The Saturdays - Chasing Lights: A pre-review

(Stole the title from The Beat Review, sorry!)

OK. So maybe I was a overreacting a bit this morning when I said I was hyperventilating. I was extremely excited, but I think that led to me being a bit disappointed with the outcome of the album. The album is good, with strong songs, but my expectations were too high, and I have some.. issues with a certain song.

Let's get my issue over with first, so it's clean sailing after this. For those of you who have the album, or who've heard the whole thing, turn your attention first to a song by Paula Cole, I Don't Wanna Wait. Recall the chorus, and repeat it over and over in your head. Got it? For those of you who've forgot what it sounds like, or don't know about it at all, you can listen to it here:



Got it? Got it. So now that you've got the melody of the chorus firmly planted in your mind, give the title track of the album, Chasing Lights a listen. Pay close attention to the very first line of the chorus, doesn't something sound fishy?

Chasing Lights is a gorgeous song, don't get me wrong, but every time I hear it, I can't help but think of the Paula Cole song. The similarities are a bit too much, I mean the melody and structure of the chorus? I'll say it again, Chasing Lights is a gorgeous song, but too much of it came from another song, and that's a big issue for me.

Originality. A lot of musicians take it for granted, and for a long time, I haven't heard something like what I heard earlier today, but I think I was too confident that these girls would deliver a perfect album. Let's face it, all first albums have flaws, it's just that some manage to hide it better than others.

Phew. I finally got what's been bugging me all afternoon off my chest. I know what you guys must be saying, Can we get to the review already? Indeed we will!

IT'S HERE!!!!!!!

CHASING LIGHTS HAS ARRIVED!

Watch out for my full review sometime today.

I am in fact hyperventilating.

Flashback: Girls Aloud

With their new album coming out sometime in November, I think it's a good idea to go waaaay back to the start of GA, and see just how much they've changed over the years. But before we get to the music, can I just say something? The album cover is genius! Although Kimberly's hair could use some work..

I remember saying when I reviewed The Saturdays' Up that gone were the days when reality shows just kept on cranking out pop bands, well we all know that Girls Aloud is one of those bands that were manufactured on a TV show. Not only did they become the most successful reality show-created pop band, they became the most successful girl group ever. So let's take a look at how this all started, shall we?

The lead single, which also happens to be the title track, is perfect for it's title. I mean, we all know that the girls aren't your run of the mill Spice Girls wannabes, they started out a bit edgier than that, thanks to Xenomania. The song just fit them like a glove, and it did them justice.

The other singles also did the girls justice, and I think it's another factor that every good album should perfect. If your singles don't do your album justice, what use is it releasing singles? Singles are meant to let people hear what your album is about, so they'll go out and buy that as well, but the real test is the debut single and album. If your debut single is light years away from your album, what's the use of releasing it? You should've just released the album already.

The album tracks are equally amazing. They're all very dance/pop of the early 2000's, which is exactly what they showed us with their singles. The album explores different styles within that genre, there's ballads, mid-tempos and uptempos, which I think is another important factor in a debut album.

The fact that you shouldn't be confined to one style in a specific genre is very important. I like continuity, but I like change, as long as the change isn't too drastic. Once you've laid down who you are as an artist, I don't think you should change. I mean, it is who you are.

So all in all, this album truly catapulted the girls to stardom, for various reasons. Plus, I can't wait to here their new album!

Some new obsessions..

Quite a few, actually.

• Mya's new song, 'Paradise', is amazing! She doesn't have the strongest voice, but she knows which songs give her that egde. It's got that African vibe that we heard with Jordan Pruitt's 'One Love', the only catch is that this is heavier on the R&B side. Still, I have a fixation for African-inspired songs that manage to fuse those elements with other genres, most often R&B. That plus those mentions about 'jungle' and 'eden', make the song simply brilliant! I never really took notice of her last album, but now that I've heard this, could her previous effort be this good as well? I'll give it a listen sometime this week. EDIT: I heard Ridin' from her last album and I just have one word, BRILLIANT. I can't wait to hear the rest of the album!
• Why does the lead single of Britannia High(that's being offered as a free download on the site..) sound a lot like the stuff from the I Dream soundtrack? I know a lot of people had been saying this for a long time already, but I just got the chance to actually download the song today so forgive me. Seriously, the song sounds like it could've been on the I Dream soundtrack, and I adore the songs there. This song though, I'm not so sure, it's a bit too camp-y and it's trying too hard to be a modern cross between I Dream and HSM 1. I'm afraid it's failed. OK, there are some good points in the song, like the melody of the chorus, but I don't really like the song as a whole.
• Taio Cruz's album. Let me just say one thing, Brits make some amazing R&B. First Craig David, who's just mind-blowing and now Taio Cruz, who may even follow in Craig's footsteps. All the tracks on his debut album are worth listening to, but there are some that I adore more than the others. My favorites are I Don't Wanna Fall In Love, I Just Wanna Know, I'll Never Love Again and Never Gonna Get Us(which reminds me of a Seal song..). The songs are simply amazing! Seriously.
• Can't Stop Thinking About You from the new Boyzone greatest hits album may be cheesy at the start and sound like something from a musical(I have no idea who's singing, is that Ronan?), but I adore it for some strange reason. The melody just makes me adore the song, but I wish the instrumentation was a bit different. All in all, it's an amazing song and I'm seriously obsessed with it.
• The more I listen to Greatest Day, the more I adore it. As if I never did. When can we get it in HQ? Garrrr...
• I just noticed something. My top five most listened songs for the week are all Sugababes songs! Hurrah! I guess that shows how much I'm adoring the album, and how eager I am for the new GA album!

This is me being bored, again. I don't have school for the next two weeks, face it!

Original Compilations

Original Compilations are posts that enumerate which tracks I think should've been on a certain album by a certain artist. For example, if an artist is releasing a greatest hits compilation, I make my own, and enumerate why I want them there. Even if it's an original compilation, no download links will be posted, as this blog is exclusively for reviews.

SHOW ME THE ORIGINAL COMPILATIONS!

My ideal Craig David Greatest Hits

I've already planted firmly in your heads that I adore Craig David, so when I heard that his GH album is coming out this year, why not make my own and compare it to the actual album? Here are the songs, single or not, that I think should be on the Greatest Hits album.
1. Fill Me In - The song that started it all. The song that up to this day, is still amazing and ground-breaking. The song that made Craig David. Obviously, this HAS to be on the album, it's arguably his best song ever.

2. Fill Me In Part 2 - Not a single, but it's an amazing 'remix', the way the two tell a story is just mind-blowing. This should definitely be on the album.

3. 7 Days - a 'cool' song from Craig David but nevertheless, it's a UK number one, so it deserves it's place in this album.

4. What's Your Flava? - I remember seeing the video to this on the local music channel growing up. The song is strong, and very catchy, enough to spell H-I-T.

5. Rise & Fall with Sting - Not a HUGE fan of this song, but it was a number two record, and the touch of STING makes the song all the more enjoyable to listen to.

6. 2 Steps Back - Sounds a lot like Fill Me In, and it's another song that should've been a single. Seriously, everything about this song screams amazing.

7. Don't Love You No More(I'm Sorry) - This is an AMAZING song, a song a lot of people can sing along to. The melody is just gorgeous, the way his vocals were mixed add to the already amazing melody. One word, beautiful.

8. All The Way(H-Money Mix Featuring Lyracis) - The original version of this song has a lot of groove, but this remix made it more Brit R&B. Either way, it's an amazing song, so it doesn't really matter which one you listen to.

9. Unbelievable - Ah yes, the staple Craig David slow song. By the looks of this song, he could have a future in crooning, give Westlife a run for their money(and their stools!) and take teenage girls' hearts by storm. Again.

10. This Is the Girl - This took a lot of time to grow on me(a month!), mainly because I don't like rap, but seriously it's another Craig David staple, mind-blowing. The song should've done better on the charts, but even I didn't know it was a single until the album come out!

11. Officially Yours - Another staple slow song ala-Unbelievable, and yet again, Craig David delivers. It's not just any ballad, it's a ballad tailor-made for Craig David.

12. Where's You Love? - One of the new songs that leaked, it's going to take some time to grow on me. I adore the middle when he goes "pulling up to the club, where all the ladies are waiting, I can see they look hot....", but I'm not too sold on the other parts. Is this another This Is the Girl? I hope so.

13. Insomnia - To close the album off, an amazing song, worthy of recognition. The melody is infectious and the verses just make you anticipate the amazing chorus even more. All in all, an amazing song.

14. World Filled With Love - The song has another very beautiful melody. You see, even if he's this heavy R&B guy, he still manages to make these beautiful songs that catch your attention. Isn't that what an artist is supposed to do?

15. You Don't Miss You Water('Till the Well Runs Dry) - It's like World Filled With Love, but it's a very, very beautiful song again from him. I'm beginning to think that Craig David is synonymous for edgy, soulful songs with groove and slow songs that just give you goosebumps, which is true. A very beautiful song to close up an amazing album.

This week's top ten!

Isn't it a good idea if I review this week's top ten songs and tell you exactly why they're on the list and in the place they're in? Of course it is. I'm bored, OK? Face it. When I'm bored, I make up all these crazy ideas. I've got the playlist all sorted out, so we're ready to roll!

(Click to enlarge)

#10 - Keeps Gettin' Better by Christina Aguilera

Ah yes, everybody's trying to copy what Britney did last year, as if it wasn't bad enough. But that aside, Christina has once again bettered not only herself but Britney. The song has just enough Britney elements to become a hit but at the same time, it has enough Christina in it to leave her fans wanting more.

#9 - Will I? from the RENT Soundtrack

I adore 'Seasons Of Love', but this song is just different. It's simple, not over-the-top. It's an extremely beautiful song, starting with one voice and ending with three equally amazing and strong vocalists all together. They're only actually singing one stanza, four lines, but they make it seem like a whole song, and the melody is drop-dead gorgeous.

#8 - Can I Have This Dance? from the High School Musical 3 Soundtrack

Probably the most gorgeous song from the whole soundtrack, it's not surprising that Troy and Gabriella actually waltz to this song. It's tantamount to 'Everyday' in the second movie, in terms of how gorgeous it is, and besides, they're both 'happy' songs.

#7 - Forever by Chris Brown

This song has dropped quite a few positions since the last chart(weeks ago..), but I still adore it. Did I say that Chris Brown has created his best song yet? Seriously. Still a long way from Craig David, but all he needs now are maybe a few more smash hits and a number one album and he's solved. The song itself is genius, for combining the Doublemint slogan and the actual song and making the melody catchy yet dance-able.

#6 - Don't Give Up by Leon Jackson

Just narrowly defeating Chris Brown, Leon Jackson delivers on this song. We've heard the amazing single, and now we hear the even better b-side! I can see where Leon's going already, but I'm waiting for him to record an up-tempo. Moving on to the song, it's part of the slow development of Leon's newfound sound. Don't Call This Love is heavier, this song sounds so light and float-y, but still has an amazing melody.

#5 - Fearless by Taylor Swift

I absolutely adore this girl! Her album is probably one of my most-awaited ones of the year. I was expecting a growth in her music, enough to slowly show us who she really is, and that's what I got. This song is very catchy, and the melody is amazing! Like all the other songs I adore.

#4 - I Need a House by Marie Serneholt

So I heard this is going to be on the Same Difference album, and I surprisingly had the album in my library(untouched though..). So I gave it a listen, and I ADORE IT! The lyrics are a bit strange, but the melody makes up for everything. Have I told you how much I adore Swedish pop? Ok, I have. These guys make the best pop, and they don't seem to show any sign of stopping, which is good for people like me! more, More, MORE!

#3 - The Promise by Girls Aloud

OK, so they performed this on the X Factor results show, but I've loved it even before that. So I faced-off this and the Sugababes' Girls and this clearly won for me. The song is much more melodic, and it's less annoying, although it could do with a bit of work. But all in all, it's an amazing song, and the album is looking up to be drop-dead gorgeous.

#2 - Insomnia by Craig David

Sounds familiar? Of course. Remember I said that Chris Brown is still light years away from Craig David? This is the song that proves it. Chris Brown does his thing, and makes a fantastic song in the form of Forever but Craig David puts groove and soul into another fantastic song, in the form of Insomnia. What he does is something that has set him apart from everyone else, right from the very start. Craig David knows who he is, knows what works for him, and he uses it. The result? An amazing song with soul and substance.

#1 - Side Chick by the Sugababes

I reviewed this earlier today, so just read that review. I will say one thing though, this song is probably one of my all-time favorite songs.