Nemesis_
Member
RECEIPTS
It really annoyed me when I first started up Call The Shots because the production seems to be something really special - I actualy really liked it. But then the girls started singing, and it suddenly descended right into mediocre. I like the sound so far to be quite honest but it's not something I would stan hard for. The song is overally pretty boring though, tbh. It never really seems to go anywhere. I guess the AH EH YAH hook is kind of catchy. Cheryl saying this was the favourite on the album speaks more about why her solo efforts have been so awful if this is what she considers the best on the album.
Close to Love has this kind of disco vibe to it and I really love that too but the vocals in these kinds of groups annoy me - there's five girls singing here right? They all sound the fucking same, what's the point of having a group? I just don't get it. This song is definitely much more catchy and more listenable than Call The Shots, though. The use of guitar gives this song a nice edge to it too. Overall though, especially towards the end, it just becomes to repetitive.
Autotune, Sexy? No, No, No. This is more of an uptempo dance rock kind of track that could have potential if it wasn't marred by such horrendously autotuned vocals. But seriously, we could chuck anyone into this track and they would sound exactly the same. I was surprised to find this was a single since the first two tracks before this seemed much stronger overall.
Girl Overboard is a little more bearable as each of the girls' vocals are easier to discern from one another, and it is quite a catchy track with, as always, stellar production. The bridge is pretty life giving and earns it an extra star ;_;
Next up was Can't Speak French and it's at this point in the album that I realised just how unique every song sounds - which is kind of cool. The beat and the vocals in this one are pretty good / catchy too, I wasn't surprised to find this was a single. It's simple, inoffensive, catchy and a great pace - potentially my favourite song from the album.
Black Jacks is just a boring, nothing song. It kind of gives me this 60s vibe but I don't really enjoy it. It just didn't really gel well with me at all and this was the first song where I didn't like the vocals OR the production.
Control of the Knife is another well produced catchy upbeat song. Love the "trumpet" thing that plays betwee verses. Unique and interesting production choices on this one. Not sure about they synthy robot voice though =/
Fling is one of the songs I'm really conflicted about on the album. On one hand, the production is absolutely stellar, but on the other the vocals are just downright cringe inducing. I don't know what it is about the song but it really rubs me the wrong way. I can imagine young girls singing along to this into their hairbrushes or something, but it's definitely not a song for me. >_> It definitely gets extra points for it's production.
The drum and bass teas are strong with What You Crying For's production. It's an edgy, fast and upbeat song that reminds me a lot of The Veronicas' (an Australian local act) song "Untouched". Though The Veronicas had a bit more emotion and effort in their voice. The production on this one (I know I keep going on about it, but it's the standout for sure) really makes this song.
As with the rest, Xenomania deliver with the production on I'm Falling. The refrain is very catchy, and even after I turned the album off I found myself either humming or singing this one to myself >_______>.
If anyone has heard Damn before, does anyone think that the production on this track is eerily reminiscent of Michael Jackson's "Beat It"? The resemblance is uncanny, but it sounds good either way - and the resemblance that I thought I heard kind of died out near the middle of the song, where backing becomes much more electronic and synthy.
It's really bizarre that this album is largely fast paced electronic influenced dance tracks, but then it opens and closes with these somewhat boring slower paced songs with little production. Crocodile's Tears is a little bit of a weak track to end on, and it seems somewhat out of place here. ESpecially since I just feel like I'm retreading through a rearranged version of Call the Shots.
Listening to this album in full and with an UNBIASED ear was a good experience overall because while it is run of the mill, unapologetically trashy pop, it's got something unique and interesting about it. But I feel the group is more of a product of Xenomania that any disposable five piece could sing to and get the same reception. If anything this album sold me more on the production group Xenomania rather than Girls Aloud themselves who seem to just be these well picked role models to put behind Xenomania's work.
It's certainly a clever business model and it doesn't surprise me that these girls are local considering just how tailored they seem to be to their market. Interested to see how a similar group would fare in another country.
This is not shade just my serious observations >_>
Club de Mandinga by Mandingafor BLADENIC (* * *)QUADRON by Quadronfor JO SHISEIDO'S CHEEKS (* * *)Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded [Deluxe] by Nicki Minajfor MARIUS_ (* *)Tangled Up by Girls Aloudfor GODELSMETRIC (* * *)- Vows by Kimbra for TRIGGER
- The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monae for CRUMPET
- Born To Die [Deluxe] by Lana Del Rey for AGUILA
- janice. by Janet Jackson for ICICLE
- Visions by Grimes for KOODO
- Lenka by Lenka for SAINTZ
- Out of Season by Beth Gibbons for COSMIC BUS
COMING UP NEXT:
Vows (International Version) by Kimbra for Trigger.
