All Saints | ||||
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Studio album by All Saints | ||||
Released | 24 November 1997 | |||
Recorded | 1997; Metropolis Studios | |||
Genre | R&B, pop, soul, pop rock, quiet storm, adult contemporary, UK garage, electronic | |||
Length | 60:45 | |||
Label | London Records | |||
Producer |
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All Saints chronology | ||||
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Singles from All Saints | ||||
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All Saints is the debut studio album by British girl band All Saints. It was released on 24 November 1997 by London Records. All Saints worked with several producers on the album; mainly Cameron McVey, John Benson, Johnny Douglas, Karl "K-Gee" Gordon, Magnus Fiennes, Nellee Hooper, Karen Gibbs and Neville Henry. Musically, the album drew inspiration from electronic, hip hop, R&B, swing, synthpop, trip hop and UK garage music.
Upon its release, the album received mixed reviews from music critics, many critics praised the choice of singles and the group's musical direction. The album spawned three number-one singles in the United Kingdom: "Never Ever", the double A-side "Under the Bridge" and "Lady Marmalade", and "Bootie Call", as well as "I Know Where It's At" (#4) and "War of Nerves" (#7).
All Saints received mixed reviews from music critics. Many critics praised the choice of singles and the group's musical direction, while some didn't enjoy the music direction and felt they lacked personality. Nick Butler from Sputnikmusic gave it a mixed review, awarding it two-and-a-half stars out of five. He felt that the musical direction and sound "hasn't aged well" but praised the group's creativity, where the group were more pleasurable than their all girl group rivals Spice Girls, as he stated they were "considered the credible alternative to the Spice Girls." But due to comparisons with the Spice Girls, he stated "I still enjoy the singles a lot when I hear them, but if there was ever a war between the two groups, All Saints lost it."