Rachel Stevens: Funky Dory (Re-Issue) Album Review

 Hello viewers, today I'll be reviewing the re-issue of Rachel Stevens' first album "Funky Dory".  The album was released in the UK in 2003 before being released with two new songs and a few remixed tracks.  Here is my track by track review of the album:

1) Some Girls: This was the third single from the album.  This song was also the reason why the album was re-released.  I reviewed the song last November, when I reviewed Rachel's second album, "Come and Get It".  Still a great song.  10/10

2) Sweet Dreams My LA Ex: The first single from the album.  It was initially written for Britney Spears for her album, "In The Zone" but Britney turned it down and Rachel got the song.  The song peaked at number 2 in the UK and is tied with "Some Girls" a her highest charting single there.  10/10

3) Funky Dory: The title track and second single from the album.  The version on this album is the single version of the song.  It samples David Bowie's song, "Andy Warhol" from his album, funny enough called, "Hunky Dory".  The song was darker than the previous and surprising peaked at number 26 in the UK.  It's one of my favorite songs.  10/10

4) Fools: This is my favorite song on the album.  The song was also included on "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement" soundtrack with different lyrics.  Wish it was released as a single.  10/10

5) Breathe In, Breathe Out (SWAT-Team Version): This was supposed to be the third single from the album but after the success of "Some Girls" the release was cancelled.  This version on the album was version that was going to be released as a single.  This version and the original version are amazing.  Sad that single release was cancelled.  10/10

6) Glide: The instrumental is awesome, but it's my least favorite song on the album.  Very boring.  5/10

7) Heaven Has to Wait: An amazing ballad that showcases Rachel's amazing vocals.  Love the song.  9/10

8) More, More, More: The fourth and final single from the album.  It is a cover of Andrea True's song.  The song peaked at number 3 in the UK, which out peaked the original version of the song in that country.  The video was boring though.  9/10

9) Blue Afternoon: At first I didn't like the song but after a couple listens I liked it.  It's very laid back and relaxing.  9/10

10) I Got Money: This song is fun to dance to and very catchy.  I love the chorus.  9/10

11) Little Secret: Like the last song, this one has an R&B sound to it.  It was used as a b-side for "Sweet Dreams My LA Ex".  It would've been cool if it had a video.  9/10

12) Solid: This song is about having a person who's "solid as a rock".  I ignored the song initially but after awhile it grew on me.  9/10

13) Silk: The song has a dark, sensual kinda vibe.  8/10

14) Some Girls (Rhythm Masters Vocal Mix): A remixed version of the song.  I perfect the original version more than this.  7/10

 Rachel's first album is amazing and it was very successful in UK.  My favorite songs on the album are: "Fools", "Funky Dory", "Breathe In, Breathe Out (SWAT-Team Version)", "Sweet Dreams My LA Ex", "Little Secret" and "I Got Money".  Out of 140 points I give the album 124 which is 88%, a B+.  Thank you for reading this review, hoped you liked it and I'll type up another one tomorrow.

Rachel Stevens: Come and Get It Album Review

 Today, or rather tonight where I'm at, I'll be reviewing Rachel Stevens' second album, "Come and Get It" which was released 9 years ago.  I figured since S Club 7, the band Rachel was in from 1998-2003, is reuniting it made sense to review this album.  So here is my track by track review:

1) So Good: This song was released as the second single from the album.  The album title comes from a lyric in this song.  The production and the vocals are amazing.  The only negative I had was that the video was terrible.  The song peaked at number 10 on the U.K. charts.  10/10

2) I Said Never Again (But Here We Are): The third and sadly final single from the album.  Before I heard the song I thought it was a ballad.  That was not the case!  The song has a little bit of a rock sound to it.  It was a perfect choice as a single and it's my favorite song on the album.  The video for the song featured Rachel in prison, though she escaped at the end of the video.  The song talks about how you want to be done with your ex, but there's something about them that keeps bringing you back to them.  I'm surprised that it peaked at number 12 on the U.K. charts though.  10/10

3) Crazy Boys: This was apparently released as a promo single and was at one point considered to be a single but that was scrapped.  I thought the song was strange at first but after a couple more listens I liked the song.  It was produced and co-written by "Richard X" who also co-wrote and co-produced Rachel's single "Some Girl", which is also on this album.  9/10

4) I Will Be There: "Round and round we go, here we go again", that the opening lyric in the song and it always gets stuck in my head.  The song is a haunting ballad and it highlights Rachel's amazing vocals.  10/10

5) Negotiate With Love: The first single from the album.  When I first heard the song I didn't like it and questioned why it was released as a single.  But then I listened to it a few more times and I liked the song.  The song talks about wanting respect and not negotiating with love.  Like "So Good", this song peaked at number 10 on the U.K. charts.  9/10

6) All About Me: This song samples "The Cure's" hit song "Lullaby".  I go back and forth with this song.  It's not a bad so but it's not as memorable as the rest of the album.  The chorus is really good but the verses are kinda forgettable.  9/10

7) Secret Garden: How much helium did swallow?  Seriously her voice is so high on this song.  It has a dreamy vibe to it but it has taken the longest to grow on me.  8/10

8) Nothing Good About This Goodbye: This is my second favorite song on the album.  It was supposed to be the fourth single from the album, but since the album wasn't commercially successful the release was cancelled.  The song about a feeling you have when you breakup with someone and wonder if it was the right thing to do because they may have been "The One".  10/10

9) Some Girls: This song was released as a single from the re-release of Rachel's first album, "Funky Dory".  It was almost given to Geri Halliwell but Richard X gave the song to Rachel.  The song peaked at number 2 on the U.K. charts and was added to this album at the last minute but I feel this song fits this album more than "Funky Dory".  The song is about a girl who's willing to do anything for a man so he can make her a star.  10/10

10) Je M'Appelle: The title of this song is french for "I am called", "I call myself", and/or "My name is".  It's a very sensual song and it shows a different side of Rachel.  The only weird thing is that it sounds like she's calling herself Rachelle on the part, "Je M'Appelle, Rachel", but the song is overall amazing.  10/10

11) Funny How: Like "Nothing Good About This Goodbye", this song was co-written by Xenomania, who wrote and produced almost all of Girls Aloud's songs.  This is also the only song on the album that Rachel co-wrote.  The song sounds a little bit haunting in the beginning but it quickly turns into an upbeat pop song.  I wish it was released a single but I feel it would've had a crazy, awesome video.  10/10

12) Every Little Thing: I ignored this song at first but then I got bored and ended up liking this song.  While I haven't listened to the song as much as the others, I still think it's great and my favorite part is the chorus.  10/10

13) Dumb Dumb: This song talks about a girl who sacrificed many things and while on the outside everything seems fine but deep down she's miserable and all she wants is love.  I didn't understand why the song was called "Dumb Dumb" until I listened to the chorus more realized it was because of the "dumb-da-da-dumb" part".  10/10

 In the end Rachel Stevens' second album is amazing from start to finish.  Not only was it critically acclaimed, but two years after the album was released it was added onto "Thee Guardian's 1000 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die" list.  But for some strange reason the album wasn't commercially successful.  I have no idea why.  I love all the songs on the album and out of 130 points I give the album 125 points which is 96%, an A+.  Amazing job Rachel and please release a third album soon!