Posted October 28, 200618 yr So yesterday, I finally got hold of Helena's long awaited international album, "The Game Of Love." It is made up of songs from her Greek album "Iparhi Logos" and new songs written for this album. So here is my track by track review of the album. 01. Gigolo Probably to be the second single from the album, this fantastic opener is, in my opinion, Helena's strongest recording to date. You will see as you read my review that I'm not too fond of some of the Greek-to-English translations on the album, but this song is unique in that it becomes 10 times better in English. The lyrics are great, the music and Shakira-ish melody are addictive - this is Helena at her very best and will definitely encourage listeners to hear more of the album. My rating: 5/5 02. Somebody's Burning The first song written in English for inclusion on the album, Somebody's Burning has clearly been written with an American audience in mind, and ups the tempo of the album significantly. Very slickly produced, this song reminds me of some of Britney's later offerings. The Jamaican rapper was a nice touch, and it was re-assuring that the producers resisted the temptation to overuse him. Not single material, except possibly in America. My rating: 4/5 03. The Game Of Love I'll cut to the chase - the title track of this album is a fantastic piece of pop music. It was first included in Greeklish on her Greek album earlier this year, but sadly it loses alot in the translation. The English chorus (as was included in the Greek version) is kick-ass, however the newly English verses leave me cold. Greek verses and English choruses were perfect, but I appreciate that this couldn't have been included on an international album. Overall, still a great song. My rating: 4/5 04. Mambo! What can I say? This song brings memories of my Greek holiday flooding back. I can't say I'm bothered about the English translation - I can't really see a problem with the lyrics. The melody is great, and Helena delivers the lyrics just right. An excellent party song, and most definitely the best choice for a lead single, despite it not being my absolute favourite on the album. However, this is great to sing along to, and I for one am glad to see that it's finally gaining airplay over here! My rating: 4/5 05. Carpe Diem (Sieze The Day) Here is another song written for this album, and the first that I'm not all that impressed with. The first 30 seconds are spoken, and I must say when Helena first bursts into the chorus, it is such a great feeling! The second verse, when the song really gains momentum is also a great listen, but unfortunately the song may as well be over after two minutes. Instead it insists on seeing out the whole three and a half minutes - I must say that after the seventeenth chorus of "la-di-da-la-la" it does start to get a tad tedious. Listening to that first spoken verse always makes me ever so slightly uncomfortable as well. My rating: 3/5 06. Teardrops True Helena fans will probably know 2 or 3 of the first five songs, and those looking for a fantastic new track are in for a treat here. Teardrops is without a doubt one of the album's highlights, with English lyrics (which aren't half bad!) written by Helena herself. This beautiful song starts off very chilled out, with almost a minute before any lyrics allowing the listener to get fully tuned into the song. I can really hear the hurt in the vocals; Helena's first real chance to show off her voice on the album. The chorus is also fantastically powerful - a great choice for a follow-up single to Gigolo. My rating: 5/5 07. Let Me Let Go Here is another English version of a song from her Greek album. Having never really listened to the Greek version, I find it hard to be phased by the English lyrics. The chorus is very strong, and I have been listening to this more and more - it's definitely the grower of the album. The catchy rhythm and ethnic feel would make it blend in extremely well at Eurovision, yet still manages to fit into this album well. This could go up with time, but at the moment... My rating: 3/5 08. Heroes For those who don't know, Heroes was the official song of the 2006 European Athletics Championships in Gothenburg and was a chart-topper in Sweden. Again, this is a good piece of pop music, but despite it being one of the strongest tracks on the album, I think that it was a mistake to include it. Given the context of the song and its lyrics, it probably would have been better as a one-off single, or even a bonus track as it really stands out. It would also have probably fitted better into her first album as musically it would feel more at home with "My number one," "A brighter day" and "OK." However, that doesn't take away my love of the song, despite my general disagreement with its inclusion. My rating: 5/5 09. It's Gone Tomorrow It's Gone Tomorrow is the English version of "Iparxi Logos" the title track of Helena's latest Greek album, and the follow-up single to Gigolo in Greece. I think that Iparxi Logos is a beautiful track and I was particularly looking forward to hearing this ballad in English. Sadly, all of its magic is lost in translation. This could have been the highlight of the album, but unfortunately, the English lyrics aren't up to much, don't fit the song, and the phrasing is terrible. Helena still gives it her best, but I really don't believe her like I do when she is singing the song in Greek. I'm very sad to say that my rating for the English version has dropped from that of the Greek version. My rating: 3/5 10. Heart Of Mine This is another song that really doesn't match up to the Greek version, however unlike It's Gone Tomorrow, I never really liked the original to begin with. This Greek sounding track is a little bland and never really gets going. The English version involves Helena singing "fashionably" flat in the verses, but personally I don't like this sound. And don't ask me what has happened to the harmonies in the chorus - they have completely disappeared!! I now find it quite hard to reach the end of this song without getting very bored! My rating: 2/5 11. You Set My Heart On Fire Count how many times Helena says the word "fire" on this album - go on, I dare you! It occurs alot, but it takes until track 11 before it gets a spot in the title. This is the only song on the album that was previously included in its English entirety on "Iparxi Logos," her Greek album. There were no surprises here then, and while it's not single material, and not a real highlight, it is a pleasant listen and this funky song is a good toe-tapper. I can't imagine this being anybody's favourite track, but it's nice enough to listen to. My rating: 3.5/5 12. Voulez Vous? Now as we near the end of the album, the pace picks up again! A song that wouldn't sound out of place at San Fermines for the running of the bulls! It has a carnival feel to it, and the fast moving lyrics are well written and draw the listener in. It all gets a bit repeatative towards the end, but nowhere near the scale of "Carpe Diem!" There is also something very sexy about Helena singing in the third person about a woman who has been known to say "Dance with me, and I'll dance for you." My rating: 4/5 13. Seven Days THANKFULLY, this album has a ballad to make up for the considerable shortcomings of It's Gone Tomorrow. Written in English for this album, this is arguably Helena's best vocal performance, as she sells the song alot better than the others, only to be rivalled in terms of vocal delivery by "Teardrops." This powerful ballad is a great way to close the bulk of the album, and would be a great single choice. Of course, that probably won't happen, as Teardrops has taken the "ballad single" position, but it could make the cut as well. It is the kind of song that probably would sound good sung by anybody, but Helena manages to take it up a level. My rating: 5/5 After "Seven Days" is bonus track, "Oti Axizi Ine I Stigmes" and on some versions, the Josh Harris remix of "My Number One" that has been gaining US club play. These are both pleasant enough to listen to, but would not fit into the main album. Apparently, Oti Axizi Ine I Stigmes is a cover of a French hit from the 60s, but I have yet to find the original (apparently called Le Bonheur). As a whole, alot of effort has clearly gone into the album, and apart from a couple of bad efforts at translating Greek lyrics, there are very few dud tracks. I know this album is being gradually released around Europe, so whenever The Game Of Love reaches a store near you, I thoroughly recommend that you buy it! My overall rating: 4/5 Edited October 29, 200618 yr by Peter30
October 29, 200618 yr Author Has anybody else been able to get hold of the album or heard any songs from it? What's the verdict guys?
October 29, 200618 yr Author When is this album out in the uk? Is she coming over to do promo? I'm not totally sure. The way I thought it was working was that all countries would release it on October 25th, but it clearly hasn't worked out like that. Helena is signed to a different record label over here, so they might prefer to wait until Mambo has been released before releasing the album. And yes, Helena is coming over to do promo around December time.
October 29, 200618 yr I'm not totally sure. The way I thought it was working was that all countries would release it on October 25th, but it clearly hasn't worked out like that. Helena is signed to a different record label over here, so they might prefer to wait until Mambo has been released before releasing the album. And yes, Helena is coming over to do promo around December time. But won't mambo have already been released?
October 29, 200618 yr Author But won't mambo have already been released? Yes I don't quite understand that, but that's how it is. Maybe it's for her album or for her next single.
October 29, 200618 yr Author I hope we get a great 2nd single It looks likely to be either "Teardrops" or "Gigolo"
January 18, 200718 yr nice review Peter, or can i say GREAT 2 bad I don't have that 13 track "Seven Days" the bonus one , but I'll try 2 find it ^_^ Edited January 18, 200718 yr by Boyan
January 18, 200718 yr Author nice review Peter, or can i say GREAT 2 bad I don't have that 13 track "Seven Days" the bonus one , but I'll try 2 find it ^_^ Seven Days isn't a bonus track though :blink: I could send it to you if you want - it's very good!
January 18, 200718 yr Seven Days isn't a bonus track though :blink: I could send it to you if you want - it's very good! well it's not on the album that was sended 2 me :( i would love 2 have that if u van please send it to me :)
January 26, 200718 yr Author did any of her singles get a uk release yet? Yep. Mambo was out in November. Didn't do much though, I think it got into the lower regions of the Top 100. Gigolo is supposedly coming out early 2007, and she has said she'll be coming over to promote it herself.
January 26, 200718 yr well i hope she gets a hot as she is a good pop star with good pop material anddeserves a hit
January 26, 200718 yr Yep. Mambo was out in November. Didn't do much though, I think it got into the lower regions of the Top 100. Gigolo is supposedly coming out early 2007, and she has said she'll be coming over to promote it herself. well mambo! was #185 in the UK :lol: sad tho :( great song :D and what hapeend 2 Seven Days Peter i'm still waiting :)
January 26, 200718 yr Author well mambo! was #185 in the UK :lol: sad tho :( great song :D and what hapeend 2 Seven Days Peter i'm still waiting :) Oops! I tried to send it and it failed - I totally forgot after that! I'm on the case :P
January 27, 200718 yr Oops! I tried to send it and it failed - I totally forgot after that! I'm on the case :P thnx again 4 the track Peter :D
Create an account or sign in to comment