Introduction - Alex Parks > Reviews > A WINDOW TO THE SOUL

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Average
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Not applicable
Value for Money

Advantages:	Allows us to see Alex singing some of her own songs .
Disadvantages:	Too many covers .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

*THE INTRODUCTION*

I remember it as clear as day – the worst night of my life. Some friends and I had gone out for the evening to a Chinese restaurant. We came back and all the girls said they just HAD to watch the final of Fame Academy. I was horrified. I didn’t like shows such as Popstars and Pop Idol and I didn’t see why this one would be any different. I sat down, resigned to the fact that I would have to watch it whether I wanted to or not, determined not to admit that any of these desperate no-hopers would have any talent.
Everything was going well until that git David Sneddon went on the stage. Not only did I think he had talent but I thought he was bloody awesome as well. I didn’t admit this to anyone though, I had my reputation to think of!

Now we come to this year and my first encounter with Alex Parks. I had made up my mind that I wouldn’t even watch Fame Academy 2003. My mum was a bit annoyed with me because she knew I was only doing it to prove a point to myself. I didn’t need Fame Academy. To hell with it!
It was at the end of the first episode that I could see things starting to go wrong. Mum came to me and told me there was this 19 year old girl with spiky hair and a fantastic voice. For a moment I was interested but then I remembered my promise to myself and banished it to the back of my mind. I didn’t need Fame Academy. A week later I just happened to be in the living room when mum put Fame Academy on. Against my better judgement I decided to stay where I was. I wanted to see this girl with the spiky hair.
I watched the rest of the contestants without much interest but then the girl came on. Her name was Alex and as soon as I saw her I knew I’d like her. She had a sad face and a passion in her eyes that held me transfixed. She began to sing ‘I don’t want to talk about it’ by Rod Stewart. I sat in silence all the way through her performance and when she was finished I sat there still, except now I had tears running down my face. I felt like her voice had touched my soul.
I supported Alex religiously throughout the rest of the competition and was thrilled when she won. I waited without patience for her single to be released and when her album, Introduction, came out I bought two copies. One for me and another for my mum.

*THE COVER*

The front cover tells you everything you need to know. It has ALEX PARKS - INTRODUCTION written in very large letters. It also has a picture of Alex looking thoughtful. There is a sticker on the box introducing Alex as the winner of Fame Academy 2003. As you open the booklet there is another picture of Alex with writing (could be hers) across it. It is basically a thank you to all the people who have supported her. The booklet opens up a bit like a map in that it folds out into one big sheet with info and pictures on both sides. There are two more pictures of Alex that show the different sides to her personality.
The rest of the booklet is taken up by details about the songs including lyrics, details of who wrote the songs, publisher details and who did what on the song. It is very interesting to read as some of the songs feature other contestants from Fame Academy as backing vocalists. The cover does exactly what any cover should. The front cover attracts you to it in the shops and the booklet tells you everything you need to know. Finally there is a thank you section in which Alex seems to thank everyone who she has ever met for their support.

*THE TRACKS*

1 – MAYBE THAT’S WHAT IT TAKES
2 – CRY
3 – DIRTY PRETTY WORDS
4 – IMAGINE
5 – NOT YOUR AVERAGE KIND OF GIRL
6 – MAD WORLD
7 – EVERYBODY HURTS
8 – BEAUTIFUL
9 – STONES & FEATHERS
10 – HERE COMES THE RAIN AGAIN
11 – YELLOW
12 – WANDRING SOUL
13 – OVERCONSCIOUS

‘Maybe That’s What It Takes’ is one of seven original songs on this album written by Alex and her co-writers, this song was actually written inside the Academy. It is a deeply moving song, which perfectly captures everything wonderful about Alex’s voice. You can lose yourself in this song if you’re not careful. This was released as her first single.
‘Cry’ is also an original composition. The second single released from this album, this song is slightly more upbeat than track one. It tells the story of losing a love and allows Alex to show the great variety in her voice and in her writing.
‘Dirty Pretty Words’ is the best song on the album and is written by Alex Parks, Gary Clark and Boo Hewerdine. It is a rocky number with the greatest chorus I’ve heard in years. I hope they release this as a single. This is the kind of song that Alex was born to sing.
‘Imagine’ is a cover of the John Lennon classic. It was always going to be hard for Alex to do this song justice but she just about manages it. Not the greatest song on the album though.
‘Not Your Average Kind Of Girl’ is another song that Alex wrote while she was in Fame Academy. It is a very honest autobiographical song that allows the listener to understand exactly what Alex is trying to say through her music.
‘Mad World’ is a very good version of the song which spent so long at number one recently. I can’t quite remember who did it originally but never mind. I think this would have been a single if Gary Jules hadn’t already recorded it.
‘Everybody Hurts’ is a cover of the REM song that doesn’t quite hit the spot for me. Good to listen to though if you’re trying to sleep.
‘Beautiful’ was the first song that Alex performed in the Academy. It is a cover of the Christina Aguilera song and is far superior to the original.
‘Stones and Feathers’ is another wonderful original composition. Not quite as good as the others though.
‘Here Comes The Rain Again’ and ‘Yellow’ are both covers. ‘Yellow was the B-Side of ‘Maybe That’s What It Takes’ when it was released as a single and was originally recorded by Coldplay. ‘Here Comes The Rain Again’ is a cover of The Eurythmics classic.
The last two tracks ‘Wandering Soul’ and ‘Over Conscious’ are both songs written by Alex. To be perfectly honest these two tracks are magnificent and it is unbelievable that they were written by a 19 year old.

*THE PRICE*

You can buy this album from amazon.co.uk for £8.99.

*THE CONCLUSION*

I think that this album was a great first effort by Alex Parks. However I think there is definite room for improvement. Even Alex has said that she doesn’t consider INTRODUCTION as her real first album. She is just finding her feet in the music business. Once she knows where she is and discovers where she wants to go then she will be a force to be reckoned with. If nothing else INTRODUCTION shows that Alex can sing a variety of different songs and that she can write as well. I look forward to hearing what the future holds for Alex Parks.