If Rihanna and Gwen Stefani are the USA pop queens, they dont even hold a candle to the success of Girls Aloud who notch their 17th straight Top 10 single this week with their new track "Call the Shots", even more impressive is the fact that is all based on "physical" single sales, the download isnt available till November 26th, also impressive is that they outdid the debut of the new Spice Girls song which entered at Number 11 becoming their first song to not enter in the top 3. Also Girls Aloud 5th album and 4th studio release debuts at Number 4 becoming their second highest charting album, this is also impressive since the album is available in stores and on their official site to fans in a special pack that includes the lyrics and photos, the store copy doesnt not have a photo cover, and the online site sales are not tracked. I'll be posting a review of this AMAZING POP record, which is very close to being the best pop record of the year, though Kylie is close as is Hilary IMO.


[Edited 11/26/07 22:15pm]

Spice Girls entered at #20 two weeks ago based on digital downloads, then fell to #23, then rose to #11 following the physical release.

VoicesCarry said:

HUGE flop for them, and good for that! The song is crap.

VoicesCarry said:

Well the article just sites them at number 11 missing the top 3 for the first in their chart history, interesting how DIGITAL pales to the physical single overseas, USA maybe its time to get the physical single back, maybe its not dead.

lastdecember said:

The number 11 placing included digital sales and physical sales. The first two weeks were digital sales only.

Moonbeam said:

Why they did something so un-pop is beyond me, it would be like Led Zeppelin coming back with a disco single as their new song.

Moonbeam said:

True but physical singles are still strong in the UK, Girls Aloud pulled a number 9 debut without digital at all, it goes digital November 26th.

Once again the Girls have taken it a step further, this new album has them "edgier" than before and yet its not forced like so many american pop acts that dont seem to pull off their changes well at all. Girls Aloud have been leaning towards an edgier dance sound pulling away from pop since their single "Something Kinda Oooh" which was from Last years chart topping Best of CD that had 3 new tracks. When Girls Aloud set out to do this record after ending their best of tour, they promised their fans two things, one, a change of style, somewhat, and second no covers on the album (the girls have done at least one on every album) and they have delivered on both promises.

The Girls were formed in 2002 from a reality show, the unique thing about that is the fact that the girls actually sing well together, their voices blend, unlike shows like "making the band" this group really fits together and doesnt seem forced together. All 5 girls do lead vocals though Nadine Coyle is really the one voice that is heard most, the interesting thing about Girls Aloud is they all sing lead in the studio, the full song, and then the producers figure who will do what part from the recordings than they come back and parts are assigned and they re-sing them again and those vocals are put over the leads, so they all blend so well together sometimes you can have 3 of them singing on a same line splitting words.

Now the tracks


Black Jacks- possibly the albums best track, a xylophone can be heard in the background hinting a very 60's era sound, this song is mostly Nadine and her very strong Vocals (sorry these girls can sing), the chorus and the driving Guitar is an instant catch, a big mistake if this isnt a single. Even the chanting in the middle may seem "cheesy" but it fits the mood and era sound of the song.

Control of the Knife-another possible single, very pop/disco, with the girls trading off vocals as they often do, very catchy mid section.

Damn- could be a single, very face paced track, Nadine prominent again on the lead, then followed by mixed verse trading from the Girls, and alot of mood changes in the song.

Fling- probably the sexiest Girls Aloud song, without being trashy, hard driving guitar chorus, funny thing if this was an american mainstream produced RB song, the lyrics would be nothing but "f this and f that" the Girls dont need that to be sexy which is why they havent come to america. One of the most unique vocal stylings on this song, the girls trade off so quick they are singing on each others lines. Theme of the song is mainly the Girls dont want to be attatched just want to "fling"

Girl Overboard- very 80's sounding, could have been a Bananarama song, once again great harmonies that occasionally sound like they were recorded in the 60's with 80's production.

Crocodile Tears- probably the slowest song on the album, could be called their first acoustic song, very soft feel to it, similar to an Abba song, just as its soft a very booming chorus with all in harmony.

Im Falling- probably the nuttiest track they have done next to "money" off the greatest hits album. Very distorted vocals at times, though blending them well, Nadine hitting some classic high notes too.

What you Crying For- a song you hear and go "is this a cover of..." but its not. It sounds like the 60's with 70's disco and 80's production, many styles going on, could be another single.

Sexy No No No- Their 16th Straight top 10 single released earlier this number was a good lead track because its shows the mood change in the group, a much harder edge, BUT NOT FORCED, manic chorus with "need you tonight" like guitar middle sections.

Call the Shots- Their 17th straight Top 10, very 80's brit sound, could have been a Stock Aiken Waterman song never done.

Close to Love- Though Close to love is the title it could be called "tangled Up" since they sing that line quite a bit, love the keyboard mid section, very strong track

Cant Speak French- very motown-ish with the drums and the vocals and harmonies and trading off leads, could be a single easily.


All in All the this album hit me quicker than any of their albums, the girls have planned a tour for 2008 (their fourth in as many years) to begin in May so im guessing they are looking to pull 4-5 singles easily from this album and they sure have the choices for it.


[Edited 11/26/07 22:48pm]