Progressing to the future of music! (Celebrity - 'N Sync)

Member Name: 150983

Product:	Celebrity - 'N Sync
Date:	01/08/01 (116 review reads)
Rating:

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Ø Introduction
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*N Sync are back with their third album Celebrity. *N Sync’s new album follows after their debut album “N Sync” and the second album “No Strings Attached” which broke loads of records in the states for the fastest selling pop album. Like the previous albums, Celebrity uses the same sort of style in the songs but they tend to be more progressive and a bit more experimental than before with more varied beats as well as more synthesised sounds. The first song off the album and also the first release is “Pop” this song sets the feel of the album quite well.

*The Songs
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Ø Pop. [3:57]

I’m sure many of you have heard this track. To me, this song heralds a change in direction for pop music. Beginning with the opening words ‘ Dirty Pop’, the song includes many synthesised sounds as well as effects placed onto the vocals such as reverb and a tunnelled effect. This song is one of the catchiest pop songs in ages! There are many good samples in the song such as the scratched records as well as the syncopated and strong beats. This song is thoroughly enjoyable and really needs to be listened to. In the song, there are also instrumental breaks and also at the end a type of rapped section where Justin, the lead singer mostly uses vocal sounds. This song is very catchy and is a great track. 9.5/10

Ø Celebrity [3:17]

The namesake of the album, Celebrity is a rather strange song at the start, beginning with the sound of a camera going off, the intro includes the singers talking in beat and then leads into the verse followed by a catchy bridge which then leads into the chorus. The song questions people ‘If I wasn’t a celebrity, would you be so nice to me?’ The song is once again a catchy track but is nowhere as good as ‘Pop’. Again this song is a more progressive track compared to past songs
off their other albums which are more cheesy pop. A good track. 7.5/10

Ø The Game is Over [3:25]

I love the intro to this track, it begins with samples of arcade machines and it makes you feel as if you have just walked into an amusement arcade. The sounds then merge into the melody and incorporate the sounds more. The computerised sound that says ‘Game over game’ is repeated a few times before JC enters with the first verse. The bridge again in this track is very catchy, the harmonies that are used in this section that leads into the chorus is great. Justin then sings the second verse. The song tells of the theme of cheating and tells the person ‘How did you think you could treat me like that!’ and hence the ‘Game is over’. This song is another catchy song and could be a release. 8.5/10

Ø Girlfriend [4:13]

This song is a mellower track with softer beats and has a repeated section in the syncopated accompaniment. The chorus is a nice section to the song, as well as the accompaniment from the vocalists with various harmonic phrases and so on. The guitar or stringed part adds to the song quite well. To me, this song is nothing special apart from the middle eight in the song where Justin and JC take a part each then lead back into the chorus, they do a short little warble in harmony together. This song is OK but it isn’t one of the best on this album. 7/10

Ø The Two of Us [3:50]

The reminiscent intro to this track reminds me of a carnival ride and it a good intro that leads into a great chorus. This is a great track and the chorus is a really good part of the song, it gains pace when it reaches the chorus and to me, has many garage influences such as the syncopation and pace. This is a great feel good track which reflects the lyrics of the song about being together as ‘The two of us’. The middle eight of this track is again good as the harmony is a good part whic
h leads back into the fast tracked chorus. A good track which is great to listen to. 9/10

Ø Gone [4:51]

This is a great love song which has a really weird opening. Beginning in an old fashioned style as if a record is being played on a gramophone with all the crackling and popping included, the song opens with a string section playing a melody in harmony. As it goes on, it gradually finishes and Justin enters along with an acoustic guitar accompaniment. I was surprised when I first heard this song as Justin’s voice is quite sympathetic in a way in this track and I didn’t expect it to be as his voice is very distinct. He songs the verse very softly and expresses emotion into the song. The chorus is great where the entire group sings the chorus and the acoustic guitar seems more Spanish in feel. When the second verse enters, it becomes more advanced as the string section re appears and the rest of the group provide a great backing accompaniment in harmony. This is a great slow and melodic track and is a perfect song where the middle eight truly reflects emotion and where Justin puts his all into it leading into the final chorus. 9/10

Ø Tell me, Tell me … Baby [3:36]

My favourite track on this album is this song. Beginning with a false start (they rewind so-to-say) The song is very catchy track is destined to be a future hit! The second intro to the track remind me a bit of that percussion group “Stomp” as there are various strong beats in it as well as great part where the entire group say “Why”. The song has a great beat throughout the whole song as well as the verses. The song reminds me a bit of the Backstreet Boys single “The Call” but this is far better than that but the pace is reflected in both songs. I cannot stress how good this song is! It is very catchy, it has great vocals and great beats. All that is required of a good track. You need to hear this song! 10/10
r><br>Ø Up Against the Wall [3:36]

This is another good upbeat track. This song is another garage feel track as the beats are especially reminiscent of garage beats and rhythms. This song is another catchy tune which has great sounds and accompaniments in it. This song again uses more synthesised sounds which contribute to the modern feel giving the pop music feel more of an edge. The song has strong beats and it is fast tracked once again, there are elements in the first track Pop where the song seems to come to an almost halt but then gains pace again. This is another great track, another possible release? 9/10

Ø See Right Through you [2:52]

The shortest track on the album, the song begins with an almost oriental influence with a xylophone or bell type sound with then strong beats. When the singer begins to sing, the verse with the melody reminds me of “There you go” by Pink. This is another great track with a catchy chorus and great samples again with computerised elements in the voice also. Another release? 9/10

Ø Selfish [4:19]

The next ballad on this album. The song begins with a string section and also a keyboard accompaniment. When the verse begins, the song gets louder and a drum kit is used. This is a rather simplistic ballad but is worth listening to. The song demonstrates the boy’s voices well and adds a contrast to the other tracks. The middle eight of this track is what I like best, Justin and then JC take a turn to sing it and it brings the song to a climax which then leads into the final chorus. 8/10

Ø Just Don’t Tell me That [3:02]

This is again a great-fuelled track. This reminds me of the number three hit they had with “Bye Bye Bye” it is in that league. It is again a great track. The chorus is once again the best part of the song. The vocals and instruments are great in the song and could definitely be a future release! 8.5/10

Ø Somethin
g Like you [4:14]

This is a great slow song. It reminds me more of a country song with the guitar and Harmonica intro. I have just looked at the sleeve and have discovered that the harmonica is played by no other than Stevie Wonder which is a surprise for me! This probably the best slow track on this album, there is a great crescendo near the end of the song that brings the whole song to a climax which is a great addition to this song. It is a great track. 8/10

BONUS TRACK
That Girl (Will Never Be Mine) [3:24]

This is a great track and we are lucky to have it on this album as the American have only 13 tracks where as we have 15 which is one up for us and more value for money! This is the ‘It’s Gonna Be me’ of this album. It has a great intro which is sung in harmony as each boy enters with one note and then leads into the verse. This is another great song with a really catchy and although it is a great track and is single worthy, because it is not on the American album, it is unlikely that it will be released. 9/10

Ø BONUS TRACK
Falling [3:47]

This is the slow bonus track, it is rather simplistic which includes a piano accompaniment. This song has a nice beats and a nice chorus but is nothing special. There voices again are good in this track and it is still worth a listen because you may like it more than me. 7/10

Ø Do Your Thing [4:19]

The last track on this great album. The intro once again is rather peculiar but in a good way. The song opens with a great syncopated piano melody and also a great horse hoof type beats. The verses are sung with an effective vocal technique where they vocalist slurs parts on the song. The chorus is another good section of the song and the backing from the rest of the group polish it off well. This song is an OK ending to the album but I think it would have been a lot better if it had gone out with more of a bang. I really like the syncopation
in this song as it adds a different twist to the song. 8/10

Ø The Conclusion
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This is a great album in my view, it does lack in slow ballads which I did like on previous album with such songs as “This I Promise You” but it makes up for that with the great standard of upbeat track as there are so many good ones here. They all have great beats and much more mature sound. As I said earlier, the album songs depict the future of pop music, it is more experimental as opposed to past efforts as the various intros add different feels as well as the beats. Also samples and synthesised sounds all contribute to making this album a classic pop album of the future. There are too many potential hits on this album that it will be hard for them to pick but what ever they do choose, I’m sure they will be huge hits.

You won’t be disappointed if you buy this album, and that I am sure of!

:) Michael