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Amazon.co.uk Review
Although unimaginatively named after their UK Christmas 2002 smash, the album is an enjoyable and surprising journey through the most popular styles of contemporary pop. Following Kylie's successful revisiting of electro-pop, many of the tracks make the most of this revitalised sound, particularly the Fuzzbox-inspired "No Good Advice" and the playfully titled "Girls Allowed". A hybrid of Sub Sub and Deee-Lite, "Love Bomb" pays homage to early-90s dance, while "Some Kind of Miracle" is a more conventional, ageless pop tune. With a title such as "Stop" many will make comparisons with the Spice Girls, however the Girls Aloud track is a rockier Transvision Vamp-style anthem. "Don't Want You Back" is another pop-rock track in the vein of those new millennium madams Madison. Top marks to the girls for coming up with an album that succeeds far more than anyone could have predicted. --John Galilee
Review
Girls Aloud totally trounced their boyband rivals One True Voice with their debut the single (and album opener) "Sound Of The Underground", which sounded better than anyone could have expected. Punchy, sassed-up pop over driving neo drum and bass beats captured the formula of the day and has set the tone for much of what's to come next.
The follow up, "No Good Advice", chases hot on its heels with more brassy and in-your-face lyrics of defiance and determination. They may not have written the tracks themselves but someone made the right choice of writer.Sugababes collaborator Brian Higgins injects an element of instant-catchy-cool to the songs without going overboard in trying to shape uber-chic dance floor hits.
Starting an album with your first two singles can be a sign to expect a rapid decline in qualitysoon after, but again the Girls prove us wrong."Some Kind Of Miracle" is superficial pop at its purest.With a vocal hook that gnaws its way into your brain and leaves you afflicted with a tendency to repeat it again and again in your head, it must qualify for future chart success.
Alison Clarkson, a.k.a. 90s popstar Betty Boo, also gets roped in on song scribing duties for "Mars Attack" and the electro stomping "Boogie Down Love". She stamps her trademark quirky 60s style sound effects over rocking beats for two of the album's finer moments.
At 15 tracks long, Sound Of The Underground does seem drag on towards the end but don't let that detract you from the fact that this really is an impressive debut.Only time will tell if they are set to take the mantle as the new Spice Girls or slip rapidly down pops dumper as the new Hear'Say. But their debut album is sure to shut up at least some of their cynics, myself included. --Jacqueline Hodges
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Customer Reviews
1. Sound of the Underground - we all know it, funky, with a good beat.
2. No Good Advice - again, one we all know, with a more Blondie type vibe
3. Some Kind Of Miracle - one of the weaker songs, though with some good lyrics, and a 60s feel
4. All I Need, All I Don't - a lower sound with a very funky bass-line, although a slightly weak chorus
5. Life Got Cold - a ballad that doesn't bore you, nice guitar, and, again, lyrics that have been thought about
6. Mars Attack - similar vibe to Sound of The Underground, an off-beat pop/dance track
7. Stop - another 60s sound, with Nadine (I think) on main vocals
8. Girls Aloud - very funky dance-pop tune
9. Forever and A Night - ballad. Not much else to say
10. Love/Hate - love this track! Wicked drum-n-bass backing with RnB/dance style over the top, always makes me drive too fast...
11. Boogie Down Love - 60s style dance
12. Don't Want You Back - funky verses with a slighly girlier chorus
13. White Lies - another good track
14. Love Bomb - like a cross between Groove Is In The Heart and Mucho Mambo, takes a few listens to get into it
15. Everything You Ever Wanted - let down by a bit of a weak chorus
Overall the album has a very funky sound, with a lot of dirty bass, good dance tracks and an overall upbeat tone. Great for singing along or dancing too, and a refreshing change from typical cheesy pop. No particularly twee lyrics, and a very slick, well-produced sound, both musically and vocally.
I'd definitely recommend it to those who don't rate the girls' credibility. I'd also recommend Love/Hate, Mars Attack, and White Lies (along with the singles) as downloads for those looking for a taster..
1) "Sound Of The Underground" Everyone should already know this one, slightly overplayed around christmas but still a very decent pop track. 9/10.
2) "No Good Advice" This is the second single to be taken from the album and was robbed of the number 1 spot by R Kelly!!! The guitars are there again to give the track a more mature pop sound. 9/10
3) "Some Kind Of Miracle" Slightly more pop than the previous songs but still very likeable. Takes a couple of listens to appreciate it. 8/10
4) "All I Need (All I Don't)" Not quite as good as other songs on the album, but still very catchy. The chorus lets it down slightly. 7/10
5) "Life Got Cold" The first ballad from the girls and one of the best tracks on the album! From the 'rap-style' verses: "We text as we talk, we're running as we walk" to the gorgeous chorus. And the electric guitars have been swapped for acoutics. Should be a winter / christmas single! 10/10
6) "Mars Attack" As far as I'm aware the song isn't actually about a mars attack and doesn't even include the words 'mars attack'... and I don't think it's about the film "Mars Attacks". Very upbeat track. 7/10
7) "Stop" Not to be confused with the Spice Girls track of the same name, this is a very rocky track with a strong chorus. It takes a while to get going but when it does you'll just want to sing along. 9/10
8) "Girls Allowed" I wonder if this was wrote especially for the girls?! Strong drum-beat and very catchy chorus. Not one of the stand out tracks though. 7/10
9) "Forever And A Night" Another chorus (about time!!) and this one is a lot slower and more romantic though, that isn't neccesarily a bad thing though! 8/10
10) "Love/Hate" Strong beats and chorus with a very catchy bridge leading up to the fast chorus! 7/10
11) "Boogie Down Love" It will make you boogie! And you'll be singing along "Love Me!" at the top of your voice. Not one of the best tracks but it'll have you dancing. 8/10
12) "Don't Want You Love" Love it! The track goes straight into the vocals that are quite down-tempo at first but then quickly build into a chorus that would sound brilliant live. 9/10
13) "White Lies" This track reminds me of something that Bardot (the Australian Popstars" would've done. Quite different to other tracks from the album but still very good. 8/10
14) "Love Bomb" Cha Cha Cha indeed! A pure pop / latino number with a VERY catchy chorus. Simple yet effective. Definitely a grower. 8/10
15) "Everything You Ever Wanted" I wouldn't say that this was the best track to end the album on as it isn't one of the standout tracks. But with previous tracks being so strong it's forgivable. 7/10
All in all this is a brilliant debut album with some amazing tracks. The vocals are amazing all the way through, One True Voice have got a lot to live up to! If you like the singles than BUY THIS NOW!
The style to this album is very unique and would not be heard in any other popstar.
The unique style causes songs like "Mars Attack" and "Boogie Down Love" to stand out from the crowd amazingly.
There is a great mixture of upbeat (Sound of the Underground sound-a-likes) tunes to overpower the slower ones, of which thankfully are the minority. "Forever and a Night" has a particular ballady sound to it whereas "Life Got Cold" and "I Don't Want You Back" have the slight Oasis edge to it causing it to sound different from bands such as Atomic Kitten.
"Love Bomb" really stands out from the rest due to it's Latin sound and is just great.
Overall this is an album for everyone particularly pop lovers, as the music is entirely unique.
No wonder One True Voice did badly - they didn't stand a chance!!!
2. No Good Advice. Also a brilliant pop song. Read more
If only all talent show winners had songs as ultimately good as Sound Of The Underground. Read more
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