Customer Reviews

Sanctuary

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Simon was the 2nd member of Blue to release a solo album after Lee, who's album was released a couple of months prior to Sanctuary. Luckily for Simon, his album is better and charted a bit better then Lee's.

Only one shop in Auckland sold Simon's album here, and I got it for a more expensive price then I was expecting. But it wasn't a bad decision, as it's quite a good album. It's better then you would expect from an ex boy band member, and yes, Simon did have a hand in co-writing nearly all the tracks. This makes it a bonafide solo album in my opinion.

A lot of material on the album is different to what Simon did with Blue, but there are some songs that make you think 'Blue could have done this.'

Highlights of the album include debut single "Lay Your Hands" - a soulful catchy pop track with great vocoded vocals on the chorus. This song is easy to sing along to, and never gets boring. Second single "No Worries" is also a great track, more cute vocals on the chorus - this song makes you want to dance and is uplifting and happy. Other stand out tracks include "Ashamed," "Unjustified," "Only Love," and "Star," but the absolute stand out track is "All I Want" - a very poppy song, probably the most "pop" song on the album. It's the kind of song Blue would have sung when they together, and that's probably why it's my favourite on the album. The lyrics are amazing, and the music is very cool. I would recommend this song for a future single, it's Blue like so it would do well.

Overall, this is a solid debut solo effort and I definitely look forward to hearing more from Simon. As of this moment, until Duncan's solo material comes out, Simon's album is my favourite Blue solo member album.

Uusally after the great success of their boyband or girlband background, many think of solo success as an artist. Few have done it like Robbie Williams and Ronan Keating. Simon Webbe's debut album is a suprising smash. It doesn't sound like a "Blue" album at all. He went with a more pop acoustic feel, smooth R&B and country vibe. It has a little Lighthouse Family groove to it. His top tracks are Lay Your Hands On Me, No Worries, After All This Time, A Little High, Free, Only Love, and Sanctuary. The bonus AVCD includes Simon's 3 videos and Simon talks about each track on camera. It also includes two remixes and B-sides. So here's to Simon Webbe's solo success!! Hopefully like That Take, the boys will get back together in a few years.

This album is a gem. I have never heard music from Simon Webbe (or from Blue, the UK band he was a member of). From the lyrics, to the melodious tunes, to the musical arrangement to Simon Webbe's voice - this is Pop Gold.

I rarely fall in love with all tracks on an album from the first listening. I've been mesmeried by this album.

Stand out tracks are "No Worries" (on the top 10 on itunes UK store), "Lay Your Hands on Me" and "Unjustified" and "Ashamed". At the risk of gushing I have to say I think the others are great too. Not a single track I would consider a filler.

Why UK albums dont do as well as they should in the United States is a mystery to me (I am from India where we manage to keep pace with both charts). This album deserves to be promoted internationally.

This is a great album!! Hip and smooth, very good just to listen to, I play it all of the time in my kitchen when I am cooking or just hanging out.

Maybe this CD just caught me at the right moment, but I haven't enjoyed listening to a CD this much in a while. There is a very mellow, very summery sound to this CD. But even more strongly evident than that is the uplifting quality of the songs here. If Simon Webbe never sang or lisened to gospel music, I'd be very, very, very surprised, as it's written all over this album. There are times I've just wanted to lift my hands and sing. And it's not just the sound, but the lyrics, too. Redemption, unending love, waking up to the one you love, angels, sin, hope.

Very warm, very classy, very uplifting. This is going to be a stand-by for some time.

This CD rocks...Lay Your Hands and No Worries are the best songs on this CD and it's just awesome in general.

This is a great CD to add to you diverse collection. Love it and great for singing and driving!

alright..i havent heard all of the songs on the album..actually came online trying to hear the clips..but 'no worries' is actually quite good..its just one of those 'feel good' songs.

Up until now, I had never heard of him. Then I heard his positive views about his fan diversity and how he doesn't mind getting compliments from anyone male or female. With positive views like that, frankly I would have supported him even if the record was trash but, I really like some of the tracks and... he has a website which sends his fans free previews, videos and other items. I say support the man!

I love Blue, and Simon was one of my favorite singers in the group. However, I was very dissapointed with this CD. Simon seems unmotivated throughout the CD, and each song sounds the same. There was no passion throughout the CD, and he sounds lazy. Download the songs, don't buy this CD.