Corr, Cop a Load of This! (Talk On Corners - Corrs)

Member Name: 150983

Product:	Talk On Corners - Corrs
Date:	18/07/01 (81 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: tracks, voices, instruments

Disadvantages: none

Introduction
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The Corrs, consisting of Irish brother and sisters, Jim, Andrea, Sharon and Caroline Corr had been around for a few years before their fame really took off. It wasn’t until “Dreams” was released or re-released should I say with the tin tin out remix that things started looking up for them. When The album “Talk on Corners” was released, it was a sure fire hit and was one of the biggest selling albums of 1998. It was in the album charts for many weeks and also stayed as well as moved back up to number one on a few occasions.

The Album Tracks
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The opening track “Only When I Sleep” is one of my favourite tracks on the album and it gets off to a good start. It begins with a nice guitar intro along with a drum section from Caroline. Andrea then enters with her soft toned voice singing rather breathlessly. It is the chorus that is the best point in the song as it has a catchy chorus and the violin part played by Sharon is more evident in the backing. I like this song due to the roc type influences as well as the hint of Irish music especially in the violin accompaniment. 8.5/10

The next track “He’s Not Around” begins with a great harmonious intro from the girls singing ‘I can’t breather , I can’t sleep’ this is a really peaceful and relaxing intro which then is joined with the electric guitar in the background which plays short length chords and then as the verse progresses to the chorus, it gradually grows in dynamics with a crescendo with the electric guitar and drums being more evident there. There is a nice instrumental break where Sharon plays a nice violin solo which is obviously very heavily influenced by the Irish roots. Again a Irish influenced ending is evident gradually fading out to the end.
A great song. 8/10

“Dreams” is the track that got me as well as many others intereste
d in this group. This song is a cover version. Beginning rather eerie and in a spring reflective mood (reflecting spring time) the song gradually progresses as various instruments join in, as well as the violin, and Andrea’s voice being evident, there is a also a bodrhan being played which is an Irish drum. This is once again a really catchy song which is rather summery in nature and is a very well pieced track. I’m sure you’ve all heard this song and know what I mean! 8.5/10

The next song, another release from this huge selling album is “What Can I do” this if I can remember got to number 3 in the charts after it had been remixed by TimnTin out again. The original only entered at 53 in March 98. It is a great song. The introduction is once again another goody with its ‘do do doo-ing’ from the various voices possibly synthesised voices being used in syncopation (offbeat) You’ll probably recognise this track as well as it featured of a band advert which I think was Lloyds TSB. This accompaniment by the backing vocals as a different feel to the track, it is reminiscent of an unaccompanied song although this isn’t the case. The song is a great track is I can’t get over how effective the backing ‘doooo’s’ are in this track as it just finishes it off perfectly. 9/10

“I Never Loved You Anyway” as I can remember was also a release but didn’t do very well it entered number 43 on Dec '97, it went rather unnoticed in the UK during the time they were not well known. The nice violin or viola intro along with the nice acoustic guitar riff compliments the vocals, backing included in order to lead up to the climatic contrasting fast rocky chorus. The textures in this song is really good, the first verse is slow and relaxing then the chorus is loud and then the second verse is a bit softer but includes more rock influences than before. The violin accompaniment is a
great asset to the song and fills in the gaps perfectly. 8/10

The last single to be released off this album was “So Young” this is a great feel good song and is rather uplifting. Beginning with the backing vocals singing in ‘yeah’ and strumming acoustic guitar as well as electric guitar, the intro leads the way for Andrea to sing. I love this track, the chorus as well as the verses are well done and the backing vocals sung in harmony on times works well especially on the ‘really doesn’t matter’ part. 9/10

“Don’t Say You Love Me” is a light hearted look at love and is a rather gentle song. The mood changes in this song contrasting with the rest of the songs, a gentle voice sings along with a trumpet being played softly (probably muted) being accompanied by backing vocals, soft drum beats and violin and guitar. The chorus is a nice section as Andrea sings with emotion even though the song is sung with softer tones which really make the song. The mood therefore is reflective of the song. I like this song as it gives a break from the other more similar track and is a lot less influenced by the Irish feel in my view. 9/10

Another love related track “Love Gives Love Takes” is another slower track beginning with a soft acoustic guitar, the song again is full of mood, bells being played gently are evident and Andrea’s voice is more fuller in this song but still gives the mood that is wanted. The chorus again is catchy and the violin plays well to accompany the singing the voice which backs up the lead singer when singing such lines as “And I’m falling” to me is one of the best factors in the song it is a sharp and short spine-tingling moment. 8/10

“Hopelessly Addicted” has a rather foreign influenced intro that opens this track with syncopated drum beats such from bongos. As well a the acoustic guitar playing a calypso riff. The voi
ce is singing lyrics which includes “Saw you in a brand new way” which in a way reflects the actual change in influence in music. The syncopation in the drum beats are rather effective especially in the beginning . As the play progressed though, it tended to revert back to the rock and violin themed songs as from before. In a way it is a bit of a let down but on the whole, I like this song and it is up in my top few faves off this album. Well worth a listen. 9/10.

The rather eerie and again foreign influenced “Paddy Mc Carthy” is an instrumental song which only includes a few ahhs and so here and there. I like this track, it is a great Irish folk type tune which has a great violin part played by Sharon and a lovely pan pipe part which is played by Andrea, see I did say she could play and instrument! As well as the Irish influences, there are also other textures in the song which are clearly from other walks of life so-to-say, influences such as a digeridoo and the tin whistle that tends to also echo an eastern mood as well as the Irish feel, from the bodrhan. I like this song as it is a break from all the other vocal sung tracks and gives a rather uplifting feel. A nice idea. 8/10

“Intimacy” begins with a more Spanish sounding guitar, it is a moderate paced track which involves the theme of love again. A rather emotive song which is a simple song but I think it is the guitar part this time which makes the song. Strangely enough, the guitar echoes the emotion of this song rather than the voice which is always great but the Spanish sound given off by the guitar is what is needed in this track and it works. The echoing pipe again appears in the song and it is here that the song begins to change its pattern. It begins to progress into a more complicated song with various instruments as well as an orchestral part that in a way reflects the complications of love until it fades out with the guitar. Reflective 9/10
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The more livelier track “Queen of HollyWood” is a nice touch. The violin begins and the voice then enters. The verses to me are nothing special but the chorus is what makes it. As the second verse starts, the piano part is much more evident than before. If anything, this song does demonstrate Andrea’s voice more as she pushes her voice in a way which shows the emotion needed. I like the note bends that the lead voice does at the end of the song, it adds a contrast and is rather effective. A little instrumental ending finishes the song with the little tin whistle played by Andrea. 7/10

“No Good For Me” a rhythmic intro with staccato from the violin is evident in this track. I like the lyrics on this track as well as the vocal part especially the sections when it goes “You have no idea”. The chorus again is a great part of the song along with the harmony sung by the backing singers most probably Sharon or Caroline. Another Irish fuelled track is once again played well and has enough textures to keep you interested. 8/10

The final track to this album “Little Wings”, which I was shocked to see was a cover version which was written in 1967 and by Jimi Hendrix. This revelation was a surprise to me as the cover would most probably sound completely different from the original. This reflective song, involves a harp and various other woodwind instruments such as the flute and whistle. The instrumental breaks are particularly good in this the final song. Another nice song but not one of the best. 7/10

The Verdict?
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This album on the whole is a great album, full of Irish influences especially and its good to see such a musical family such as the Corrs and its no wonder they are finally a success. There is also a special edition of this album which has a blue cover, it also includes the hit “Runaway” a great ballad type song which was a huge hit in the UK. The
original of this track can be found on the Corrs older album “Forgiven Not Forgotten”. Talk on Coners, Buy it in Stores!

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