Search - 411 :: Between the Sheets

A waste of a perfectly good album!

Weather Warden | Auckland, NZ | 10/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sadly, The 411 were dropped last year after their third single "Teardrops" missed the top 20. It'a shame, because this album is fantastic. Most reviews I've read say the album is just full of RnB filler and crap tracks, but they obviously haven't listened to it as closely as I have.

The 411 were onto great things with their first two singles - On My Knees & Dumb which both debuted in the top 5. Teardrops missed the top 20, charting at No.23, and then the album didn't make the top 40. It was sad, but the girls parted ways with their record company late last year. This album has been wasted, there were so many potential singles. Carolyn, Suzie, Tisha & Tanya were 4 talented girls and this album shows that.

Track rundown:



1. On My Knees (5/5)

The song that started off the girls' careers! This song just absolutely never gets boring even a year after it was released. It's funky, upbeat RnB with a great message for girls in it. Ghostface Killah makes an appearance, doing a rap in the middle of the song. This song is very catchy and I can still listen to it now.

2. Teardrops (4/5)

This song was wrong to release 3rd. It's a great song, but it isn't single material. If you listen to it too much it gets boring - maybe this is why it flopped, too much airplay. But nonetheless, it is a good song - the girls are singing about a cheating boyfriend and how they're repaying him for all the bad things he did. Another RnBish song, this has a catchy chorus.

3. China Girl (5+++/5)

This song was just screaming out at me to be released. They should have released this as the 3rd single, it would be a sure fire top 5 single. This song is a beautiful ballad, with Chinese inspired music, and amazing vocals from the girls. The song is about a girl who is missing and everybody misses her. This is my favourite song on the album and the standout track by far.

4. Chance (4/5)

This song has the most amazing harmonies ever. The girls sing the first bit of the song acappella and their voices blend really well. This song does get slightly irritating after awhile though, hence my lower rating. But this song is really catchy, and upbeat.

5. My Friend (3.5/5)

A short song, this is only 2 minutes and 44 seconds long. It's about two friends of the girls who had bad things happen to them and they're singing about how they're their friend till the end. It's catchy, but the song has stupid lyrics and a ridiculous rap in the middle.

6. Between The Sheets (5/5)

The title track of the album doesn't disappoint. This song is a slower RnB jam with a midtempo beat. It's about making up with your partner after a fight. The girls' vocals work well on this song, and it doesn't get boring.

7. Dumb (5/5)

Their second single, and UK residents may remember this song from an advertising campaign. This song is so unbelievably catchy - the chorus gets permanently stuck in your head. The lyrics are ridiculous but they work - "Dumb diggy di di dumb"... or something. Another song that doesn't ever get boring.

8. Forever Begins (4/5)

Is it just me or is this song about suicide? I won't go onto it, but this song is probably the poppiest on the album. It has strong harmonies from the girls on the chorus and catchy verses. A solid effort.

9. Jumpin (5/5)

This song is so fun! It's very gospelly and positive with the girls singing about what makes them happy - you will be singing along by the middle of the song, I garauntee you. Very upbeat and happy.

10. What If It Was You? (3/5)

This is probably the worst song on the album - it's RnB by numbers that just doesn't work. The girls are singing about homeless people, and to think about being in their position. I just find it bland and lifeless.

11. I Don't Want To Talk About It (4/5)

Another RnB song, but much better then the previous track. This track is about a cheating boyfriend. This song has 5 million elements to it, and they're all over the place. It's cool though, I love the rain at the beginning and end, and the chorus is catchy.

12. Can't Fight Love (5/5)

A great way to end the album! The second of only two ballads on the album, this is absolutely gorgeous. The girls sing with a solo instrument and this song has no beat. The girls show off their voices and sing soulfully about love. I love it.



My top 5 tracks:

01. China Girl

02. Jumpin

03. Can't Fight Love

04. Between The Sheets

05. On My Knees



Overall, a solid effort and an album that was wasted by the girls losing their record deal. Check it out if you liked their singles or you would like to check out an album filled with RnB gems."

411 offer more Brit-pop

Nasser Alqatami | 05/20/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Yet another British girl band is introduced to the music scene with disposable beats and temporary hits. The 411 offer a midway solution to the overtly pop stylings of Girls Aloud and the street-heavy resonance of Mis-Teeq. The quartet offer pop favorites with an R&B tint. The lead single "On My Knees," alongside its unique video, launched them onto the scene with one catchy hook. Then came the Destiny's Child-reject "Dumb," proffering a little dance floor groove. The third single, "Teardrops," segues in friendly territory of mystery trip hop and lean balladry. These three tracks make for a good enough treat for people who are not adverse to barefaced pop of Old Compton appeal.

Other tracks on Between The Sheets include the baby reggae of "Jumpin'," the abundantly wordy "Chance," and the melodically graceful "Forever Begins," which should be their next single if they are under the right management.

There is always room for some more pop, even when it is a subject of hype's residue. Sometimes acts that are created to capitalize on a phenomenon deliver great moments. Just look at Mandy Moore.

"