Funky Dory - Rachel Stevens

Advantages: A great selection of musical styles, fantastic debut album
Disadvantages: None

...This track has a very funky beat, with the introduction of some very strange instruments, that create an almost futuristic beat. The backing vocals are put down with an echoing way, and give another dimension to the track. “Heaven has to Wait” is maybe a clue to the ending of Rachel’s relationship with Jeremy. This track tells of the beginnings of a new relationship, and although she wants to giver her heart and soul, she realises it has to be savoured ...
...ones), this again has a funky beat, and Rachel gives an 80’s disco feel to it as well. “Little Secret” tells the story of a secret affair and the lustful longing to be with someone who is forbidden. Another funky beat, with great echoing synthesizers, Rachel’s voice is again moody, yet the backing vocals are sun in a higher pitch. “I'll be your secret, your holy secret Baby, no one need know what we'll get up to” “Solid” is about a relationship ... Read review

Advantages: Excellent songs
Disadvantages: Some people may not like the style and genre

Rachel Stevens known as one of the members of the popular group S Club has now a solo career. Rachel Stevens still carrying on the style of pop now is doing more sophisticated pop but showing off her vocals really well and carrying off a very distinct style as well - her debut album entitled ''Funky Dory'' after one of the songs on the album is really quite excellent. Starting off with ''Sweet Dreams My LA Ex'' it begins quite excellently with this ...
...worthy tracks such as ''Fools'', ''Funky Dory'' and ''Breathe In Breathe Out'' - which are really good pop songs whilst being quite sophisticated. ''Glide'' and ''Heaven Has To Wait'' are simple pop songs but show Rachel Stevens can single quite well. ''I Got The Money'' and ''Blue Afternoon'' follow showing diversity and also show off her voice really well and diversity. ''Little Secret'' the b side to Rachel Stevens debut single is ever so fantastic, ... Read review

Advantages: Music to my ears!
Disadvantages: Can't think of any!

...says this is truly a funky album! I've only just bought it myself but find it hard to turn the volume down as the tracks are fab. The album is a great mix of young, juicy pop tunes with a great copy of more, more, more (this track is on the latest release of the album)! I love this album and I'm sure if you were a keen S Club 7 fan then you will love this album too! Rachel has done herself proud here, with tracks on the album including Funkydory, ... Read review

Advantages: shes nice to look at
Disadvantages: poor songs and voice

rachel stevens is yet another girl trying to be the next pop princess and fails.her songs are fine if youre with the girls getting ready for a night out.itll get you in that feel good mood but dont expect anything else from this album.her songs are nothing special and her voice definately doesnt match up to that if christina aguilera!!rachel reminds me of others such as louise,any ex spice girl,holly valance etc.shes a pretty girl who all the blokes ... Read review

Advantages: Its a good mixed debut album and not in slightest S Club-esque
Disadvantages: Its not Some Girls good all the way through!

...Back whenever it was lol (2003) when S Club finally split up everyone thought Jo (the one with the voice) would make it as a star. Surprisingly Rachel was snapped up by Simon Fuller very very quickly. Maybe was something to do with her being in the FHM Top 100. To be fair Rachels lyrics on ‘Natural’ were an S Club highlight! So the one that kinda sang and looked good in S Club goes solo… but is Rachel Stevens Funky or Flunky? This is a review of the repackaged version of Funky Dory. Now here I do have a gripe of epic proportions. I cant bare it when acts re-issue stuff, I mean a 8 year old who loves her probably cant afford to get two copies and who would want to? Rant almost over, but if you do repackage a CD please don’t then release a different version (More, More, More) its not on, I know makes money and sells singles but most... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Lots of variety on the album, strong vocals
Disadvantages: A few fillers

...personal favourite) are more classic pop tunes, whilst "Blue afternoon" offers a totally different laid back sound that I did not expect to find on Rachel Stevens' album. "Glide" has an unusual and effective sound and "I got the Money" is a succesful step away from cheesy pop. Alongside the more upbeat tracks on this album is "Heaven has to wait", a nice ballad that makes the most of Rachel's girly vocals. Overall, the album appears to be an accomplished album produced by a confident vocalist who is secure in their style and willing to experiment with different sounds. It offers some unique and outstanding tracks such as "Funky Dory", "Breathe in breathe out", "little secret" and "Silk" and is an album that gets better with time and can be played over and over, never failing to bring a smile to the face or instigate a spontaneous singalong... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Sweet Dreams My LA Ex
Disadvantages: Heard it all before

...OK OK, I admit...an ex SClub fan, it's really not sounding good is it?! Haha! After supporting the band through their years, I thought that I'd really enjoy Rachel's music. Her solo's in the band were always "my type of thing" she always did the kind of R'n'B style solos wheras Jo (the loudmouth blonde one from Essex!) belted out the ballads. So when Miss Stevens revealed her new image and unleashed the dancey "Sweet Dreams (My LA Ex)" on us, I thought things were promising. I did get myself a copy of the album eventually and upon listening found weak, wishy washy vocals upon, well, weak wishy washy vocals! The production on "Sweet Dreams" was brilliant and it was made into a flawless pop track but her other attempts at the dancey tracks didn't get me boogying in the bedroom! Well OK, maybe the catchy, "Some Girls", but mind you... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful