:: Ricki-Lee - The Singles Album

Ricki-Lee

If you thought no one would release an album of already released singles…think again because that's exactly what Australian Idol starlet Ricki-Lee Coulter has done. In a effort to save face, management was wise enough not to name the album a greatest hits, obviously because that would have resulted in a very short album, so they called it The Singles Album instead. Strangely this album still stinks of a scam. Why would die-hard fans buy this new CD if they already have Ricki-Lee's other two albums? Sure there are nine remixed tracks of the same songs included as a bonus disc in the package and a collection of all her video clips, but that's not enough to justify anyone buying this. But putting aside her reasons for release, The Singles Album does have two, out of fifteen, never heard before tracks. Inspired perhaps by her love of The Wizard of Oz, Ricki-Lee has decided to sing her own rendition of “Over The Rainbow”. As if it wasn't bad enough that she's filling an album with already released songs and remixes, she decides to rip-off what is truly a classic tune. Unfortunately, while she really has a lovely voice, she can't compete with a sixteen-year-old Judy Garland. “Over The Rainbow” is just one of those songs that can never be successful reproduced regardless of how good a singer you are. Then there's “Wiggle It”. Released in late September, the track's melody and chorus are surprising familiar. Maybe it was used in an ad on TV or perhaps a song by 90's due 2 In A Room? Ok , so this song has also already been heard before, but Ricki-Lee has added her own opening, R&B beat and some impressive rapping by Aussie urban artist Samir, who is by far the best bit. Despite this, the track is quite catchy. It's fun and you can feel yourself bopping along to the beat. Not to mention that “Wiggle It” has ended up being as big a hit for Ricki-Lee as it was for 2 In A Room back in 1990. Uncanny right?

The last nine tracks on The Singles Album are remixes of the first nine tracks on the CD, which explains why the album has so many songs. After recently signing with the illustrious Ministry of Sound, Ricki-Lee's remixes have been produced by some really big names including Cabin Crew and Soulders of Fortune. Great for the dance floor, these tracks aren't going to win Coulter any new fans. If you like her songs in their original format then you're going to love them in remix. If not…then this album is definitely not for you. Overall, The Singles Album feels like a moneymaking scheme conveniently released around Christmas time to maximise sales. Ricki-Lee simply hasn't been singing for long enough to justify a greatest hits album. There's no doubt that she's an incredibly talented Australian artist but she can do so much better than release an album which rehashes all her past successes. Die-hard fans into dance music would probably enjoy the album simply for the remixes and video clips. But for the rest us, The Singles Album is like a ten-year-old writing an autobiography. Maybe in another thirty-years Ricki-Lee.