English Music Reviews - January 4, 2007

Twenty-Five
George Michael
Despite being the fourth "best of" from George Michael, Twenty-Five is probably the most definitive anthology yet.

It's spread over 2 CDs. The first, titled Living, features all his dance and upbeat tracks such as Too Funky, Fast Love, Freedom, Spinning The Wheel and Outside, as well as Faith and Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, hits from his Wham days. The second disc, titled Loving, is a collector's CD of the best George Michael and Wham ballads such as Careless Whisper, Last Christmas, Different Corner, One More Try, Father Figure, Praying For Time and Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me.

Besides the evergreen classics, Twenty-Five also features recent singles An Easier Affair and This Is Not Real Love (with former Sugababe Mutya Buena), as well as two unreleased tracks.

Although a near-perfect album, the only thing missing is the inclusion of the hits I Want Your Sex and Kissing A Fool.

The Storyman
Chris De Burgh
Although best known for his pop tracks, on The Storyman Chris De Burgh proves there's more to him that that. Most of the tracks featured here have an international flavour to them, with an Arabic feel to many of the songs. Our favourite is De Burgh's duet with Hani Hussei on the closing track of the album, My Father's Eyes. Additionally, unlike a lot of his earlier work, De Burgh utilises choirs and orchestras to great effect on this album.

Konviction
Akon
On his second album, Akon sings with all the konviction he can muster. Which is pretty good really. While first single Smack That is incredibly upbeat and dancy, thanks in a large part of Eminem, the second single I Wanna Love You, featuring Snoop Dogg, shows the boys are ready to try their hand out at love. Besides the usual rap.hip-hop numbers, Konviction also has plenty of ballads such as The Rain, Never Took the Time and Mama Africa.

High School Musical
Disney Soundtrack
Disney movies are always fun. The soundtracks even more so. Naturally, High School Musical is along those lines. While most of the tracks, which are sung by the cast of the movie, are easy pop tunes, there are a few standouts such as Get'cha Head in the Game, a hip hop song complete with basketballs bouncing and shoes squeaking to the beat and Bop to the Top with its catchy salsa rhythm.