Over the eight (yes, eight!) series of The X Factor, you will be lucky if you can name over eight acts who are still popular and relevant now. Each Olly Murs or JLS brings you a Steve Brookstein or Journey South and it took me around five minutes just to remember the name of the winner's of last year's series. Little Mix, if you too were struggling.
However, one of the more memorable contestants of last year wasn't as easy to forget. The cheeky scouser, Marcus Collins, is the first of 2011's contestants to release an album, the self-titled 'Marcus Collins'. A positive person would argue that he is first because he has the act Sony has the most faith in, a cynic would argue it was released in time to coincide with the lucrative Mother's Day market.
But whether you're positive or cynical is irrelevant, it is all about the music featured on the album that will inevitably make or break him. First track and lead single was a cover of The White Stripe's 'Seven Nation Army', a very brave choice considering indie fan's general view of The X Factor. The song has been turned into a pop jazz track which kicks-off the album fantastically. Perhaps one of the catchiest pop songs of the year so far. There is always room for cover versions in music if it isn't just a karaoke style mess, and this rendition is far from that.
The next song on the album, 'Love and Hate', continues the feel and if you aren't tapping your feet by the end of it, then I would suggest that you take a long hard look at yourself. The next track 'Innocence' is another fun way to spend three minutes and as co-writer, Marcus proves that if he does follow the path of Steve Brookstein, there is every chance he will stick around as a leading writer.
'Mercy', the fifth track on the album, is an obvious highlight with more of the jazz style pop that made Seven Nation Army so catchy. The lyrics are also the finest on the whole album. The cover of 'Higher and Higher' feels slightly irrelevant and there doesn't seem to be any need for it. The final cover, a version of the under-rated Janelle Monoe's 'Tightrope', is more relevant and does fit in with the rest of the album, however, it is arguably one of the weakest tracks.
The final three tracks work well but don't live up to the fantastic highlights of 'Seven Nation Army' and 'Mercy'. Gary Barlow penned 'Feel Like I Feel' and it is perfect for the style and voice of Marcus.
As a debut offering, there is a lot to suggest that Marcus will stick around for a while, however, it doesn't quite leave you wanting more. The songs written by Marcus, especially 'Mercy', show that there wasn't even any need to have a cover version as the lead single but I suppose it just wouldn't be an X Factor alumni debut album without a cover or two thrown in.
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However, one of the more memorable contestants of last year wasn't as easy to forget. The cheeky scouser, Marcus Collins, is the first of 2011's contestants to release an album, the self-titled 'Marcus Collins'. A positive person would argue that he is first because he has the act Sony has the most faith in, a cynic would argue it was released in time to coincide with the lucrative Mother's Day market.
