Yahoo! Music Album Review

Released on 20/11/06
Label: Parlophone

Various theories abound about why All Saints have reunited after six years: they missed each other, they wanted to make their children proud (heaven forefend we should forget they are now mothers), there was a musical chemistry they simply couldn't ignore, blah blah blah. Here's a more plausible one: gifted, Ivor Novello-winning songwriter Shaznay Lewis realised, during a long, dark night of the soul in the wake of her dismal solo career, that in order to keep on doing what she loved, she needed the others.

To paraphrase Katharine Hepburn on Fred and Ginger: they gave her sex appeal, while she gave them class. As if to prove her right, photos of Nicole and/or Natalie have outstripped those of Melanie and Shaznay three-to-one in the run-up to this album's release. As recompense, Lewis gets a red-carpeted platform for a new portfolio of compositions. All Saints Inc has certainly been keeping abreast of developments in bird-pop.

It's unlikely producers K-Gee and Greg Kurstin would have embraced the ska and reggae flavour on offer here had Lily Allen not already unscrewed its lid. There's a distinct touch of the Gwen Stefanis in "Chick Fit" (cheerleadery hollering), the Nelly Furtados in "Too Nasty" ("Maneater"'s verse is their chorus) and despite the silliness of their recent feudlet with Girls Aloud, it's inconceivable that Xenomania's progressive pop stylings for the reality TV alumni have gone unnoticed.

They use up most of their chips in the first round with the dubby "Rock Steady" - to say this is the best track gives you some idea of the lack of hooks and heft throughout the rest of the album. Mel Blatt offers another semi-highlight with the sassy, two-tone-inflected "Scar". Uptempo ballads "On And On" and "One Me And U" offer light'n'creamy succour to fans of "Pure Shores" and mild interest is aroused by the piano-and-handclaps p-funk of "Headlock".

Most listeners, however, will find themselves wandering in search of diversion to the copious booklet thank yous from each Saint - an avalanche of gushing tributes to celebrity spouses and life-changing relatives ("beautiful, handsome Liam, I love you darlin'"; "I'm lucky to have you boo, I love being your wife", "I LOVE BEING A MUMMY!xx"; "Not forgetting my nan, I miss you nan!"; "I aspire to be as strong as my auntie Ka"; "May we all stay friends throughout menopause, cathata's and memory loss. Love you!" etc). We snigger, but it's probably a good sign - if it all goes t*ts up, at least there'll be plenty of shoulders to absorb the tears.

    by Anna Britten