Stunning Album, with no empty tracks! (Read My Lips - Sophie Ellis-Bextor)

Member Name: leeanne

Product:	Read My Lips - Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Date:	17/01/02 (146 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: my favourite album from 2001

Disadvantages: none

If I said to you that until last week I didn't like Sophie Ellis Bextor, you would ask why I am writing a review. Fair enough I could be slating it to bits, but if you look at my title, then it suggests another view.

Alex and I were shopping and heard Take Me Home in a shop. Alex liked the song, but didn't know who it was. I said who the singer was and he borrowed his sisters copy of the album to get this one song. I thought I would have a skim through the tracks and loved every one. Now I am the proud owner of this CD.

The reason I didn't like SEB was because of her vocals on the Spiller track - Grooveget. I heard it too many times, and in the end it grated on my nerves and I despised her voice. Fair enough her voice is different to others. It sounds typically english, as she is english, but some artists don't show their accents.

I will get to the matter in hand and review this fine album.

1. Take Me Home

Who hasn't heard this track? It hung around the charts last year and was played constantly on any radio station. This is listenable, but too much and it wouldn't be that good. A typical chart song with uptempo beats and catchy lyrics. This seems to be good for parties. Not the strongest track on the album, but still a great one. This was the first song to be released into the charts from the album.

2. Lover

A strong bass-type bit at the beginning sets the mood for this track. Good beat throughout, with techy-sounding background sometimes - bleeps and so on. With the background bass is also a high pitched synthasised-type sound.

3. Move This Mountain

Starts off with a clock sound. There is the occasional sounds of bells tolling through the track. This is slightly more slow than the 2 previous, but certainly no ballad. Quite easy listening. With the tolling bell in the background is sometimes a piano which is played at the lower range. One of my favourites.


4. Murder On The Dancefloor

The 2nd and only other track to be taken from the album so far. Great tune all round. Very catchy lyrics and an uptempo background. Not so much bass, just a light beat with the sounds of string instruments in the background and the occasional guitar sound. Looking at how this is described it sounds bland and boring, but i'm sure more of you have heard this and know what I am trying to explain.

5. Sparkle

I have been told this track sounds like is belongs in the TV show Airwolf. I have never seen this programme, so can't comment. Another favourite. It is quite slow also, but not a ballad either again. It sounds pretty futuristic with synthasised sounds and a galloping light beat.

6. Final Move

Slower tempo again. Also sounds quite hitech, with all the bleeps, tings and wah-wah noises. No bass, just a free flowing guide to go with the lyrics. If any tune sounded in the major key - this is it. It just has a happy, easy-going feel to it.

7. I Believe

Sounds a bit grainy through the tune. It sounds like it has been recorded off a record. This isn't a negative point, it makes the track sound that bit different. A strong beat that features all the way through the song, with occasional higher pitched sounds in it. This is one of my favourites for the lyrics. They are nothing unusual or special, but the track as a whole just fits together perfect.

8. Leave The Others Alone

More a ballad than the rest, but still not Celine Dion or anything as slow as that. A double beat supplies the bass, also with futuristic bleepy sounds. The only slight problem I have with this track is during the chorus there is always a high pitched buzzing sound. It spoils a certainly perfect track.

9. By Chance

If ever there was an easy listening track this is it. The whole track seems to flow perfect with no glitches or change of tempo. Play this when you lie i
n the bath and it will soothe and relax you. Simple sounding lyrics with a slight prominent beat. Soft sounding, with delicate lyrics.

10. The Universe Is You

A total contrast to the previous track. Another belter of a tune. I think this one would do great in the charts. Somewhere between average chart and dance. A heavy beat which is broken up with poppy sounds occasionally. The whole track is uptempo with lyrics which sometimes alternate from major to minor keys. On the whole a major sounding track. A strong tune.

11. Is It Any Wonder

Starts with a keyboard sound, mixed in with bongo sounds. Sounds quite latin and this gentle mix continues through the track. Also kicks in a good backbeat. Very gentle lyrics which sound great with the beat. Quite a slow song lyric-wise, but the beat brings it all more up to a slightly faster tempo.

12. Everything Falls Into Place

Back to the faster speed for this final track. A racy beat that is matched by the lyrics. The beat is also matched with swirling sounds, hitech beats and the occasional other sounds which I don't know what they are - they sound strange though. The type of song that really finishes off an album. I look forward to this one, as it is very upbeat and catchy.

So that is the album. I would say that this is my best CD from 2001. I can listen to it over and over again and never get bored.

I don't have a single bad point to this album. It is all good to me. I am glad I gave this a chance and not been so headstrong as usual.

If you liked Take Me Home and Murder On The Dancefloor then you will certainly like this album. If you are like me though and didn't think much of SEB, then just give it a try. Don't buy it, just have a quick listen somewhere and you never know - you might love it like I did!

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