One Love is all you need :) (One Love - Blue)

Member Name: Shnophina

Product:	One Love - Blue
Date:	30/01/03 (700 review reads)
Rating:

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Blue are probably the most credible boy band around at the moment. People think you’re a bit sad if you like Westlife but liking Blue is acceptable, probably because their music is pop with a bit of an r’n’b flava to it. The band consists of Lee (19) Antony (21) Duncan (23) and Simon (23), all from various parts of England. Since May 2001 they’ve released 6 singles, 3 of which have been no. 1s, and had 2 no. 1 albums, so it’s looking pretty good for the band at the moment. One Love is their second album and it’s quite a step up from the first one, All Rise.

1. One Love: This was their 5th single, it went to no. 6. It’s about, er, having One Love for something, and that’s all you need...or something along those lines...At first I liked it but now I just find it quite annoying. I find that with a lot of singles – you hear them too much and you end up hating them. This is a good pop song though, upbeat and catchy, but definitely not one of their best. When I first heard it I would have given it 8/10, but I’m sick of it now so 6/10.

2. Riders: This is much less pop-y than One Love. I quite like the verses, especially Lee’s, but I think the chorus is a bit repetitive. And it’s got a really strong beat, which is not always a good thing – it gives me a bit of a headache! It’s just this continuous thud and it gets a bit much – it’s like dance music *shudder*. There is a really horrible bit after the second chorus too, I hate it! But overall, this is quite a good song but again, it’s not one of their best. 6/10.

3. Flexin’: This is much, much better. It’s about, er, I’m not actually sure! I think this guy is trying to decide whether or not to ask this girl out or something...I dunno, it’s all Spanish to me! It’s got a really catchy chorus and good verses. It’s catchy and upbeat but not annoyingly so, and it doe

sn’t get too repetitive either. It’s quite a nice, laid-back, summery track. It’s really well sung too. 9/10.

4. Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word: This is a cover of the Elton John song, featuring the man himself! This got to no. 1 recently and I’m not surprised, it’s excellent. It’s a lovely, slow song. I was very impressed at Duncan’s singing on this track, before I didn’t think he was too great but he sounds brilliant here. Lee’s voice sounds brilliant as usual, his range is really excellent. And, Elton John’s on it which is always a good thing...he’s the man! 10/10.

5. She Told Me: I. Hate. This. Song. It drives me insane. This has to be the worst Blue song, ever. It’s so annoying! It repeats the chorus about a million times and the verses are just really irritating too. It’s way too repetitive, and it’s upbeat and catchy in the really annoying, Steps-like way. This is b-side material, I dunno why it’s on the album! 1/10.

6. Right Here Waiting: This sounds like something Atomic Kitten would do, actually. It’s quite dancy, very upbeat. Normally that’s not my cup of tea but I actually do like this song. The beginning isn’t too great but don’t be put off because it gets really good in the middle. Again, Lee’s voice is fantastic, and Antony sounds very good too. They’re very talented people! 8/10.

7. U Make Me Wanna: I love this song! It’s bit ballad-y but it’s not all slushy and slow, it’s mid-tempo. It’s really well sung, I love the bit where they go “Every time you see me, what do you see? I feel like I’m a poor man and you’re the queen”. I think this’d be great for a film soundtrack! I think it should have been called Surrender though, just because there’s a line in the chorus that goes “you make me wanna surrender my soul” a
nd th
at’s a bit more original that U Make Me Wanna. Other than that I have no complaints! 10/10.


8. Ain't Got You: I don't like this one that much, it's upbeat and quite catchy but I don't think the lyrics or the tune are particularly original. It's alright but it's just kinda boring. I do like the beginning though: "I say Blue, you say what? Blue!" "What?" "Blue!" "What?" Hehe, I don't get it but it's funny. Overall, 5/10.

9. Supersexual: This is a brilliant song! Definitely one of the best on the album. It's quite catchy and upbeat but not so that it annoys you. It's not the sort of song you get sick of either, whereas with some of the others you get bored of them quickly. And again it's excellently sung. 10/10.

10. Don't Treat Me Like A Fool: This is a slow one. Lee sings most of it and he's very good. I don't like it that much...it's a bit boring really. I do like the middle eight that comes after the 2nd chorus, but overall it's a bit dull. The rhythm is too solid, it drags a bit. 7/10.

11. Get Down: I don't like this one too much either. Duncan sings it and he sounds very good, but the song itself is a bit too slow for my liking. I do like some slow songs, but this one is a bit boring...Blue should stick to the upbeat ones, I think. Saying that, "If You Come Back", on their first album, is brilliant. Overall: 6/10.

12. Privacy: This is more like it! This has a great, sort of jumpy beat. It's upbeat and catchy but it's kinda hip hop-ish. It kinda reminds me of Justin Timberlake...or Eminem for some bizarre reason! This is probably my favourite song on the album, I think they should release it as a single. 10/10.

13. Without You: I reeeally don't like this one either. It annoys me. It's upbeat, too catchy and too repetitive. I dunno why I don't like this one
actually,
it's another not-very-original one. It's really like Ain't Got You, actually. Distinctly average. 5/10.

14. Invitation: I love this one! It's mid-tempo but quite catchy and dancy, I love the rhythm and the chorus is brilliant. It's quite similar to Privacy, actually but not as upbeat. 9/10.

15. Like A Friend: This is quite slow too, but I actually like this one. I love Duncan's verse, his voice has so much emotion in it! That's good because some pop groups seem to think they can get away with singing in monotone. It's probably the only slow-ish one on the album I actually like, except Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word. Overall: 9/10.

Overall! 8/10
Though there are some songs on this album that I really don’t like, there are loads of great ones and some really brilliant ones too. This album sees Antony and Duncan singing more that they did on the first one – and overall their singing has got even better. Also, they co-wrote almost every song on the album which is impressive! This will appeal to pre-teens and teenagers but I think people older than that could like this too. If you’ve never heard Blue’s music I’d give this a try – it might not be your cup of tea, but if you like pop or upbeat r’n’b you’ll probably love it.

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