All Saints were one of the most successful acts that popped up as the Girl Power explosion happened in the late 90's, Thanks to Spice Girls. I'm able to admit that All Saints were a slightly more credible band, Their release's tended to be on the R+B side of pop, instead of the novelty side (Hello, B*Witched). This format seemed to work well for them as this was when the charts were still full of pop and only a few R+B acts were selling well, so it made them stand out in the crowd.
Fashion wise, All Saints were definitely sinners. Cargo trousers, vest tops and trainers are hardly an inventive or attractive wardrobe, but nevertheless, became a fashion trend across the country. I remember being influenced myself. I bought a camouflage t-shirt and wore it to school on non-uniform day, where Victoria Kemp told me I looked like a dyke. I thank her for this observation, as I have been petrified of camouflage ever since. Spice Girls on the other hand influenced quite a few broken ankles and nipple slippage's with their Buffalo's and low plunging neck lines. If I'd of had a bit more confidence in my teenage years it may well have been my nipples slipping out, and my ankle in plaster. I did dye my hair red to feel closer to Geri though. I choose a shade called 'Cherry' due to the fact it rhymed with Geri. That fact still amuses me to this day.
All Saints had 9 top ten singles between 1997 and 2001. They split in 2001 due to ''increasing rivalry between band members'', and all four members embarked on other musical projects. Natalie and Nicole stayed together as 'Appleton' and were the most successful, managing 2 top ten singles, 1 top ten album, and a top 40 single. Shaznay had 1 top ten single and 1 top thirty album, Her 2nd single release stalled at number 56. Melanie is the only member of All Saints to not release an album. Her album was recorded but conveniently shelved to make time for the All Saints reunion in 2006. Melanie had 1 top ten hit as a featured artist with 'Artful Dodger' and 1 top twenty single as a solo act. In 2002 she replaced Kelis's vocals on 'Outsidaz - I'm Leavin' for the U.K release. She really shouldn't have bothered as it stalled at number 42. Her final single release was from the soundtrack of 'Robots', this too was ill-fated and managed a feeble number 78. I like all of All Saints solo material, and I think perhaps lack of promotion and support from their record labels sealed their fate as solo artists.
I have wrote three paragraphs and now finally get to the point of this post, Studio 1. As I mentioned in the last paragraph, All Saints reunited in 2006. From January to August 2006, they wrote and recorded their third album, which would later be released as 'Studio 1'. On November 6th, the first single was released. 'Rock Steady' gave them a 10th top ten single, making number 3. After the success of the first single, It was assumed that 'Studio 1' would follow suit. Unfortunately not, It stalled at number 40 in it's first week and fell to number 74 the following week. This is a major shame because this was seriously All Saints best album. Due to the failure of 'Studio 1', 'Chick Fit', the planned 2nd single, was demoted to only having a digital release. A music video was filmed, but the release gained little promotion from music channels and radio stations, and failed to chart within the top 200!
So I write this post in a bid to try and get more people to buy this album. It truly is a small masterpiece in the world of girl groups. The over all feel of the album is probably best described as urban pop with a reggae edge in places. I sit here listening to it now, nearly 4 years on from its release, and I still think this is a fucking cool album.
Please go buy this album, It's truly worth the effort (Plus at the time of writing it's only £3.73 with free postage on Amazon!). Who knows perhaps if enough people read this article and are influenced to buy it, 'Studio 1' may enter the top ten and All Saints may show their faces again. This may also be me being majorly deluded, as at the minute i'm pretty sure my blog only has 3 regular readers. I can dream.
Tell me your opinion. Comment.
