Greatest Hits? Already?! (The Sound Of Girls Aloud - Girls Aloud)

Member Name: Tail_Feather

Product:	The Sound Of Girls Aloud - Girls Aloud
Date:	24/09/09 (57 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Several fun, upbeat tracks

Disadvantages: Too many ballads

Girls Aloud released 'The Sound of Girls Aloud - The Greatest Hits' just 4 years after they were created. Although I think this is a bit soon for a greatest hits compilation, it's nice to have all their singles together on one album.

The CD cover is a bit disappointing as it has no actual photo of the girls; just silhouettes (which could be anybody really) pictures of microphones, lights, stars and a tambourine, all on a white (or hot pink for the 2 disc edition) background. Very dull. The booklet inside the CD box has a photo of the girls, images of all their CD single covers, song information, a little information on the band itself, and thank yous from the girls.

The first track 'Sound of the Underground' was the girl's debut single which they released immediately after winning reality TV show 'Popstars The Rivals'. I remember being quite surprised by this song, as it wasn't the sugary girly pop I was expecting. It sounded a lot dirtier and more mature than other pop acts in the early 2000s, and set a precedent for the very different, and fresh-sounding songs the girls would later release.

Track number 2 is 'Love Machine' and even though it's undoubtedly a great pop song, it's been so over-played since its release in 2004, I'm a bit tired of hearing it.

Next we have 'Biology'; released in 2005 it was described as 'the best pop single of the last decade' by a critic from 'The Guardian' newspaper. The song is brilliant from start to finish and really shows off Nadine's fantastic voice.

Track 4 is 'No Good Advice', the girl's second single. Another catchy tune with an infectious guitar riff and rebellious chorus. And if you get a chance, check out the video where the girls are wearing horrendous outfits resembling tin foil; thank goodness their style has improved since the early days - I bet Cheryl Cole wouldn't be caught dead wearing a roll of BacoFoil these days.

'I'll Stand By You' is up next. While it's a lovely song, it just doesn't compare to The Pretender's original version. Personally I think Girls Aloud suit up-tempo songs a lot better.

Track 6 is 'Jump', and like the previous song, is a cover version (originally by The Pointer Sisters). 'Jump' is great, and full of fun, and was included on the soundtrack to British film 'Love Actually' in 2004.

Next is 'The Show'. This is another fantastic, catchy tune, and (like most other Girls Aloud songs) has magnificently daft lyrics; 'Should have known, should have cared, should have run around the kitchen in my underwear'. Madness.

Track 8 is 'See The Day' - another ballad and a cover of Dee C Lee's 1985 original. Apparently the girls themselves aren't too keen on this one, but I think it's lovely; it has a very festive sound with lots of bells and shimmery noises in the background.

'Wake Me Up' is track 9; this reminds me of 'Sound of the Underground' and 'No Good Advice' with it's electric guitars, thumping beat, and ballsy lyrics.

Track 10, 'Life Got Cold' seems to be Girls Aloud's forgotten single. It's quite unlike any of their other songs; it's quite slow (but isn't a ballad) and moody, and is worth a listen, even if just to remind yourself how it goes.

'Something Kinda Ooooh' is next; for me this signifies a real shift in the band's sound. After this, the girls really seemed to grab hold of the electro-pop sound which has dominated their 2 most recent albums. I love this song but think it sounds a bit out of place here, and maybe in another few years, if the girls release another greatest hits, this should be included again.

Track 12 is 'Whole Lotta History'. It's nice to hear Kimberley's voice on this (she's my favourite member so I'm being slightly biased) as she's often overshadowed by some of the bigger voices in the group. This is a ballad so although I'm not raving about it, it does have a lovely dreamy chorus.

'Long Hot Summer' is probably my least favourite single. It's decent pop music but just isn't as good as the likes of 'Biology' or 'The Show'. Plus the girls all look painfully thin (and extremely orange) in the video.

Next is 'Money'. This was never released but is yet another really fun song, with even more ridiculous lyrics, and a frantic, ever-changing melody.

Finally we have 'I Think We're Alone Now'. Another cover of a song originally from the 1960s but more famously performed by Tiffany in the late 1980s. It's a good track but the 80s version has become something of a girly anthem and Girls Aloud don't really capture that magic.

Fortunately, I managed to get a copy of the special 2 disc edition of this album; the 2nd disc has 8 tracks and is entitled 'Rarities'. None of these are available for download (not legally anyway).

Track 1 is 'No Good Advice'; basically the same as the CD1 version, but with added swear words.

Track 2 is 'Wake Me Up'; here the verses are completely different (words and melody) to the version they released.

Next is a cover of the Kaiser Chief's song 'I Predict A Riot'. It was recorded live at Wembley and it sounds like the girls were enjoying the performance and not taking it too seriously.

Track 4 is 'Sound of the Underground'; this is an extended version (with longer guitar riffs) and doesn't really offer a lot more than the original.

Next is 'Hanging on the Telephone' a cover of the Blondie original. With such a brilliant song, it would have been difficult for the girls to mess this one up; thankfully they haven't and this really suits them. I would quite like to hear them tackle a few more Blondie songs, in particular 'One Way or Another' and 'Call Me'.

Next up is 'Loving Is Easy'; previously a B-Side and not that exciting. It's a slow, quite sultry number that I usually skip past.

The penultimate track 'Singapore' is fabulous, and definately a hidden gem. It's better than several of their actual 'greatest hits', with a very catchy tune and great vocals from Nicola.

Last is 'Sacred Trust'. This was recorded by boyband One True Voice (the girl's nemisis band on Popstars The Rivals). Nadine does a lovely job with the verses here but the chorus is so sickly sweet, I can't bare to listen.

This is a brilliant album; whether you're a hardcore fan or just a casual listener, there are bound to be a few tracks for everyone to enjoy. I look forward to the possibility of a 2nd greatest hits album as I much prefer their more recent songs ('Call The Shots', 'The Loving Kind') to this older stuff.

So what should Girls Aloud learn from this album? - Choose your cover versions carefully. And steer clear of ballads.

Summary: Overall an album full of first class pop music