Lopez Blogs

Oh the pre-Christmas whirl of life has begun. My 82 song festive playlist has started to entertain me on the journey to work. My pre-Christmas shopping holiday is less than 2 weeks away. And dozens upon dozens of artists are releasing new albums of the non-festive variety in an attempt to corner the Christmas market. I was going to do full reviews of these two albums today, but there are so many decent reviews out there of both that I shall just do an overview of why they are great and what singles should be released from each project. Alonzie!

Take That ~ Progress:

Why you should love it ~ Take That are back. Fully back. With Robbie and everything. If anyone had any doubts about the wisdom of this, then one listen to their amazing new album Progress should eradicate these. The involvement of Stuart Price, the working through of any "issues" and a true collaborative effort has produced an exciting and urgent new sound for the band that shows they aren't content to rest on their laurels. It's a bit jarring at first but ultimately the emotive vocal playoffs between messers Barlow and Williams & Owen and Williams deliver an intruiging overview of personal, group and global issues the band think are worth tackling. Here's what should be singles...

• The Flood ~ You only need to view the X-Factor performance (above) to see how glorious this single is. Even when it's delivered with an element of nerves, tentativeness and fragility, it blows the roof off most other boyband efforts ever. That it stalled at number two in the charts behind Rihanna is an absolute crime...
• Happy Now ~ A definite winner of a second single and one that possibly should have launched this album. The chorus is drenched in sumptuous harmonies that are perhaps the closest you'll get here to what has come to pass prior to this album, while the verses shimmer with memories of Robbie's Rudebox. It's all very scissor sisters meets Mika but definitely all Take That. Flipping brilliant.
• SOS ~ the second song on the album may verge into Killers meets Muse territory, but for me it evokes memories of the incredible Abba track The Visitors. Remember the sheer panicked urgency of the music and the evident terror in Agnetha's vocal? (Edit: It's Frida. I am filled with shame at this egregious error.) That atmosphere is bought bang up to date with this track and the rollicking chorus blasts it's way into your head ensuring you will be singing it for days to come. I can only imagine the brilliance a video might add to this track.
• Kidz ~ Not the Robbie track so no onery Sean Connery here. This is still rumoured to be the second single and what you get is a huge glam rock anthem with little Mark blisteringly tearing up the verses, while Robbie all but physically attacks the chorus (all heavy beats and intense sirens) with lyrics like "There will be trouble when the kids come out". It's a continuingly invigorated Take That and they are just that little bit dangerous now. who would have thought it?!
• 8 Letters ~ An exceptionally brilliant way to end the Progress singles campaign would be to remind everyone of the more traditional Take That. This Gary led track is one of his finest - it's a lovely, piano driven number, lighters in the air and coo along at your own leisure. Plus could nicely lead into album number four which may or may not include Robbie...

Agree? Disagree? Let me know!!

Shayne Ward ~ Obsession:

Why you should love it - even before hearing it, I felt honour bound to love Shayne's big comeback album. He has been grossly neglected by his record label and should probably be on album number four now and leading off with something as brilliant as Darin's Microphone. Alas, this was not to be but the fact that Shayne has returned at all is something to be thankful for. As his commitment to his rather amazing stomach and getting his kit off for Gay Times. Considering all the songs he allegedly recorded, there are a couple of "these will do" moments on the album, but there is enough in there for some corking singles as follows...

• Gotta Be Somebody ~ Who would have thought that a shimmering beat driven pop makeover of a Nickelback song would yield such enticing results? The minimalistic performance on the X-Factor (above) shows that the song stands on it's own merits and is totally deserving of a much higher chart position. Play it lots because it's beauty isn't always immediately apparent, but once you see it, you'll be hooked.
• Obsession ~ The title track is also one of the highlights of the album and continues Simon Cowell's obsession with all things Tedder sounding. However, it really works here with Shayne's vocal being nicely matched by a heavy percussive beat. It gives Shayne an opportunity to not only show off his impressive pipes (see here if you really required any more proof) but also his songwriting abilities - this was co-penned with X Factor vocal coach Savan Kotecha. Definitely should be single #2...
• Waiting In The Wings ~ ooo it's ballad time and very lovely it is too. It's another Shayne co-write and another track that gives his vocal ability the place it deserves, front and centre. There is a heavenly piano melody floating along and if he gets it out for Valentines day, it could be a real smoochy for all the lovers out there.
• Must Be The Reason ~ I'm sure Simon Cowell has a template now for his X Factor acts he is not sure what to do with. Just like Joe McElderry (who Shayne would totally snog according to GT) and Same Difference, Shayne's album is peppered with repurposed tracks and samples to give it just the right amount of familiarity. This remake of King of my Castle has a Ke$sha level of autotune, but is a nice, funky tune and may give Shayne a chance to finally atone for that If That's Ok With You dance routine. I've been playing this track all day and am just loving it. Single please (possibly double A side with catchy Human) with a plethora of remixes and a dance heavy video. thank you.

Agree? Disagree - let me know :)