Martine McCutcheon Albums (3)
What The Critics Say
Martine McCutcheon sets her eyes on the dancefloor on her second album. Wishing largely abandons the mid-tempo balladry which pushed her debut album past platinum sales in the U.K., opting for the kind of light disco pop that the likes of Kylie Minogue and Louise excel at. Lead single "I'm Over You" is an infectious slice of empowering pop which fits McCutcheon like a glove, and it duly became her biggest hit since "Perfect Moment," sailed to number two in the U.K. charts. Unfortunately, such gems are few and far between on this album. Covers of disco classics "On the Radio" and "Together We Are Beautiful" (by Donna Summer and Fern Kinney, respectively) are well-sung but workmanlike and bring nothing to tempt listeners away from the originals. At the very least they're memorable, though. The majority of this album is bland and forgettable. McCutcheon remains a gifted singer, but her talents are wasted on this dull material. ~ John Lucas, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Martine McCutcheon's debut album arrived on a wave of public goodwill that virtually guaranteed success. Over 22 million viewers tuned in to watch the final scenes of her tragic character Tiffany Raymond-Mitchell on the hit U.K. soap Eastenders. Of course, as many a popular actor turned musician has learned the hard way, escaping the shadow of a much-loved character can be difficult. McCutcheon has a greater claim than most to a recording career though. Before her success as an actress she was in girl group Milan and lent vocals to a few dance tracks. She also has a strong, expressive voice, as befits a stage school graduate. The majority of You, Me & Us is made up of mid-tempo ballads which seem custom-made for adult contemporary radio. This sound is a good fit for McCutcheon, playing on her girl next door appeal and placing her alongside her idols Barbra Streisand and Celine Dion. Fans of those artists will certainly find much to enjoy here. Her voice soars on the chart-topping power ballad "Perfect Moment," and the mournful kitchen sink drama of "Talking in Your Sleep." Acoustic pop numbers such as "I've Got You" and "Love Me" have strong hooks, and if nothing on the record particularly excites, there's nothing which will have you reaching for the skip button either. A gutsy cover of Liza Minnelli's signature "Maybe This Time" is a fitting closer for an album which successfully buries the ghost of Tiffany Mitchell while retaining the underdog made good appeal which makes McCutcheon such a likeable performer. ~ John Lucas, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
After a successful spell treading the boards as Eliza Doolittle on London's West End, an album of classic show tunes seemed a fairly natural move for Martine McCutcheon. Ever since she first broke into the charts with Perfect Moment in 1999, she demonstrated that she was far more influenced by the likes of Liza Minnelli and Barbra Streisand than she was Madonna and Janet Jackson. There's been a glut of these kinds of albums over the last few years, from Rod Stewart and Robbie Williams to Westlife. McCutcheon clearly has a great fondness for the material here, and she has a big, expressive voice, but unfortunately the pedestrian arrangements on this album render it another dull and unsatisfying effort. Also, the choice of material ranges from predictable ("White Christmas," "There Are Worse Things I Could Do") to bizarre (Does anyone really need to hear McCutcheon's take on "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" from The Lion King?) Some bright spots save the record from being a complete waste of time. "Zing Went the Strings of My Heart" is an enjoyable romp, and a slowed-down take on "The Winner Takes It All" benefits by not attempting to recapture the magic of the original vocal, instead remodeling it as a Celine Dion-esque power ballad. But overall this is a second dud in a row from McCutcheon after the bland "Wishing." If she hopes to recapture the success of her debut, a serious rethink is in order. ~ John Lucas, All Music Guide
