Turnaround

Turnaround is the album that many people thought Westlife wouldn't be around to make, especially as the Irish quintet are getting older while pop is getting younger. Turnaround is, however, a turnaround--upbeat and high octane, with the kind of slick, funky production that showcases their ability to be diverse.

A rousing version of Barry Manilow's "Mandy" starts things off, and it's one of the best songs of their careers, largely because it's not a typically sappy Westlife ballad--the type of muddy, gutter slush they've regularly churned out over the years. "Hey Whatever" follows this up with equal effect--a risky single that almost paid off. So far, so interesting. Then we're back in the dirty snow, with the knowingly titled "Obvious" and "Heal"--both substandard pop fare. Sinead Quinn has had better songs written for her.

"Thank You" is the album's standout (ill-judged scratching aside)--a half Bon Jovi, half "World of Our Own" belter that also cements the fundamental paradox of Westlife. When they're not doing ballads, Westlife can be a fantastic pop group. However, they've been polarised by the (generally very good) balladry that made them in the first place, which now holds them back. Here they've made another effort to shake that off, but it's only half-hearted. Hopefully, they'll get the chance to try again. --Cortman Virtue

The biggest ever pop act in the UK return with their fifth album called Turnaround. The title Westlife chose is lost on us because this seems like more of the same from the puppy-dog-eyed five piece.

The no-risk chart-topper "Mandy" kicks off proceedings. The song first hit the charts, as "Brandy", 32 years ago before Barry Manilow renamed it "Mandy" and took it to No. 11 in 1975.

The rest of the album is generally full of similarly down-tempo croon-fests. Thankfully, the balladeering is interspersed with upbeat tracks like "Hey Whatever", "Turn Around" and "Thank You" - just in case you feel like nodding off. Now we like a decent ballad as much as the next popster, but it seems like these songs have been around in one form or another over the last couple of albums.

For example the band put a twist on the old classic "When A Man Loves A Woman" by reversioning the song, getting some new lyricsand calling it "When A Woman Loves A Man". And there's a cover of the Mr Big favourite "To Be With You".

So, if the fact that the best songs here are other people's doesn't put you off ("Mandy", "To Be With You"), then you're probably going to find something you like. Meanwhile, we're with Simon Cowell on this one. Average.

Review courtesy of TOTP --Jack Smith

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