I did not expect a big hit for the album, as you mentioned when Shane couldn't manage big success it was highly likely Nicky wouldn't. That said, i firmly believe that my assumption he would at least manage a top 100 placing is not a crazy thought. Between his Westlife fame and Eurovision promo, achieving sales of 2,000 was not a big ask. I never expected a top 10 album or anything near.

To those saying staging hardly matters, just look at The Netherlands 2k14 for your answer.

I did not expect a big hit for the album, as you mentioned when Shane couldn't manage big success it was highly likely Nicky wouldn't. That said, i firmly believe that my assumption he would at least manage a top 100 placing is not a crazy thought. Between his Westlife fame and Eurovision promo, achieving sales of 2,000 was not a big ask. I never expected a top 10 album or anything near.

But don't forget that Mark sold only 1000 of copies of his album, so expecting Nicky to do the same or better actually is a big ask if you ask me. And again, Eurovision failure is not a good promo, everyone just knows about Sunlight, the song that flopped.

 

Of course we can ask ourselves where are all the Westlife fans and I can't answer that because that sticks to every Westlife member. Why so little fans supported Mark's truly amazing album and why Shane isn't more successful since he was always a lead singer and most loved member of t he band? That again can be asked for any boyband member out there as well: why nobody cared for JC Chasez or Gary Barlow career? It is how it is, there is no answer at all.

 

But my point is, if Mark couldn't sell more than 1000 copies, a guy with a brilliant voice and a strong debut album, then no wonder Nicky couldn't.

 

In any case, I'm sure Nicky is not bothered by any of it, he wasn't even thinking of releasing this album, he did this for his pleasure. And I think he should be satisfied because it is in my opinion a very good little pop/rock album. I love Explosions, Finishing Line and Broadway Show the most but it is good as a whole.

Edited May 23, 20169 yr by zeze88

Mark's album sold much more than 1,000 copies, his opening week sales were nearer to 3,000. Westlife have not done well solo wise (musically) as none of them have released songs strong enough. The styles have varied but none of the boys have released anything that would light up the charts. Mark has to be applauded for the route he took but that sound was never going to have huge appeal. Had Shane recorded, or been given the right material he could have done so much better.

 

Careers can be turned around, look at the massive difference in sales and success in Gary Barlow's second album which was an almighty flop and his third album was by far the biggest of his career.

Mark's album sold much more than 1,000 copies, his opening week sales were nearer to 3,000. Westlife have not done well solo wise (musically) as none of them have released songs strong enough. The styles have varied but none of the boys have released anything that would light up the charts. Mark has to be applauded for the route he took but that sound was never going to have huge appeal. Had Shane recorded, or been given the right material he could have done so much better.

 

Careers can be turned around, look at the massive difference in sales and success in Gary Barlow's second album which was an almighty flop and his third album was by far the biggest of his career.

My bad about Mark's sales, you are right, but they still weren't nowhere near good as Shane's sales, and even his weren't that amazing. I don't think Mark's sound could have been any better, I think he made a great choice and he did release 3 very good singles. The material is not to blame. it is the fact that also none of them have huge opportunities for an album promo - you can barely even find a few album reviews out there, they just aren't popular anymore. I think all o f that has a lot to do with the fact that they spent 14 years in a boyband, that is a very very long time to go solo afterwards - I doubt Robbie or Justin would have become huge stars if they went solo after 14 years being in a boyband.

 

Of course careers can turn around but I doubt this will happen to them. I think Gary had more success mostly because of his status, the whole country seems to think he is the best thing since sliced bread :lol: Not to mention Take That's comeback was huge - no way Gary would have this success without all of that. So his example is quite unique in my opinion.

Edited May 24, 20169 yr by zeze88

Is Nicky's album any good?

Is Nicky's album any good?

 

I honestly think it is a good debut. Nothing wow mind you but I am pleasantly surprised with how he pulled it off, I was not expecting it to be this good. In fact, I really think his album is much better than Shane's 2nd album. Of course most songs are cheesy but it is hard to expect anything deep and dark from a guy that is very happy in life so many songs are understandably about his wife and kids. But I do think he is quite a good songwriter in this area, he isn't simply repeating himself in 2nd verses. He also offers some better vocals in other songs. He sounds very good in Explosion and Thank You. Apart from love songs, I do like Broadway Show because it is a cheeky little song and Pretty is nice little lullaby for his daughter.

 

In any case, I think he should be very happy about the material he made. And this just backs up what I have been saying for years - it is a shame Westlife were pushed into covers routine since all of them are quite capable of writing a song. I do hope if/when they get back, that they stay clear from Simon and actually co-write or even write the whole album themselves. But even if not that, then at least NO MORE covers.

 

By the way, he mentioned the other day that Explosion could be a 2nd single from the album. If anybody is interested, you can check it out here:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJFGPefVeOk

Edited May 25, 20169 yr by zeze88

I am debating to purchase his album or not. Sunlight the song was pleasant but nothing that made me want to purchase it. Nicky was always my favorite member of Westlife and i really would have liked him to have been given more vocal time while in the band. For Nicky i strongly believe this solo album was really about showing people he can actually sing, the success was irrelevant.

 

The Eurovision road may have not gone to plan but he managed to show people he has a decent singing voice and was more than a backing singer. In these terms this solo venture was a success. For Nicky i would have liked the album to have registered as an official chart entry but it is now likely that will never happen.

I am debating to purchase his album or not. Sunlight the song was pleasant but nothing that made me want to purchase it. Nicky was always my favorite member of Westlife and i really would have liked him to have been given more vocal time while in the band. For Nicky i strongly believe this solo album was really about showing people he can actually sing, the success was irrelevant.

 

The Eurovision road may have not gone to plan but he managed to show people he has a decent singing voice and was more than a backing singer. In these terms this solo venture was a success. For Nicky i would have liked the album to have registered as an official chart entry but it is now likely that will never happen.

 

Nicky never planned to make the album, the whole thing started because his sister in law asked him to write a song for the movie adaptation Love Rosie. He did that and then went from there. I love that song by the way, too bad it wasn't included in the soundtrack, I think it would fit nicely. And then Eurovision happened which got him the record deal - so all of that resulted in this album being made, he never intended to have a solo career or prove anything initially - so I'm sure he is happy even if he just got #8 in Ireland, I bet his expectations are quite low.

 

But yes, I do think he did prove he can sing, I don't understand why there is such huge criticism on his voice - of course it is not the strongest but it definitely isn't so bad as some people claim it is. However, I do feel that Kian has a more pleasant voice than him, with his debut he absolutely showed he can also hold a tune. I hope he will make an original album in the future, we all know he did the cover album at the back of winning I'm a Celebrity.

 

I am all for equality in the band - no one can deny that Shane and Mark are more superior vocally but that shouldn't be the reason of Nicky and Kian barely singing at all - it is tragic that Nicky had 8 and Kian 9 minutes of solo time in the entire Westlife discography.

 

Anyway, if he was your favorite member then maybe you should check the album - he wasn't my favorite and I think it is good, I am pleasantly surprised. And kudos to him for co-writing everything with just 2 songwriters - not even Shane managed this and his 2nd album is a bit boring and samey.

 

So apart from proving he can sing, he also proved he is a good songwriter.

Edited May 25, 20169 yr by zeze88

I will buy the album next time i am in the local store. I would like him to continue promoting the album at least push another single.

I will buy the album next time i am in the local store. I would like him to continue promoting the album at least push another single.

 

Share what you think of it after you listen.

 

There has been only one proper review of the album and it is good. I'm glad it is acknowledged he is a capable vocalist. The only thing that I son't agree with is Broadway Show, I really like this tune, it is a cheeky little uptempo, I find the song's story interesting.

 

http://www.entertainment-focus.com/music-s...t-album-review/