Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 7/10
The 21st Century has not been kind in terms of putting up a barrier between the soul and media scrutiny. It has not fared well in the way that some people are perceived, maybe of their own volition, maybe because they are attention seeking so and so’s who offer nothing to the world but empty vacuous doctrine and a sample of the bile to expect if their brains should ever be examined.
The fascination with celebrity has almost reached a galloping crescendo, a torrent in which is almost inescapable and it takes a brave person to put their head on the block by releasing a set of songs which will probably be dissected from pillar to post. For Stacey Solomon, Shy is that album and on the whole it is should be above some of the painful study that might come her way.
The album bounces along with sincerity and belief, it has much to offer in terms of insight and there are moments in which the performance is key to asking questions of life and time. Tracks such as Gravity, I Hope You’re Happy, My Big Mistake and The Way We Was are all enjoyable pop songs, that is the point of the genre, to make people sing, think and hopefully smile or at the very least reminisce over certain times. For that Ms. Solomon deserves the credit for looking down the barrel and offering up more of herself to the public at large.
Whilst some songs lend themselves with a natural air of authority to be covered by all and sundry, from the greats to those with perhaps less grace at adapting a treasured track, there are moments in which the listener might believe, or even understand with much truth in their hearts that it shouldn’t be the case. For anyone to really try to get to the lyrical complexity that resides in the heart of someone who has seen life through many angles, the very highs and all-time lows, to take on the attitude attributed to Johnny Cash is either brave or tripping on a line that should never be crossed.
For Stacey Solomon to give the song Walk The Line a more hippy, more upbeat version is of course completely up to her, it does though detract fully from what is otherwise an album which sits quite comfortably in the ears and drowns out the disaffection with the world for a while. Arguably, some will like the song for what it offers but if they do, then really and truly they should sit down one evening and play Johnny Cash till the speakers are red hot and the neighbours are hammering on the door, for there really is no substitute at times for an original.
That said, Shy is an album that captures the very best of Stacey Solomon, it is a set of songs that play with conviction and sincerity, nobody can claim otherwise, for to do is to look into a heart and mind of someone for whom the 21st Century has taken and put into the public arena, there is no hiding place in such times and when that genie is let loose, whatever song, whatever piece of art is played out in that sometimes hate filled arena, becomes a large branch to swipe out with. It is unfair to both artist and listener, sometimes the best thing to do is enjoy what comes along.
Ian D. Hall