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Amazon.co.uk Review
Turnaround
is the album that many people thought Westlife wouldn't
be around to make, especially as the Irish quintet are
getting older while pop is getting younger. Turnaround
is, however, a turnaround--upbeat and high octane, with
the kind of slick, funky production that showcases their
ability to be diverse.
A rousing version of Barry Manilow's "Mandy"
starts things off, and it's one of the best songs of
their careers, largely because it's not a typically
sappy Westlife ballad--the type of muddy, gutter slush
they've regularly churned out over the years. "Hey
Whatever" follows this up with equal effect--a
risky single that almost paid off. So far, so
interesting. Then we're back in the dirty snow, with the
knowingly titled "Obvious" and
"Heal"--both substandard pop fare. Sinead
Quinn has had better songs written for her.
"Thank You" is the album's standout
(ill-judged scratching aside)--a half Bon Jovi, half
"World of Our Own" belter that also cements
the fundamental paradox of Westlife. When they're not
doing ballads, Westlife can be a fantastic pop group.
However, they've been polarised by the (generally very
good) balladry that made them in the first place, which
now holds them back. Here they've made another effort to
shake that off, but it's only half-hearted. Hopefully,
they'll get the chance to try again. --Cortman Virtue.
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