Disgraceful - Dubstar > Reviews > My desert island disc

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money

Advantages:	My favourite album
Disadvantages:	Alas, Dubstar are no more

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

This is Dubstar's debut album, released in 1995, and is favourite album of all time. I wish Ciao would download the album cover to show alongside this review because that itself is a work of art, but the music is obviously the most important thing and that is excellent. It's difficult to compare Dubstar with other artists, although they are often mentioned alongside acts like New Order, Morrissey, Pet Shop Boys or St Etienne. At first listen their music sounds like cheery electro-pop, but the lyrics are often dark and tell stories of relationship breakdowns. Disgraceful is definitely my favourite of their three albums as the quality of the songs is so consistently high. The cherry on the cake is Sarah Blackwood's vocals, which are best described as an angel with a Yorkshire accent.

1. STARS - "We'll take our hearts outside/leave our lives behind/I'll watch the stars go out"

As soon as the first song starts you are immersed in a combination of electronical and orchestral music that just takes you to somewhere much nicer altogether. The song is uptempo and uplifting but at the same time quite sad - it's brilliant anyway.

2. ANYWHERE - "I'll be around anywhere/any place you want me"

This is another classic Dubstar song, and again is uptempo yet more optimistic sounding than Stars. It's basically a love song saying that you'll come running whenever you're needed. A bright jewel.

3. JUST A GIRL SHE SAID - "It's alright I'm just a girl she said/talk down to me and take me to bed"

This isn't actually an attack on women (it was written with Sarah), but is more of a lament that men are just after sex with women and don't want to talk!

4. ELEVATOR SONG - "If you need somebody to love you/well then/I'll be the one who's there"

Very similar to Anywhere in it's sentiments but altogether different sounding, this is about as far away from the electro-pop formula the Dubstar go on this album.

5. THE DAY I SEE YOU AGAIN - "If the man you've grown to be/is more Morrison than Morrissey"

One of my favourites, this song tells a story through the lyrics in a way that I have seldom heard done so successfully. The lyrics throughout this track are so memorable throughout and the use of the orchestra really adds atmosphere.

6. WEEK IN WEEK OUT - "Your smile - the bravest face of all/I don't care for it at all"

The perfect accompaniment to The Day I See You Again, this is another tale of a problem relationship enhanced by great lyrics, atmosphere and music.

7. NOT SO MANIC NOW - "I was making myself the usual cup of tea when the doorbell strangely rang"

Many people might be familiar with this song about a mugging in a tower block as it was quite a big hit a few years back. I was quite spooked a couple of years ago when I was listening to Not So Manic Now whilst making a cup of tea, and the doorbell rang.

8. POPDORIAN - "Old enough to know that he could die/but too young to care"

Another great upbeat song, you can tell by the lyrics that there is a serious point lurking underneath all the electro-cheeriness.

9. NOT ONCE, NOT EVER - "Living together is something you do/and married is something you are"

Quite similar to tracks 5 and 6, and equally as brilliant. What strikes me on many of these songs are the range of notes that Sarah can hold - her voice sound almost operatic at times, and sometimes not quite of this planet.

10. ST SWITHINS DAY - "The fact that you don't understand/Casts a shadow over this land/But the sun still shines from behind it"

Written by Billy Bragg, this is another typical Dubstar-ian song that can seem quite negative but sees the light at the end of the tunnel.

11. DISGRACEFUL - "Imagine us now/talking tomorrow"

The album end with the title track, another examintaion of relationships and another great song.

Overall it is quite difficult writing about this album as it's really like nothing else I have ever heard. All I can say is that if I had to get rid of all my albums bar one, this is the one I would keep. For more info on Dubstar lyrics, releases, B-sides, or to ask the members of Dubstar a question, visit www.dubstar.com.