Alphabed (A Mystery Dance) - Andrew Poppy

Advantages: Crescendolls, High Life, Face to Face...
Disadvantages: Nightvision

...Undoubtedly a much more commercially targeted album than the previous "Homework", but who can blame them really. "One More Time" isn't really typical of the rest of the album, the rest although quite poppy, is a lot more sophisticated dance music. There is a bit of overuse going on with the whole vocoder thing but that's only really on about 4 tracks. "Crescendolls" and "High Life" are really cool feel good up-beat tunes. While "Nightvision" (at only a minute and a half long) and "Verdis Quo" provide a bit of a slowing down of the tempo. Definitely a worthy buy from any dance music lover, as it is one of the few dance albums which manages to sustain itself for an entire album's length. However, maybe a bit too poppy for those that consider themselves credible dance music lovers.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: lively, can sing
Disadvantages: covered some songs

...I really enjoy listening to Steps' music. Their songs are upbeat, lively and easy to dance to. They are generally a popular band, but are very 'poppy' Younger people tend to be drawn to their style, but I enjoy dancing to their songs, and Tragedy is a classic. They have covered a few songs, which I disagree with, but they are generally original. Their videos are generally excellent, and their CBBC programme is helpful to aspiring performers. The five members appear friendly, and all can sing well. They have a sense of fun, and generally perform excellently.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Everything
Disadvantages: Only 11 songs

...In 1967, The Beatles made a crazy movie about a psychedelic bus trip. This movie, Magical Mystery Tour, was not a success, to put it mildly. Viewers were confused, reviews were terrible, and even fans of the Beatles had a hard time liking the thing. However, the Magical Mystery Tour album was another story. Originally, the album was released only in the U.S., with an EP containing only the six songs from the movie released in the U.K. But the U.S. version of the album was released in 1976 in the U.K. and remains today the one available on CD. Capitol Records in the U.S. just loved to rip off their customers by cutting songs off of the Beatles albums, throwing in singles or tracks from other albums, and creating new albums from the leftover material. That is basically what this album is, as the second half is made up of a collection... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful