Despite not being a particularly big fan of Westlife I do find myself feeling a little sad that they are splitting, and never getting back together so they say. It's definitely the end of an era in British/Irish pop. I'm not gonna get involved with this Will Young vs Westlife nonsense, I don't see what Will Young's got to do with them anyway?!?!? :S What I will say is that this Greatest Hits album seems to me like the sort of album that will stand the tests of time. I'm sure that post-split people who discover them or remember them (<- inevitable) will go straight for the two GH albums. Therefore I think it's a bit extreme to call this a flop!

 

Ps; I include myself in that, I'm a non-fan who will definitely get this album at some point, probably after the split when I have a 'my childhood's too long ago' break-down ;)

What is the need on this forum to constantly pit artists against eachother to prove one is better than the other? It's all just personal opinion, it's pop music at the end of the day, you can enjoy what you want, it's not right or wrong. Ok so Will Young had bigger viewing figures, Westlife higher sales. 1-1 ding ding. match over. Can we just drop it, we'll never change eachothers opinions.

 

I have to disagree with torresgirl though, I think Westlife are here because of their vocals. They came on the scene with like 5 ballads in a row, they wanted to be known as a vocal group and I think they are, they aren't the traditional boyband who focus on the dancing (although they give it a good bash on tour from time to time). The fact they were a boyband who sang too many covers will obviously dent any credibility and imo that's probably deserved, but when it comes to vocals Shane and Mark are extremely good, two of the strongest male singers in pop. I know it's cliche to say pop singers can't sing and especially so for pop groups, but honestly they should get a bit more credit in that department. Louis isn't lying when he say's shane never sings out of tune, I've personally never heard him buff a note up in the 14years I've watched them, mess the words up and certaintly mess the dance routines up, but not the key. Marks range is incredible too, that voice. TBH I might be wrong in saying it's a shame they'll never get the credit for their voices because it's only on music forums I see that criticised, in the media for example album or tour reviews their vocals are normally pointed out as very positive, even in negative reviews.

 

Just to be clear I didn't mean they couldn't sing at all. Shane has an ok voice and on record so does Mark (I've seen them live though he shouts terribly) the other members are pure window dressing though and lucky to have been part of such a huge band. My main point was though that in Boybands vocals are not always the first consideration that make them a success.

 

Westlife are now almost gone. . .

While im not generally a westlife fan i do enjoy the odd song of theirs but its been a while since i liked one of their songs until i heard beautiful world, i think its quite a good song and they really should release it as a single, its much much better than lighthouse.