Today's review will be of "Angel Faith's" first and only album, "Believe In Angels... Believe In Me." For those of you who aren't familiar with "Angel Faith", here's a bit of background. She came out on to the music scene in 2001 as one of the lead vocalists in the pop girl group, "No Secrets". She later left the group in 2003 after the other four members of the band recorded a cover of "Atomic Kitten's" hit single, "Whole Again" without even telling her. At that time the group was finishing up a second album that went unreleased after they broke up in 2005. "Angel" then signed a solo deal with "Midas Records" and released this album back in 2004. Now I had heard only one song at that time but I didn't know who the singer was, keep in mind the internet wasn't as high tech as it is today. But after that song was recommended for me on youtube back in February of this year, I remembered it and decided to give the album a listen and buy the album. So without further ado, here's my track by track review:
1) Believe In Angels: The title track, she sings "Believe in Me" at the end of the chorus each time it's played. This song talks about how a guy had his heart broken and no longer believes in love (angels). The narrator loves the guy and wants to make him believe that love/angels exist. It's a very upbeat song and I didn't like it at first but after a couple more listens, it grew on me. 9/10
2) Lessons In Love: This song is about an ex who broke "Angel's" heart and she warns him that someday someone will break his heart the same way he broke hers. That's KARMA! The was released as the third single from the album and despite not having a video, it peaked at number 41 on the Hot Dance Club Play charts. The song is amazing but I'm not sure who raps on the song, so if anyone knows please tell me. 10/10
3) Wild Guess: An upbeat pop song with a little bit of rock to it. Lyrically it's probably the most intimate song on the album. It's fun to dance to but I feel very uncomfortable when she does the little moan parts in the third verse, given she was 16 at the time the album was released. 8/10
4) Once Upon Our Time: When I first saw the title, I had assumed it was a ballad. Boy was I wrong! This song is an upbeat song that's pop with a little bit of an R&Bish sound to it. In this song Angel sings about feeling like fairytale characters such as Cinderella, Snow White, and Little Red Riding Hood while impatiently waiting for her Prince Charming to be with her. Despite several fairytale characters be named in the song "Angel" sings in the chorus, "This ain't no fairytale." While there was said to be a demo version of the song on youtube, it's exactly the same as the original version. 8/10
5) Chinese Whispers: The title of the song made me very curious as I had never heard a song called "Chinese Whispers" before. The song is about quickly secrets get out in public. It's fun song to dance to and also my favorite on the album. The only downside is that it's the shortest song on the album at 3 minutes. I wish it was longer. 10/10
6) Mama's Little Girl: This song is about a girl who was made fun of in her younger days. She then grows up and all the girls wanna be her best friend while all the guys wanna date her. It's an empowering song but it's weird when she sings the chorus so high-pitched at the end. 8/10
7) Just The Way I Am: The first single from the album. The song is about being yourself and not changing because you like who you are. This was the song that I had first heard back in 2004 when it was released. The album version of the song is a little different from the video version though. 9/10
8) Three Small Words: In this song, "Angel" vents out her frustrations about a relationship where one person is doing all the work and other does nothing. She adds that unless the person says three small words, which are I love you, then she will leave him. Angel does a little rap after the second chorus and it surprisingly works well with the song. 9/10
9) Angel: No, despite the title she is not talking about herself in the song. It is also not a cover of "Robbie Williams'" song of the same name. The song is a slow R&B/pop song about a love who is your soulmate. I find it pretty boring and wonder why it was put on the album. 4/10
10) Love Is: This song is a beautiful ballad describing what love is and how amazing it is. The song is said to be the fifth and final single from the album, but sadly it never got a video. The songs reminds me a little bit of "LeAnn Rimes'" song, "I Need You". The song was also put on "Angel's" holiday ep, "A Gift from an Angel" likely to help promote the song. I wish it had a video though. 9/10
11) To Forgive You: This is a piano ballad that showcases "Angel's" amazing voice. In the song she sings about a guy who lied to her, and while he apologized she can't find a way to forgive him. Another good song. 8/10
12) You Release Me: After a few slow songs, we have an upbeat song. In this song "Angel" sings about someone who makes her happy because he loves her for who she is. Like a majority of the songs on the album it's perfect to dance to, but it's kinda forgettable. 6/10
The next 6 songs are the bonus tracks that are only available on the Japanese version of the album.
13) Ladies Night: I honestly thought that the song was going to be a cover of "Atomic Kitten's" song, "Ladies Night" but it's not. While I give it credit for being an original song, it's pretty boring and overall the weakest song on the album. 3/10
14) Love Song With a Twist: This song is about falling for a guy but you can't find the words to say, so you write him "a love song with a twist". Not sure what the "twist" is or why that lyric is put in when it doesn't make much sense, but I gotta say that overall it's pretty good song. It's more of a pop/rock song with awesome guitar solos. Apparently it was the 4th single from the album, or at least that's what wikipedia had said when she clicked on the album. Either way it's a good song. 8/10
15) How Can I Lie?: The second single from the album. Not sure it was listed as a bonus track when it was a single but at least it had a video. I wasn't sure if the version on the album was going to be the video version of the song or a different version of the song given that it wasn't on itunes. So I bought the Japanese version of the album and it turned out it wasn't the video version like I hoped it was. The video shows "Angel" originally going to a prom but she then decides to go to a club where she dances with a boy (presumably her boyfriend) but for most of the video she is doing choreographed dance moves. The song peaked at number 48 on the Hot Dance Club Play charts. I would've given it an 8, if the version on the album was the video version of the song. 6/10
16) Beyond the Wall: A piano ballad that can either be talking about being in a relationship that's gone wrong or about a woman who's lost her way with her faith and is trying to get back to it. I'm still not sure, but if anyone knows please comment below and tell me. But anyway it's pretty good. 7/10
17) Perfect for One Day: The song is about reminiscing about a love that started off amazing until that lover lied and cheated but you wish it didn't happen because you feel that person was your soulmate. It's a pretty good ballad that's pretty relatable. 8/10
18) Ghost: In this song "Angel" sings about how she's initially over and ex, but he still haunts her in her dreams which makes her paranoid and afraid to go back to sleep. The song was definitely a surprise as it has a complete different feeling from the rest of the album. It's very haunting and one of my favorites, as well as another reason why I bought the Japanese version. 10/10
Although the album wasn't as successful, "Angel" still went on tour for 6 months and promoted the album. After touring finished, she planned on releasing a second album called, "Twisted" that was to include new songs and some leftover tracks from her first album. The album was never as "Angel" retired from the music business to go back to school to become a doctor. While the second album was never officially released, the songs somehow made their way onto youtube.
My favorite songs on the album are: "Chinese Whispers", "Ghost", "Lessons In Love", "Three Small Words", "Love Is", "Once Upon Our Time", and "Believe In Angels". Out of 180 points I give the album 140 points which is 77%, a C+.
Thank you for reading this review and I'm sorry it came so late, again. Comment below what you think.
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