All Saints: Studio 1
All Saints attempt a come back following success in the 90s
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Tuesday, 14, Nov 2006 04:26
Parlophone, out November 13th.
In a nutshell.
Cliched. Nostalgic. Sassy. Urban. Lounge-hop.
What's it all about?
Missing in action since January 2001, the UK's original urban girl band are back with their latest offering, Studio 1. Just as its predecessor Saints and Sinners nodded firmly to the 80s, Studio 1 takes a nostalgic cue from 60s-style dancehall and reggae, as the tile suggests.
The current single Rock Steady sets the tone for the album; lots of talking and shopping that gives way to 12 tracks of nostalgic sass for when combats were cool and everyone under the age of 15 talked with an American accent.
Chick Fit is perhaps the best example of the dancehall influence, with Shaznay rapping in that faux Jamaican/American way only she knows how, while steel drums and a catchy riff will get teenage toes up and down the land tapping. Scar is another track where the Studio 1 vibe is easily detected, complete with a wonderful horn section and Latino beats.
Mel's sh-sh shinging on On and On is a blast from the past and will fill every girl in their early 20s with a pang of nostalgic angst with memories of weeping along to Never Ever.
Hell No is another track reminiscent of All Saints' past, perhaps the standalone 'urban' track on the album - raw, edgy and complete with the odd swear word.
Who's it by
Arguably the coolest girl band to come out of the UK since Bananarama, All Saints ruled the world at the turn of the century. Now ten years, a few kids, a couple of high-profile break-ups and several failed solo attempts later, Melanie Blatt, Shaznay Lewis, Natalie and Nicole Appleton are back.
Production comes from long-time collaborate Karl 'K-Gee' Gordon, while Peaches, the Flaming Lips and Lilly Allen producer Greg Kurstin push a few buttons on a couple of tracks.
As an example.
"How many times do I have to call the 5-oh, oh, oh./If you do it again your ass will end up in jail." - Scar.
"I don't know what you do/But I stagger and fall/Trip up in my shoes when I'm walking with you/We can fight, make up whatever the mood/'Cause its only one me and U." - One Me and U.
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
There is a slim chance of Studio 1 being recognised on a global scale, but a trip to the Brits could be on the cards, and with a string of rather sassy urban ditties penned by Shaznay an appearance at the Mobos could be likely.
What the others say
"Studio 1 is a nod to the great Studio One label and sees the girls build on the sassy, streetwise sound of All Saints yesteryear by adding an array of new sounds to their (cargo pant) belts."
"Oh dear. It's difficult to fathom exactly why All Saints have re-formed, aside from the less-than-enthusiastic reception accorded to their solo careers."- Evening Standard
So is it any good?
Without the raw innocence of naive heartbreak felt on Never Ever, or the immediate kudos of William Orbit's production on Pure Shore, the album seems rather passe. From the artwork to the production, Studio 1 looks outdated.
A greatest hits compilation may have been a better money spinning option for the slightly tubby yummy mummies. The sheer tone-deafness of the Appletons' lets down some potentially strong tracks and you can't help think that Shaz and Mel are overcompensating for the pretty-but-musically-devoid-sisters.
Wishy-washy and lacking in the devil-may-care sass that made the group standout in the 90s, the record is not so much a mature diversion of sound, as a hotchpotch of studio leftovers from the All Saints back catalogue.
All in all, a good effort with some hidden gems but its nothing new.
3.5/10
Rebecca Amir