Product Description

Standing Tall (CD Album) by Kym Marsh - SPECIAL EDITION - 15 Tracks: 1. Cry 2. Come on Over 3. Sentimental 4. I Think It's Gonna Rain Today 5. After Goodbye 6. Girl I Used to Be 7. Standing Tall 8. Cross Every River 9. Glow 10. Live Forever 11. Shine on Me 12. Because of You 13. Here Comes Heaven 14. Tempted 15. Don't Break My Heart

Track Listing

1. Cry
2. Come On Over
3. Sentimental
4. I Think It's Gonna Rain Today
5. After Goodbye
6. The Girl I Used To Be
7. Standing Tall
8. Cross Every River
9. Glow
10. Live Forever
11. Shine On Me
12. Because Of You
13. Here Comes Heaven
14. Tempted
15. Don't Break My Heart

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #81432 in Music
• Released on: 2003-07-21
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Special Edition
• Dimensions: .23 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
After Hear'Say's dismally short-lived success, remarkably, Standing Tall suggests that for Kym Marsh at least, there might be fame after Popstars. Older, wiser and no doubt looking for a career a little longer lasting than Hear'Say's, her debut solo album is sweet, sentimental and unmistakably for grown-ups. Equally unmistakable is the inspiration for her new direction. With every song shuffling to a country pop backing of strummed acoustic guitars, lazy beats and the big, arms-in-the-air, sing-a-long chorus, Standing Tall sounds like the sunnier, smiley version of Natalie Imbruglia's Left of the Middle. Indeed, the singles "Cry" and "The Girl I Used to Be" are uncannily similar to Imbruglia's debut single "Torn" so shamelessly so that even she wouldn't be able to spot the difference, which is by no means a bad thing; what they, and most of her tracks lack in originality they makeup for with great tunes. For sure it's not all pop genius; there are a handful of painfully drippy ballads and she could do without all the naff lyrics about being an "ordinary girl in an extraordinary world". But when the all conquering choruses of "Sentimental", "Come on Over" and "Tempted" kick in, Standing Tall is impossible to dislike. --Dan Gennoe

Review
It's fair to say that Kym Marsh is better known for being a TV talent pop star than for her contribution to British music. And she's graced more column inches for marrying a member of the cast of EastEnders than she has for her musical output. Yet, as Kym launches her solo career, and picks up the pieces after her recent separation from her husband, she has every reason to be feeling positive.

Standing Tall is unlikely to sit up there with classic pop albums of all time. But it is a competent effort from the Wigan lass, who, with Hear'Say, sold thousands of records and playedmassive arena tours around the UK. Although not all self-penned, the songs on this album are filled with resounding heart and soul. Her voice may not be truly professional, but she has the guts and determination to try and make some of these songs shine.

Opener "Cry" isn't a fantastic start. The acoustic guitar introduction has been used to death and the melody, although pleasant, packs no punches and holds no surprises. "Come On Over" follows on it's heels and is something of an improvement. The upbeat strumming chorus has a sunnier, less contrived, and more contented glow about it.

The initial spoken word vocal of "I think It's Gonna Rain Today" and the song's slightly more solid, competent guitars make it the stand out track of the whole collection. It has a more accomplished all-round harder sound about it and is less soppily sentimental than most of the others. Good stuff.

Otherwise, power ballads like "Live Forever" and "Cross Every River" dominate this 15 track album, filling it unnecessarily with over idealistic notions. 'I will cross every river / I will sail every sea / I will climb every mountain if it will you bring you back to me.' Really Kym, hasn't it all been said before? Surely there's more to good pop songs than endless happy endings? If this is the best Kym can do it won't be such a happy ending for her... --Ruth Mitchell

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