Advantages: Write their own music, play their own instruments and have a variety of sounds
Disadvantages: They are 'on a break'

...A1 were formed by Steps Manager, Tim Byrne (also manages Simon Cowell’s contestants in the X Factor). Tim wanted to create the ultimate boy band. One that could sing, dance, write music and play their own instruments. The first member of the band was Paul Marazzi who was picked from auditions Tim held. Paul was the only auditionee good enough. Tim nex spotted Mark Read in the audience at a gig and asked him to go for a meeting, Mark went along and sang and became the second member of the band. Tim asked Mark if he knew of any friends who are talented and would be interested and Mark recommended the youngest member of the band Ben Adams. Last but not least Christian Inbebrigtsen was recommended by one of his teachers at the Paul McCartney Fame School (also known and LIPA). The band secured a contract with Sony which... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: To open up your eyes
Disadvantages: You don't get it do you?

...A1 - Love them or loathe them, they were once the most talented boyband to ever roam on Planet Pop. These tenor boys all had different distinct voices and this is one fact that removes the label - manufactured pop off the band because a1 were less manufactured than it meets the eye. These days, no one really bothers to look inside the music. especially if you are four guys who are all singer-songwriters, put into a band, or boyband. This unlucky fate decides that you will never get the respect of making sincere music. However, in my case, i was a sucker for ballads with good melodies. In 2000, "Everytime" by a1 was an overly played song in my local radio station. I fell in love with it, and also got the chance to find out more about the four people who wrote and sang the song. This was how i got into a1. I agree that a1... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: sing live, great music, talented
Disadvantages: always seen as a boy band

...Well, by the looks of it, all the other opinions in this section are writing off A1 as "just another boy band" but I wonder just how many of you have actually heard them sing? Now, let me clarify, I am not a teenybopper or a fan madly in love with them, I am 31. I bought their album, The A-List, for one of my daughters for Christmas and expected it to be pretty awful. It isn't, it's great. When they released their cover version of A-Ha's Take On Me, I was sceptical. I remember the original version and prefer it. I dismissed A1, assuming they were clones of hundreds of other "pretty boy" acts singing cover versions. I was wrong. I confess to regularly watching CD:UK on Saturday mornings, mainly because I think Ant and Dec are one of the best team of TV presenters there are at the moment. A1 were on there one week, singing... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Some great songs on this album
Disadvantages: they didnt release enough of them.

...As I enjoyed writing my a1 review so much yesterday I decided to do a follow up on yesterdays and take you through the next part of a1s career. For any of you who didnt read my first review to get someback ground on the group...go read it now!! Only joking I will give you another quick (But this time very quick) run through of who a1 were. They were a boyband that ran from 1998 until 2002. They consisted of 4 members from L-R on the album cover above, Mark Read, Ben Adams, Christian Ingebritsten and Paul Marrazi. Today I am going to be reviewing their second album. Well after the release of their last single from their first album like a rose, a1 werent really on the scene much but they were still working very hard recording this album. This album consists of 15 songs - The first song on this album was also the first... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A Good Second Album
Disadvantages: They split up without getting a fair recognition

...I have to say that I really rate this Album. I think that is an Excellent follow up Album to the also brilliant 'Here We Come'. For me,this album was one of those where it's just left in the CD Player and is played endlessly without getting bored of it. The Best Way to review this Album is Probably to go through each of the tracks. So I will. Track 1: TAKE ON ME. This Song went to number one in August 2000. Very popular. Upbeat version of the A-HA classic. High notes reached perfectly. This is a good Cover. 4/5. Track 2: SAME OLD BRAND NEW YOU. Another number one for the boys. This Song Was one of the best of the Year, upbeat whilst we are treated to ballads inbetween. Brilliant Dance beat. Excellent Song 5/5 Track 3: NO MORE. a1 released this hoping for much higher than a number 6, which is the chart place it got... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Pop fans will like this song
Disadvantages: Talentless, un-original, waste of space

...It is about time that no more of this type of boyband rubbish is allowed to pollute the nation's airwaves. How much longer can we take this bland and boring music that is beginning to dominate the musical charts and strangle the hopes of inventive and original bands? However,A1 have left behind pathetic cover versions that got them to the top of the charts and turned to a record that has not previously been released. But don't get too excited! They have imitated the sound of The Backstreet Boys and created a song that contains the usual boy band cheesy lyrics and keyboard undertone. No More is a catchy, upbeat pop song but is nothing original and just makes me wonder about the state of the music industry these days. I suspect though, that this single will do well because it is perfect for teenyboppers who are happy with listening... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A very strong and timeless track.
Disadvantages: Ben singing like he'd been kicked where it hurts, cheesy.

...Although Take On Me gave a1 their first UK number one, it also lowered them considerably in most people's views to 'just another boyband who can't write their own material.' All boybands go through the same thing whenever they release a cover. It doesn't matter how good the cover is, it's not their's, so they must be talentless crap. But that's not what I'm here to talk about. E