Shades of Purple [Enhanced, Import, Limited Edition]

M2M | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 20, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, Import, Limited Edition
• Label: Wea
• ASIN: B000052617
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (185 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #760,426 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Dont Say You Love Me

2. The Day You Went Away

3. Girl In Your Dreams

4. Mirror Mirror

5. Pretty Boy

6. Give A Little Love

7. Everything You Do (New Vocals)

8. Dont Mess With My Love

9. Dear Diary

10. Do You Know What You Want

11. Smiling Face

12. Our Song

13. Why

14. Pretty Boy (Mandarin Version)

15. Dont Say You Love Me (Acoustic Version)

16. Mirror Mirror (Acoustic Version)

17. Pretty Boy (Acoustic Version)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Having already won a place in the hearts of American audiences with "Don't Say You Love Me" from the first Pokémon feature film, Norwegian duo M2M make impossibly sweet pop of the pubescent sort. Think '80s Debbie Gibson and current teen-beat towheaded brother group Hanson. More wholesome than Britney or Christina (and arguably more talented than both put together), M2M sport stylings akin to girl-pop top bananas TLC. Endearingly, Marit and Marion's Shades of Purple is a soundtrack for deliriously crushed-out teens right here, right now. The airwaves are ripe and ready for this comely twosome, whose delightful "Don't Say You Love Me" and "Mirror Mirror" are hot tickets to blissful wonder in 2000. The harmonies are tight, the hooks fresh and light, and these songs simply sound great pouring out of a car full of twinkly young girls with every hope for a bright, shiny day. --Paige La Grone

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

70 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Real talent that surpasses that of their teen counterparts, March 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Shades of Purple (Audio CD)

Anyone who listens to this cd should know that Marion and Marit did all the vocal arrangements, wrote or co-wrote all but two of the songs(Mirror, Mirror and Pretty Boy), and are credited for some of the percussion and guitars. They have released a cd much better than that of any of their teen counterparts like britney and mandy. A sog by song review 1. Don't Say You Love Me: One of the best of the bunch and the breakout single. It has a really positive message, telling guys not to go too fast and listening to the harmony towards the end is a treat. 2. The Day You Went Away: A pretty song, musing over the guy who just left and is a sweet song. Makes me feel kinda sad, as if I lost my boyfriend. The vocals sound a little less higher that those on don't say you love me. Easy to listen to. 3. Girl In Your Dreams: Another slow, pretty song. It talks about the guy she wants and says that even though she's not perfect, she loves him. 4. Mirror, Mirror: This song is a midtempo one where she is mad at herself after an argument. I really like this song because I feel like what the song says a lot. 5. Pretty Boy: This is one of my least favorite songs but I still like it. Maybe it's because the girl is obsessed with a guy and sings about it. The melody is really pretty though. The chorus sounds kinda familiar but I can't put a finger on it. 6. Give a Little Love: This song has a really cool beat and tells people to give up their acts and be real and mature. Another positive statement. Yea! 7. Everything You Do: this is more of an uptempo song talking about how great this relationship is. It's really cathcy and a lot of people can relate. Here the second verse sounds a little like an older person sang it that the rest of the album. 8. Don't Mess With My Love: One of my favorite song. A bit of advice rolled up into a song. If you have a crush on someone else's boyfriend, play this and think about what the other girl thinks. Save yourself form some trouble. 9. Dear Diary: It's real pretty, talking about a crush but it's not truly great or special or have a great message attached. 10.Do You Know What You Want: This is an uptempo song with a kinda sultry feel. The song slows down and becomes sweeter in parts, but it is a nice change from the slower songs. I love this one a lot. 11. Smiling Face: The girl obsesses over the guy with this great smile but knowing that she'll never find him. Every three seconds it seems you hear the words Smiling Face. It sounds weirdly familiar but it's real sweet. 12. Our Song: I love this song! It's really sad and defiant but pretty. For some reason I think the chorus sounds real familiar. 13. Why: It's about a really distant, hard to get guy and the melody reminds me of something mournful and sad. All in all, a well crafted cd from a group with a lot of talent. They do a lot more than sing and dance, which could mean they'll last a long time. That would be a real good thing. Peace and thank you M2M for this great cd.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This CD is mm2mm mm2mm good!, September 23, 2001

By 

Daniel J. Hamlow (Narita, Japan) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shades of Purple (Audio CD)

With the onslaught of the America's quartet of pop princesses, this country seemed to overlook other artists who showed gentler, more vital vocals just as good as, if not better than Christina, Britney, Jessica, and Mandy. Don't get me wrong--I don't have a problem with any of them, but there's too much media exposure given them compared to other popsters like Hoku and the subject of this review, M2M.

M2M, consisting of the duo of Marion Raven and Marit Larsen (hence M[arion]2[singers]M[arit]) is one such case. They only made a splash with "Don't Say You Love Me", which first appeared on the first Pokemon movie soundtrack and "Mirror Mirror", which were eclipsed by other pop and R&B offerings of 2000. Their debut, Shades Of Purple consists of thirteen songs of bouncy pop and splendid ballads, most of which could have easily been singles. And yes, their voices are sweeter and warmer than either of the aforementioned four pop princesses. Shades Of Purple is the pop equivalent of some chocolate truffles and a nice cup of spicy chai that leaves you feeling rejuvenated.

"Don't Say You Love Me" should have gotten more exposure and airplay. It's one of those magical chirpy pop songs that just leaps out at you. I know it did for me.

"Girl In Your Dreams" is something that Wilson Phillips might have sung had they been in their teens. The use piano and guitars, as well as their sweet harmonies, is something that finds its way into their songs, including comparisons to a more pop version of Wilson Phillips. "Pretty Boy" is done in the same vein and its the sugary sweet chorus that really does it for me. Both songs are somewhat reminiscent of "Release Me" by WP. The French accordian is a sweet touch on "Pretty Boy".

The second single "Mirror Mirror", was the only song that somehow didn't gel with me. I mean, it was okay, but in comparison to the rest of the album, it should have been a B-side.

The most upbeat song on here is "Everything You Do," replete with strings from the Oslo Symphony Orchestra. The rhythm beats at the bridge reminds me of something Bananarama might have done before they went the Stock-Aitken-Waterman route.

The acoustic guitars in "Don't Mess With My Love" are a nice touch. The electric guitar is reminiscent of WP. Both make this mid-paced song into single material.

"Do You Know What You Want" starts off like a Britney song but the girls come through with the harmonic title chorus.

With "Our Song" they borrow the chorus of the Bee Gees' "Too Much Heaven" while still making the rest of the song a lush tender ballad. It starts off like an Ace Of Base ballad with a Phil Spector-ish wall of sound, then launches into the familiar "Nobody gets too much heaven no more".
The final song, "Why", is a melodic piano and guitar ballad that's a perfect album closer.

M2M works best when they sing in harmony, and this they do in abundance. For those ready to disrespect them, how's this for a fact? They have writing credits on most of the songs here. Not bad for a pair of girls fourteen or fifteen years old. The use of acoustic guitars is another aspect that differentiates M2M's pop from Britney and company.

Prior to them, the only notable pop act to come from Norway was a-ha. M2M has done their country proud with Shades Of Purple. Great job, girls! Hope to hear from you again.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars even guys can enjoy this, July 8, 2000

By 

David Mihok (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shades of Purple (Audio CD)

Hi. I'm a guy, and I think M2M rules! The first time I listened to this CD I liked most of the songs but thought there were some weakpoints. After listening to it again though, I've decided I like all of the songs. I'll rate them all on a scale of 1-5 stars.

(1) Don't Day You Love Me: This is the song that most people know them by, a pretty popular song. Pretty good, but far from the best on the CD. 3 out of 5

(2) The Day You Went Away: This song is undoubtedly the best on the CD. It has a great sound to it and great lyrics. WOW. 5 out of 5

(3) Girl In Your Dreams: A song that Marion(The brunette) wrote when she was 13(I think). A nice slow song that is surprisingly catchy. A very good song. 4 out of 5

(4) Mirror Mirror: This was the song I heard that made me want the CD. A great sound to it and a good message. Still one of my favorites. 5 out of 5

(5) Pretty Boy: The only thing I dislike about this song is that singing the chorus would make me sound...not so straight... 4 out of 5

(6) Give A Little Love: I didn't like this the first time I heard it. But after listening to it a bit more, I changed my mind. Good song. 3 out of 5

(7) Everything You Do: I liked this song the first time I heard it. Not perfect, but still very good. 4 out of 5

(8) Don't Mess With My Love: I really like this one. It has a good message and a good sound. 4 out of 5

(9) Dear Diary: This was one of the weakpoints when I first heard it. Now I consider it a strong point. 4 out of 5

(10) Do You Know What You Want: It took me quite a while to warm up to this song. If I had to pick a weak point, this would be it. 2.5 out of 5

(11) Smiling Face: Another song that I didn't like at first, but now I love it. Although, I'm still not sure what it's about... 4 out of 5

(12) Our Song: Not totally sure what this one's about either, but it has an awesome sound. 4 out of 5

(13) Why: Didn't at first, but I love this song. A pretty song with a nice beat. 5 out of 5

Overall, this CD is awesome! And parents, you don't need to worry, this is as clean as they come.