I Got Off Right After The S Club Party... (S Club - S Club 7)

Member Name: GramiWay

Product:	S Club - S Club 7
Date:	31/03/09 (151 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some brilliant pop numbers

Disadvantages: Awful tracks like 'Viva La Fiesta' & 'Friday Night'

I am not ashamed to say that S Club 7 were my favourite band in the world a decade ago when I was all innocent and well 11. Even now I still listen to their music when I'm on the odd 'crazy' day. The group were huge with hits such as 'Don't Stop Movin', 'Reach' and 'Never Had A Dream Come True' defining the pop world at the start of this decade.

Their debut album however is cheese in its purest form. That said, S Club 7 do stand out instantly from their peers as bubblegum pop is not their only speciality. Motown, latino grooves and soulful ballads are all crammed in to this 11 track debut CD 'S Club'.

01. Bring It All Back 10/10
The one that started it all off... 'Bring It All Back' was the debut single from the group storming to number 1 in June 1999. In a rare occurance vocals are shared evenly around the group and the catchy hook and harmonies make this an instant classic that you'll be ashamed to admit that you love.
It's pop in its purest form but it does it so well and adds that extra something to really get the album off to a great start/

02. You're My Number One 9/10
Yet another cheesy chorus complete with lyrics that make you want to cringe. All that aside and this is a brilliant pop track that is catchy and makes you want to dance. The motown twinge to it makes S Club 7 stand out as a band tha taren't afraid to experiment with something different though unfortunately like many of their songs
it just seems to be Jo O'meara and harmonies from six other people...

03. Two In A Million 10/10
A gorgeous ballad led again by Jo that shows off a softer side to the CD. The vocals are pitch perfect and spot on and the cheesy value of the lyrics aside and this is a beautiful slow number that is often overshadowed by the band's more popular ballads like 'Never Have A Dream Come True' or 'Have You Ever'.
It's a spine tingling track that is made even more brilliant by the flawless harmonies.

04. S Club Party 7/10
I'm not really keen on this one. I don't see the fascination. It's more delightful, upbeat pop with an almost retro feel to it. The irritating 'oooh oooh' started off a trend that was hard to shake for the next few years.

05. Everybody Wants You 7/10
Again a very retro sounding feel to this track. It sounds like something that has come straight out of the 1960s. The vocals here I'm not that keen on as they sound really strained in places particulary on the bridge. The chorus also plods on far too long and the song doesn't seem to flow as well as the previous four tracks throwing the record out of balance.

06. Viva La Fiesta 4/10
The first of two tracks on the album that have that same latino-Ibiza fueled style. They both sound similar and I get very confused when listening to them as I struggle to tell them apart. There's nothing catchy or interesting about this song at all. The lyrics are nonsensical and it sounds like the aborted love child of 'Mas Que Nada' and 'YMCA'. Definately a huge let down for the band as even Jo's vocals can't save it from being an utter shamble.

07. Gonna Change The World 7/10
A track relying solely on the male vocalists in the band. It's a nice slow number that has some very thought provoking lyrics about crime and the state of the world. I just feel it lacks anything to make it stand out. It seems the band are still stuck in that retro groove and are running out of steam with every track.

It is refreshing however to hear different vocals even if Bradley's voice in particular seems far too fast and out of place against the slow and plodding melody.

08. I Really Miss You 10/10
Years before she became a Kylie Minogue wannabe, Rachel Stevens was of course part of the S Club. 'I Really Miss You' is her opportunity to shine on lead vocals and she brings a different, almost softer presence to this gorgeous slow number than bandmate Jo. The chorus is so simple but very effective as the lyrics have the ability to touch you and really make you feel the song. It's certainly one of the more mature moments on 'S Club' and a much needed comedown from some of the more upbeat numbers.

09 Friday Night 8/10
A very uninspiring and dreadful party number. It's awful to think that you liked these songs as a child! Bradley is on lead vocals once again and his voice just sounds disgusting. It's almost like out of tune leering especially on the chorus. It seems to me as if he's stuck between singing and trying to rap and the beat of the song is far too slow. The chorus doesn't have matters either as the rest of the group sound like they're channeling drunken football hooligans.

10. It's A Feel Good Thing 7/10
The second latino influenced song on the album and one I remember from the very first episode of their TV show Miami 7. This is the more bearable of the two numbers mostly just because of the chorus. The verses are just very poor and unstructured.

11. Hope For The Future 9/10
The aptly titled 'Hope For The Future' wraps up a very mixed album. A slow number but just hearing it puts you in place of sitting on a beach somewhere. The vocals are flawless here and the combination of Jo and Bradley works really well together. It's a brilliant end to the album that definately lost its way in the middle.


Looking back now, one would cringe at the sound of these ageing tracks in an era where Lady Gaga and Girls Aloud style electropop are all the range but S Club 7 had that magical spark that most generic pop bands seem to lack. Not only could you relate the songs back to the Summer of 1999 and their hit TV series but the album takes you back to those days of carefree innocence where everything was so simple and music like this was the highlight of every school disco up and down the country.

Even though the quality of this record pales in comparison to their other albums its definately worth adding to your collection, if not just for the delightful trip down memory land that each and every bouncealicious track 'S Club' provides.

Summary: The debut album from S Club 7.