Tangled Up Album Review :
Managing to rid themselves of the tackiness of the likes of “I Think We’re Alone Now”, the understated “Call The Shots” is an unexpectedly calm opener. But don’t get too worried, “Close To Love” really kicks off the energetic side of Tangled Up with a monster beat. Similarly the punishing 90s bassline of “Girl Overboard” and it’s overwhelming chorus make it, like “Something Kinda Ooh”, one of those songs we know is going to be amazing to dance to in a club. Sarah’s influence is certainly felt on the futuristic “I’m Falling”. Trapping squelchy sounds with a punky guitar, those of us who were horrified “Graffiti My Soul” was never a single will love it.
Instead of ballads, we’re treated to mid-tempo fun courtesy of the sultry “I Can’t Speak French” and the entrancing album closer “Crocodile Tears”. And we never thought we’d name a slower song as one of our favourites, but the reggae infused “Control of the Knife” complete with an absurd mash of trumpets and synths has managed to steal our heart.
Undoubtedly the best girl band the UK has ever seen, Girls Aloud make challenging pop music without ever losing their sense of fun and Tangled Up is yet another diamond on their fingers.
Review from amazon.com :
One of the most successful pop groups in the history of the UK singles charts, Girls Aloud started out as a reality-show competition creation back in 2002 but have since gone on to be one of the UK’s very best purveyors of pop, in no small thanks to ace production team Xenomania(who helmed the majority of peerless debut SOUND OF THE UNDERGROUND and fully produced every studio disc since). Studio outing number four continues the near flawless record–first single “Sexy No!No!No!” continues the futuristic mash-up style sound of “Something Kinda Ooh”, ranking with “Biology” as one of their four or five best singles ever. Conversely, second single “Call The Shots” is probably their most musically straightforward track to date–again, I would rank this very high in their singles canon as well. Vocally, the girls each get their turn at the mic, all handling themselves admirably, though Nadine Coyle remains the vocal standout in the group. All said, there really isn’t a dud in the bunch–even better, they’ve forgone the inclusion of any covers or ballads, often their weak point with regard to their full-lengths. This is easily on par with the previous CHEMISTRY as well as their debut, and probably better than second set WHAT WILL THE NEIGHBOURS SAY? Highly recommended.
