This album costs £9 on CD and has all the hit singles plus some new tracks.
The band have really only been having hits since May 2001 and already a "Best Of" is out, while they apparently take a year's break.
Here's a track listing and some commentary.
1. All Rise (Radio Version)
This was an instant Top 10 smash and is probably still their best track. It's a pop, R 'n' B tune with a great chorus.
2. Too Close
This is a cover version of a song which originally only reached the Top 20. It's quite a good song but the women singing on it, should have been credited. Lee's voice is really excellent on this mid-tempo track. It's great for the clubs.
3. If You Come Back
This is my favourite song. It's a beautiful ballad.
"Maybe I didn't know how to show it, maybe I didn't know what to say". Great stuff.
4. Fly By II
This is quite a boring track, which sounds very similar to "All Rise".
5. One Love
Another boring track, with ludicrous mentions of "hip hop beats". Again, it sounds like "All Rise".
6. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word (Radio Edit)
A good cover version of the Elton John song, featuring Elton himself. The harmonica in the middle sounds like "All Rise" (yet again!) but it's really good. Duncan sounds brilliant.
7. U Make Me Wanna (Radio Edit)
This is a mid-tempo love song and while all 4 Blue boys sound good, the material is bland.
8. Guilty
Co-written by Gary Barlow, this track reminds me of Take That at their best. It's a ballad about how hurtful it is if you genuinely love someone who already has a partner.
"If it's wrong to tell the truth, what am I suppose to do.....if loving you will my heart's a crime, then I'm guilty".
9. Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours
This cover of the Stevie Wonder track features Stevie himself and Angie Stone. It's ok but not a patch on the original and it all feels a little forced, as though it was the record company's decision.
10. Breathe Easy (Album Edit)
A large, swirling ballad, this shows off Lee's voice yet again.
11. Bubblin' (Single Version)
This is a fairly pleasant pop track but it doesn't stick in the mind.
12. Curtain Falls
This typical R 'n' B track seems to sample "Past Time Paradise" and it's about the end of an era....
13. Get Down On It
A pretty good version of the Kool & The Gang track. Excellent.
14. Love At First Sight
A fairly average "filler" track.
15. Best In Me
Good singing but again, a bland song. A disappointing end to the album.
I think "Get Down On It" would have been a better way to end this collection.
The album cover has the lads dressed in black, against a montage of images from London.
I would recommend this album, even if you only like a 2 or 3 songs. It's cheaper to buy this than to try and find CD singles at £4 a time.
This won't be a classic in years to come but Blue are a pleasant enough band.
by (37%):
by (63%):
28.01.2005 11:53
It's not exactly a "best of", is it? Like so many bands its just a collection of all their hits. And although there is a couple of good tracks in there, the majority are "just another boy band". I hope, like j3ssica says is possible, that their break DOES turn out to be permanent. Good review. Paula x
17.12.2004 00:11
Santa will be bringing me this. Can't wait!
26.11.2004 12:45
I like some of their songs. They didn't seem to be around very long.