THank you to everyone who helped me turn blue - on the mystical magical journey to purple now :)
THank you to everyone who helped me turn blue - on the mystical magical journey to purple now :)
Member since:01.01.2005
Reviews:6
Members who trust:5
“The best pop album of the year. No question, every song is a scorcher packed full of funky beats, sassy lyrics and an attitude usually only found in our American cousins” “Girl power is back and Natasha Bedingfield is its main exponent. ‘Unwritten’ is intelligent, classy pop music that blows the pop fluff of Britney and Christina clean out of the water.”
BACKGROUND Even before birth the Bedingfields were encouraged musically, they were sung to in the womb. Its easy to see why Daniel and Natasha have now become so successful. Though they now have very separate careers they used to work together in a group they formed with younger sister Nikola. Their music was experimental and all the while Natasha was learning to play the guitar and the piano and working on her song writing skills. She enrolled in a psychology course at university with the hope it would improve her song writing skills. She really wanted her music to mean something. After two years of her course, Natasha left uni to give herself more time to focus on her song writing and singing. She waited until she had compiled enough material and was definitely ready to sing professionally before letting a record company hear her work. Of course they loved her and together they produced her debut album UNWRITTEN. Natasha hopes for nothing more than people to ‘Identify with it [her music], be inspired by it, dance to it.’
UNWRITTEN released 6 September 2004 These Words (running time 3.36min) The lyrics of this song focus on Natasha’s writing career. “These words are my own, From my heart flow” This track is Natasha’s follow up to her debut ‘Single’. The track has a strong beat and rhythm with easy to follow lyrics. It is a song that makes you want to move but I wouldn’t categorise it as a dance track. In this track the true beauty of Natasha’s voice shines.
Single (running time 3.57min) The lyrics of this song focus on Natasha’s ‘single status’, she doesn’t need a man, this does not however mean she doesn’t want one. “Don’t need to be one somebody’s arm to look good, Not saying I don’t wana fall in love, I would” I feel the lyrics were intended to be an inspiration to other women. This is Natasha’s debut single. This song is a funky dance tune, but
it is slightly calmer than ‘These Words’. Her words about the song; ‘Contrary to what women’s magazines might tell you, you’re not incomplete if you don’t have a bloke, you don’t need a so-called ‘strong man’ to give you significance. For me, being single has made me stronger. And when I am in a relationship it means ill have more to give. I know who I am- and I know what kind of singer and songwriter I am. And it don’t come from what anyone else makes me’
I’m A Bomb (running time 3.42 min) This track has been described as a ‘big, loud, shouty party anthem. It appears to be about going out and having a great time at a club, but again there is a warning “To mess with me you must be a brave man” This is undoubtedly a dance track, it is fast with rhythm and a good bass line. Natasha’s words about this party anthem; ‘It’s girl going into a club, just going to dance- “be aware cos I’m about to explode! I’ve been working all week and I’ve been really good girl but now I’m about to let off some steam” - ‘it is; she adds, ‘a bit cocky and very tongue-in-cheek.’
Unwritten (running time 4.19min) The words of this song seem to suggest a new beginning for Natasha. I thought this signified her career as a singer, but in fact was intended to help he brother as he was growing up. “I’m just beginning, The pen’s in my hand, Ending unplanned” It also seems to be about being true to yourself and following your heart, “no one else, Can speak the words on your lips” This is the single that made me buy this album and is still one of my favourites. ’Unwritten’ is majestic and inspirational, with a climatic gospel choir moment courtesy of Natasha, her sister and two friends. It started as a poem about how your life is a blank page and you hold the pen. No one else is going to write it for you. And there are things waiting to happen that you have to experience. Get out there and get on with it. That’s a theme to a lot of my songs – taking life and living it, living it to the max.’ It was written for her younger brother, Joshua’s fourteenth birthday.
I Bruise Easily (running time 4.13min) This track is a warning that Natasha needs to be handled with care. “There’s a mark you leave, Like a love heart carved on a tree”. I think the lyrics of this song show that Natasha has been hurt in the past and is trying avoid the same thing happening again. “Anyone who can reach you, Can love you or leave you”
If You’re Gonna… (running time 3.22min) After ‘I Bruise Easily’ this track really picks up the pace. This song is about being the best you can be and being yourself no matter what. It appears Natasha is bit of thrill seeker “If you’re gona jump then jump far, fly like a skydiver” This song mixes dance and calm moods, sometimes the song makes you want to jump around and others you can do nothing but listen.
Silent Movie (running time 3.47min) This track has a country sound, it is calm and quiet. However the song does pick up a bit when the chorus begins. This song draws an analogous relationship between life and a movie. “You’re just an actor, So break into my story” This track is not to my personal taste though I think it is a nice enough track.
We’re All Mad (running time 4.48min) The track begins with a sound that invokes emotion and makes any listener anticipate what is to come. The title of this song is the best description of its meaning. However some powerful sentiments are used throughout this track “Who’s to say that darkened clouds must lead to rain?”
Frogs and Princes (running time 3.45min) The lyrics in this track focus on one question “Tell me how many frogs do I have to kiss, Before I find my Prince?” This is another of my favourite tracks on the album. It is a fast track that I often listen to while getting ready in the morning. It gets you moving like no other song I have encountered.
Drop Me In The Middle (running time 4.16min) This track features Bizarre from D-12. This is a rap track really, which is very strange in comparison to the other tracks on the album. I am unable to give a meaning to this song but it seems to be about Natasha’s career and the spread of her popularity. “Drop me in the middle, So I can make a ripple effect”
Wild Horses (running time 4.01min) This track is my unquestionable favourite. It centres around who Natasha wants to be and how she longs for freedom. This is a very heartfelt track and this is easy to hear. “All I want is the wind in my hair, To face the fear but not feel scared” This track shows her reservations about giving her whole heart. The music is very calm and quiet; it creates quite a sombre mood.
BONUS TRACKS Size Matters (running time 3.25min) This song is about the size of someone’s heart and the sentient that bigger is better. She has been watching a stranger with a big heart “You buy coffee for a stranger who’s down on their luck”, it is a great number of these incidents that show her how important the size of someone’s heart is “It’s the little things you do that show me how big you are” The song has a strong bass line and could be an upcoming single.
Peace Of Me (running time 9.07min) This track opens with a piano sound. Natasha’s voice is lovely throughout this track. This track is about finding something that makes you whole “all my peace is back together” This is a very emotional and meaningful track. This part of the song lasts 3.42min. After a couple of minutes delay, a secret track begins. It is an acoustic sound. It describes a childlike figure but it also suggests that Natasha wants to rebel “brought out the rebel I was born to be” It is a very subtle and soft track.
CD ART The CD itself is a cream colour, with the outline of Natasha’s features in brown. It is quite a powerful image. There is a brown band around the outer edge of the CD on which the tracks are listed in the cream of the CD.
CD INLAY & CASE The front of the CD shows a picture of Natasha looking towards you and it can feel as though she can really see you. The front cover of the inlay also shows “Natasha Bedingfield” in a bold white font and “Unwritten” in black, though this is smaller but in the same font. The CD inlay shows all the lyrics to each song in a small white font on a black background over pictures of what appear to be books, clothes, letters and photos. The only lyrics that are missing are those that accompany the secret track at the end of ‘Peace Of Me’. There is also a special thanks section and the production details of each track. There is also information for pictures and ringtones of Natasha. The back cover of the inlay shows a picture of Natasha
When the CD is not in the case pictures of Natasha and Daniel when they were young are revealed. As well as a scrap of paper showing original lyrics written by Natasha. This is very sweet gesture and I think shows that Natasha has a strong sense of who she is and where she has come from.
AVAILABILITY & COST I purchased my copy of this album from Tesco for £9.77. It is also available from HMV, in the sales, for £8.99, meaning you save £1.00 Play.com will deliver the CD for £8.99, saving you £4.00 from their regular retail price.
MORE INFO For more information about Natasha or her album visit www.natashabedingfield.com, there are also a large number of fan club websites online.
CONCLUSION This album is Natasha’s way of finding which direction to travel in now she has made it big. Many different musical styles are displayed throughout this album but one thing that remains constant is the way her talent shines through in the lyrics. Although some of the songs are not to my personal taste I don’t think this album has any weak links.
I have really enjoyed this album and listen to it regularly. Its new and fresh, showing raw talent. I would highly recommend it to anyone who will appreciate the effort and talent shown in this album, or to anyone wanting a great album to add to their collection.
In my humble opinion Natasha is the more talented of the Bedingfields.
All feedback greatly received as this is my first review.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
If Natasha Bedingfield's first two singles, feisty R&B anthem "Single" and chart-topper ... more
"These Words", suggested she's more than just Daniel's little sister, her debut album, Unwritten, is the confirmation. Better still, it proves she's a genuine pop s...
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Jan 1st, 2005
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