Funky Dory - Rachel Stevens > Reviews > Leaving the S Clubbers behind

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Not applicable
Value for Money

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

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Rachel Stevens was born in 1978, and from a young age had set her sights firmly on the world of show business. She joined a drama school at the age of five, and after leaving full time education she worked in the fashion industry in PR, before joining the pop band S Club 7. Arguably, one of the more attractive female members of the group, Rachel amassed a huge following, not only of adolescent teenage boys, but also older men, who not only found her hugely attractive, but also liked the music she made with the band.

S Club 7 parted company earlier this year, and Rachel was again in the spotlight. Not only because the band break-up, but because her relationship with Holby City star Jeremy Edwards, was floundering.

Rachel has recently released her debut solo album, entitled “Funky Dory”, which can be purchased from most music outlets, for around £9.99.

The front cover shows Rachel, sitting against a blue background, looking perfect as usual, and showing off her long shapely legs. I hate her already!

The first track, and also the first single release from the album “My LA ex” starts off with a guitar strummed fastly, with the accompaniment of maracas and drums. What a great track to begin the album with. Rachel manages to sound both poppy and sultry in the song, which tells the story of a relationship break down, where the male is spreading rumours about his ex-partner that are completely unfounded. A great dance track and most people would be able to identify with the lyrics.

“If I were in your shoes, I'd whisper before I shout
Can't you stop playing that record again, find somebody else to talk about”

The title track to the album, “Funky Dory” is a play on the word “hunky dory” in which Rachel professes her love and lust for the man in her life. The track has strong Spanish influences with the Spanish guitar and also maracas. I am going to presume that Rachel has taken many of her musical influences from the great Madonna and also Jennifer Lopez, as this song has a little of “La Isla Bonita” evident in it. The thing I like about this track is that the music does the talking and features more prominently than Rachel’s lyrics. A brilliant track.

“Fools” is a delve into the mind of Rachel, where she asks why she always end up with the “nice guys”, and she has realised that she would like a bit of fun in her life with the next man she meets. The beginning of the song makes me think that Dolly Parton is going to burst into song as there is an over-riding Country influence, although the track soon bursts into a more “poppy” beat. Again, I can feel a Madonna influence, with a bit of “Tell Me”. Rachel manages to give her voice a darker side in this track, and it is evident by this time, that this girl has talent.

“So send me in the fools, throw away the heros
I need some excitement here tonight”

“Breathe in Breathe Out” begins with quite a rock beat, and has quite a heavy guitar sound throughout the track, although the lyrics are more mainstream. The song tells by chilling and relaxing, a new day will bring better things. Although this is the heaviest track, musically, there is a strong S Club influence on the track, and one could almost imagine the rest of the band, providing the backing vocals.

“Glide” is another track dealing with relationships ending and moving on to pastures new. It seems that this whole album is about Rachel packing up and moving on, both in her career and her personal life. 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 and not rushed, and is probably not the right time to begin a new relationship. A softer song, almost a ballad, and the piano and violins add emotion and ambience to the song.

“I already know that you're the one, the earth around my sun
But still there's things I need to hide”

“Blue Afternoon” tells of an afternoon spent in a fit of depression, thinking about a lost love, until he returns, and realising that everything in the world is now peachy. The track has of course, as the title implies, a blues feel to it, and although I hate to say it, I can feel a Geri Halliwell influence in this track, although this does not detract from the song, which Rachel adds a sultry feel to.

“I got the money” is a plea to a lover to run away from it all, and let the relationship blossom. One of the strongest tracks on the album, (although there really are no weak 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 that has broken down, and after a spell apart, the couple rekindle their relationship, making the girl realise what a guiding influence the man was in her life. A story of Rachel and Jeremy perhaps? The track is very similar to some of Pink’s on the album “Missundaztood”, although it does develop into a more poppy number as it progresses.

“You're the missing piece, the other half of me
To make me complete”

“Silk” almost makes one think that the vocals of 50 Cent are going to blast from the speakers, after the heavy introduction. However, Rachel’s vocals burst forth, and the track tells of a relationship where everything can be made alright by the touch of the man’s hand. I would say that this is my least favourite track on the album, purely because of the strange music which does not seem to compliment the vocals.

This album has totally blown me away, with the exception of the last track. I suppose I was expecting, cynically, for Rachel to fall flat on her face, and not being able to cut it in the solo world. “Funky Dory” made me sit up and take notice of someone I had long associated with a nondescript pop band, and who really was not used to her full potential. Rachel’s voice is amazing, and has served to prove that she has a big future ahead of her.

“Funky Dory” is a fantastic debut album, which I am sure will secure the future of Miss Stevens in the music industry. She sounds very similar to Madonna in a great many of the tracks, and one can only wonder what the great diva will make of this first offering. The album is a testament to Rachel’s ability to tackle pop, soul, jazz and blues tracks with ease, and is an absolute pleasure to listen to.