Reviews
Play It Like That
ARIA
With Popstars going into its third series, the first winners Bardot are back with a new album, and this time its personal. Trying to shake the made for TV tag they have made an effort to move into different sounds such as funk and rock. This album has returned two top 10 ARIAnet singles (ASAP and I Need Somebody) and follows the ARIAnet #1 album Bardot.
NineMSN
Since Bardot were conceived by the hands of the media machine, there was always the question whether they were going to be chewed up and spat out by a massive case of over-exposure. Their first self titled album seemed to do away with any doubts that the girls had talent, and now with the release of Play It Like That it will be seen if the group can further their credibility, and ultimately establish some longevity. Sorry to disappoint merciless critics and cynics, (including yours truly) but these four girls can hold their tunes, together too. Play It Like That is still entirely pop, with a few dancy embellishments thrown in to keep music lovers happy, but there is a little bit more depth there which suggests that the band has grown over the last couple of years. The incredibly catchy 'I Need Somebody' is a slice of funky disco that has been all over the airways, 'Play It Like That' samples new studio sounds with 2 step beat, hints of Spanish guitars and horns (yep all in the one track). The same 2 Step garage feel on 'You Got Me Feeling' and ‘Don’t Call Me, I'll Call You' is rather J-Lo- esque. The poppy 'Love Will Find A Way' will certainly find it's way onto radio, and the slinky sound 'Girls Of The Night' is very apt song for Bardot. Play It Like That is good, no, it's better than good - it's first rate, and it will see the girls winning their harshest critics over. They have served their apprenticeship, and deserve the success that they have worked hard for. Play It Like That will certainly launch them into the international circuit and turn heads. As Tiffany says "It's new, it's fresh, and it's about us, and not a TV show, this time around, we've changed, the band has changed, the music has changed."
The Advertiser
This album sees the foursome on their own. Having a greater musical input has paid dividends. The album has a fresher, more inspired sound. It opens with the digital beats of Play It Like That, followed by the very formula dance sound of I Need Somebody, burst open by a sweeping rush of energetic chorus. Feel Right is a boppy little gem of a song, while the snappy ASAP, uses a sharp chorus to create polished pop. When The Cat's Away is an encore performance of ASAP and Love Will Find a Way is a nice melodic pop ballad. The electronic beats, sexier attitude and rich harmonies has them back bolder than before. 3 and a half stars.
The Undercover Review
Well, what do you know ... this album is actually good. Pardon the skepticism, but coming off their debut manufactured Popstars musical Lego set, it was hard to expect anything from Bardot. However, "Play It Like That" is a genuine treat. What we have here is some very tasty R&B and pop. "Play It Like That" is a mighty creative leap. The title track merges some interesting elements ... pop, R&B and jazz, very tasty. "I Need Somebody" is another slab of R&B, pop. What is immediately obvious with the second Bardot album is despite where they originated from, we have a great mix of hard working talents who over the last year have discovered each others strengths and weaknesses and work toward compensation. "Feel Right" is a perfect juggle of voices created on top of a dance driven Motown beat. Sophie had a hand in writing that one. "A.S.A.P" was the first single but Warner wisely didn't lead with the trump card. "Don't Call Me, I'll Call You" is has a powerful black sound. Musicianship hasn't been lost here either. "You Got Me Feeling" has some tasty acoustic guitar and "It's Alright" captures funk and disco. Of course the token ballad is here. "Before I Let You Go" will most likely roll out as a key song later in the life of the album. More dance pop in "Girls Of The Night" and "When The Cat's Away" is a little more fun to finish off the album. You are forgiven for placing nil expectation of a new Bardot album, but coming from that perspective "Play It Like That" is a real treat. by Hector The Rock Dog |
