Yaaaay!

 

Nice we got an updated total, although that means it's sold next to nothing in the last 15-20 years

 

Some previous totals (and today's update):

 

End of 2004 - 392,000

End of 2005 - 536,000

End of 2007 - 584,489

22nd June 2009 - 593,828

21st March 2013 - 599,000

2nd August 2019 - 605,120

23rd November 2023 - 614,400

8th March 2024 - 615,644

15th March 2024 - 618,569

Sales are pretty none existent for the album over the years but at least there greatest hits picks up decent enough sales.

Yeah everyone buys the gh, but they were always a singles band tbh. Becsuse of the production, their album tracks sound veeery samey anyway

It's selling at a rate of about 4,000 a year (not including the reissue boost this week), which I feel is surprisingly decent for an ancient studio album from a UK girl group?

Quick question - and maybe it's an obvious one. Would this include streams from the album on The Collection?

Quick question - and maybe it's an obvious one. Would this include streams from the album on The Collection?

I assume it would!

Yes it will! Multiple versions of a song are combined, so The Show for example will have its remixes etc combined and count towards WWTNS? (the exception to this is live albums which only count the live versions, assume remix albums are treated similarly). Streams count for a maximum of one studio album that has made the top 40, any studio album that hasn't made the top 40, and a maximum of one hits collection (the one with the highest pure sales unless otherwise nominated) - which only really affects Girls Aloud as far as Jump goes, which I assume will have its streams count towards Sound of the Underground nowadays.

Anyone know if it was top 200 last week or did it drop straight out?

Even without checking (it’ll probably be a couple of weeks until I see that chart), I can confidently say that it won’t be Top 200! :kink: There’s no chance or reason for it to have sold over 1000 copies in week 2.

I will give a track by track review of this, like I did for their first album 'Sound of the Underground' (which is in the album's post) if you wanna check that out

01. The Show – 10/10
The album opens in almighty style with roaring acid synths that’s instantly synonymous with the Girls Aloud name as well as marking a step forward in their evolution. The track brims with creativity with its fuzzy electro basslines, pulsating beats, quirky lyrics, and stylish production which ensures that this lead single is as catchy and memorable as hell. This fun colourful and upbeat anthem was the perfect showcase for their new direction.

02. Love Machine – 10/10
Swapping out the synths for bass and guitars for this catchy yet unconventional number. The catchy guitar riffs, frantic beats and fantastic vocals are wonderfully paced and gives everything a raw and sexy to it thanks to the slick production. One of Girls Aloud’s very best and signature tunes in their stellar discography. An iconic pure pop masterpiece.

03. I’ll Stand By You – 7/10
Slowing things down with this rather nice and tender ballad that became the album’s 3rd single. A cover of the 1994 hit by The Pretenders and doesn’t really stray too far from the original or anywhere that interesting, it just kinda wafts along with some stunning vocals. This is an okay cover version but feels a little too safe and doesn’t compare to the greatness of the first 2 singles.

04. Jump – 8/10
Another single that feels very oddly placed on here, given that it featured on the special edition version of their debut album. This is another cover version – this time originally sung by The Pointer Sisters back in 1984 and the girls do at least give a credible stab at it, with growling synths, fuzzy synths, catchy beats and solid vocals. Definitely one of their better cover versions of their careers.

05. Wake Me Up – 10/10
Back on form now with this harsh yet brilliant electro pop rock number that’s packed with energy and sass with its thrashing metal guitar riffs, throbbing beats and twinkling synths before switching to a more playful tone for the verses and then ramping things up again when it comes to the rousing chorus. This rightfully became the 4th single and stands as one of the Girl’s most brilliant and yet underrated singles.

06. Deadlines & Diets – 8/10
A really nice and chilled out mid-tempo R&B pop number with soulful vocals and warm acoustic guitars that weaves in and out beautifully amongst the soft beats. The lyrics and catchy verses do elevate this track somewhat and gives everything a nice chilled out vibe.

07. Big Brother – 7/10
The dreamy soundscapes and crunchy electro bass lines gives this track a cool mysterious vibe to it and the vocal harmonies are strong on here, but the chorus feels very lacking and undercooked. As an album track its decent enough.

08. Hear Me Out – 8/10
This is a lovely little electro ballad that marks a welcome change of pace with some wonderfully low bass synths, soft seductive vocals and gorgeous percussive beats that gives this a rather elegant sound.

09. Graffiti My Soul – 10/10
A firm standout moment with its interesting sampled acoustic guitar riff into before the funky beats and stuttering basslines kicks in and keeps the pace flowing nicely. Fun, upbeat, loose, and yet at the same time totally all over the place and lacking any sort of chorus, but that’s what’s so great about it, even the girls spoken verses and rapping adds another layer of weird greatness to this quirky number. One of Girls Aloud’s greatest album tracks for sure.

10. Real Life – 8/10
A fun catchy upbeat number with frantic pacing, strong melodies, great lyrics, and fantastic vocal performances from each of the girls.

11. Here We Go – 9/10
This opens with a 60’s bossa nova style with breathy vocals with twangy guitars before the rousing chorus kicks in and heads into a more pop/rock style and then it switches back for the verses. This is a fantastically catchy number that really takes you another place in time. A fun standout moment for sure.

12. Thank Me Daddy – 7/10
The stabbing synths are back again until the electro pop beats kick in for the verses. This is quite catchy during the chorus, but it does feel very much like album filler material.

13. I Say A Prayer For You – 6/10
A stunning soft ballad sung entirely by Nicola Roberts. Her vocals are delicate, as she sings softly over the gorgeous piano and strings. She gives a solid performance here, but this isn’t something I’d go back too very often when revisiting this album.

14. 100 Different Ways – 6/10
Ending the album with yet another slow plodding ballad that does have a nice warming feeling to it but doesn’t go anywhere interesting production wise or vocally. This & the previous track weren’t really needed on here as this is the definition of bonus filler material.

My top 3 tracks : Show, Here We Go, Big Brother

After listening to Sound of the Underground earlier in the week I listened to this today. It’s a fairly solid album , a nice step forward.

It's definitely a step up from their debut although the first 2 singles from their debut remain 2 top tier singles.

It's definitely a step up from their debut although the first 2 singles from their debut remain 2 top tier singles.

 

Agreed, I do like Life Got Cold though.

I may have to do a proper listen through soon where I post them here. Similar to what I did in the Kylie forum.

I may have to do a proper listen through soon where I post them here. Similar to what I did in the Kylie forum.

Look forward to your posts as I really enjoyed your posts in the kylie forum.