Shoot from the Hip

by

Sophie Ellis-Bextor

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When Sophie Ellis-Bextor first broke into the mainstream back in August 2000 as the guest vocalist of Spiller's epic No.1 dance anthem "Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)," she became one of the most promising female acts for years. Sure enough, a year later, she released her debut album "Read My Lips" which went on to sell more than 1 million copies in the UK. After a string of successful solo hits in the form of "Take Me Home," "Murder On The Dancefloor," "Get Over You" and "Music Gets The Best Of Me," the divine posh bird returned a month ago with her second album "Shoot From The Hip."

Where her debut album was really just an experiment into what style Sophie's future career would take, her sophomore release goes all the way basing its sound upon its predecessor, but twisting it slightly. Gone are the songs of disco pop that she became known for, replace with much more sophisticated, more mature real music. The songs on this album show Sophie in a totally different light. She now shines brighter than any other British female artist, and no one pulls off a raw English accent like Lady Bextor...

The album opener "Making Music" is brash, loud and infectious. The retro beats and twangy, with a manic beat that totally contrasts Sophie's brilliant voice. The song may take a while to grow on you, but once it does, it'll be in your head for days. "Mixed Up World" is the first single from this album and stormed into the UK Top 10 a month ago. With a typical beat that sparkle in true Bextor-style, this is a definite highlight in which Sophie raises the topic of the current state of the world, while combining it with a hopeful love story. "I Won't Change You" is one of my favourites on the album and just has to be released as a single! The beat on this song just totally bounces with simplicity, while the wonderful chorus is nothing short of perhaps Sophie's catchiest-ever tune.

"Nowhere Without You" starts off loud and in your face, before settling down in the verses for a chilled out and relaxing ballad. The guitar is wonderful and perfectly matches Sophie's sighing vocals of bliss. You could listen to this song while watching the sun rise, because it has that earthy quality that a lot of Sophie's music boasts. "Another Day" is a slight dip in the quality of the album, but the production makes up for it with some crafty and attention-seeking (and finding) beats. "Party In My Head" is a true highlight with a jangly-guitar and a superb beat that you will hum to for ages. Clapping in the parts before the choruses are very classy, while the backing-vocals from Sophie are also amazing in their melodic quality.

"Love It Is Love" begins like a racing steam train, intent on reaching its destination. The beat is heavy and very well-produced, and the bit in the middle where the whole song slows down is awesome. "You Get Yours" is perhaps the worst song on the album, but it is still absolutely brilliant! The beat starts off in a totally crazy way, demanding your attention. The chorus is a bit forgettable, so this song may need repeat-listening for you to truly appreciate it. "The Walls Keep Saying Your Name" is, simply put, a masterpiece. This song creates so many images in your mind that you can't help but go back again and again for repeat listens! A little violin arrangement totally makes this song so amazing, while the chorus are wonderful with the lines, "I can't sleep when the walls keep saying your name. Go from me and let me slumber again." It's one of those songs that is totally sky-high on the camp factor that the homosexuals will have a field day dancing to, and rightly so!

"I Won't Dance With You" is another one of my favourites from the album. The beat is hard hitting, and the sonic barrage of electro beats infects the song with that feeling that you just have to dance to. It's kinda cheesy, but ever so classy. Sophie's vocals are superb, but the clanger comes with the line, "You can wallow in praise until the cows come home!" Argh! "I Am Not Good At Not Getting What I Want" is awesome, and I thought only the Pet Shop Boys had long song titles! This song sees Sophie go back to the 1950's and don her best ball gown as she sings in a jazzy and smooth Big Band style of a spoilt and selfish girl who always gets what she wants. It's amazing, and you end up wondering why Sophie doesn't do more of this! "Hello Hello" is even more laid-back than the last song, with some good vocals but it's certainly not the best song on the album!

OVERALL GRADE: 10/10

While her debut album had a few filler tracks that not many listeners cared for, Shoot From The Hip has no rubbish songs whatsoever. Here Miss Bextor has perfectly crafted a masterpiece dance/pop album that represents Britain at its best. If only the States were into her like the UK is! Hell, even her cover of Olivia Newton-John's "Let's Get Physical" as the hidden track on the album is great! This album has flopped in the UK so far, which is a great shame because talent like this is wasted on many people who want their music so commercial that you don't have to seek it out. All in all, well done Sophie! She's proven herself a true player on the British music scene. I look forward to her third album. I'm sure it will be fantastic!

I must admit, I was not all that crazy about Ms. Ellis-Bextor's first album. Read My Lips had only a handfull of songs I liked. This album I feel is stronger. Making Music is a whale of a track, my favorive on the album, along with I Am Not Good At Not Getting What I Want, which is wonderful with it's 1950's guitar work. Hello Hello is quite beautiful, and Mixed-Up World is infectious too. The album as a whole is more consistently listenable, but it's not perfect. Some of the tracks don't seem as well thought out as others. My biggest gripe is that some of the lyrics are very bad. Party In My Head sounds like random phrases just pulled from a thesaraus.

WARNING: There is a second edition of this album now available with only 10 tracks . DO NOT BUY THAT EDITION!!! It is the inferior version! Making Music and I Won't Dance With You are gone as is the bonus hidden track, a cover of The Olivia Newton-John classic Physical. While that bonus track was clearly not a good idea, Making Music alone is worth the extra money. Be sure you buy the proper version with the artist name and album title in WHITE lettering.