Stonebridge - Music Takes Me (CD)

Close To Heaven:
Almost a clone of “Music Takes Me”, and in pretty much the same key too. Quite difficult to differentiate between the two tracks which makes for a cheesy effect .. oh well, it’s a good track for late night listening. 7/10

SOS:
As the first single released earlier this year, ahead of the album, “SOS” just didn’t pack the chart-smashing punch that “Put ‘Em High” did, even though I expected it to. Notice the dominant sidechained pads during the chorus & lack of piano (blasphemous!), and the vocals are something different. Featuring “Erire”, the chorus is very uplifting and possibly the catchiest thing I’ve heard from a Stonebridge single. 10/10

You Don’t Know:
The 2nd single off this album. Remixes have just been released (08-24-2007)on Beatport. Here we have some male vocals (”Kenny Thomas”) for a change. It’s very cheesy & reminds me of Danzel material; maybe Stoney Boy wants to appeal to a female customer base? Production is very bland & doesn’t do justice to these unappealing vocals. 5/10.
On the other hand, check out the remixes on Beatport. You might not be disappointed. The reworked electro-style club mix (that I hope Mr. Stoney did) - WOW! Proves that remixes have the power to bless a blighted album cut.

Just You And I:
Very very loungey with those twangy airy non-sidechained pads splashing through with a light, gentle beat. Verses are soulful but the chorus falls flat. Similarly to “You Don’t Know”, this track could use some good electro remixes! 4/10

A Love Thing:
My favourite album track here - if I had to pick the next single, this would be it. Vocals (especially during the chorus) are 100% catchy and thats why I like the track so much. Great surreal-ish harmony during the chorus with uplifting vocals, similarly to what’s done in “SOS”. Production once again is nothing out of the ordinary, although a stronger rework would be necessary for club airplay. Nevertheless a beautiful & uber-funky track. 10/10

Nothing Without Me:
Stoney Boy shows off his latin-tinged side in this track, a side of him I’ve missed badly. And boy does he do it well. Sexy piano stabs, brass instruments, and hot vocals with verses in Spanish too. All the elements to a peak-hour latin anthem. I suppose it’s a bit outdated, so I don’t care if this doesn’t become a single - probably wouldn’t be a hit anymore (damn electro lol). 10/10

Take Me I’m Yours:
Here’s my beef with this song. Vocals are good, quite catchy, but the harmony during the chorus really confuses me. Confusing in a sort of “Ooh, let’s be retro & make loungey house with obscure chords & tinkle bells that make no sense” way that Stonebridge does a couple times on this album. Vocals - 1, production - 0. Needs a remix! I’d rather listen to an acapella. 4/10

I Believe In Love:
Re-use of some “SOS” elements (bassline & sidechained pads). We have another male singer, but this time it doesn’t sound liek Kenny Thomas. The chorus is uber-cheese, we have some female backing vocals which make for a Broadway-number-type effect. Makes me think of “Fame”. Ooh, notice some electric guitars after the chorus. About midway through the track, notice Stoney Boy embarassingly test out an electro-type square synth solo. Ghastly, I say - Sten, go back to your pianos & brass instruments! 5/10

Feeling 4 You:
This is a pretty cute track. Strongest percs I’ve heard on the entire album, by the way. Anyway back to the cuteness. The chorus is repetitive and cheesy yet adorable, you need to hear it. Actually the entire song is pretty cheesy - ridiculously simple production and songwriting. Not much more to say! 7/10

Let Me In:
Sten apparently collabbed with some hiphop producer for this track, so I hear. It’s a pop/R&B track, very UK. Vocals seem to save the track! (OK to tell the truth, I like the way the chick says “Is it cuz I’m nasty / that all the boys want me” ;)) After a few listens this is some good pop cheese. This could be a hit with some good commercial house remixes. 8/10

All I Can Think Of Is You:
Notice the iconic “Break 4 Love” percs honoured in the intro beat. Sounds quite different, but once you hear the sweeping gliding pads & breathy vocals, it sounds once again like a Stonebridge track. Track becomes quite loungey & airy again, almost like “Just You And I”. The airy pads & breathy vocals remind me of being in a club realllly late, when the crowd starts winding down, in one of them upscale snooty clubs that only play loungey house. An OK chillax track. 6/10

Overall 7/10. There’s not much variety on this album; Sten keeps his traditional funky / loungey vibe throughout because he knows what works for him. So thank god you don’t have to sit through any electro shit on this album, especially in this day & age - he lets his remixers do the dirty work for him. Due to the inconsistent quality of tracks, I would not recommend a full purchase - if you must buy anything, individually get the few bombs that are on this album, and nothing more. You won’t miss out on much.