Customer Reviews

What Will the Neighbours Say

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Unashamed poppy music is one of the best things this modern culture has to offer. It never tries to be credible or become a work of what many people consider contemporary art. As a result, it becomes a record of the times, and therefore, a relevant historical article.
For example, the Spice Girls have always been disregarded as a useless work of studio manufacturing. In reality, the past decade would not have been what it was without them and their hits, which still sound stellar.
The British music industry, being the breeders of pop acts, yet again struck the right formula with Girls Aloud. The girls debut their career at number one and have been lingering around with other hits. However, unlike many pop acts, this pop band has more to offer than a couple of covers and a five year round of over-exposure followed by a premature greatest hits album.
Girls Aloud are a cross between Atomic Kitten and Republica, as demonstrated by their spunky attitude on "Here We Go" and "Real Life." Walking a fine line between pop and rock, the girls produce some direct rabble-rousing spoiled brat anthems from "Graffiti My Soul" to "Wake Me Up," which starts out with a Veruca Salt sound. A slower track, "Deadlines & Diets," is the ultimate ode to hangovers.
The singles, however, are straightforward pop. "The Show" is an exceptionally catchy track and "Love Machine" is dance-floor filler material. Then there are the covers, which can't be farther apart in quality. The Pretender's "I'll Stand By You" receives a lackluster make-over that is so clean and boring it would make Chrissy Hynde dine at KFC. On the other hand, The Pointer Sister's "Jump" receives a luscious rehashing with awe-inspiring beats and youthful spunk.
The whole album, fittingly titled What Will The Neighbours Say?, embodies youthful feminine brat-hood. There aren't any fillers and the set makes for a ruckus ride of catchy beats and cheeky lyrics. They are not exactly the Spice Girls, but then again, who is?

I have had this ever since it came out on 29th November 2004. It is great and is my most-played album ever. I am British and I wrote a letter to Sarah since she is my favourite. This is a brilliant album and these are my reviews:

01. The Show
This was a number one and the video is just fabulous (Sarah's hairstyles on the guys were funny!). My dad likes this one and keeps begging me to play it.

02. Love Machine
Love Machine keeps coming to me, first the single, the album, the "What Will The Neighbours Say?" tour and now, SingStar Popworld has it! Love Machine is great, and Nadine's vocals are shown off in this track.

03. I'll Stand By You
A cover of Chrissy Hynde's song. But the girls give it much more style and girliness. The video for this is set at a beach and it is beautiful. In the end they go into a tent and hug, it's beautiful!

04. Jump
This is a cover, too, but Girls Aloud's version is much more snappy. This could get you up dancing, and you feel like either Nadine, Kimberley, Cheryl, Nicola or Sarah if you are at a sleepover because in the video they're at a sleepover! Great dance track for discos.

05. Wake Me Up
The video is motorbikes! Like the title, it will totally wake you up!

06. Deadlines & Diets
Slow, ballady song which talks about an emotional breakup. Could this be Sarah Girls Aloud and Mikey Phixx??? Only time will tell.

07. Big Brother
Yay, Celeb Big Brother starts in a few days and I can't wait! So I pass my time listening to the funky Girls ALoud song and it reminds me of it!! Ooo, who'll be in the house this year?

08. Hear Me Out
This is probably the best on the album, because it has the same old obvious Nadine vocals that we love!!

09. Graffiti My Soul
Kinda punk rocky, but still the cool Girls Aloud style.

10. Real Life
My dad loves this, too. It's cool and it tells you to get your mind on your occupation.

11. Here We Go
This is the Totally Spies theme tune!! But without all the verses. I love dancing to this!

12. Thank Me Daddy
This is good, too. I loved it first time. I think it has the same opening as Big Brother.

13. I Say A Prayer For You
One word- Lovely.

14. 100 Different Ways
The worst one on the album, but it's terribly good!

This album is a must-buy, so get your credit card out!

Love Fleur

People who win talent contests shouldn't be given the chance to record music this good. Or at least your typical music snob would have you believe. "What Will The Neighbours Say?" is simply fantastic - start to finish. End of.

The bands debut album "Sound of the Underground" was a fine pop album, with it's dirty disco influences it gave us the inventive sounds of "Sound of the Underground" and "No Good Advice" which both featured a new pop add on - surf guitar. It was a strong pop album, but after one listen of "What Will The Neighbours Say?" it sounds dated already.

In a world where the charts are clogged with the likes of 50 Cent, Girls Aloud give pop fans a huge sigh of relief. Teaming up with Xenomania, this is an album filled to the brim with pop music that's fun, brash and sexy and it's not afraid to break the rules.

"The Show" is a funky electropop tour-de-force and if ever there were a female Duran Duran this is what they would have sounded like. "Love Machine" is akin to a head on collision between Bob Dylan and The Human League whilst "Grafitti My Soul" thumps the senses with it's electroclash rythms you can't help but feel this is what would have been the result had The Prodigy collaborated with Madonna. "Wake Me Up" is a 360 beats per minute (well..) techno blast marrying a indie rock guitar riff.

Not just musically, but lyrically, this album is great fun too. There's never the typical "I love you, you know it's true" thing happening here, it's all tongue in cheek and witty. It's not worth listing them because I'd end up writing near enough the whole sleeve out.

"What Will The Neighbours Say?" is more a great album at the hands of it's producers, Xenomania, who quite clearly see there's a lot more possible potential to pop music than just a standard structure and tales of fun in the sun. Manufactured they may be, but Girls Aloud are the saving grace in todays pop music scene. The band has a wide appeal which ranges from the teenage girls bedroom right through to the most booze-soaked of student union bars.

Finest pop album since "Spiceworld"? It's quite possible.

I rather like this group. I stumbled onto "The Show" one day and fell in love with it. I picked up the album at work (I love discounts) and found that it was really poppy, and none too intelligent except for the clever metaphors.

I listened to "Jump" next for a long time. I love that song. I didn't have SOTU first, I picked this one up first, so it was my initial integration into Girls Aloud.

Most of it is typical pop fare, with the rock edge, that seems to be infusing European music these days. Not that I mind, I think it's a lovely combination.

If you like this, pick up a copy of Lene's "Play With Me". It has the original of "Here We Go".

When Girls Aloud formed way back in 2002 and released Sound of the Underground - everyone knew a pop phenomenon had been born. No Good Advice, Life got cold and Jump were amazing tunes and now the girls are back with their 2nd album.

The Show - chart place: no.2
The Show is a techno stomper, fast vocals, fast melody and unbelievably catchy. A great party song. 10/10

Love Machine - chart place: no.2
This is a 60's influenced track. I loved this on first listen but find it a little annoying 8/10

I'll stand by you - chart place: no.1
A cover of the Pretenders song. The vocals are good but not amazing but the production of the song is beautiful 10/10

Jump - chart place: no.2
A cover of the Pointer Sisters and soundtrack to Love Actually. This is a real fun, techno pop song. 10/10

Wake me up - new single
This starts with a really cool guitar rift but goes techno pop. A very catchy song and good to sing-a-long to. 10/10

Deadlines and Diets - this is a nice enough mid-tempo ballad. It's a nice song to sing-a-long to and sway your arms to. 9/10

Big Brother - cowritten by Cheryl. This song is influenced by the Big Brother TV show. This song is quite good, breathy vocals and dancey tune. 9/10

Hear me out - cowritten by Sarah. This is a really beautiful ballad which showcases their talents. 10/10

Graffitti my soul - this was originally intended for Britney but was rejected. The best track on the album. it's really urban sounding and totally different to what they've done before. 10/10

Real life - weakest track. It has good verses but the chorus is dreadful and totally ruins the song. 8/10

Here we go - This has the same problem as Real Life. But this has a wocked chorus but crappy verses. 8/10

Thank me daddy - cowritten by Kimberley. This starts off really promising but the choruses lacks oompf. Not the best song. 9/10

I say a prayer for you - cowritten by Nicola. This is a beautiful mid-tempo song. Nicola sounds amazing on this track and it has lovely production. 10/10

100 Different Ways - cowritten by Nadine. One of my favourites from the album. The song has a real beauty about it and something really special. Nadine sounds great vocally too. 10/10

All-in-all this is an album not to be missed. Big improvement from the SOTU album.

When Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts, Sarah Harding, Cheryl Tweedy, and Kimberley Walsh (a.k.a. Girls Aloud) got a UK Christmas #1 hit in 2002 with their debut "Sound of the Underground," the people of Britain were not only shocked, but downright offended. What has the world come to? The teenage product of a bad reality T.V. show is the bestselling band in the nation, right up there with the Beatles and Elvis. What they failed to realize was that "Sound of the Underground" and its followers, "No Good Advice" and "Life Got Cold" (both taken from Girls Aloud's platinum selling debut album, "Sound of the Underground") have changed the landscape of pop music.

Now, 2 years since "Sound of the Underground," after releasing three #2 singles and one #1 smash, Girls Aloud are back with a new album, the highly-anticipated sophomore album "What Will The Neighbors Say." And the second offering is even more mouthwatering, delightfully fun than the first.

The album starts off with "The Show," which reached the UK #2 spot in June 2004. The Girls' comeback single was extremely well-received in Britain, and for good reason. Fantastic synth basslines pump throughout, and the Girls' vocals really shine, especially in the impressive conga-esque chorus. From there, the album really takes off. Eight more fabulous stompers await, including "Jump," last year's cover of the Pointer Sisters' hit. And although the girls really shine on the upbeat dance tracks, the ballads certainly don't disappoint. Among the better examples is "I'll Stand By You," Girls Aloud's most recent #1 hit and the official Children in Need single for 2004. This cover of the Pretenders' 1994 track won't be loved by fans of the original, but, at least in my opinion, it is one of the best songs on the album. Another ballad, "Deadlines and Diets," deftly showcases the Girls' vocals, especially Nadine's and Cheryl's, but it isn't as impressive as the likes of "Hear Me Out." There are many standout tracks on this album, but my favorite by far is "Love Machine." This spectacular gem of a pop song went to #2 in the UK in October 2004, and has been nominated for many awards, including record of the year. The track, with its fun, quirky sqare-dance-gone-wrong feel, shows off the brilliant production of the Xenomania team, while employing some of the best pop lyrics in decades. "Real Life" follows in the footsteps of "Sound of the Underground" with its surf guitar and edgy, moody vocals, and manages to chuck in elements of Outkast's "Hey Ya," of all things. And "Here We Go," which screams out to be a single, has a rocky chorus reminiscent of "No Good Advice" and amazingly immaculate lyrics that Rachel Stevens would kill for. Its 60s feel sounds like Emma Bunton on heroine (and that's a good thing).

Overall, the album is fun, impressive, and, in the words of one reviewer, "quite good, actually." In a world of Destiny's Child and the Sugababes, Girls Aloud have succeeded in making a pure pop album, something that hasn't been done in decades. With "What Will The Neighbors Say," Girls Aloud have once again changed the face of pop music.

this album came out around november of last year and my mother got it for me at virgin megastore for christmas since it's considered an import here. i played this cd out from christmas break-february break. it really brings me back to that time and everything that happened and everything i felt, but thats a different story.

1)The Show-this song took a while to grow on me. but i started to like it afterwards. the beat is a little funky in the beginning but it flows better as the song goes.

2)Love Machine-i really liked this song when i heard it. it's got a little bit of a 60's feel. and the video and the colours look like it too.

3)I'll Stand by You- this songs a little cheesy. then again, it was for charity. (did that sound ruder then i thought?) their voices sound pretty though.

4)Jump-useless track, it was already on the SOTU re-release. i enjoyed it there, but now it's excessive.

5)Wake Me Up-i really like this song! it's got spunk. my favourite line it "you treat me rough to show that you care and i just can't refuse.) appeasing the masochist in all of us. one of my faves.

6)Deadlines and Diets-i love the title. i find the lyrics clever too. "it's 3am and you still look gorgeous." it's such a chill song. i don't like sarah's part. but anyways, another one of my favourites.

7)Big Brother-an okay song. but i usually skip it.

8)Hear Me Out-hate this song!!! okay hates a little strong, but really dislike this song.

9)Graffiti My Soul-one of my faves! it's got some flavour to it! i love it!

10)Real Life-i love this song too. very clever! makes you wanna dance.

11)Here We Go-a rather dirty song. but i like it. the beat sounds so familiar but i can't place it.

12)Thank Me Daddy-i like the first chorus but then i usually skip the rest of the song. the rest of the songs a little boring.

13)I Say a Prayer for you-i love this song!!! it's so pretty and nicola's voice sounds so pretty on it. she finally gets some recognition, and actually has one of the best songs on the album.

14)100 Different Ways-my favourite song on the album by far! save the best for last! nadine's voice sounds awesome on this song. and the song's got more soul to it. it's simple but so pretty. i used to put it on repeat when i got the album.

to recap my favourite songs: wake me up, deadlines and diets, graffiti my soul, real life, i'll say a prayer for you, 100 different ways.

"What Will The Neighbors Say?" is seriously the best cd I've ever bought. It's full of great uptempo beats like "Graffiti My Soul", "Jump", and "Love Machine" and slower/ mid-tempo songs like "Big Brother", "I Say A Prayer For You", and "100 Different Ways". Definently get this album! You won't regret it. Girls Aloud have amazing voices and their personalities definently come out in these songs.

I sincerely thought it would take Girls Aloud a lot to top their debut album Sound Of The Underground, which was my No.1 album of 2003 and one of the best released that year. But they did it, with What Will The Neighbours Say? their sophmore album released in November 2004, a year and a half after SOTU's release in May 2003.
Fans were kept waiting for the album, and it didn't disappoint when it finally arrived. I imported this album in early 2005, and I'm glad I paid the pricey import costs, because it was definitely worth it.
All 14 tracks are great and all could be worthy singles. Cheryl Tweedy, Nadine Coyle, Kimberley Walsh, Sarah Harding & Nicola Roberts all show off their vocals in the tracks and each co-wrote a song on the album. Top production Xenomania took control of the production and did a superb job.
Track rundown:

1. The Show (5/5)
Unlike other GA fans, this song didn't instantly hit me as a favourite. I had to listen to it a few times before how truly great it is finally dawned on me. This song is fantastic! It's electro pop at it's finest, and leads the way in this genre. The song might take awhile for you to understand but stick with it. With strange lyrics, and a combined vocal from all the girls during the majority of the song - it's a winner. This reached No.2 in June 2004.
2. Love Machine (5/5)
This song is absolutely fabulous - easily the girls' best single. It never gets boring, no matter how many times you listen to it, and it's topped 100 on my most played list on iTunes! The song itself is a superb 60's sounding song with a catchy as hell chorus and great verses. All the girls sing, and there is a great dance routine that accompanies the chorus. More strange lyrics, but it works. This reached No.2 in August 2004 and stayed there for two weeks. Nobody who has heard this song dislikes it! Fantastic.
3. I'll Stand By You (4/5)
I couldn't rate this song too low or too high because it's a charity single, and because it's a cover. The girls tackle The Pretenders hit and put their own sparkle into it. Whoever said GA can't sing can take it back, because they show off their vocals in this gorgeous track. This hit the No.1 spot in November 2004 and stayed there for two weeks.
4. Jump (4/5)
Now I think this is slightly pointless. This song was featured on the re-release of SOTU and it works much better on that album then here. They wasted a track when they could have done something new in it's place. But ignoring that, this is a great upbeat corker of a song. Another cover, this time from the Pointer Sisters. The music at the end is fab and I love Kimberley's vocals in the middle 8. It reached No.2 back in November 2003. Great, but not needed here.
5. Wake Me Up (3.5/5)
Now everybody else seems to adore this song, but I don't love it as much as everybody else. I find it to be one of the weaker tracks on the album - I do like the rocky music, and the girls' vocals. I don't know what it is, but I don't like it that much. It was the last release off the album, released in February 2005 and reaching No.4.
6. Deadlines & Diets (5/5)
Here we hear a very chilled out sounding Girls Aloud - something we don't usually hear from them. Nadine and Cheryl lead this bluesy, midtempo track about having an affair with a married man. I love their vocals and the lyrics. Another winning track.
7. Big Brother (4/5)
This song starts off the girls' co-writing, with Cheryl co-writing this upbeat song. The song is about voyerism, and the lyrics are really clever. The chorus is a mish-mash of lyrics and vocals, giving the song a different sound. Very cool.
8. Hear Me Out (5/5)
When I first heard some of the album tracks before I got the full album, I completely fell in love with this song. Sarah co-wrote it, and shows what she's capable of. This song is a beautiful ballad, with amazing vocals from Sarah and Kimberley. I can't get over how amazing this song is. One of my favourites on the album.
9. Graffiti My Soul (5/5)
Now this song is completely different to anything else out there, and that's what makes it brilliant. This song doesn't have a chorus to speak of - they sounded like they took 5 different songs and stuck them together to make one song. The girls all take turns singing and you can hear their distinct voices and personalities in this song. Superb.
10. Real Life (5/5)
I don't get how most people don't like this song - I love it! It's similar to Graffiti My Soul, especially the way it sounds like 5 different songs at once. Again all the girls get a chance to sing, and each girl brings her own flavour to the track. Very catchy, but the song is about nothing in particular.
11. Here We Go (5+++/5)
Now this is my absolute favourite on the album. It was one of the only songs I hadn't heard before I got the album, and I was so surprised when I finally heard it. I had heard so many good things about it, and they were all correct. This song is very rocky, with fantastic vocals and lyrics. Cheryl leads most of the song with Nicola and Kimberley singing on the verses, Sarah helping out on the bridges and Nadine doing a odd little 'yip yip yip' sound effect during the song. It works so perfectly together! Definitely the standout track of the album.
12. Thank Me Daddy (4/5)
Most people don't like this song, but I quite like it. Kimberley co-wrote it, and she's my favourite in GA, so maybe that's why I like it. The song is all about the girls telling their fathers to be glad they don't know about all the bad things they've done in their lives. It's very catchy and upbeat, with clever lyrics and beats.
13. I Say A Prayer For You (5/5)
This is Nicola's song, she co-wrote it and she leads lead vocals. I say give the girl more leads! She's absolutely brilliant on this song, her voice is so full of emotion. It's got this sweet ring to it, very lyrical and innocent sounding. This song is all about a relationship that went wrong and Nicola does a fabulous job - another favourite of mine.
14. 100 Different Ways (4/5)
The closer of the album is co-written by Nadine and she sings the lead vocals with the other girls on backup. I don't like Nadine that much, but she does have a fantastic voice - and it shows in this song. The song is all about saying sorry for something bad you did and Nadine sings it with emotion.

Top 5 tracks:
01. Here We Go
02. Love Machine
03. Hear Me Out
04. Graffiti My Soul
05. I Say A Prayer For You

Overall, WWTNS? is the best album of 2004, and it looks likely GA's 3rd album, due out in December is going to be the best album of 2005. The girls can do no wrong and I hope they do more song writing on the new album.

I am Kimberley-Sarah, honestly, and I'm gonna give a review of this item.

01. The Show: This is good. They work in a salon on the video and Kimberley is the manager! Shows girl power.

02. Love Machine: Gift-wrapped kitty cats show how powerful their voices can be.

03. I'll Stand By You: Oh, why do you look so sad? This song is good, don't be sad!

04. Jump: Jump, this song is good!

05. Wake Me Up: Wake me up with a good song anyday.

06. Deadlines and Diets:Stop talking on the phone, drop it in the tea, and listen to this.

07. Big Brother: I don't have one. So he doesn't watch me enjoying this.

08. Hear Me Out: Hear me out, I want this song to be known of.

09. Graffiti My Soul: Baby come and listen you know what I mean.

10. Real Life: Cuz baby this is real life, you gotta start listening to proper music.

11. Here We Go: Here we go we're gonna rock and roll til we stop.

12. Thank Me Daddy: Thank me daddy for my love of Girls Aloud.

13. I Say A Prayer For You: I say a prayer for Girls Aloud.

14. 100 Different Ways: 100 Different Ways to describe this song.

Overall, this is great album, baby.

Luv Kimmi-Sarah