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Chosroes III | NC | 03/25/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Often thought of as the Stones to the Spice Girls' Beatles, All Saints offered up a more expressly "adult", R&B-styled sound with their debut album. The huge hit "Never Ever" purred in heartbroken penance, but "Bootie Call", along with many other tracks, showed that these girls weren't the kind to mope. Shaz, Nic and Nat, and Melanie Blatt, along with an all-star roster of producers like Nellee Hooper and Cameron McVey, crafted tracks that meld hard beats with pure Meox Mix vocals, leaving songs as darkly glittery as nightlights reflected on a windshield. This ride jets from booty-wagging abandon ("I Know Where It's At") to steely, get that man on his knees resolve ("Alone"), sometimes in the same song, as with their scrumptious, did-it-better-than-Christina-Mya-etc. remake of "Lady Marmalade." "I Know Where It's At" shows the Saints at their most exuberant, with its pitch-perfect choice of "get your groove on" lyrics and commanding bassline. "If You Want to Party" continues the Spice Girls' noble tradition of reinventing disco; "Beg" showcases the Saints' male-humbling powers. The cover of "Under the Bridge" is especially provocative, converting that alt-rock chestnut into a thumping dance-pop epic with, paradoxically, a strong sense of melancholy. And the melancholy really gets cinematic in the sweeping "War of Nerves", a chilling and thrilling ballad that closes out the record. Note too the Appleton-sisters-penned "Heaven", another powerful tale of yearning. Yes, these party gals know how to cry. And they know something about constructing memorable pop. The eponymous All Saints album is another classic in the wave of British pop that stormed the world in the late 90s, proving the great strength and vitality of what girls in a studio can do."

They know where it's at.

Chris | Sydney, Australia | 09/06/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"All Saints, largely considered a pop paradox of two talented musicians and two pretty blonde sisters-come-media-whores who couldn't sing for peanuts, were the epitome of the late nineties UK R'n'B/pop. And 'never ever' did they get it more right. Smooth harmonies, silky melodies, and the right balance between booty-shakers and cool R'n'B slowjams.Their debut album, the somewhat uninspiringly titled 'All Saints', showcases why these four girls were the hottest thing on the 'credible' side of pop in 1998. Whilst the Spice Girls were off romping around in their platforms, the cargo-wearing, laidback girls Shaznay Lewis, Mel Blatt, and Nicole and Natalie Appleton managed to achieve the same sort of success but do it with a bit more dignity than their popstar counterparts. From the smooth yearning 'Never Ever' to the bump-and-groove 'I Know Where It's At', the album is a largely quality release. They offer two delicious covers, a rap-infused reworking of 'Lady Marmalade' and a gorgeous version of Red Hot Chili Peppers' 'Under The Bridge', and positively shine on the dirty 'Bootie Call' and Spice Girls disco spin 'If You Want To Party (I Found Lovin')'.Admittedly there are a few weak spots. 'Trapped', 'Beg' and 'Heaven' are nice enough songs, but not up to the standard of the singles. However, considering the mileage the girls got out of the seven (!) singles they managed to release from this record, that's only a minor misstep in a very listenable album.Cool, fresh and just as funky six years on."