Atomic Kitten - Not Miniscule at all!
 Apr 22nd, 2004
Advantages:
Pure pop songs, catchy lyrics & beats !
Disadvantages:
Monotonous - all songs very similar
Recommendable:
Yes
Detailed rating:
Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency of tracks
How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Value for Money
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  s_jones_2003
About me:
5 sleeps until Christmas! And 64 sleeps until my 21st! Don't forget to go say hi to my new sister Bo...
Member since:07.11.2003
Reviews:78
Members who trust:112
Review rated by 27 Ciao members on average: very helpful 
Atomic Kitten… famous for their pop tunes, not as outspoken or renowned as the Spice Girls but nevertheless possibly one of the UK’s most famous girl bands! Unfortunately they announced their split in February 2004 after much speculation over their suggested idea of “taking a break.” A brief history of this band… it was formed in 1999 by Andy McCluskey with three initial members, Liverpool born Elizabeth McClarnon (Liz), Natasha Hamilton (Tash) and Warrington born Kerry Katona. However Kerry’s engagement to Westlife’s Bryan McFadden and her pregnancy prompted her swift exit from the band in early 2001. Jenny Frost (previously a member of Precious… relatively unknown) quickly replaced Kerry in spring 2001 and concluded the now completely Liverpudlian trio!
However as the name Atomic suggests – these girls were by no means miniscule or tiny in their success! A bit of insight into the tracks: -
Whole Again – This was the girls first number one ever, a re-make of The Bangles classic, first sung with the original member Kerry Katona present and later remade with the new addition Jenny Frost in late 2001. It sold over 1 million copies worldwide and really was the mark that established the girls as one of the leading pop groups in the UK. It’s a classic love ballad, with romantic connotations in almost every line, fairly relaxed and slow it gives a warm glow inside, a good starting track. (4/5) Ladies Night – One of the
more recent singles, the title track to their most recent album is possibly the most dance song of Atomic Kittens, a classic disco feel to it, you can imagine all you girls dancing away to this in the clubs and bars! Uplifting, happy and elevating! (5/5)
Tide Is High – Originally featuring on Billie Piper’s album Day and Night but never released as a remake of Blondie’s classic, Atomic Kitten snapped up this tune and added their own little rap bit to the middle back in 2002… as a result it went straight to number 1 in September! It’s got a summery yet relaxing and soothing feel to it, with a catchy beat in the background. This song shows off the girl’s voices quite well, with the melodies in the chorus as well as the jumpy bits within the verses. (4/5) It’s Ok – This was released early in 2002, and proved to be another very popular hit! With a similar feeling to the previous track on this album, it’s uplifting and reassuring at the same time (as you can tell from the title words), the film for this was mostly filmed with a beach background which really makes it feel summery and bright! Typical Atomic Kitten tune, cute and bright! (4/5)
Be With You – Possibly the only other remotely dance track that Atomic Kitten have attempted, and to be fair it’s probably best they stick at the pop genre as they’re true master minds at it. It is however, a very catchy tune, it had me singing it round the supermarket! Not hard core dance or anything like that, but an ideal tune for a pub to get you in the mood for a night out, another one that gives you a strange happy feeling! (4/5) If You Come To Me – Not one I remembered from off the top of my head and definitely not one of Atomic Kitten’s tracks that’s going to be remembered in years too come! Quite a foreign sounding beat opens this track and the vocals sound strangely hollow, I can’t quite put my finger on it but this wasn’t a hit with me! A bit floaty and undefined if that makes sense! (3/5)
Eternal Flame – Originally sang by The Bangles and a well known classic throughout generations today, this is an unmistakable song. It was released in July 2001 by Atomic Kitten and reached the number 1 spot in August. A feel happy song for the lovers out there, with a relaxed beat and a slow smooth feel to it. (4/5) Love Doesn’t Have To Hurt – More upbeat than the previous tunes, with an underlying fairly fast beat, about learning the lesson that love can hurt and create problems until you find that special someone, something most of us will be able to relate with. However unlike many current love songs, this one isn’t depressing nor sadistic at all, it’s fairly optimistic and hopeful. (4/5)
The Last Goodbye – More downbeat than the previous one, more sombre too in mood, not really one of my favourite Atomic Kitten songs at all and not quite sure why it’s on this album! (3/5) Right Now , See Ya, I Want Your Love, You Are – Going back in time to 1999 and 2000, when Kerry was still in the group, and the tunes were all upbeat cheesy pop! Fantastic! I’ll always remember the song See Ya for the classic lyrics “So baby see ya, I wouldn’t wanna be ya,” that classic childhood taunt, this are pure brilliant songs and show the girls in their early cheeky although slightly immature light. It does allow you to appreciate their newer material and how much they have matured over the years. The backing music tended to have a lot more influence and play a much larger part in the songs, whereas more recently the girls have relied on their voices much more. (5/5) – just for the cheese!
Cradle – This has never been released in the UK, only Asia, which leads me to wonder why exactly it’s been placed on the UK’s Greatest Hits album when no one has ever heard of it?? Quite depressing and saddening, is one to bring your mood down! Wouldn’t have put it at the end of the album, not really going to leave you with the most positive impression of the girls. (2/5) Someone Like Me – This was wrote soley by Liz and is quite moving if you listen to the lyrics in detail, very emotive. This was the 4th and last single to be taken from the Kitten’s final album Ladies Night. The video for this reflects the nature of the song, stripped of all extras, filmed in a white room, showing the girls almost naked to the soul here. Great one to finish on though! (5/5)
Priced at £9.99 in certain supermarkets such as Tesco and at £8.99 on Amazon I'd say it was definetly worth the expenditure. If you've ever liked an Atomic Kitten single then there's no doubting the fact you'll love the album! And so there we have it, the end of yet another era as yet another group ends and closes the door on that part of our lives. With a successful career in total spanning approx. 5 years these girls will be sorely missed but I’m sure we’ve not seen the backs of them altogether!
Pictures of Greatest Hits - Atomic Kitten
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03.10.2004 19:37
I really liked AK. Saw them in concert years ago supporting Steps.
23.04.2004 21:45
Great op honey.Not heard of Crandle either. Wouldn't mind owning this album, quite like their videos though so wouldn't mind the Dvd Em XX
23.04.2004 17:41
A very well presented review. My daughter loves these, and I enjoy some of the tracks too. Shame they split. Mandy.X