Before I start, let me just make one thing clear. I am a teenybopper. I don't deny it, I'm not ashamed of it, it's just who I am. And if that fact puts you off reading my opinion, then so be it. Just don't say I didn't warn you...
To start off, a1 is made up of four members: Benjamin Adams, 20, Mark Read, 23, Christian Ingebrigtsen, 25 (I doubt you're interested, but today is actually his birthday) and Paul Marazzi, 27 (I should imagine you're even less interested, but his birthday was yesterday...) They're signed to the Sony label Columbia, and are managed by Tim Byrne and Vicky Blood, who also manage Steps, and all:STARS.
That's enough to put most people off. They lost alot of potential older fans with their cover of A-Ha's hit 'Take On Me', purely because most people were unwilling to believe they could do the track justice, and saw them as nothing but another boy band that sang nothing but cheesy pop. And for a while, maybe that was true.
When they first hit the music scene in 1999, they were, by their own admissions, very cheesy. Since then though, their music style has matured dramatically. It might come as a shock to some people to learn this, but each and every one of them can play their own instruments. Their abilties cover playing piano, guitar, drums, violin, oboe...you get the drift. And also, they all songwrite.
Unlike most other boybands, they play live whenever possible, and, shock horror, can actually dance. Their latest single, 'Caught In The Middle' (released Monday) demonstrates how far they've come as a band. The music on the track is played by them, and the track itself is a far cry from the cheesiness of their first single 'Be The First To Believe'.
They've been critisised for their long break from the limelight (their last single was released 11 months ago) but they have good reason. Last year, unbeknown to most people, four of their Asian fans were crushed to death, due to poor security at a concert they were playing. The incident made them seriously consider whether or not to continue, but the overwhelming support they recieved from their fans world wide made them realise they couldn't just give up on their dreams. And so, here they are again.
a1's appeal isn't just restircted to England. Infact, in Asia, they're so huge their popularity has been compared to that of Michael Jackson or Mariah Carey. Whereas in England, 200 people might turn up to see them outside a TV station, in Asia, 10,000 people will turn up. They've had more number one's over there than they can count, and come this Sunday, they may have another British one to add to the list (although that looks a little unlikely seeing as Enrique Iglasias is outselling them by about 3 to 1...)
But anyway, there you have it. And if nothing I've said has made any difference to your own opinion of a1, then so be it. While they still have as many fans as they do, they're going to be round for a long time to come!
This is Melissa, signing off, to go and choose an outift to wear to an a1 signing tomorrow...
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
While I don't think the category is clear enough that it's about the band (they may yet release an eponymous album), there's no denying you've put a lot of thought into this opinion. And know this, you have changed at least one a-ha fan's mind... I will take another listen. Now, how about an opinion on one of their albums? Regards, TT.
rachpauljack 25.01.2002 14:26
Great op but im not a great A1 fan, although i did like Boyzone and still love to hear Ronans voice.
Love Rachael xxx
wiggglypufff 25.01.2002 13:03
Sorry, my mistake. Took a quick look in the category and others are also about the band. A well deserved VH.
Advantages: You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk is a greatly song - simultaneously funny and depressing. The B-SIdes and live tracks are good,.. Disadvantages: ...it's a shame all the mixes couldn't have been up to the standard of those by Brother Brown.
Jan 25th, 2002
very helpful by (100%):
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