Messy Little Raindrops
I’ll review Cheryl Cole’s sophomore effort [bought it, duh I'm entitled to listen to the leak], which from the first listen totally shits over 3 Words!!
Promise This: First single, and rightfully so. Fucking catchy even if the French intro is probably mispronounced. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, from sounding despondent to exhilarating to schmaltzy. Beyond amazing.
10/10
Yeah Yeah: Steady song, having a few really unexpected moments which sees Cheryl hitting high notes. It suffers, unfortunately, from a lack of tune and the song really tapers off greatly after the misleading intro.
8.5/10
Live Tonight: In my opinion, possibly the worst song on the album. Sounds frail mostly, almost like a discount of second single 3 Words from the first album. The mysterious dee-di-dum-dum chipping in along with Will-i-am hardly helps.
5/10
The Flood: A distinct Tedder production, the second single from Messy Little Raindrops is enjoyable but Cheryl’s voice does not suit, in their own words, an “enormo-ballad”; the chorus leaves much to be desired.
7/10
Amnesia: Too random for my liking. It has no particular hook apart from the rather annoying “You should be..” parts which somehow does not work for me. Weak song.
5.5/10
Everyone: Background beat is really refreshing. Cheryl sounds grating on certain parts of this song, however.
6.5/10
Raindrops: The best ballad here in my opinion, also featuring the album title lyrically. Cheryl sounds divine here, possibly the only song which pushes her to the very limit of her voice.
9/10
Hummingbird : Saccharine overload alert. Otherwise, this song is really just delightful throughout, especially with the innovative drawn-out chorus.
8.5/10
Better To Lie: Entrancing song, with many hooks generously scattered throughout the song. The shrill whistle-registeresque sound in the background greatly compliments Cheryl’s soulful chorus.
9/10
Let’s Get Down : Fastest song on the album, and features Cheryl rapping!! Bloody catchy and hilarious, tongue-in-cheek kinda way. It can do with a shorter intro though.
9.5/10
Happy Tears: A ballad about the cheating asshole Ashley Cole. Not nearly quite as good as the other singles here.
7/10
Waiting: Closing song, and with a very good reason! Waiting is surreal, like something right out of a Disney film. It samples Carlton’s A Thousand Miles and combined with a synchronous background beat, sounds almost unbelievable when Cheryl brings in her heart-pumping chorus.
9.5/10
