Brian McFadden of Westlife goes solo

Despite the group’s huge success, Robbie Williams left Take That to go solo. Geri Halliwell also left the Spice Girls while its popularity was at an all-time high. So did Justin Timberlake with ‘N Sync. So what was to stop Brian McFadden from leaving Westlife? Nothing. So the boy from Dublin known as the group’s chief heartthrob did just that. News items from last year said Brian was quitting the group to spend more time with his family and hopefully save his marriage. Nice.

Less than a year later though there was Brian promoting the release of his first solo effort, Irish Son. Judging from the high quality of the contents of the album, it probably took at least a year to produce. This can only mean Brian was already preparing to leave the boy group a long time before the announcement came along. Nothing wrong with that. But take note, there are always risks involved in such a drastic move.

Williams took it and won. He is now the biggest music star in the UK. Geri didn’t and the most popular Spice Girl now is Victoria Beckham because she is married to football star David. Timberlake also won in a big way and I still remember the amazement I felt listening to his solo album Justified. The guy is good. In the case of these ex-group members though, it later became clear they were important members without whom the group will disintegrate. Which was what soon happened to Take That, Spice Girls and ‘N Sync.

This however is not the case with Westlife. Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Nicky Byrne and Shane Filan have released the wonderful Allow Us to be Frank album to great sales and reviews. They introduced their swooning fans to the crooner music of the ‘50s and ‘60s and in the process also impressed older generations with their versions of Smile, The Way You Look Tonight, I Left My Heart in San Francisco and other old favorites. They certainly proved they have a life together as Westlife even without McFadden.

There is no question that Brian has what it takes to make it big on his own. Irish Son is no pop tornado like Justified but it must have been produced with so much love for his Irish heritage country and joy in having the chance to create the music he wants. He is so elated that he is at last free from the confines of being part of a group that he decides to get truly personal and co-wrote every cut in the album.

With arrangements that vary from arena rock Walking Disaster to the lyrical cello and violin of Sorry Love Daddy, Brian takes the listener to a trip to his conflicted childhood with the first hit single Real to Me. He tackles his Catholic upbringing in Irish Son, domestic violence in Walking into Walls and laments the breakup of his marriage in the poignant Sorry Love Daddy.

The whole package is a mix of Brian’s Irish heart, that has so much to give and of his poetic soul painfully laid bare. Then, there is the astute musician who knows what he wants and is not scared to show it. As a result, Irish Son is indeed different from any Robbie or the also Irish ex-Boyzone Ronan Keating has done. It is a risky move but I am glad Brian took them.

Brit Music Awards

Some news from the UK. In commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Brit Music Awards, the public was asked to vote on what they believe is the Best Song of the past 25 years. The winner is Angel, the soulful ballad by Robbie Williams that was one of the biggest hits of 1997.

Other winners in the British version of the Grammys were:
British Breakthrough Act: Keane
British Rock Act: Franz Ferdinand
British Live Act: Muse
British Single: Your Game by Will Young
British Pop Act: McFly
British Male Solo Artist: The Streets
British Female Solo Artist: Joss Stone
British Urban Act: Joss Stone
British Group: Franz Ferdinand
British Album: Hopes and Fears by Keane
International Breakthrough Act: Scissor Sisters
International Female Solo Artist: Gwen Stefani
International Male Solo Artist: Eminem
International Group: Scissor Sisters
International Album: Scissor Sisters by the Scissor Sisters
Outstanding Contribution to the Field of Music: Sir Bob Geldof.