Mistaken Identity- Review
Mistaken Identity is Delta's second album of new material and comes a year and a half after its predecessor. It is much darker than Innocent Eyes according to Delta, and much more personal with some songs referring to her year battling cancer. The darkness is evident in many of these songs, and this song by song review will identify track by track, what the songs are about and what they are like.
Tracks
1. Out of the blue-The first single and a great start, marking 'a new beginning, and chapter' of Delta's life. It talks about a relationship and is a very happy song. A simple ballad with lavish production it starts off the album in style.
Score: 97/100
2. The Analyst-Here Delta talks in the third person about a girl who cannot sleep as she analyses everything that has happened in the day. Another cracking ballad, and of a different style to the rest of the album.
Score: 90/100
3. Mistaken Identity-The title track, very dramatic and showy and one of the standout songs on the album. The second single in Australia it reminds of Innocent Eyes from the first album, but with a darker and more hard hitting message. Absolutely brilliant.
Score: 97/100
4. Sanctuary-A swaying song, very catchy and nice and jolly, and a welcome change after two darker songs. More classy production and lyrics, lead up to a bridge which breaks into a classic Delta chorus.
Score: 91/100
5. A Little Too Late-Written with Gary Barlow, who also did Throw It Away, another upbeat poppy song, but again with a darker message than it intends. Nonetheless its another great song with a brilliant chorus and the words 'lost without you here' take me back to the first album...
Score: 86/100
6. Be Strong-More drama, but again it works as it leads into a catchy chorus. The chords remind me slightly of INXS' 'Love will never tear us apart', but the combination of lyrics and powerful deliverance works.
Score: 96/100
7. Last Night On Earth-The drama continues and this time its the end of the world...the lyrics are very meaningful and the tune is another belter. Very catchy and the album's standard continues in consistency as we reach the halfway point.
Score: 93/100
8. Almost Here-A duet with ex-Westlife star and boyfriend Brian McFadden, it is a heartfelt if simple ballad, reminiscent of male/female duets from the early 90's. A much needed break from the drama, it really kicks in towards the end. The second single in the UK!!!
Score: 96/100
9. Miscommunication-The only unspectacular track-Delta tries her hand at R & B. It sways along but isn't really anything incredible. Still not a bad track, but How A Dream Looks or Beautiful Madness could have been better inclusions on the album than this. More B-sideish
Score: 74/100
10. Electric Storm-The album re-starts in style. Fear of it going downhill stops here. Written with Guy Chambers, it is a dramatic tale about relationships being exploited by the media, according to Delta. Meaningful lyrics, and a very catchy chorus make this one of the best songs here.
Score: 96/100
11. Extraordinary Day-The album peaks here with the standout track. It talks about July 8th, the day Delta was told about her cancer. More drama, but done better in every way in comparison to the others. A brilliant chorus with a personal message. It is an extraordinary song!!!
Score: 99/100
12. Fragile-Delta and the piano is the premise for this song. Another love song, it harks back to Will you fall for me on Innocent Eyes. Simple but astounding, it really displays Delta's talents.
Score: 90/100
13. Disorientated-Listed in the UK as a bonus track, this would also be more apt as a bonus track. Delta talks in this track. Still a very good song, but perhaps lacking the true star quality of the majority of the album, the song took a while to grow on me but became better in time!!!
Score: 88/100
14. You are my rock-Ending in true Delta style, a reflective ballad where she thanks a dear friend for always supporting her. Also a bonus track in the UK, but it is a perfect song to end the album on. A classic piano ballad with heart wrenching lyrics.
Score: 91/100
A magnificent album matching the quality of Innocent Eyes in every way if not improving it. The Australian version includes a dark bonus track Nobody Listened. The album also comes with an optional DVD which adds to the quality, with the video for Out of the blue, footage from a trip to Europe and Delta talking about making the album and her inspirations for each track. This album is highly recommended. Few albums have as many high quality tracks as Mistaken Identity. A true classic!!!
Total Score: 1284/1400 points=9/10
All information and resources written by Richard Stuart-Turner