Gillingham, Kent, UK (By Mikey)
Each week I preview an album which I think deserves a listen to and if it's worth to buy, I will cater for all tastes of music from R'n'B to Rock, Hip hop and Pop. At the end of the page, you will find all future album releases.
Kym Marsh - Standing Tall
Release Date: 21 July, 2003
After Kym Marsh quit Hear'say she took quite a long time to record her solo material and only recently reappeared on the music scene. "Cry" and "Come On Over" were both UK Top 10 hits, but is the album any good?
"Standing Tall" starts off with "Cry", the No. 2 hit, which is a sure favourite. Kym follows "Cry" with "Come On Over", her second UK top 10 hit, which is more upbeat, poppy, and fun to listen to.
Next is the rocky "Sentimental", which is probably the best song on the album, (which is her next intended single of this album), with a lot of cool guitars and an overall mature sound. "After Goodbye" is the ultimate pop ballad, showing off Kym's vocal range. "The Girl I Used To Be" is a bit like "Cry". Starting acoustically, and building into a nice pop feel, this song is great, and is easy to listen to.
"Standing Tall", the album title track, sounds really good, and it could be a huge pop anthem. Kym's voice shines through the song, along with some guitar solos. "Cross Every River", using just acoustic guitars and strings, has a memorable, melodic tune. Next is "Glow", the bouncy, summery, pop tune, co-written by Kym herself. "Live Forever" uses a well-known melody from "Knocking On Heaven's Door" and doesn't disappoint.
"Shine On Me" is simply an anthem, and stands out as being one of the best songs. The angelic "Because Of You", also co-written by Marsh, talks about her feelings for her children. "Here Comes Heaven" is a nice pop tune, reminiscent of Emma Bunton's musical efforts. "Tempted" is a guitar-based song, and is another highlight of the album. None of the songs have let the album down yet, but what about the last one?
"Don't Break My Heart", a roof-raising ballad, is in fact a cover, but Kym really makes it her own. Sounding very strong and putting everything into it, Kym belts out some very long notes, making this the perfect way to end an amazing album.
The tracks all go from strength to strength and Kym Marsh proves that she is better than Hear'say, and has a truly amazing voice. She should have a long career, and this album is a great way to start it off.
7/10
Tracklisting
1 Cry
2 Come On Over
3 Sentimental
4 I Think It's Gonna Rain Today
5 After Goodbye
6 The Girl I Used To Be
7 Standing Tall
8 Cross Every River
9 Glow
10 Live Forever
11 Shine On Me
12 Because Of You
13 Here Comes Heaven
14 Tempted
15 Don't Break My Heart
NEXT REVIEW: The Coral 'Magic and Medicine'
ALBUM RELEASE SCHEDULE
September 15
David Bowie - Reality
Kelly Clarkson - Thankful
Human League - The Very Best Of
Jet - Get Born
Beth Orton - Pass In Time: The Anthology
Seal - Seal IV
Starsailor - Silence Is Easy
September 22
Gareth Gates - Go Your Own Way
R Kelly - The R In The R&B: Greatest Hits Collection Volume One
Lemonescent - Unconditional Love
Limp Bizkit - Results May Vary
Muse - Absolution
Nickelback - The Long Road
So Solid Crew - Second Verse
Sting - Sacred Love
September 29
Dido - Life For Rent
Lisa Scott-Lee - Unleashed
Lene Marlin - Another Day
Rachel Stevens - Funky Dory
Wheatus - Hand Over Your Loved Ones
Robbie Williams - Live At Knebworth
October 6
Blondie - The Curse Of Blondie
Clea - Identity Crisis
Siobhan Donaghy - Revolution In Me
Soft Cell - Soft Cell Live
October 13
Texas - Careful What You Wish For
Travis - Twelve Memories
October 20
Chingy - Jackpot
David Sneddon - Seven Years, Ten Weeks
The Strokes - Room On Fire
Suede - Singles
October 27
The Beautiful South - Gaze
Sophie Ellis Bextor - Shoot From The Hip
Emma - Simply Me
Stacie Orrico - Stacie Orrico
REM - In Time: The Greatest Hits
Underworld - Anthology: 1992-2002
November 3
Primal Scream - Greatest Hits
November 10
Coldplay - Coldplay Live 2003
Mark Owen - In Your Own Time
Pink - Try This
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Greatest Hits
