Uh-oh kids. It's the law of pop that you only release hit packages when you're either a) splitting or b) split - the ravages of time have taught us to expect this. Never mind the fierce protests that 'they'll be around forever' from the band individuals mere weeks before they break a few thousand young hearts (Hello Steps - it was Boxing Day, you b*stards), it inevitably spells doom.
Bunging on a 'Vol 1' isn't a wise idea either, because you can guarantee that 'Vol 2' is never gonna happen. Indeed, if the Ronan sponsored Shane, Bryan, Mark, Kian and Nicky do successfully fulfil their new multi-million pound contract for four more albums at the height they've enjoyed so far, it'll be hats on the menu time.
With 11 number ones so far, it's good to see how they all stand up next to each other. Sure, 'Flying Without Wings' is a talent show staple, 'My Love' is great in a-bit-like-'Chicago' kinda way, and even 'If I Let You Go' is eminently more memorable than their debut 'Swear It Again', 'Fool Again' or 'Bop Bop Baby'. In fact, take away the obvious can't-fail covers of 'I Have A Dream', 'Uptown Girl', and make the boys look slightly uglier, and Westlife would have been lucky to get anywhere near the top ten with some of these tunes. A special mention must go out to the sadism of 'Against All Odds' though: Westlife + Mariah Carey + A Phil Collins song = pure evil, anyone?
You get a taster of their new direction with the six (Six!) bonus new tracks, including the title track and new smash 'Unbreakable' and a version of Sir Clifford's 'Miss You Nights', which is this year's Christmas single. Hurrah, eh? Of the rest, it's a case of if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Westlife have certainly found their niche in pop, and by statistics alone look like becoming one of the all time greats. It's just a shame the actual musical legacy displayed here is so wet and uninspiring.
