A fantastic Lesson! (Chemistry - Girls Aloud)

Member Name: AmyAmy

Product:	Chemistry - Girls Aloud
Date:	06/08/08 (54 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: amazing songs, cheap, attractive

Disadvantages: erm...

22nd December 2002. The audience is buzzing. Everybody at home is sitting on the edge of their seats, biting the ends of their fingertips until they start to sting. Davina McCall is standing centre stage, the judges glaring in front of them: Pete Waterman, Louis Walsh, Geri Haliwell. Around her stood six girls. Only five of these girls would make it, one sadly would not. Everybody had tuned in to ITV show Popstars: The Rivals to see the formation of new boyband One True Voice, and girl band opposition Girls Aloud.

It was Javine Hylton who was eliminated in this final. That may be a loss, but what was born was something magnificent. From a small reality TV Show sparked one of the most successful girl bands. The five members of Girls Aloud were the talk of every young girl - Cheryl Tweedy (now Cole), Nadine Coyle, Sarah Harding, Kimberly Walsh, Nicola Roberts. They were young, fresh and exciting. They looked the part, and sounded it too. Though were they good enough to win?

The initial competition may have been over, but there was more battling still to commence! Both One True Voice and Girls Aloud were to compete for the Christmas Number 1 of that year. Of course, there was no saying that either of them would be successful and reach number one! But what was the outcome of that year? The Cheeky Girls were at number three with Cheeky Song (Touch My Bum), and One True Voice managed to reach number two with their version of Sacred Trust. The top spot was still open - did Girls Aloud reach it? Sound of the Underground, Girls Aloud's first release, rocketed to the Number One spot, selling around 213, 000 copies (close to 76,000 more than One True Voice!). This beauty of a track was just the beginning of a new era of girl bands.

In May 2003, Sound of the Underground, the Girls' debut album was released. It stayed in the top 75 charts over three years, a great success! The release of their second album in November 2004, What Will The Neighbours Say?, sent the nation into overload. The excitement kept this in the charts at number six. So you can imagine the delight when album number three, Chemistry, was released! It was on the shelves from December 2005, in time for Christmas! With its four top tracks, it did manage to reach number eleven (though the Girls' lowest then), and went Platinum. But what made this so special?

The first thing you see with this album is obviously its cover. I was most attracted to this, as it's main colour is pink. Mounted on top of the white background is a head of all five girls. They are all wearing pink too, so they match. Studying this image from the first album cover, it is clear that each girl has grown up. Cheryl especially has transformed from a bit of a 'Geordie tart' to 'Pop Princess'. The title 'Chemistry' is written above them in secretive grey lettering, under their name. It seems like quite a normal title for an album, though when you see tracks inside such as 'Biology' and 'Whole Lotta History', you do begin to feel you are going back to school. On the back of the case, mounted on a perfect pink was the track listing; thirteen superb-sounding tracks, some of which I recognised. Opening up the case, I found that inside it there was a little booklet. Flicking through, I saw that this contained all the Thank Yous from the girls. On the back of it was an image of the group, dressed in elegant dresses. Kimberly's blue gown was especially gorgeous! Everything seemed so perfect, I couldn't wait any longer, so I popped the amazingly pink CD into the player to reveal its secrets...

1. Intro (0:42)
I found this first track to be quite unique. I had not heard of any album starting with a piece to introduce the whole album. Instantly, it kicks in with an up tempo beat. It's quite tinny, though catchy. The vocals are quite clear too, though kind of hard to sing along to! It is very short, so even if it was a let-down, there would be no need to worry!
"Don't ask me to say my name...don't ask me to share my fame!"
★ ★ ★

2. Models (3:28)
Before the song has even begun, I am already thinking positively about it. Why? I liked the title! Anything to do with modelling can't be bad, surely?! There is a brief moment at the beginning of the track where it sounds like there is a hound of paparazzi, a split second after the main tune storming in. It's tempo is continuous, fast-paced and energetic. You cannot simply nod your head along to this one like the Insurance Hound; you will find yourself bouncing off the walls! It is so addictive and lively, I love it!
"Cos he loves the models...sleeps with models!"
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

3. Biology (3:35)
If you haven't heard of Biology, then where have you been?! It was released as a single in September 2006 by the band, with The Guardian writer Peter Cashmore describing it as "the best pop single of the last decade". It reached number four in the UK charts; helping Cashmore back up his statement. But would I
agree?

Press play. Get blown away. The first beat is so powerful that it can send you flying! The rhythm is very clear, nothing too complicated though not dire. Four bars in the lyrics kick in. These are very clear, first sung by Nadine, and then the rest of the group. If you do not find yourself singing along after listening to it just one or two times, then you need to dedicate yourself more!
"Before all the heavy stuff, comes back to bite your behind!"
★ ★ ★ ★

4. Wild Horses (3:23)
Studying the title of the next one, it gave me an image of something quite disturbed, definitely not something to be shown pre-watershed! Though I was sure I was wrong...it would be an innocent song, I was sure! It started almost acapella, with the five girls singing softly to a very quiet, almost silent piece. Though when the main tune kicks in, its tempo increases slightly with a stronger beat. It was quite interesting, though I always do wonder who this Peter is that they sing about!
"Get outta town and take your lazy dog with you!"
★ ★ ★ ★

5. See The Day (4:04)
This is another of the tracks I had heard before. It was first released in 1985 by Dee C. Lee, number 3 in the UK Charts. It was then released by Girls Aloud in 2005, reaching only number nine. Less, yes, but still an achievement! So what made this song such a success? It begins with Nadine singing softly out to us, the lyrics flowing clearly. We can't help but listen to what she sings about, taking in her questions and pondering. All four other girls join in for the chorus, which is a little more up-tempo though still quite gentle and warm. It's quite an emotional piece, very moving. Sway!
"When you look away, is it mean to say, that she haunts you night and day?"
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

6. Watch Me Go. (4:05)
Okay, the title of this song reminded me of the episode in EastEnders when Stella (Sophia Thomson) flung herself from a roof on her and Phil's (Steve McFadden) wedding day, "Watch Me Daddy!". It's chilling. I only hoped this would be a little more...pleasant! Instantly, I could tell it was quite a bit happier! It is what I call a cheesy-pop-club! It's upbeat and reasonably lively, the lyrics on just clear enough to understand. Though it is very catchy and does grow on you.
"At quarter past one, I was having fun, trying to get it on!"
★ ★ ★ ★

7. Waiting (4:13)
Right. We're over half-way now, and so far there have been no disappointments. Would this one break the chain though? Thankfully, it didn't! The first eight bars were very catchy, up beat and rhythmic. When the vocals kicked in, it maintained its power, flashing colours of purples and pinks flashing around my mind as if on the Disco floor. This is a very addictive song, and a great one to sing along to!
"I like it when you lift my body up, just enough to send me to the stars!"
★ ★ ★ ★

8. Whole Lotta History (3:47)
Another I had heard of. This track was written especially for this album by Xenomania. It had a lot of positive press, BBC describing it as a "lush ballad". Ah lush, a Geordie word our Cheryl will be very familiar with, like myself. The song is very gentle and maintains a mellow and touching tempo throughout. There's a powerful verse sung by Nadine after the second chorus, which really lifts the song higher.
"I'm talking 'bout a whole lotta history, I can't find a way to show what you mean to me!"
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

9. Long Hot Summer (3:52)
Long Hot Summer was released as a single in the Summer of that year. I recall sitting in the school cantine, watching the music video for the first time, with the girls dressed in their bright orange suits. It was quite a catchy song, and when it was on this album, I was happy. It has a very steady and upbeat tempo, a great soundtrack for the remake of Herbie: Fully Loaded!
"It's been a long hot summer and its ninety five degrees in the shade!"
★ ★ ★

10. Swinging London Town (4:02)
Look at the title. It says London! Whenever I hear the word London, I get over-excited. I have visited once, just last October, yet I convince myself I am a London Girl (not Call-). I was looking forward to hearing this one! Hearing it for the first time, I was very impressed! Eight bars in and the tempo is soaring, the vocals are emerging and the beat is taking over. Tapping along, my excitement was growing. The vocals are not too clear for the verses, but the chorus? Crystal!
"The Queen of London Town!"
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

11. It's Magic (3:52)
I wondered if this title would be ironic. Was this track going to be anything 'magical'? It did not start off too impressive, but when the vocals kicked in, slurred and seductive, my mind swayed a little. The rhythm was quite repetitive throughout, nothing too impressive. The chorus was quite good though, a little more rhythmic and powerful. Nothing too magical, but listenable.
"With you, only you, I know I can be myself!"
★ ★ ★

12. No Regrets (3:21)
Is it raining? Oh, no, it's just the start of the track! It also sounds as if Martians are landing from out of space, that is, until the utterly-human Nadine begins to sing a few bars in. Her voice is clear and crisp, her amazing accent shining through the beautiful lyrics. She sings quite a lot of the song herself, in fact, she sings all of it! That is quite weird - I had not seen this done on a group album before! Though as she has one of the most amazing voices, I didn't mind at all! Maybe the other four had been abducted by the Martians!
"Rainy sundays, kids TV, fish and chips and NYC!"
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

13. Racy Lacey
We have almost come to an end, but have they saved the best treat until last? Simple answer here - yes! You say Lacey, I automatically think of EastEnders character Stacey Slater, played by actress Lacey Turner. During this song, I am able to picture Stacey, or at least what she was like when she first came to Albert Square some years ago. The song has a very upbeat and continuous tempo, very catchy and addictive! Though with it's clear and somewhat raunchy lyrics, I am sure it is not one for the younger fans of Girls Aloud!
"She's made seduction a work of art, a phd with her legs apart!"
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Now I am unhappy. That is one amazing collection of tracks! I think it is one of the few times i have listened to an entire album without any major disappointments! But will you feel the same?

If you are already a fan of Girls Aloud, then yes you will! This has some of their best material to date; See The Day, Biology, Racy Lacey. It's definitely a pop CD, so sorry to any heavy metal fanatics, this is a no-go for you! If you like bands such as Sugababes, or in their day Liberty X, then this is also worth a look!

Not only does this have the likeability factor, but it is also practical! There are songs to suit every mood! If you feel like dancing, tune to Biology or Long Hot Summer. If you are feeling a little low and want something to mope to, ponder over the emotional lyrics of See The Day or Whole Lotta History. Whatever you're feeling, Girls Aloud can cater for you with this amazing album!
I got this for Christmas when it was first released, though you can still buy it now, don't panic! It is priced at £7.99 in HMV, which is a reasonably cheap price in itself. Though if you time it right, you are likely to find a bargain of a price at eBay or Amazon. There was also a second edition released, the same tracks though a different cover, and an additional eight Christmas tracks sung by the girls, including White Christmas and Jingle Bell Rock. I would have preferred that one, and have actually looked for it often since I received this version. Though it is impossible to track down, so I will just have to be happy enough with this little success!

This album is certainly a winner, one of the best Girls Aloud have released to date, with some of the most amazing songs! There is no surprise that it reached number eleven in the UK Charts, and reached Platinum! Learn a lesson and buy Girls Aloud : Chemistry!
© Amy 2009

(visit www.girlsaloud.co.uk for further information on the group)

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