Go Your Own Way

by

Gareth Gates

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I got my first introduction to Gareth when I happened to hear the excellent single "Say It Isn't So". The timing was perfect because my best friend was leaving the country, so we played it to death.

The rest of the album is a combination of ballads, some R&B and funky pop, with a couple of funny ones, such as the highly spirited version of "Spirit in the Sky".

Sure, most of the album is your standard pop fare, but it's extremely listenable pop fare, with some good beats. At worst, he sometimes comes off like a Justin Timberlake sound-alike, especially on "Groove With Me", "Club Hoppin'" and "Enough of Me"

"Absolutely" has an old-time funk feel, and "All Cried Out" isn't the Lisa Lisa song, but instead samples "Human" by the Human League.

"Skeletons" and "It Happens Every Time" sound like tracks from a Savage Garden album, meaning that I like those too. "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" (not the Starship song) and "Lies" are my other picks.

If you're into idols, take a hop over the pond and try this one.

Amanda Richards, February 4, 2005

Reality music shows have become so popular that most of the new upcoming artists were, at one point or another, contestants on a show. Bands like O-Town have made successful careers out of the coverage that reality shows give them. The United Kingdom started a show by the name of Pop Idol, which was so successful it grew to become a worldwide phenomenon adopted by various broadcasting networks.

The US launched an American Pop Idol show shortly after, and the reality-fever also hit the Arab world with the Superstar program.

Kelly Clarkson the winner of the first American Idol series released a weak album with one track that mustered up a solid single by the title of "Miss Independent" - not because of Clarkson's talent, but because it was written by Christina Aguilera. Other than that we have yet to see a reality-show career soar on something other than cover versions and bland balladry.

Gareth Gates reached second place in UK's Pop Idol and managed to maintain a career. This sophomore release starts out with a promising tone. "Go Your Own Way" is a double CD which could fit on one disc, but marketing ploys come before music when you are much admired by most 12-year-old teeny boppers.

The first CD "Night", is a surprising treat. It contains the silky number "Sunshine" - a fine opener to a well-leveled disc. In fact "Night" is so warm it is reminiscent, but in no way equal, to Michael Jackson's disco era.

Gates tackles the hassles of fame with "Enough Of Me," all with angry singing and rock riff. "Club Hoppin" is a nightlife ditty with feet-tapping beats. The disc goes on to bring back some Wham! Nostalgia with "Absolutely," which is a definite stomper.

The second disc "Day" puts the success of "Night" to an abrupt end. "Day" is a nauseatingly formulaic effort.

"Go Your Own Way" seems to be a compromise between Gareth and his record company. Both discs are offered for the same price as a one-disc album. The purchase is worth the first disc alone.