Ronan - Ronan Keating > Reviews > Way to go Ronan

Author's product rating:   

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

Advantages:	Great first solo album
Disadvantages:	Poor cover

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Boyzone may be plagued by one too many Gary Barlows, but in main man, vocalist and unrepentant heartthrob Ronan Keating, they have a natural, charmed star. It was only a matter of time before Ronan went solo. Whether or not this signifies the ultimate demise of Boyzone isn’t clear, but there’s no doubt that if it does, Ronan’s future as successful solo artist, President of Ireland and hey - President of the World is assured. Let’s not beat around the bush here - Ronan sparkles as only true stars are wont to do.
Moving away from the more straightforward ballads of Boyzone, Ronan’s pairing with former New Radicals’ front man Gregg Alexander is a great idea, and No.1 single ‘Life Is Rollercoaster’ which you’ve no doubt already heard, is a fabulous, euphoric paean to falling in love. Similarly, ‘The Way You Make Me Feel’, written with Bryan Adams, is a lovely strummed number, which is surely destined for a future release, and has ‘No.1 hit’ written all over it.

For those who’ve always been a sucker for Boyzone’s heartfelt ballads, these, too, appear on ‘Ronan’. ‘In This Life’ is a lovely number, replete with strings and female backing vocals. It centres on Ronan’s love for what must be his wife, who, judging by the album, is the love of his life.

‘Ronan’ is a veritable shimmering pop nugget and it will quite rightly sell by the bucket load. The only worrying thing appears to be the flecked, velvet wallpaper on the album cover, but then, given Ronan’s other considerable attributes, we’ll let it pass. Cover aside, a perfect pop album.