Wonderland are the creation of Irish music mogul Louis Walsh and his one time protégé Kian Egan, the band were formed for reality TV program ‘The Next Big Thing’ which followed the band for two years as they prepared to launch their debut single. Wonderland are a group made up of five singers picked from thousands of hopefuls - even though Kian is married to one of them (Jodi)!
So what do we have with their eagerly awaited eponymous debut album? First you have a highly polished outfit that you would expect from the creator of Boyzone, Westlife and B*Witched. The five girls; Corrina, Jodi, Kasey, Leigh and Sharon, four of which are Irish and the fifth one an Irish wannabe (apparently), are certainly atheistically pleasing to the eye but can they sing? The music is certainly easy to listen to with catchy tunes and choruses but with the team of writers involved in the production of the album, which include Mark Owen of Take That, it has to be expected.
The album opens with ‘Not a Love Song’ and from there the listener is treated to twelve original and catchy sing-a-long pop songs that have a slight country feel. Of the more notable tracks you have ‘Starlight’ which is to be the second single released from the album. ‘Need You Now’ which is a great cover originally sung by Lady Antebellum. ‘Get Your Boots on’ my personal favourite and I defy anyone to not tap your feet or dance around like a fool on listening to. ‘Emergency’ a fun track co-written by Mark Owen and ‘When the Stars Go Blue’ are all well worth the inclusion in the album. However, the album ends with a bonus track which cover of ‘Rolling in The Deep’ originally a hit for British pop star Adele. This only serves to point out that Wonderland are not quite in the same league as the London singer.
Wonderland do not so much re-invent the wheel but they are more than the bland ballads you would associate with the behind the scenes management pairing. What they do deliver is a commendable debut album with perfect harmonies and a good steady mix of ballads and more up-tempo tracks. The album itself may not be groundbreaking and some could say is a little predictable and the lyrics are not particularly thought provoking. It is however, certain to make a mark in the charts and will put the girls in good stead for their continuing tours supporting the likes of Westlife and Olly Murs.
Album Rating: 7/10
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So what do we have with their eagerly awaited eponymous debut album? First you have a highly polished outfit that you would expect from the creator of Boyzone, Westlife and B*Witched. The five girls; Corrina, Jodi, Kasey, Leigh and Sharon, four of which are Irish and the fifth one an Irish wannabe (apparently), are certainly atheistically pleasing to the eye but can they sing? The music is certainly easy to listen to with catchy tunes and choruses but with the team of writers involved in the production of the album, which include Mark Owen of Take That, it has to be expected.
