By: Ben Chalk
Reviews of albums by Westlife, Take That and Rhydian
Where We Are - Westlife
A question for anyone who thinks TV talent shows like X Factor are killing the personality of pop music: can you name a single member of Westlife (and no, Brian McFadden doesn't count)? Alright, can you name two of them? If so, congratulations but you're in the minority. Now consider this. Since their inception in 1998, the Irish stool-perchers have amassed global sales of more than 40 million albums and chalked up 14 UK number one singles, a feat topped only by Elvis Presley and The Beatles.
The fact is that Simon Cowell, who signed them, and Louis Walsh, who manages them, had perfected the art of selling squillions of records by musical automatons long before they put it into practice to such lucrative effect on television. Perhaps emboldened by the transatlantic success of Leona Lewis, Westlife's tenth album sees them hook up with heavyweight US collaborators such as Ryan 'Bleeding Love' Tedder and Ben Moody of Evanescene in what appears to be a concerted crack at the American market.
Consequently, Shadows features the most ambitious production ever heard on a Westlife track, which admittedly isn't saying much, while lead single What About Now (originally recorded by American Idol contestant Daughtry) has guitars uncharacteristically high in the mix. This is more a gentle tweaking of the formula than a radical departure though. Elsewhere it's standard lighters-in-the-air fodder, complete with as-sure-as-night-follows-day key change for the 'rousing' final chorus. This album, like their previous nine, is aimed squarely at the sort of person who buys one album a year, usually at Christmas, to listen to in the car. Business as usual, in other words.
2/5
The Greatest Day - Take That Present The Circus Live
The sheer personality vacuum of Westlife is enough to make you long for the days of Robbie, Gary, Mark, Jason, and Howard. Of course, we've been enjoying their unexpected second act (minus Mr Williams, obviously) for several years now. This limited edition live double album is effectively a celebration of this most remarkable of comebacks.
The first CD contains highlights from the final show of their last tour at Wembley and spans the group's entire career, while the second consists of intimate versions of their best post-comeback material recorded at Abbey Road studios. Live albums are often unnecessary indulgences but this one contains some real gems. Perhaps it has something to do with Take That's unusually affectionate bond with their audience but classics like Back For Good and Never Forget are enhanced by their live setting.
If anything though, disc two is the real treat. Mark Owen has referred to these as "the Sunday morning versions of the songs" and they showcase both what good songwriters they all now are and what good singers they've always been. If you only buy one CD by a man-band this Christmas, make it this one. 4/5
O Fortuna - Rhydian
Before Susan Boyle, there was another TV talent show contestant with a great face for radio. His name was Rhydian Roberts and he too was ridiculed mercilessly before finishing second. His story lacked the fairytale quality of Boyle's though and many assumed he would fade away like so many others.
Not so. His debut album sold a very respectable 600,000 copies and now he's back with a second, proving that there's a sizeable market for semi-operatic covers of pop classics, hymns, and traditional folk songs, especially at this time of year.
O Fortuna is essentially more of the same but with more of a nod to his Welsh heritage, as evidenced by the presence here of Land Of My Fathers and Myfanwy. Interestingly enough, there's also a version of How Great Thou Art, which also features on Susan Boyle's album. Rhydian's won't sell as well as hers but you wouldn't bet against him having a third out a year from now. 3/5