Atomic Kitten Album: “Greatest Hits”

I was devastated when Atomic Kitten split up. They were one of my favourite bands, and I met them literally two months before their split was announced. It was out of the blue and I was shocked they were going. Natasha wanted to take some time out to spend with her son Josh, and Jenny and Lil decided to end it instead of carrying on. This CD was brought out in April, along with a DVD. This album is brilliant, but rushed. If they had more time to make it, maybe they would have put on extras like fan favourite songs, and unreleased tracks.

Still, it is the ultimate collection of their singles! Track rundown:

1. Whole Again (5/5)

This is the song that defines the Kittens. Their breakthrough massive hit. You ask somebody what song they think of when they hear the words 'Atomic Kitten', and I bet they will say 'Whole Again'. This song was absolutely massive in the UK, hitting No.1 and staying there for four weeks. It is a fantastic ballad with some great lyrics. Jenny is great on the spoken middle eight.

2. Ladies Night (5/5)

I don't know why this is second on the album, as it isn't one of the Kittens' biggest hits, only reaching No.8. But anyway, is is a FANTASTIC song. One of the girls' best singles. It never gets tiring! It's a cover of Kool & The Gangs' hit, and they appear on it at the end. This is really catchy with great vocals from all three girls. This is still ace even after repeated plays. One of the best songs on the CD.

3. Tide Is High (5/5)

This is another song that never gets boring! This was another No.1 hit for the girls in 2002, staying on top for three weeks. This song was even No.1 the same time as the Feels So Good album was No.1 in the album charts! This is a cover of the Blondie song, and it's sooooo ace. It's really catchy and much better then the original. Another of my favourites.

4. It's Ok (4/5)

This song is good, but gets boring if you listen to it too much. It was the first song taken off the Feels So Good album, reaching No.3 in 2002. Tash is on lead vocals and she does a superb job, but this song does get bland after too many listens.

5. Be With U (5/5)

This was the b-side to The Last Goodbye (which is farther down the tracklisting) in 2002. It's an ace dance track, with glittery music and a great sing along chorus. Lil shines on this track, taking lead vocals. Tash does good on her two verses and Jenny is wicked on backing vocals. Very ace.

6. If U Come To Me (5/5)

I seem to be the only person on earth who really loves this song. Everybody else is like 'this song sucks - not one of the Kittens' better songs' but I'm like 'I LOVE IT'. It was the girls' comeback song in 2003 (the first off the Ladies Night album) - it hit No.2! It's sooooo catchy, with a great chorus and great vocals from all the girls. For some reason it is the only song Amazon doesn't have a clip of...

7. Eternal Flame (5/5)

The final cover song on the album, this is from the Right Now album, and is the last of three No.1's for the girls. It went No.1 in 2001, and stayed there for two weeks. It stays faithful to the Bangles original, and Tash is fabulous on lead vocals. This is one of the Kittens' best ballads!

8. Love Doesn't Have To Hurt (5/5)

I absolutely love this song! It's one of my favourite Kitten songs ever! It's another song everybody else seemed to hate, but I love. I used to hate it, but then last year I just fell in love with it. It's an amazing love song, with fantastic lyrics and vocals from all three girls. Jenny shines on the first verse and Tash does good on the chorus and middle eight. This version is wayyyy better then the version on the Feels So Good album, and it hit No.4 when released (which is pretty good considering it was the 4th single released off the album).

9. Last Goodbye (5/5)

The companion to Be With You, this is ace. Together, they hit No.2 at the end of 2002. This is a ballad song, and it was my favourite Kitten song for ages. I don't love it as much as I used to, but it's still wicked. The radio edit is much better then the album version.

10. Right Now 2004 (4/5)

Just to clarify, this is NOT the original version released in 1999, this is the re-recorded version done in 2004, with Jenny's vocals. I don't know which version is better because I don't particually like Right Now anyway. But this is quite catchy and it feels more like a proper Kitten song with Jenny's vocals (the original version hit No.10 when released, the 2004 version was a b-side to Someone Like Me, see below).

11. See Ya (4/5)

I've never liked this song. It was the girls' best charting single with Kerry in the group, reaching No.6. Lil is on lead vocals and she does a fab job, but there is something missing from this song. I don't know what, though.

12. I Want Your Love (5/5)

This song is very funky! It hit No.10 when released (with Kerry), but deserved way higher. It's sooooo catchy, the chorus is ace with it's 'Boom!'s. The best track released with Kerry.

13. You Are (5/5)

This song was supposed to be released in 2001 as the last song off the Right Now album, but it got shelved in favour of new material. It got released here in NZ, reaching the top ten and hanging about for ages. It's a great catchy song, more upbeat then Whole Again or Eternal Flame. You'll get it stuck in your head.

14. Cradle (5/5)

This song was put on the album instead of 4th single Follow Me (which only reached No.20). Cradle was a hit in Asia, going top ten I think. It's an amazing ballad, and in my opinion should have been released in Europe. I'm glad it's on this album!

15. Someone Like Me (5/5)

Closing the album is the last single released by the Kittens. Teamed with Right Now 2004, the single reached a disappointing No.8, it should have been MUCH higher - top 3 maybe. But this is a much better version then the one on Ladies Night, all the girls get a verse to sing. The song is really short, but amazing. A great closer to the album.

Top 5 songs:

01. Love Doesn't Have To Hurt

02. Ladies Night

03. Tide Is High

04. If You Come To Me

05. Be With You

That was really hard, because I love nearly all the tracks.

Atomic Kitten have had an amazing career with all their singles going top ten apart from one. They have had three number one singles and two number one albums. It doesn't get any better then that. Atomic Kitten were one of Britain's best girl bands, and one of my favourite bands for ages. They were lovely when I met them, and their music is amazing. Long live the memory of the Kittens, and let's hope they return one day!