Album: “Westlife”

Description

Westlife: Bryan, Shane, Mark, Nicky, Kian (vocals). Additional personnel: Mats Berntoft (acoustic & electric guitars); Paul Gendler, Esbjorn Ohrwall (electric guitar); Jan Bengtsson (flute); David Frank, Steve Kipner, Per Magnusson (keyboards, programming); Steve Pearce, Thomas Lindberg (bass); John Doe (drums); Gustave Lund (percussion); Chris Laws, David Kreuger (programming); Wayne Hector, Alistair Tennant, Yvonne John Lewis, Andreas Carlsson, Anders Von Hoffsten, Max Martin (background vocals). Producers include: Steve Mac, David Frank, Steve Kipner, Cutfather, Joe. Engineers include: Chris Laws, Pete Lewis, Kevin Clark. Being the first boy band to reach No. 1 in the UK with four consecutive singles is a fine achievement, so this self-titled debut album from the photogenic Irish quintet is a welcome release, particularly as all of those hits are included. Specializing in emotional songs about love, both lost and found, Westlife sound rather like a young Wet Wet Wet. The highlight of this generous 17-track collection is the chart-topper "Flying Without Wings"--with its climactic chorus there's not a dry eye in the house. Fiddle and tin whistle provide a subtle and appropriate Celtic feel, for example on the cover of "Seasons in the Sun." Fans of Five and the Backstreet Boys will enjoy these well-produced and finely sung ballads. Don't look here for drama and bite, but for melodic solace. With expert advice from Boyzone's Ronan Keating, how could Westlife fail to succeed?