I remember about nine months ago, hearing a clip of a song somewhere on the internet and thinking: ’’I have to find out who that is!’’ It was urgent, I had to do it now. I found out it was a girl group called Dream, and that it was their debut single He Loves U Not. From the beginning monologue of a little girl saying ’’he loves me, he loves me not, he loves me, he loves you not’’ to the final notes of the song, I knew it was going to be a hit. About two to three months later, Dream was practically a household name. They entered the music business at just the right time, with just the right style. Ashley, Diane, Holly, and Melissa are the beautiful and talented girls of dream who have now given me some very hot beats to dance to. I recently bought their debut album, It Was All A Dream, and all I could think was: ’’a female Nsync...’’ Now, am I wrong? Just look at the video for He Loves U Not, dancing, fast/chasing vehicles, and a spinning room in which they dance and mess around in. If I’m not mistaken, that is Nsync’s video Bye Bye Bye. What’s even funnier is that Nsync’s spinning room was done in blues, while Dream’s was done in pinks and purples. Literally a female Nsync, minus one person.
Anyway, I suppose you were looking for a review of their album, so here it is:
1) It Was All A Dream (INTRO) I guess that this is the new thing on albums, this intro and interlude deal. It begins and it really sounds like you are in outer space or staring at stars. The girls begin talking and saying things like ’’I can’t believe this is happening...’’, and eventually they each say their names. Kind of an unnecessary addition, I could have done without it. Grade: C
2) He Loves U Not A consistent hip hop beat with pretty teenage female voices creates one heck of a pop song. As many times as I’ve heard it, I can’t get enough of it. I don’t quite understand why they used ’’U’’ instead of spelling out the word ’’YOU’’ in the title, is it an image thing? Anyway, I like the song and it has an amazing dance beat that you can’t get over. Grade: A-
3) In My Dreams The song begins with a guy repeating the girls’ names, with a nice beat plays in the background. Isn’t fast, isn’t slow -- it doesn’t really seem their style. It almost sounds like an All Saints song to me. However, it is different for a girl group. The lyrics are basically this whole ’’I like you, you like me, boy meets girl’’ thing...but updated to 2001’s teenage slang. Grade: C+
4) This Is Me Their latest, and second single, which is a great follow up to their hit first single. I absolutely love this song. It opens up with this odd computerized sound, while each girl says ’’this is me.’’ It goest into a very, very cool zipping sort of sound. It’s hard to explain, but it’s awesome. I love the whole story behind the lyrics, and the slight sassiness to it. In the middle they all harmonize the chorus with hardly any music playing against their voices. I love that the most. That was her, this is me. We’re different as can be. She and I are nothing alike. You’re confusing day with night! That was then, this is now. You wanna trust me but you don’t know how. I’m never gonna mess around, let you down. Can’t ya see? Baby that was her, and this is me. Grade: A+
5) I Don’t Like Anyone This is a great song with, again, a great beat. I love the acoustic sound. But, the lyrics are too little-girlish, yet fit quite perfectly. It sounds a little obsessive (the lyrics), but I know how that feels. I don’t like anyone (the way I like you). I don’t go anywhere (if you’re not there too). It’s not as if I’m hard to please, you’re the only one good enough for me. Those other just won’t do! I don’t like anyone but you. (Britney Spears, anyone?) Grade: A-
6) Reality (INTERLUDE) Again, something I could do without but I can see its purpose. It sort of leads you into the next song (i.e. thing Britney’s Oops...I Did It Again album), but it is very rehearsed. They aren’t good actors... Grade: D
7) Pain This is one of their midtempo/slow songs, sort of their weakness point. The slower songs they produce are not as strong as their uptempos. This song, in particular, sounds like a Robyn song. Do you remember her? She was sort of short lived, a two hit wonder. In the middle of this song, Ashley (I suppose the girl that is most ’hip hop’ oriented) does this slow rap thing. It really devalues the song! I don’t really have any interest in this track. I do give credit where it is due however, they sound wonderful when they harmonize. Grade: C+
8) When I Get There This one I definitely do not like. It is another one of their slower songs, it is too mellow for me. They do, again, sound beautiful together. It just isn’t very catchy...a midtempo sort of song. Blah. Grade: D
9) What We Gonna Do About Us There is this very irritating, consistent beat in the beginning that lasts for at least 25 seconds before they begin singing that I detest. They are serious posers in this song..if you know what I mean. Some people try too hard to be not of their race. It is too forced! It’s an uptempo, but they sing too softly and I just really don’t like this song. Probably the worst on the album. Grade: F
10) Jordan (INTERLUDE) This interlude consists of a man’s (Jordan’s) voice on his answering machine, with each girl of Dream leaving a message. This implies that three of them are love interests of Jordan, which then tells you that he is a player. Ashley, however, knows what’s going on and leaves a message telling him that he’s about to get ’’dissed.’’ Each message begins with that automatic voice saying a time, like ’’8:27 P.M.’’ Sort of a neat touch. Also, each girl’s message has a musical background behind it that fits their attitude. I like Ashley’s! Grade: A
11) Mr. Telephone Man This is an alright song I suppose, and I can see how it is a follow up to the Jordan interlude. The lyrics are catchy and unique, but I believe what doesn’t fit is the background music. It would flow better with an upbeat tone, rather than a midtempo. Grade: B-
12) Angel Inside This has a beat sort of like In My Dreams, very hip-hoppish and danceable. But they don’t make their voices strong enough. But I really do like this song. I just like it when they really belt it out better. Grade: B
13) Do You Wanna Dance Every CD I’ve bought in the past few months has a song with exactly that title. It gets repetitive and old, which leads me to be hesitant of liking it. These songs are usually overproduced and annoying. I suppose it is danceable with its beat, and I enjoy the https://lyrics. There’s just something that doesn’t keep me listening for too long. Grade: C+
14) Miss You I actually do enjoy this slower song from them. The lyrics are nice, the background music is pretty, and they harmonize strongly (as I like). Probably my favorite slower song on the album, or the only one I like! There’s something about the love you give, no one else can give to me. I miss you like crazy, I miss you being my baby. Tell me when you’re coming back home. I miss you like crazy, I miss you being my baby. Tell me when you’re coming back home. Grade: A
15) Our Prayer (INTERLUDE) I’m not religious but I can tell this part meant a lot to the girls. They are praying and thinking of their success so far. There’s pretty background music and their voices are in an echo. Nice touch...