All Saints Album: “Studio 1”

All Saints started getting notice in the U.S. around 1998 when "Never Ever" was big, but they were also easily compared to Spice Girls. After that it seemed like both groups were trying to outdo each other, but soon they both broke up. Well, All Saints got back together back in 2006 and released their third studio album, Studio 1.

The reason why I'm now comparing the ladies to Destiny's Child is because this album feels like DC's The Writing's on the Wall in that there are a lot of songs about trifling men. But the problem here is that the lyrics aren't that exciting. "Not Eazy" and "Scar" are skippable, "Too Nasty" is hard to relate to, and "Hell No" took the words right out of my mouth.

The only song really worth hearing on here is "On and On". And "Fundamental" is passable. I doubt All Saints will gain any new fans with Studio 1, and given that it wasn't released in the U.S. anyway, you can probably do without it.

Anthony Rupert

All right, I have no real complaints here. At first listen, "Rock Steady" seemed to be the only worthwhile track. The following few tracks really disappointed me. I put the album on a playlist on my iPod and gave it a few random spins along with some other material. Some of the latter songs on the album began to creep into my ears ("Flashback", "Fundamental"), followed by some of the songs in the middle ("Scar", "Not Eazy", "Oh Hell No") and I was surprised how much I was digging them. "Chick Fit" was still bugging me, but the Kissy Sells Out Excellent Adventure mix took care of that, and now I am a huge fan of the entire album.

The reviewer who pointed out their inability to grow with the times has a valid point, but I would also like to say that as women, and as a pop group, they still are very much "young", and this is dealing with more mature issues than their previous albums. I feel this album has a whole lot more of a personal feel to it than their previous efforts, and while songs like "All Hooked Up" really made me love All Saints, Studio 1 has made them a staple on my future playlists.

This album will not disappoint, long term, is I guess where I am going with this. You may listen to it and go "WTF?", but keep in mind that it doesn't have to be pure pop to come from a pop group, and just because it is coming from a pop group doesn't mean it is bad. In fact, this is one of the most entertaining albums I've heard this year.

I used to really like what all saints did a few years ago. This however is not their best effort. Their strength lied in the vocal harmonies and you do not get to hear them as well here. The song Rocksteady is catchy though

I can't stop listening this album, Pop from the 90's is the Best. I'm looking forward for more music by All Saints.

What a flashback, All Saints are back with their first album

since "Saint's And Sinners" from 2000 and third album overall. For those of you that don't know All Saints, let me introduce them. They're a UK based girl group containing Shaznay Lewis, Melanie Blatt and sisters Nicole and Natalie Appleton that debuted in 1997 with the excellent eponymous album "All Saints" and a few years later "Saints and Sinners". They band would have huge hits in Europe like "Never Ever", "Lady Marmelade". "Pure Shores" that was soundtrack to Leonardo Di Caprio's film the Beach, "All Hooked Up" and "Black Cofee" to mention a few. Apart from Spice Girls that was a manufacted pop group where all the 5 girls had diffrent charachters and style, All Saints were more of a R&B group that worked as a unit rather then undividually. They were also much tougher without the use of "Girl Power", intelligent and songwriters on their own. They were huge on the UK charts and were the only other girl group that could challenge Spice Girls, but unfortunately they would split up in 2001 and try solo careers that never really worked. Thus, Should we be surprised that they decided to come back and release their third album 5 years later in 2006?. A little yeah, when girls and boy bands split up it often means the end, But Take That are also coming back with a new album this year so why not?. The reasons why they come back are unclear, lack of money?, fun thing?, adrenaline kick? Who knows, but they are back and that's what matters.

The album called "Studio 1" seems to pick up where the left off. Many songs are simular to the music they once recorded which is good, but they also do some ska/reggae which is fun. In pop terms, this album is excellent. I'm sure All Saints can give Girls Aloud a run for the money. The best two songs are the first two, "Rock Steady" already a single release. A uptempo with a little Ska/Reggae sound and infectious hook. "Chick Fit" is my favorite, and it's really catchy with synthesizer beats backing it up. It will also be their second single. "On and On" is a great semi-ballad that grows on you. "Scar", "Too Nasty" and "Not Easy" further stresses the ska/reggae genre. "Hell No" is more Hip Hopish with a sample of what sounds to be a Jay-Z laugh? ditto with "Headlock". "Only Me and You" is a "In it or Win It" are both midtempos and "Fundamental" is a powerballad. "Flashback" is the typical party song. A pretty good mix of a few diffrent genres. After such a long time outside of the studio that itself is a welcomed comeback to a band that always was good. While, I think their first two albums both may have been better, this album isn't far after and is in my oppinion among the best albums I've listened to the last few months.

Overall, Back after 5 years with their third album and they do pick up where left off. This time they also flirt a little with Ska/Reggae genre but the album is pretty diverse with several genres and tempos involved which is good. If you liked All Saints back in the day and if you like good and catchy pop, this is for you. I think it's an exellent album with really good pop, someting that we miss these days. Welcome back girls!