Search - Rachel Stevens :: Funky Dory

Rachel Rox!

lbchick5 | Ca, USA | 08/28/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am a huge fan of S Club so I love Rachel solo. Heres what I thouht of the album.



1. Some Girls 5/5

GREAT track, its really 80's but really fun and dancey.



2. Sweet Dreams My La Ex 5/5

I love this song, its a good song to dance to and really sexy.



3. Funky Dory 4/5

I like this song a lot, its a bit different thatn rachels other singles and its a bit slower but its still great.



4. Fools 4/5

this is a cool song, it has a different beat that you don't hear much and is a nice change from most music.



5. Breathe In Breathe Out 5/5

this is a slower song and sort of relaxing . it is a great song!



6. Glide 4/5

this song is quite fast paced and a fun song!



7. Heaven Has To Wait 5/5

This is one of my favorite songs on the album. it is slow and shows rachels talent.



8. More, More, More 5/5

I LOVE this song, it is a fun dancey song and is great to listen to anytime.



9. Blue Afternoon 4/5

This song sounds a bit like elevator music but is good for you if you like mellow music.



10. I Got The Money 3/5

This song isnt the best and can get a bit annoying if you listen to it too much but it has really good lyrics.



11. Little Secret 5/5

I like how this song is sexy and has a good beat!



12. Solid 4/5

this song has a good beat and is a happy kind of song.



13. Silk 5/5

this is a really sexy song, it has some differnt sounds to it also!



Most of these songs are mellow, sexy and dancey on this album, if you like that type of music this album is for you. Also if you like artists like marron 5, you'll probably like this album."

Pop Princess Overview

C. Lamz | USA | 08/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After almost 5 years of S Club (7), the group breaks up and from it rises pop star Rachel Stevens with a brilliant debut album. Funky Dory is great for all music fans with different genres of music.



1. Some Girls - a great first track, really gets the album going. With Richard X writing and producing this great song, Rachel manages to get to #2 on the UK charts. Some Girls is really the pop anthem song of the summer. Very catchy and great to dance to. 10/10



2. Sweet Dreams My LA Ex - Rachel's first single, also go to #2 in the UK charts. This song is truly a gem, written by Cathy Dennis, the songwriter behind Kylie Minogue, S Club, S Club 8 and Britney Spears' Toxic. Sweet Dreams truly is a dream. 10/10



3. Funky Dory (Single Version) - Yes that's right, this is the single version of Funky Dory. Some trivial info for you, FD's guitar was taken from David Bowie's Hunky Dory. Interesting word play. Anyways, being the title track of the album, this song is great, has almost a latin flavor to it. Unfortunately, this song is mid-tempo, not the best to dance to. 9/10



4. Fools - Woo hoo! Let's get this party started. This song is one of my favorites, with a sound that makes you wanna dance. It has a sound that makes you think there should be a line dance for it. This track has a different vibe than all the others, truly a gem. 11/10



5. Breathe In Breathe Out (Swat-team Version) - This version of Breathe In Breathe Out was originally planned to be released as Rach's 3rd single, but was swapped for Some Girls. This song was supposedly said to sound S Club-y but I don't think so at all. True, she does go back to her roots, but if anything, this is Rachel at her best. A power ballad that's lyrics shine. 10/10



6. Glide - Does the music sound familiar? Well that's because Christina Millian had to steal the music to Glide, rework the lyrics and chorus to be named I Need More. See even huge USA stars steal from our Rachy! Anyways, from the first listen, Glide stands out. With attitude and fast beats, Glide makes you dance. The track's only downfall is the lyrics. They don't make any sense! 8/10



7. Heaven Has To Wait - The ballad of the album, led by piano chords and Rachel's beautiful voice, Heaven Has To Wait is great! With soul-capturing lyrics, this song is a slice of heaven. 10/10



8. More More More - A cover version of the classic More More More that everyone sings while doing housework, this song is great, really showcasing Rachel's voice. The only bad part of this song is it's repetitive lyrics and chorus. More More More is going to be released as her 4th single. 7/10



9. Blue Afternoon - When you go for a drive, put the top down and turn this one up all the way as the wind goes through your hair. That's the vibe this song gives off. BA is a bit jaz-y and has great lyrics. The most differencial song on the album, next to Fools. 10/10



10. I Got The Money - This is the only song of Funky Dory that sounds like a filler. Fortunately, that's the only bad part of it. Mostly, this song is full of attitude and good lyrics, the only problem is the instruments. 6/10



11. Little Secret - The b-side to Sweet Dreams My LA Ex, this secret of the album really isn't one. It's great. With more musical depth than the other songs, this is a favorite from the start. 10/10



12. Solid - This song sounds very oldies-ish. It's great. Contradictory to the rest of the album, Solid stands its ground in greatness. 8/10



13. Silk - This track should be called Sexy not Silk. It sounds as if it had a Beyonce vibe to it. One of my favorites, and a little darker than the other songs. 10/10



14. Some Girls (Rhythm Masters Vocal) - a truly great remix 9/10"

Exquisite solo debut by Miss Stevens

M. D. Gananca | UK | 01/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rachel Stevens, Ex S - Club Member just delivered to us a Pop Masterpiece called "Funky Dory", which include a lot of catchy songs, delicious beats and seductive lyrics.



Rachel is still growing in many ways. Since she left the massive "S Club", she has a more mature, fresh & cosmopolitan sound, making her the ideal pop icon.



Also, every song on "Funky Dory" has a 'special something' that keeps you hooked to the album.



Let's review the album tracks:



1. Some Girls: The Sport Relief's single of 2004, "Some Girls" it's an electro flavoured track ala Goldfrapp's "Strict Machine" -which exploded on the USA dance chart a couple of months ago-, easily one of the best tracks of the year !



2. Sweet Dreams (My LA EX): The Lead Single of the album, It has a very acoustic sound to it. Produced by Cathy Dennis, the song has an unique style and *obviously* the mainstream audience liked it - My LA EX peaked at Number 2 in the UK.



3. Funky Dory: Fabulous track, which has an original sound & strangely catchy lyrics - The title track was the 2nd Single from the Album, but it was sadly overlooked by the UK public back in December 2003 =(



4. Fools: Great song - It will stay in your mind for a while, you have been warned!. Again, Rachel is delivering to us an acoustic pop song. This one was also included on Disney's 'The Princess Diaries 2' soundtrack, but with 'less seductive' lyrics



5. Breathe In, Breathe Out: Fresh & uplifting track, perfect for a sunny day because of it's happy lyrics & strings, "Breathe In, Breathe Out" is a standout of the album and shines with it's own light



7. Glide: Exquisite Song, "Glide" it's one of my favorites from "Funky Dory". It may sound strange at first -it has weird beats in the background-, but it will grow on you quickly. Pure Pop Perfection !



7. Heaven Has To Wait: The Big "Ballad" of the album, Heaven has to wait includes strings & a sad piano on the background. Rachel shows her vocal range on this one.



8. More, More, More: Latin-esque beats, faux-samba sounding track delivered by Stevens, the album version it's a bit weak, though the single version it's dance tastic !!!



9. Blue Afternoon: Relaxing Track, once again Rachel scored some points here. "Blue Afternoon" it's perfect for those rainy days or as the title says, it's great for a listening experience on those Blue Afternoons :P



10. I Got The Money: It sounds good, it's a great track to listen at night - For a strange reason, it reminds me of a Casino, Don't know why lol !



11. Little Secret: Catchy Chorus & Lyrics - This Song was the B-Side to "Sweet Dreams (My LA Ex)", it would have been a great single choice.



12. Solid: It's one of the strongest Tracks of the album, and as the title says is "Solid" :P, Rachel sings very well in this one too - showcasing her beautiful voice.



13. Silk: The 'Dark' soundsing track of the album & the sexiest one too, it's the perfect example of the new mature sound of Rachel Stevens.



Hopefully, Rachel will be in the music industry for a long time , she deserves it. Now, I'm waiting for her new solo release. Pick up this one - you won't be dissapointed



Thanks for reading this review

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