. I was a massive fan of that debut and felt that the negative reviews that claimed every song was the same were unjust.
However, it's clear that Cascada have taken the criticism on the chin and used it to their advantage, as this sequel to "Everytime We Touch - the album" seems a little more varied and experimental. Here's a track-by-track rundown of the "Perfect Day":
1) What Hurts The Most - 4.5/5
This type of track is what gave Cascada their big break - a cover that hardly any of their fans will have heard, and a track that allows them to truly put their stamp on it. A fantastic vocal from Natalie gets this album of to a storming start. My only regret is that I heard the Darren Styles Remix from Clubland 12 first, which honestly has a much more powerful and slick production than this album version.
2) Runaway - 5/5
The current standout track on the album for me. This starts of quite mellow with a gentle muted electric guitar riff, but then gradually builds up into a storming dance anthem with a massive hands-up chorus that harks back to the old days of "Bad Boy" from the debut album. Natalie's vocals sound at their very best belting out this kind of up-front dance anthem, and I would be shocked if this doesn't become a future single.
3) Who Do You Think You Are - 5/5
The relentless pace continues with this classic Cascada style anthem. A melancholy verse soon gives way to the thumping bass line and sing-a-long chorus. The synth hook here reminds me of so many classic Euro tracks from the early to mid 00's and the whole song just leaves me wanting to go out and dance all night.
4) Because The Night - 3/5
I really wish they hadn't covered this track, as it's been completely done to death by all manner of Euro artists since 2000. This version sadly doesn't bring anything new to the mix, and is left sounding a little flat and very similar to the Jan Wayne version. Natalie's vocals are as great as ever, but this song should have been left out as it won't help Cascada gain many new fans being just a bog-standard cover.
5) I Will Believe It - 5/5
Previously a small hit under the alias Siria, this cute little track now becomes a "proper" Cascada track. The production has been beefed up a little from the old Siria version, and I still think the verse has one of the best melodies that the group have ever created. Another cracking dance track that will burn up the dancefloors all across Europe.
6) Perfect Day - 5/5
To quote from another reviewer, Perfect Day would be what Cascada would produce if asked to make a song in the style of Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone". The cute "yeah, yeah" ad libs throughout the chorus and synth hook and a unique spin that other tracks don't have, and the overall structure and production shows a slightly fresher approach from the Cascada tracks of old with the awesome guitar backing giving the track even more punch. A fantastic title track!
7) What Do You Want From Me? - 4/5
Supposedly this will be the second single from this album, but I'm not entriely sure it's the best original choice that the team could have chosen. That's not to say that I don't like it - I like the chorus melody and the ever-reliable production - but I just don't think it is of the same calibre as other original Cascada-penned tracks. The middle-eight after the second chorus is the best part of the whole song, at that only lasts for 8 bars!
8) Sk8er Boi - 4/5
Hmmm, a little cheesy to be honest, but once again Natalie raises the quality of an otherwise faceless and uninspiring cover version. Much like the Avril Lavigne version, the best part of this track comes during the middle section (from "Sorry boy but you missed out...") and while you could easily dance along to this track, I just don't think it will age well as already sounds a little dated. Cute though.
9) Could It Be You? - 4/5
The only original ballad composition, clearly included to showcase Natalie's stunning vocals, and one first impressions I don't think that it is as instantly appealing as "Another You" from the debut album. That said, it is a perfectly pleasant pop ballad and has an interesting and progressive melody. I'm waiting for the dance remix!
10) He's All That - 4.5/5
The first thing that hits you about this track is that it is in a much happier and lighter key, and I think this allows it to stand out from the other tracks. I am still so jealous of Cascada's ability to produce simplistic but unbelievably catchy vocal melodies, especially for the verses of their tracks.
11) Just Like A Pill - 4/5
Perhaps the best of the well-known cover versions of this album, this is probably the first dance version of the excellent P!nk track that I've ever heard. Natalie sounds like someone has made her quite angry for this track, which helps give the track more of an edge, but I still feel that another original track would have been better to showcase the team's writing talents. A good reworking of a cool track all the same.
12) Endless Summer - 4.5/5
I would honestly rate this 5/5 if they have included the original Siria production, but I have to deduct half a mark as I feel that the new production is a little overdone with a stupid intro tacked on to the start that seems completely out of place. The song itself is one of the best tracks that Cascada have written to date however, and no-one can deny how catchy it is! Seek out the Siria version for a much more slick and appealing production in the classic Cascada style.
13) What Hurts The Most (Yanou's Candlelight Mix) - 4.5/5
Much like the mix at the end of the Everytime We Touch album, this is clearly put here to show that Natalie can really belt out a tune, and it succeeds. I will say that I prefer the dance versions to this, and I don't think it is as appealing as Everytime We Touch (Candlelight Mix), but it's still a great showcase of Natalie's unique talent - long may she reign as queen of the modern Eurodance scene.
So there you have it - more hits than misses, but I cannot give this album any less than 5 stars as Cascada continue to delight me with their catchy productions and melodies, and I can't wait to see them live on the Clubland tour in March 2008. Buy this album now and support one of the brightest stars in the modern European dance scene.
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6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cascada: The Next Level, 9 Dec 2007
Cascada recentley scooped the International Music Award for best Greman Artist, and its easy to see why: this is Another blinding album from the brains behind the number 1 album 'Everytime We Touch'.
The most noticable thing about this album, is that it seems to have a more 'grown up' sound than 'Everytime We Touch' -the opening song, and first single from the album 'What Hurts The Most' is a punchy dance anthem, with a hardocre euro-beat thoughout: similar to 'Ready For Love' from 'Everytime We Touch' and it is no wonder, that this was chosen to headline Clubland 12.
Another Stand out track for me, was 'Endless Summer' which was relesed under the name 'Sira' back in 2002, except was featured on various dance compliations in 2003/4 under the cascada name: this version however, has been remixed, and redubbed to give it a more revived sound, and as always, sounds amazing.
My favourite song however, is what is hyped to be the second single from the album 'What do you want from me?' which in a word, sounds amazing! Its an upbeat dance anthem- not a pop song with a dance beat in the background, but a fully fledged club track! Natilies vocals are absoloutley amazing, and this track is so infectiously catchy, listening to it makes you just want to go and party- seriously a club tune!!!
Finally, my favourite track- 'Runaway' is a cracker of a dance track: if they dont make this a single, they will be crazy- in agreement with another reviewer: it sounds alot (ALOT) like 'Bad Boy' which alot of people feel should have been the headliner from 'Everytime We Touch'- and this will be a gauaranteed hit.
Well Done Cascada! Youve done it again!
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6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable second album and showcases a more varied set of songs, 5 Dec 2007
I haven't been able to stop playing Cascada's second album. It's a high-energy tight collection of songs that shows a natural progression from their best-selling debut album, "Everytime We Touch". Of course it's not going to win the awards but you don't buy into Cascada expecting that. Not all music has to bring reality crashing home. A litte respite is what we deserve at times and this album is just perfect for allowing this.
Natalie Horler's vocals are once again impressive and they never fail to convey the emotion of the song and she does so with a tenacity that will win over even some of the most ardent Cascada haters.
There is no denying Cascada's ability to pump out those instant dance floor fillers that will have themselves lodged in your mind for days at a time.
Current single "What Hurts the Most" is a good introduction to what is to come. A real stonker of a track that is sure to do well in the charts.
Much of the album is written by Cascada and I believe that is where its strengths lie. The real strong-point of the album are the original productions. The covers, although popular, do little to improve on the originals but that is no matter because in true Cascada style they are all club bangers.
The slow piano ballad version of "What Hurts the Most" is a perfect reminder of Natalie's vocal abilities and the album most tender moment.
If you have liked any Cascada song or are in need of a bit of light relief this should be the perfect purchase. I really am enjoying it and am satified to see Cascada developing on their identifiable sound with a more varied and overall more rounded collection of songs.
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