Music
Boyzone: 'Back Again... No Matter What'
Released on Monday, Oct 13 2008
Published Sunday, Oct 12 2008, 12:35 BST | By Nick Levine | 15 comments
Back Again... No Matter What isn't quite definitive, omitting a couple of early singles, but the majority of the group's hits are present and correct, alongside a live version of Ronan Keating's 'Life Is A Rollercoaster' and three new songs. In customary fashion, one of the new tracks, a retro-pop nugget called 'Love You Anyway' that shoots for Motown but ends up sounding like
Wizzard, recently became the group's 17th chart single.
The second newbie, a gurgling electropop track called 'Can't Stop Thinking About You', sticks out as conspicuously here as 'Better', the third, neatly fits in. Like many of Boyzone's hits, 'Better' is a pleasant but inconsequential pop ballad with a humdrum melody and lyrics from the Clinton Cards school of songwriting. It's also a cover - of a minor hit by Cornish singer-songwriter Tom Baxter - as are half of Back Again's 18 tracks.
Those covers tend to be unadventurous in both choice and execution - evergreens from the Bee Gees, Cat Stevens and Tracy Chapman all get the Magic Radio treatment - but at least they have choruses you remember after the song ends. Would that the same could always be said of Boyzone's originals. For every fun, catchy 'Picture Of You', Back Again features at least two boring, icky ballads like 'Every Day I Love You' and 'All That I Need'.
But it won't do to be too harsh, because Back Again offers a nice enough listen if you're in the mood for a bit of nineties nostalgia. Trouble is, only two or three of Boyzone's hits really transcend their era, and none of these is a pop classic to rival 'Pray' or 'Back For Good'. The sad truth about Boyzone is that what began with Take That, a boyband who had personality and plenty of decent tunes, ultimately led to Westlife, one with neither.
> Click here to read our interview with Boyzone's Stephen Gately
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15 Comments
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I really, really love this band and when I saw there new song 'Love you anyway', for the first time on tv, I thought it's the band's some old song, because Ro has long hair in it like the band's previous days, and everybody just looked the same as before, wearing suits and the music is like it was before. Love this band. I'm happy.
Great having Boyzone back, I personally do not agree with much of what the reviewer here is writing especially about "All that I need" - one of my fave 90s songs and "Better" the great new single... This album makes me realize how much I used to like Boyzone and I'm looking forward to more new music from them....
I agree with most of this review, but there is a however... I wholeheartedly disagree with the review of Better - I have had the privilege - yes, ultimate privilege - of seeing Tom Baxter live. While the reviewer is not wrong - the song was only a minor hit for Baxter - the song in itself is a composition of beauty, finely crafted for the one you love. The words are from the heart, and the simple yet effective melody leaves you tingling. Yes, I agree, it maybe a little too romantic - ergo sickly - for some, but that problem is not the song's, it's the listeners. I know that sounds brutal, but it's perception, and my perception is that BoyZone chose a perfect contemporary - and ultimately mature - song to release, given their reinvention as a "manband". Okay, I'm beginning to sound like a raging lunatic, so I'll step down from my soap box now, I've had my say. :D
I just bought the album after hearing 'Better' on the radio... and then seeing their video, which is the first Boyband video with a gay-couple staring (Stephen Gately with another man). I like it. The whole album is really pleasant listening, and although better is a cover of Tom Baxters, it didn't do well in the UK for him, so most of us here have never heard it before. I think Boyzone have a hit on their hands with the 2nd single... and a new studio album next year shouldn't disappoint.
Another marketing strategy to revive a washed up bunch of uncreative 'singers'. Boyzone go back to the dark void you came from. This album is worthless...don't spend on this trash.
Jelly, Suffolk, on October 27th, 2008
I have the "By Request" album that features all the songs on this "new" album apart from Love you anyway, so this album is very disappointing, some new material would be nice lads!!
I have the "By Request" album that features all the songs on this "new" album apart from Love you anyway, so this album is very disappointing, some new material would be nice lads!!
i think this is a great album with some real boyzone classics on it. a must have for all boyzone fans or indeed fans of good solid pop music
I, for one, really love the new Greatest Hits album - I think their new songs are all really good, especially 'Better'! I fully appreciate that it's not going to be to everybody's taste but that's what's good about music... it's so varied that you'll never find two people who like exactly the same! :-).
Doug, Manchester, on October 14th, 2008
"For every fun, catchy 'Picture Of You', Back Again features at least two boring, icky ballads like 'Every Day I Love You' and 'All That I Need'". um...have you even considered that for a ballad person, it will be for at least two fantastic ballads, there is one ok fun tune?
"For every fun, catchy 'Picture Of You', Back Again features at least two boring, icky ballads like 'Every Day I Love You' and 'All That I Need'". um...have you even considered that for a ballad person, it will be for at least two fantastic ballads, there is one ok fun tune?
It's great to have Boyzone back! Saw them on tour this year and they were better than ever. Love the album, it's fantastic to have some new songs on there too. Can't wait to see them on tour again next year.
Should have called the album 'Back Again.........Whether you like it or not' You can't polish a turd, simple as!!!!
Utter rubbish in everyway, when were they ever any good??? Thet have onlt reformed for thye money nothing to do with the fans. What a pile of S**T!!!!
worst album ever
I personally think its a great album.. you cant compare Boyzone with Take That, they aren't alike in anyway, they both have their own special thing.
What an interesting and accurate review. I listened to this album a few times, and was only really dissapointed when I heard the sound quality of the Ronan keating live track, which is pretty horrendous! I do hope the track wasnt added to enhance the Boyz reputation as great live performers. Not a bad wee pop album though! http://cribeyondbeijing.com/