Texas - Careful What You Wish for

List Price: $27.99
Our Price: $4.27
You Save: $23.72 (85%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $4.26 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more new music releases

Music CD Cover

Free Music Notes for Careful What You Wish for

Free Music Review: Fresh, Outrageous And Unpredictable - Texas In A Nutshell
Hit: 5 Stars

The fall of 2003 saw the release of "Careful What You Wish For," the latest album from Texas. Frontwoman Sharleen Spiteri had just given birth to her first child last year and for once, the focus wasn't just on the music. Nevertheless, the band made a fantastic comeback with this new album which is just superb. For me this album is their second greatest album so far after the genius White On Blonde, proving that the band has true staying power. On this album Texas trade in the soul-influences from The Hush for a throwback to their mid-90's popular soft rock style, mixed with more up to date themes such as New Wave.

"Telephone X" opens the album in grand style. A telephone rings and then the beat kicks in and Sharleen begins singing as if singing down a telephone. It's hard to tell, but you can if you listen close enough. The guitars are loud and proud here as Sharleen lives life to the full in this feel-good pop classic - a superb way to open such a fantastic album. "Broken" is definitely one of the best songs on here, and one of Texas' best songs ever. The chimes of "Summer Son" are particularly evident here, but they're more rounded and anthemic. The chorus here is just classic and hits you like a thunderbolt with Sharleen singing "So tonight!" You can really sing along and just let go - album highlight! "Carnival Girl" was the first single to be taken from this album back in October 2003. Many people didn't like it, but I just adore it. I love the way Sharleen's vocals contrast with those of Kardinal Offishall's and it's something new. Once again, Texas are fearless to experiment which makes them interesting, always fresh and never dull. "I'll See It Through" was the second single to be taken from the album in December 2003. This is one of Texas' most powerful ballads ever. It doesn't quite reach the epic scale of "Put Your Arms Around Me," but it's still superb and was viscously denied a UK Top 30 entry.

"Where Did You Sleep?" is a mysterious and almost spooky rock anthem. Sharleen's voice is quiet and calm in the verses as a creepy beat tingles in the background, then the choruses hit in and just sound like a bomb crashing - loud guitars, heavy drums and angry vocals. "And I Dream" starts off with an incredible dance beat and would fit perfectly on Madonna's "Ray Of Light." The electronic twist is a new take for Texas and here it works exceptionally well. Sharleen's first vocals are practically Goddess-like in their powerful, booming quality. The beat is deep, mysterious and dark - exploding and diving all over the set. Brilliant song. The album's title track, "Careful What You Wish For," is another brilliant slice of pop rock perfection with some noticeable Blondie influences! Sharleen's classy vocals completely transform for the chorus, raising an octave completely. "Big Sleep" is possibly the album's disappointment, but then again, it isn't half bad. This is a bittersweet and short country-tinged ballad with an acoustic guitar. Sharleen's vocals seem old and dated in that brilliantly worn and tired way. A great song to doze off to.

"Under Your Skin" carries the Blondie influence even further and sounds like a track that should have been on their recent comeback album, "The Curse Of Blondie." The driving force from the beginning totally makes the song and Sharleen's lovestruck vocals enhance this. "Carousel Dub (Featuring Suncycle)" is a continuation from Carnival Girl from earlier on in the album. This is a worthy remix with a great rap, Sharleen's muffled vocals in the background chanting "Carnival girl!" and it's only two minutes long so it moves swiftly into the next song, "Place In My World (Featuring Dolomite)." When I first heard this song I was completely shocked! Was this Texas? Complete with cheesy disco bleeps and an Uber-gay beat and vocals?! Yes, and after a while, I started to like it! The song has a really cool opening with Dolomite chanting something inspirational about your life and doing what you want to do. This is shiny, classy disco pop with a somewhat dated sound that actually works very well. "Another Day" close the album in grand style, just as the opening track did. I wasn't too keen on this track at first, but it definitely grew on me since I last listened. The high-pitched chanting in the background of "Hurry up and lets begin!" at each chorus is the thing that stands out the most, and with good reason: it's catchy as heck!

OVERALL GRADE: 10/10

With Careful What You Wish For, Texas has proved even myself wrong. I was sceptical about purchasing this album for some reasons that I cannot fathom. All I knew is that I wasn't too keen on making a purchase, but then I just gave in and bought it - I haven't looked back since! This is truly one of 2003's greatest albums, and definitely an underrated future classic (it only peaked at No.5 in the UK and spent just a few weeks in the Top 40). I'm placing this album as my second favourite Texas album to date, behind White On Blonde - it couldn't quite top that masterpiece, and I'm pretty sure that nothing they release in the future will. Then again, Texas are an ever-unpredictable band so I have no clue to what the future holds! I'll be more than eager to find out though.

Careful What You Wish for Poster

Alternative Rock Music CDs

• Music > Styles
• Pop
• R&B
• Rock