Studio 1 - All Saints

(This review can be seen on www.popsalvage.co.uk, but its my site)

The All Saints are back. After five years apart (it's ok they now embrace their former hatred… in a good way) they have come back with the stunning 'Rock Steady' which has already hit number three in the charts and now the new album 'Studio 1' follows. The big question is has the reunion been worth it or should have they stayed solo/a duo?

New single ...
...number at 2mins 49. 'I've got my bags packed baby and I'm ready to go, look in my eyes rock steady and I promise you more'. It's an instant All Saints anthem and I think sees them sounding slicker than ever. Also Nicole (my fav) gets to sing a whole verse something that never used to happen! 5/5

I am praying that the rumours are true and 'Chick Fit' is the second single as its blooming brilliant. It's got the 80's synths of some Justin ... more

(This review can be seen on www.popsalvage.co.uk, but its my site)

The All Saints are back. After five years apart (it's ok they now embrace their former hatred… in a good way) they have come back with the stunning 'Rock Steady' which has already hit number three in the charts and now the new album 'Studio 1' follows. The big question is has the reunion been worth it or should have they stayed solo/a duo?

New single 'Rock Steady' opens the album and it's a funky little number at 2mins 49. 'I've got my bags packed baby and I'm ready to go, look in my eyes rock steady and I promise you more'. It's an instant All Saints anthem and I think sees them sounding slicker than ever. Also Nicole (my fav) gets to sing a whole verse something that never used to happen! 5/5

I am praying that the rumours are true and 'Chick Fit' is the second single as its blooming brilliant. It's got the 80's synths of some Justin Timberlake tracks (strange but true) and yes sounds more industrial in verses and harmonised in choruses. "My coolness is blown, I need a fixing, I'm in a daze, I'm not myself I'm all over the place, I get a chick fit when I hear your name, and I totally flip". Its instant favourite there's even breathy 'ahhhhs' and everything. 5/5

'On & On' starts with a scratchy bit which is a bit odd, then it soon becomes a dreamy song along the lines of the 'Pure Shores' William Orbit days. It's also very like Shaznay's second single 'You'. All Saints show why they work as a group, with the tight harmonies here, and the song just drips and sways through your head. "Even though the journey seems so far, no matter where you are I wanna be close to you. Time with you may seem so far away, but patience has a say I wanna be close to you". Natalie Appleton shines on this track, as does Melanie Blatt. 4/5

Its reggae and ska for 'Scar' actually named after a type error of the word 'ska', interesting. This wouldn't surprise me if it was a single as it has a very Lily Allen feel to it and we all know how well she is doing at the moment. It's full of trumpets and a man making 'whop' noises in the background. Lyrically it's not as catchy with no obvious chorus. This would be quite a good summery tune for chilling out to. 3.89/5

'Not Easy' again is very, very reggae filled. It has some whistling in it which could be very catchy, in fact it is very catchy - I'm whistling. "I don't know why but boy your not easy, the more that I try you take the P so, now I know I have no choice but to leave so I tell you goodbye, oh, oh, oh". Can't quite see this being a single as it's too close to 'Rock Steady' and 'Scar'. Love the line "baby I'm too cute for time wasting". 4/5

R&B fuels 'Hell No' and at first I thought it was going to be shit. Soon it sounds like quite a cool old-skool tune, with complimentary giggles in the background which is a Timbaland trade mark (he has nothing to do with this track). Only problem with the track is that the chorus is a little squeaky and screechy. 'Tell me who's that bitch I've seen climbing out your window, think I've seen her face almost everywhere that we go." Hmmm 2.9/5

We feel taken back to the early naughties with the opening of 'One Me & U'. This could be a single as it's catchy and quite instant and cute. Yes, its cute pop, a new trend I predict ha-ha. "I don't know what you do but I stagger and fall, trip up in my shoes when I'm walking with you, we can fight, make up, whatever the mood, cos there's only one me and you". We take it this is about being in a cute couple and all that. 4/5

A big old piano opens and runs through 'Headlock'. In the first verse you are quite hooked. Shaznay also does a bit of an empowering shouty singy liberating 'anthemic' bit before the chorus. The Appleton's sing most on this track which is great as they are sharing the vocals a lot more with this album. "See what goes around has to some back round, so step on up while I dish it up and if you're now on your own wish you'd never come home, better take that fall and just give it up, give it up." We're glad to see there's still a bit of attitude in another of the albums highlights. 4.4/5

'Too Nasty' is a bit like the way Christina Aguilera has tried to go with making the 1930/1940's sound funky with a modern twist. You can imagine the All Saints singing this in a bluesy club. "Ain't got times for your dirty little games no, don't wanna be a part of your whole grumpy freak show, stay away, stay away, go, go, cos your too nasty, oh, oh." Love this as it's grown on me within about three listens, I want this to be a single, maybe. 5/5

'In It To Win It' starts all twinkly then has a slightly ethnic feel to it. There's a mix of eastern and piano in this track, then it goes quite gospel and harmonised in the chorus. This is a really interesting mix, I think you would either love it or hate it, I love it. "It's ok bad days will come in times, don't sweat it wont last its only for a minute, all through hard times you'll wonder why, ok be strong and you'll win it." It's supposed to be very empowering and it is. 4/5

Now I love, love, love 'Flashback' it's really, really pounding and upbeat filled with bags of attitude and a hint of rock. "Turn up the beats and join me on the dance floor, rip off the sheets and you'll get what you asked for, if you recognise me in the morning, don't tell me, that I can't recall. Non stop, flash back are you ready for more?" The trumpets and piano are really funky and make this a must single. You can get dirty and funky to this. 5/5

The end of an album is always interesting as it mainly what you remember an album by, well it's the last song you hear (unless you have it on random clever clogs) so it sticks. 'Fundamental is the perfect ending, and MUST, MUST, MUST be a single. It's like 'Never Ever' meets 'Pure Shores', no really, its that amazing. There's just Melanie's vocals and a piano to start, then a few atmospheric strings and it all opens up. "It's too deep it's gone full circle, I breath just by watching this, projection is clear, baby your love is fundamental." Its autobiographical, sublime lyrics, amazing vocals, and it's totally haunting. It would be number one. Your hairs stand up when the choir join in, awesome.

Overall this is an amazing album regardless of who has released it and a must have in any collection. The fact it's the All Saints and that they are back together is truly just another reason to buy it. I promise you wouldn't regret it! 5/5 

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