With me it's what you see is what you get - but as you can't see me, God knows what you're getting!
With me it's what you see is what you get - but as you can't see me, God knows what you're getting!
Member since:11.07.2000
Reviews:130
Members who trust:37
A “boy band” with real musical talent is a concept that I normally find hard to picture and let alone stomach. Some teenyboppers might now be heading for that unhelpful link in disgust but I’m sorry to break it to you, Westlife really aren’t that talented! In fact, neither are Boyzone, Five (may the rest in peace) or as a matter of fact were Take That and New Kids on the Block. Bands like these are “pretty boys” with good voices that end up acting as puppets to a record label!
Savage Garden might just be different. You still have that much loved (by teenage girls anyway) boy band persona but at the same time you have a band with a reasonable amount of musical credibility.
They (SG) write their own songs, play their own instruments on top of having the standard vocals. Moreover, their music isn't comparable to the manufactured Westlife/Boyzone music sound. This doesn't mean that its suitable to everybody - the band’s music is still marketed towards teenage girls but this one just isn't as bland and as predictable as you might expect.
I first heard this self-titled album before its release in this country. The band is Australian and was (and of course still is) popular in their home territory, general Asia and the States quite some time before they got noticed here in the UK.
The music didn't really fit into my musical tastes so I wasn't overly keen to listen to them that closely. My girlfriend, however, loved them and after a few listens on the radio I bought the album for her. I bought it because I was in Malaysia - where CD prices are generally lower than in the UK but more importantly because I got a special edition Asian Tour Package with a bonus CD. A bonus CD with 8 extra tracks - some of which do not feature on the original album.
I would be surprised if you haven't heard any SG songs as SG have been around for a while now. Their first big hit (Truly Madly Deeply) was “big” world-wide (#1 in the USA) and opened the doors to charts the world over. TMD is track three on this album as is by far the mushiest love song from SG thus far. It's a slow paced, end of a school disco type song. The lyrics are extremely romantic and TMD is likely to feature in any modern day love song chart. Since SG are aiming their music predominantly at the teenage girl market most of their songs are not surprisingly like TMD and are mostly all about love and relationships. Coupling good-looking guys with good voices means almost instant success for boy bands but with SG there is more than meets the eye.
SG have a slight electronica influence but it is so very subtle. It’s good clean and wholesome pop (disposable pop for some people) but it has a slight edge over your average everyday boy band product. It is this slightly edgier sound with reasonable guitar that has almost certainly won them a huge fan base outside of the teenage girl market.
When this debut album entered their domestic charts it went in straight at the number one spot and stayed there for 13 weeks. According to the CDNOW web page this is the third longest for any Australian artist. It is therefore not surprising that this album won 11 Australian ARIA awards on the back of 11 million global album sales.
My personal favourites are TMD and Universe as traditional love songs with Tears of Pearls, Promises and To the Moon and Back as more upbeat pop songs. There are no real weak links to this album and this is made more impressive by its debut nature.
I honestly find it hard to fault. SG aren't really my normal listening material but this is one boy band I am happy to keep both in my CD collection and my frequently played section. I wholehearted recommend this album to anyone - I can't guarantee it will be your cup of tea but you might be surprised on the first couple of listens. Obvious if you tastes only include Nirvana and Korn then stick well clear!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
great op on a great album by a great group.. cheers and enjoy life
cherub3001 02.11.2001 16:47
really not my sort of music but still a good op!! x*Rach*x
maryhutton 10.10.2001 00:00
Just the push I needed. I have been meaning to get a SG LP for ages cos I love everything I've ever heard. Will get this....soon. By the way - daughter tells me they broke up today - can this be true? Typical, just as I find a new band to get into... Lovely op, thanks :0)
Following the successful formula of their eponymous debut album, Savage ... more
Garden'sAffirmationis made up of classic pop melodies and sleepy ballads. The title track cracks open the album--a song that sees Hayes philosophising about the inequalities of the...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Following the successful formula of their eponymous debut album, Savage ... more
Garden'sAffirmationis made up of classic pop melodies and sleepy ballads. The title track cracks open the album--a song that sees Hayes philosophising about the inequalities of the...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Following the successful formula of their eponymous debut album, Savage Garden's ... more
Affirmation is made up of classic pop melodies and sleepy ballads. The title track cracks open the album--a song that sees Hayes philosophising about the inequalities of t...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Disc 1 Affirmation Hold Me I Knew I Loved You The Best Thing Crash And Burn Chained To You ... more
The Animal Song The Lover After Me Two Beds And A Coffee Machine You Can Still Be Free Gunning Down Romance I Don't Know You Anymore Disc 2 The Best Thing The Lo...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Advantages: Makes you feel like there's light at the end of the tunnel and feel good about life in general. Disadvantages: No, there aren't any. Every song is top quality.
Advantages: Great words, fantastic melodies and outstanding voices Disadvantages: If your family don't share the same passion for the group or album, then playing it over and over again could pose a problem!
Oct 7th, 2001
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