The best of the best (Unbreakable: The Greatest Hits Vol.1 - Westlife)

Member Name: MI9to5

Product:	Unbreakable: The Greatest Hits Vol.1 - Westlife
Date:	20/12/08 (181 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some fantastic top hits

Disadvantages: A couple of my favourite tracks missing

Seeing as this is my 300th review I thought that I would review the Greatest Hits album of a band that has always been a favourite of mine.

I became a fan of Westlife when they were formed in 1998. Ten years on I would still class myself as a fan of theirs. The simple reason for this is because their music is so easy to listen to and I can't honestly say that there is one song that they have produced that I have hated. I will admit that there have been a couple that I'm not as fond of but there isn't any that I physically can't listen to.

Now I know that the Westlife boys aren't exactly everyone's cup of tea and that their remakes of classic songs and on stage 'moves' don't always make them popular but this factor doesn't bother me in the slightest, as the boys themselves can actually sing, not only singly but also as a harmonised unit and it is this I think that should be focused on more than it often is.

Westlife is an pop band that initially had five members Shane, Bryan, Kian, Nicky and Mark. They were signed by Simon Cowell and are currently managed by Louis Walsh. Since their formation the bands music has greatly evolved and moved from teen pop to contempary adult music. In 2004 Bryan left the band to work on solo projects but despite rumours the rest of the band carried on performing and are still performing today. Together the boys have released - albums, sold more than 40 million records worldwide and gained 14 number one singles in the UK with I Have a Dream/Seasons in the Sun staying at the number 1 spot for 4 weeks in 1999. Their albums are; Westlife, Coast to Coast, World of Our Own, Unbreakable, Turnaround, Allow us to be Frank, Face to Face, The Love Album, and Back Home. It is Unbreakable that I will be reviewing today.

Unbreakable was released on 11 November 2002 and is a mix of past hits and new songs. The first 13 tracks have all been included on previous albums whereas the final 6 tracks are brand new to this album.

Track list
01. Swear It Again
02. If I Let You Go
03. Flying Without Wings
04. I Have A Dream
05. Fool Again
06. Against All Odds
07. My Love
08. I Lay My Love on You
09. Uptown Girl
10. Queen of My Heart
11. World Of Our Own
12. Bop Bop Baby
13. When You're Looking Like That
14. Unbreakable (Single Remix)
15. Written in the Stars
16. How Does It Feel
17. Tonight
18. Love Takes Two
19. Miss You Nights

Now the second this album was released, critics immediately said that this was highlighting the end of Westlife as a band. Thankfully that wasn't the case but I still rushed out to purchase it. From the second I looked at the track listing I knew the album was one I was going to really like and when the music began I certainly wasn't disappointed.

**TRACK 1 - Swear it Again**
This track was the first on Westlife's first album and is one of the soft ballads that made the band famous. The backing track is quite delicate in places but does have a certain punch when the steady drum beats fall into places. The lyrics are catchy and the vocals superb from the beginning. This is definitely a good song choice to open the album with.
9/10

**TRACK 2 - If I let you go**
This track was the second on Westlife's first album. The backing track to this song is a bit more up beat than the last track and though it is still ultimately a ballad it has a more pop feeling to it. The lyrics again are very good and when listened to have a lovely meaning. The vocals are sublime and the harmonies work exceptionally well.
8/10

**TRACK 3 - Flying Without Wings**
Following the theme this track was the third of the band's first album. This seems to be one of the songs that every seems to remember although I'm never sure why. That isn't to say I do not like it because I do I just don't see why it is remembered so well. The beginning of the track involves some wonderful vocals and a delicate and sometimes non-existent backing track, which really showcases vocal talent. As the backing music picks up so does the song as a whole, which is one that is ultimately very pleasant to listen to.
9/10

**TRACK 4 - I Have A Dream**
This track was included on Westlife's second album and is quite possibly my favourite ever track and I can say with a certain degree of certainty that it is a favourite of many other people. Now I know that this track is a cover of a classic cong but I don't think that makes any difference whatsoever as it is so beautifully sung that it is one you'll remember forever. The vocals are in my opinion faultless but it is the words, which are so poignant and beautiful that really makes this track stand out from the rest.

"If you see the wonder, of a fairytale, you can take the future, even if you fail"
10/10

**TRACK 5 - Fool Again**
Fool Again was also included on Westlife's first album. The song is a little more up beat than the last although it is still a soft and subtle ballad. This style however perfectly suits the vocal talents of the band. The harmonies are once again perfection personified and the overall feel of the song is one of relaxation. The lyrics have a good meaning when listened to properly as well, which is always an added bonus
9/10

**TRACK 6 - Against all Odds**
This track features the voice of Mariah Carey as well as those of the Westlife boys and was the first single released from the album. It shot straight to number 1 in the UK making Westlife the first act in the UK to have their first six singles go straight to number 1. In my opinion this definitely deserves its place on the album. Mariah's voice really compliments those of the boys and gives the track that something special. Again the music is rather subtle but this simply makes it easier to hear the wonderful vocals.
9/10

**TRACK 7 - My Love**
'My Love' sees a return to the ballads and was included on the boy's second album. The music is quite subtle yet effective in my opinion and gives the boys the chance to showcase their voices very well. This track reached number 1 in the UK singles chart.
8/10

**TRACK 8 - I Lay my Love on You**
This track was not released, as a single in the UK but is a track that I always remember. The tempo of this track is a little quicker than the previous track but is again another ballad. The words to this song are also worth a mention as they are ones that always stick in my head.
7/10

**TRACK 9 - Uptown Girl**
This is another of my favourite ever Westlife songs and was included on their third album. The song was originally released for Comic Relief in 2001 and the video for the song featured Claudia Schiffer in the title role. The song hit number 1 in the charts and is currently the 21st best selling single of the 21st century. The track itself has a very up-beat feel; the tempo is quick and the music catchy, as are the lyrics. The vocals are as usual exceptionally sound and the style of the song in general seems to suit the bands overall feel.
10/10

**TRACK 10 - Queen of My Heart**
Queen of My Heart is an original Westlife song and is a nice slow ballad to open the album with. The vocals have a sort of gravely sound to them, which really suits the track. The vocals are of course solid from the start and the harmonies of the high quality we have come to associate with Westlife. The chorus also has a certain punch to it due to a steady drumbeat that plays throughout.
8/10

**TRACK 11 - World Of Our Own**
World of Our Own is another original Westlife track, which was in fact the featured in the Disney Channel movie 'You Wish!' The track itself has quite a unique sound although I can't quite place my finger on what causes it. The vocals themselves are strong from the start and the backing track quite fast-paced.
9/10

**TRACK 12 - Bop Bop Baby**
The original tracks seemed to all be lined up in a row as Bop Bop Baby was also written by the boys themselves. The background music to this track is punchier than some of the other tracks and includes some decent piano tunes and a strong steady drumbeat. The song is technically another ballad but the tone of the vocals and the backing track gives the song a more up-tempo feel. The chorus is again relatively catchy and to be perfectly honest when the track was released most people knew the chorus at least.
8/10

**TRACK 13 - When you're Looking Like That [Single Remix]**
This track was first included on Westlife's 'Coast to Coast' album and then on their third album 'World of Our Own' and was a favourite of mine on both albums in question. The track is fast paced and up-beat with strong vocal leads and harmonies that make the track stand out for the competition with ease. The story behind the song is also one the makes perfect sense and is told wonderfully by the band.
10/10

**TRACK 14 - Unbreakable**
This is the first new track on the album and is like you might expect a soft ballad. I do quite like this song, as the music is very relaxing. The vocals are subtle to begin with and then punchier as the song progresses and the lyrics become more prominent.
9/10

**TRACK 15 - Written in the Stars**
This was always one of my favourite tracks on this album and listening to it now I still find that it is one I am drawn to. The lyrics are wonderful in my opinion and the song itself is sung with a great deal of emotion, which comes across through the beautiful harmonies and superb solos.
10/10

**TRACK 16 - How Does it Feel**
I can't say this is one of my favourite ever Westlife tracks but it is very easy to listen to. The lyrics once again have a lovely meaning and the harmonies are strong throughout. Somehow though the song just doesn't seem to suit them despite it being a ballad and for that reason it isn't one that particularly sticks in my mind.
6/10

**TRACK 17 - Tonight**
This song was released as a single for the album and reached number 3 in the UK singles chart. The vocals in this track have a lovely gravely sound to them and really make the track stand out. The backing track is as usual quite subtle and delicate but suits the overall feel of the song.
9/10

**TRACK 18 - Love Takes Two**
I simply love the backing track to this song, as the wonderful blend of piano tunes to begin with and then the steady beat and intermittent guitar inserts adds something to the song. The song itself is quite a sombre one but the lyrics have a deep meaning, which the boys allow to shine through very well. The interchanging lead vocals also give the song a lovely dimension.
9/10

**TRACK 19 - Miss You Nights**
This song is again another sombre and slow ballad but it is these that the band excels at and this one is certainly no exception. The lyrics are ones that I really love and the vocals are simply superb, as lead solo vocals change throughout and blend effortlessly into pitch perfect harmonies. I am so glad that this track was chosen to close this album as although it is a ballad it also has a powerful punch that can be found in some of Westlife's other tracks and therefore represents the whole album very well.
10/10

This album is certainly one of my favourite Westlife albums if not my favourite ever album. It has some wonderful previous hits included on it as well as some brilliant new tracks too. It is certainly worth a listen to.

Summary: A solid and easy to listent to album