Albums
Well well well... I now own all of S Club 7's albums, so I can tell you what I think about them! But first of all, I'd like to point out that the reviews here are based on the track listing for the European release. If some songs aren't in the albums reviews, scroll down to the B-sides and misc. and there you'll find them.
'S Club':
A few words about the album... the cover is really cute. It shows a picture of the members run in the sea, and in the back cover you can see them in the opposite direction. The inside songbook includes lyrics to all of the songs in the album, plus some close-ups of the members. However, I do think this CD layout is lacking of something.
Track number 1: "Bring It All Back":
I used to loath this song! And I'm serious about it. But that was before I actually liked S Club 7. Anyway, I used to think that this song is so damn cheerful and optimistic, but now, I really love it. I think that this song defines S Club 7 the best, because the band itself is optimistic and cheerful. So yeah, I dig it.
My mark: 8.5/10
Track number 2: "You're My Number One":
I really like this song. I think it's cute and yet again, optimistic. There's not much to say about this song, but I guess I can say that just like always, the S Club 7 made the love issue in songs to become more cheerful with the help of this song.
My mark: 7/10
Track number 3: "Two In A Million":
I think this song is the best one in the album. It's one of my favorites, although I'm not totally objective. See, I have this... obsession, yeah, that's the word, about Paul and Rachel. And since there's a lot of... closeness between them when they perform this song, I really love it. Plus, Jo does a great job in singing the leads in it.
My mark: 9.5/10
Track number 4: "S Club Party":
This one is another one of my favorites. It defines S Club's songs, shows and performances so well! I especially love the bit where there's a line about each member of the group. Great party song!
My mark: 9/10
Track number 5: "Everybody Wants Ya":
I say whenever Rachel does a certain leading vocal, the song is a winner. So yeah, this song is not one of their bests, but I really like it. I don't really understand its concept, but hey, it's optimistic, and that's all you need!
My mark: 7.5/10
Track number 6: "Viva La Fiesta":
Not one of my favorites. But if you want to party, this song is good for you.
My mark: 5/10
Track number 7: "Gonna Change The World":
We all know Jon has a great voice, right? Well here he proves it! I really love this song. It's one of my favorites, and I think it's really ambitious. Anyway, great vocals and Bradley does an excellent work backing up.
My mark: 8/10
Track number 8: "I Really Miss You":
Oh, Rachel... the girl has an amazing voice, and I can't see why she's not singing the leads in more songs. Well, this song is perfect for someone who his lover's away and he misses him, obviously.
My mark: 8.5/10
Track number 9: "Friday Night":
It's party time! And as always, when it come to parties, leave it to Bradley! A very catchy song and excellent for parties.
My mark: 8/10
Track number 10: "It's A Feel Good Thing":
Uh... I don't know why, but this song doesn't do it to me, to say the least. It kinda reminds me 'Viva La Fiesta'. Anyway, not one of my favorites as you understand, but again... great song for parties.
My mark: 6/10
Track number 11: "Hope For The Future":
Not much to say about this song, except from I really like it. Jo does yet again a great job by leading and Bradley doesn't do bad himself by backing her up.
My mark: 7/10
'7':
A few words about the album... the cover is great. I really liked the picture, they all look brilliant in it. The inside songbook shows you close-ups on the members, and they look really great in them. You can also see the lyrics to all of the songs that appear in the album, and in the end, the S Club 7 members' thank-you's.
Track number 1: "Reach":
Here's another song that at the beginning I couldn't stand. But I really like it now. Just like 'Gonna Change The World', this song is very ambitious and optimistic. Kind of those songs that give you hope. Anyway, I also liked the fact that Jo didn't sing the entire song. The girl has a great voice, I admit. But how come she sings most of their songs?
My mark: 9/10
Track number 2: "Natural":
Uh... my favorite from this album! It's all Rachel!!! She has an amazing voice, we all know that, only this time she shows it to us with this beautiful song. It's not one of those cheerful songs, but yet it has something special in it. Oh, and in case you were wondering... yes, this song reminds me of Paul and Rachel also. What can I say? I'm sick.
My mark: 10/10
Track number 3: "I'll Keep Waiting":
You know how it's like when you don't really like a song, but then after seeing the S Club 7 perform it, you change your mind? Well, that's what happened to me with this song. I didn't really like it at the beginning, but after seeing them perform it in L.A. 7, it caught me.
My mark: 7.5/10
Track number 4: "Bring The House Down":
Not really their best song, but it's a great party song, especially if you want to just cut lose.
My mark: 7.5/10
Track number 5: "Best Friend":
Nah ah... not my song at all. I really didn't liked that song, but that doesn't mean Bradley doesn't do a good job in singing it.
My mark: 5/10
Track number 6: "All In Love Is Fair":
I so love this song! I think the girls do an excellent work in backing up Jo, who does a great job in singing the leads, again. And when they performed it in L.A. 7 *SIGH* - great! I think that was my favorite performance from L.A. 7. And when Paul hugged Rachel... oh, just make me melt, why don't you?! Anyway, final thought - great.
My mark: 9/10
Track number 7: "Love Train":
Paul, my love!!! Yay! Finally, Paul gets a chance to show he has a great voice, and he seizes it. Believe me, he does. I love this song. It talks about being away from a lover (kinda reminds me of 'I Really Miss You' in its concept, which brings me back to how perfect Paul and Rachel are!) and yet keeps a surprisingly upbeat tone.
My mark: 9/10
Track number 8: "Cross My Heart":
Has any of you seen the S Club 7 performance for this song in L.A. 7? I only saw the beginning of it (but the episode hasn't arrived here yet), and I managed to see Paul and Rachel dancing together! That was sweet! But back to the song... it's a great song, and again... Jo does a great job.
My mark: 8.5/10
Track number 9: "The Colour Of Blue":
I used to really love this song, but I don't know what happened, and my love to it kinda decreased. I still think the song shows some great vocals from everybody.
My mark: 7.5/10
Track Number 10: "I'll Be There":
It's Tina time to show us what a wonderful voice she has! I really love this song. It has some rappish style but it still has these soft vocals. Paul and Rachel do a great job in backing it, and I especially love their part towards the end.
My mark: 9/10
Track number 11: "Two In A Million - 'Boyfriends & Birthdays' version":
Well, what else can I say about this song? I think it's amazing, you already know that. But I think this version is actually a lot better than the original one.
My mark: 10/10
'Sunshine':
A few words about the album... the cover is the best out of all the 3 albums and no, I'm not just saying that cuz Paul stands next to Rachel! The inside pictures look fabelous and they show the current look of S Club 7 (well, 'cept for the haircuts, that is!) and after all the lyrics, you can find the thank-you list! So basically, nothing's different but the lyrics, pictures etc... :)
Track number 1: "Don't Stop Movin":
Okay... so, I REALLY love this song (then again, almost everybody does). In some way, it reminds me of 'ABBA's music. I think it's the music, I don't know. But I don't understand why we have to run it through again. Okay, we got it. Jo has an amazing voice, and so does Bradley. But why must they sing all of the S-Club songs??? However...
My mark: 9.5/10
Track number 2: "Show Me Your Colours":
WOW. Definitely one of my favorite S Club songs ever. I simply loved it. Rachel shows us yet again she's talented enough to sing leads in songs that actually comes out as singles.
My mark: 10/10
Track number 3: "You":
Well, they certainly let Rachel expose herself more as a leading singer in this album, didn't they? S Club's 3rd single from the album 'Sunshine' is 'You', and alongside with Jo, Bradley and Jon - Rachel leads them to yet another great one.
My mark: 8.5/10
Track number 4: "Have You Ever":
Children In Need official track for 2001 is this song. Just like last year, with 'Never Had A Dream Come True', which was also the official track for CIN, Jo sings it all. When I first heard it, I pretty much laughed cuz it was in the exact same pattern as NHADCT to me and I thought all they did was recycle last year's success. But now I'm proud to say I was wrong. The song that has already been to the number 1 spot in the UK is even better than NHADCT.
My mark: 10/10
Track 5: "Good Times":
Well, it's not one of their very best, I believe. However, Paul finally gets to sing! This song is not about love, funny enough, but about someone being under a lot of pressure. I loved the bit in the chorus where Rachel backed up.
My mark: 8/10
Track 6: "Boy Like You":
I LOVE IT! Again, it's all Rachel, and I think it's a great song. Very catchy, very cute... only too bad the boys aren't in it, too.
My mark: 10/10
Track 7: "Sunshine":
And now it's Jon's turn to take the leads and he does it like only he can. We're back to love issues and Jon paints us a pretty picture with Jo backing up.
My mark: 8/10
Track 8: "Dance Dance Dance":
After hearing Jo, Bradley, Rachel, Paul and Jon - it's time to hear Hannah. 'Dance Dance Dance' is unofficial inheritor of 'Don't Stop Movin". Groovy dance tune for everyone to like. Real up beat.
My mark: 9/10
Track 9: "It's Alright":
Jo, Bradley, Jon and Rachel show us that even though we sometimes think everything's going wrong in our lives - there's always S Club 7 to make us think differently. Well, at least for 3:30 minutes, that is...
My mark: 9.5/10
Track 10: "Stronger":
This song is what I like to call 'Friday after noon tune', because it's perfect to listen when you're cleaning your room or something like that. Jo sings the lead again, but this is a song that clearly won't come out as a single. And not cuz it's not good enough or something like that! It's because by the sound of it, you know it's not a single material. It is a party material, though...
My mark: 7.5/10
Track 11: "Summertime Feeling":
This tune certainly gets us into the summertime feeling even though it's winter! Paul, Rachel and Bradley makes us all sorry we're not in the beach, listening to this great track!
My mark: 9/10
Track 12: "I Will Find You":
Just like in 'Don't Stop Movin", it's Bradley and Jo who sings the lead here. This songs talks about a lost love (shocked, aren't we?) but gives us all hope we'd eventually find him/her!
My mark: 8/10
Track 13: "Never Had A Dream Come True":
One of their best song. Jo sings the leads again and does it wonderfully, but what I really like is the way the girls join her. I especially love the part in the chorus where they back up. Great song, wonderful vocals.
My mark: 10/10
New songs, B-sides etc.:
"Lately":
Truly one of the best songs I've ever heard. It's a slow song and I'm a sucker for those. Bradley sings great and Jon does a wonderful job joining him in the bridges. So it's a sad song, but oh, so wonderful.
My mark: 10/10
"Perfect Christmas":
I always had a thing for Christmas (although I never actually celebrated one - I'm Jewish), but I used to hate the Christmas songs. That is, until I heard this one. It's such a... typical holiday song. Great vocals, great content. Rachel and Jo do the leads.
My mark: 9.5/10
"Someday, Someway":
Jon sings the lead in this song and does it great. I just love his voice! The girls join in the bridges and all together... catchy song.
My mark: 8/10
"Our Time Has Come":
I don't really like this song, but I think it's mainly because I don't get its concept!
My mark: 6/10
"So Right":
Well, nice song. But nothing more, really.
My mark: 6.5/10
"If It's Love":
It's Jon's turn yet again. And I so love that song! He and the girls do a great job doing the vocals, and it's a really cute song.
My mark: 8.5/10
"Stand By You":
I don't know why, but I used to think that this song appears on the second album. It's not. Anyway, this is a duet of Tina and Hannah, and they show us that they can sing pretty good! It's really cheerful and the kind of song you'd sing to your best friend.
My mark: 8/10
"Down At Club S":
Another major party song. I like it cuz it's, surprisingly enough, cheerful and optimistic. I especially love the line: "When you're lonely, aim for the best club. One and only wonderful S Club!"
My mark: 7.5/10
"We Can Work It Out":
Let's prove the world that everything is peachy! That's basically the main concept of the song. But it's still cute.
My mark: 7/10
"Dancing Queen":
You'd think that after the A-Teens cover you'd get kind of sick from this song. Well, I do! The girls do some great work with the vocals, but I can't stand this song!
My mark: 4/10
"Hello Friend":
Oh my God, this is such an amazing song. Jo and Jon sing it and they do it so great! They have those amazing high vocals, which make this song so deep and meaningful. Anyway, it's a wonderful song and it talks about best friends again.
My mark: 10/10
"Spiritual Love":
I just realized it's not
in the second album! What? But I was sure it was...
Anyway, its beginning is absolutely awful! I mean, come on, Jo!
You can do better than that! But the rest of the song is great,
with Bradley doing the leads and Jo and Paul backing him up.
My mark: 8.5/10
"The Two Of Us":
I don't really like this song. I think it talks about best friends again, but I still don't like it... it's taken from the Stuart Little Soundtrack.
My mark: 5.5/10
"Right Guy":
Bradley and the boys take the lead in a song that sounds like the respond to the girls' 'Boy Like You'. Not one of my favorites basically because I think it sounds nothing like the S Club tune we're used to.
My mark: 4/10