April 7, 20169 yr This is a first rate I've done in ages but this album so deserves it. The record is so rich lyrically and production-wise, it's cohesive yet diverse enough. I can't remember the previous album by which I was impressed that much. The only downfall is 'Ratchet Behaviour' but even that can find its fans and makes a nice diversity to the whole record. Also I found 'Pieces' pretty boring but it's so similar to their previous stuff, and I guess they needed one... And it's a nice end too. 11 One Strike 10 One Woman Man 10 Make U Love Me 08 Summer Rain 09 This is a War 06 Who Hurt Who 09 Puppet on a String 07 Fear 02 Ratchet Behaviour 09 Red Flag 08 Tribal 05 Pieces
April 8, 20169 yr Author Can't actually believe the album is now out! They are on The One Show tonight chatting and performing 'One Woman Man' :)
April 8, 20169 yr First listen rate: 09.0 One Strike 10.0 One Woman Man 10.0 Make U Love Me 08.0 Summer Rain 11.0 This Is A War 02.0 Who Hurt Who 09.0 Puppet On A String 06.5 Fear 02.5 Ratchet Behaviour 06.0 Red Flag 07.0 Tribal 09.0 Pieces Not quite as strong as I thought it might have been based on the songs already heard, there are a few real misfires. Having said that the fact this comeback has offered us 'One Strike', 'One Woman Man', 'This Is A War', 'Make U Love Me', 'Puppet On A String' and 'Pieces' is amazing. Six real incredible tracks for me to put on a repeat. Hopefully some of the rest of it will continue to grow but even if they don't the comeback has still been worthwhile for my record collection.
April 8, 20169 yr Just bought this and will listen soon. Shaznay co-wrote every song apart from Who Hurt Who, which Mel co-wrote. I don't really understand why Shaznay isn't up there as one of pop's most called upon songwriters, she's ridiculously talented.
April 8, 20169 yr It's a decent album, overall I think I prefer Studio 1 actually (which I still LOVE, it was so underrated) but One Strike, One Woman Man, Make U Love Me and This Is A War are all fantastic and worth buying the album for. The second half is dull/fillery in places and in places the production doesn't sound quite as strong as in the first half oddly.
April 8, 20169 yr Author #2 on iTunes... Incredible! Can't quite believe it myself. Least it looks as if they'll improve on Studio 1's peak. Coldplay Tweeted them good luck today as well so that'll have generated some good word of mouth promo! Edited April 8, 20169 yr by ThePensmith
April 8, 20169 yr If they can get top 10 with this I'll be so pleased. Though I imagine it'd be a 10-44-98 sort of affair, but still.
April 8, 20169 yr Their CD is in the "2 for £15" deal in HMV, so that should help them pick up a fair few casual sales. :D If 'Red Flag' goes Top 10, it'll make 'Studio 1' look like quite the blip in their chart history. 'Studio 1' sold 12,420 to enter at #40 (Q4 sales in the mid 2000s were very strong!). 'Red Flag' won't need to sell that much to achieve a Top 10 position next Friday, 7000ish copies should guarantee that. Fingers crossed! I hope Music Week reveals how much 'Studio 1' has sold in total, next week. It's certified Gold for 100,000 shipments, but sadly that was Parlophone overestimating the demand. :kink:
April 8, 20169 yr Studio 1 was so brilliant. :( There are songs from it I still listen to semi-regularly to this day.
April 9, 20169 yr I really like 'Who Hurt Who' as well and cant stop playing 'One Woman Man' whole album I'm enjoying
April 9, 20169 yr I really dislike Ratchet Behaviour but I find the rest of the album listenable enough, it could do with a couple more upbeat moments though - ideally Pure Shores and Black Coffee! :D
April 10, 20169 yr ratchet behaviour is firee ppl shut you all up everyone. puppet on a string too 🙌🕳🙌🕳
April 10, 20169 yr ratchet behaviour is firee ppl shut you all up everyone. when it turns into red flag ommgggMgg
April 10, 20169 yr Author I'm just gonna put this out there: album of the year for me. I listened to it on train back from London (the beauty of Amazon MP3 auto rip etc) yesterday and it's just flawless, and has reminded me what a great ear for harmonies they have. 'This is A War' and 'Who Hurt Who' are my favourites thus far. Natalie kills it on the latter it has to be said. They did a live session and interview on Dermot O'Leary's Radio 2 show yesterday that's worth a listen. They did 'One Strike' (now top 50 on iTunes, get in) and 'Pure Shores'.
April 10, 20169 yr when it turns into red flag ommgggMgg I started listening to it ONLY because of that haha
April 10, 20169 yr I hope Music Week reveals how much 'Studio 1' has sold in total, next week. It's certified Gold for 100,000 shipments, but sadly that was Parlophone overestimating the demand. :kink: "It surely didn't sell 100,000, did it?" actually crossed my mind when I was looking at the chart run for 'Studio 1'. I think it's probably 50k or below, however I could be completely wrong! We'll never know unless we find out from MusicWeek on Friday. They'll probably give totals for their first album and 'Never Ever', though it would be nice for all of their album totals.
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