9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sublime dance album!, June 16, 2004
This is Kate Ryan's second album following up her debut "Different" from 2002, and having both albums I gotta say this is better and has more depth than "Different" cos Kate was more involved with the production and she also wrote several tracks herself which gives the album a personal touch. Here's a rundown on the songs.
1. Another Day - Awesome dance tune in true Kate Ryan-style and a great one to open the album. The chorus sticks to your head and gets you up on your feet in no time.
2. Only If I - Recent hit single in Germany with an awesome video and a catchy chorus to go with it. Great pick for a first single from the album.
3. Je Lance Un Appel - She got known with the hits "Desenchant?e" and "Libertine" sung in french, so naturally she includes a french song here as well. I don't understand a word of it, but it's a great song anyway. Only french song on the album, which is a plus cos I prefer Kate when she sings in english.
4. The Promise You Made - This is a cover of an old 80's song if I remember correctly but the name of the original artist escapes me at the moment. Second single from the album. Bit weird style but works well for Kate.
5. Hands Up - This is a song with more clubby elements in it with lots of pianos and it's really a throw-down kind of track that will get any dancefloor moving singing along to the lyrics.
6. I Like The Way - When this track came on, I couldn't help but notice how similar the bassline and some of the synth parts are to Deepest Blue's hit from last year, "Deepest Blue". Both songs are nearly identical but Kate does her own twist on it in a faster tempo. Kate's producers were obviously very inspired by that song when they produced this one. Some of the chorus lyrics get repeated a bit too many times here but it's still a great song with a thumping beat.
7. Scream And Shout - It's back to the trance sound here and this is another excellent song to get you moving.
8. Can You Fix This? - Funny song title and a good dance track but the bpm is kinda slow. Still a song that will work on a dancefloor.
9. Start Me Up - This song has really fierce synths and a great drive that will have everyone throwing their hands up in the air jumping to the music. There is one funny thing here though - there is a slight grammar mistake in this song. Kate sings "I'm a girl that's on a mission" and it really got me raising my eyebrows lol. The correct line would be "I'm a girl who's on a mission" but, oh well... :p One of my favorites on this album.
10. Hurry Up. - This was the b-side on the german "Only If I" single and it introduced me to the more housy side of Kate Ryan. This is a song about a girl telling her boyfriend to get away from her because he cheated on her.
11. The Rain - This is more of a laid back chillout song and it's entirely written by Kate herself. It's good although it could use some more drums and percussion.
12. We Belong Together - It's back to the uptempo style on this track and the organs along with Kate's vocals sound really awesome. Great beats as well. Second favorite here.
13. Hard To Reveal - Another dance track that really moves you and it also has deep lyrics about being able to see through the mind of someone else.
14. Goodbye - The album ends with a beautiful ballad which shows that Kate can do more than just dance music and her voice really shines here. A really beautiful song about the ending of a relationship where the girl finds it best to break up with her boyfriend because he was unfaithful to her. A very emotional song with heartfelt lyrics and a perfect way to close the album. Third favorite and maybe my most favorite song on here.
All in all, this is an excellent album from Kate Ryan and she is the proof that Holland can make excellent dance music that will get any party moving. I recommend this album to anyone who loves dance and club music, you won't be disappointed.
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A very good effort from an intriguing artist, July 15, 2005
I discovered this spirited and hard-working (and stunningly beautiful, I might add) Belgian on Eurodancehits.com. The very first video I saw was her signature hit, Mon Coeur Resiste Encore. I was promptly blown away. Maybe it was the sheer energy of the piece, the offbeat subject matter (c'mon, she's singing about *screaming*), or...okay, it was definitely because it was in French. Man, even on Eurodancehits.com, FRENCH songs barely get the time of day, and you can imagine how popular they must be in the heartland of America.
Well, I've listened to Stronger, and I must admit that a short way through, I wasn't too optimistic about her English-language work. Mainly because some of it is barely distinguishable from all the other dime-a-dozen trance pop out there. But after listening to all the tracks, I realize that she was trying really hard (within the limits of trance pop, of course), and some of the songs, while not breathtaking, are in fact quite enjoyable.
In any event, I don't regret getting this one bit. Still doubt she'll ever be able to make any real inroads in the American music scene...not for lack of trying!...but I wish her the best wherever she ends up.
P.S - Please, *please* don't end up like Sarina Paris. That's almost too sad to mention.
Great songs: Another Day, Je Lance Un Appel, Libertine
Nice songs: Only If I, The Promise You Made (both versions), Scream & Shout, The Rain, Goodbye
Okay songs: I Like The Way, Start Me Up, Hurry Up, We Belong Together, So In Love
Boring songs: Hands Up, Can You Fix This, Hard To Reveal
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Dance, Trance artist from Europe!!, October 11, 2005
I discovered Kate Ryan while visiting Germany in 2002 and I fell in love with her Dance, Trance, tracks and her voice fits them perfectly!!!! I enjoy this US release also and hope she continues with great Trance music!!! I recommend this cd to anyone who loves EuroPop and Trance to get you moving on the dance floor.
Ricky
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