UK Pop Princess has GH album... (Changing Faces: The Best Of Louise - Louise)

Member Name: Devil_04

Product:	Changing Faces: The Best Of Louise - Louise
Date:	13/05/02 (36 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: All her hits on one disc, New songs, Eternal tracks

Disadvantages: Too early in her career

Louise, as we all know, was originally 1/4 of Eternal, UK R&B band that set the charts alight. She ended up leaving in 1994 and went on to do some solo work, which has gone down successful, in terms of singles. Album wise her "Elbow Beach" effort, and this GH have failed to live up to her previous two albums, her debut "Naked" and sophmore "Woman In Me".

This Greatest Hits, if you aren't a Louise fan, may not seem a Greatest Hits. Solo wise you are looking at 11 singles, 8 of which made the top ten, 5 of which made the top five. Nothing amazing here. As a fan though, this is rather brilliant. The album contains her 11 solo singles, plus two new songs, and three of Eternal's best singles from 1993/1994.

Here is a guide to the album:

*** 1: Naked
Louise's first top 5 smash, and the signle preceeding the debut album. An upbeat, dancey pop track (not to mention the saucy video!), her biggest seller to date. Great start to the album. (10/10)

***2: Just A Step From Heaven
Eternal's top 10 hit from 1994. Its a rather good R&B/Pop song, that does make me wonder - as songs like this are coming out nowaays thought to be a "new sound". Eternal were well before their time. Nice song, but kind of weird to have a #8 song as track 2. (8/10)

***3: Undivided Love
Catchy, upbeat, poppy. A solid all round track. Made #5, deservedly so. Nothing much more to say about this one! (9/10)

***4: Stuck In The Middle With You
Louise's cover of Steelers Wheel hit. Not a bad effort, but this song has a habit of sounding boring, as it is similar the whole way through. Not bad, but too boring after a few months. (7/10)

***5: Stay
Eternal's debut single. It is a good song, yet again, and an obvious choice of the Eternal ones to include. Keeping the album in full upbeat teritory so far. (9/10)

***6: Lets Go Round Again
My personal favourite
Louise song. Its another cover here, one that is done really well. Always puts a smile to your face. Upbeat, very catchy and very carefree. Video is rather good too - Louise is a red suit running around a building! (10/10)

***7: Light Of My Life
Louise's debut single. Its the first ballad on the album - and not a bad one at that. Once again, if you are a Louise fan - you will like this. If you don't like her - stay away, as this is just her getting all slushy and soppy. (8/10)

***8: 2faced
Louise's highest peaking single (#3), and anthem against all bitchy people! True to life lyrics make Louise seem more natural than other Barbie Dolls that are up there singing. R&B mixed with feisty pop. (10/10)

***9: The Slightest Touch
Her third cover on the album, one of the two new unreleased tracks. Should have been a single, its dancey and upbeat - not to mention catchy. Sadly, it is a bit weak in my opinion, but worht a listen. (8/10)

***10: One Kiss From Heaven
The final single from Louise's debut album. Its a slinky, mid temp number that doesn't really have a climax. Still - a nice pop song, if not exciting. (8/10)

***11: In Walked Love
Her lowest charting single - #17. I wonder why, as I love this song. No - it isn't as good as her top 5 hits, but it is certainly better than her lower top ten hits. Upbeat and catchy. (9/10)

***12: Beautiful Inside
Her second - and final - single from "Elbow Beach". Similar in sound and lyrics to "2Faced" - complainging about shallow people. Once again R&B/Pop that has a good chorus, and brilliant chorus. (8/10)

***13: Oh Baby I
The best Eternal song on the disc. A ballad that puts the Spice Girls/All Saints to shame. Sing-A-Long material here. (10/10)

***14: Arms Around The World
My favourite Louise song, alongside "Lets Go Round Again". Summery, happy, catchy, mid tempo. Pure brill
iance! (10/10)

***15: All That Matters
Louise's #11 hit from 1998. Its a nice enough ballad, if uneventful. Not much to say. An average song - shouldn't have been a single. (7/10)

***16: Come And Get Me
The second new song, and wind up to the album. Very simple lyrics, very simply sung. Catchy and happy - but nothing special. (7.5/10)


Overall, Louise is a great artist, with a brilliant Greatest Hits. BUT - if you don't like her, this album isn't for you, as it is just a selection of typical Louise-style songs. Judge for yourself on the singles you've heard, as the new songs are good, but nothing special.

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