The words “scraping” and “barrel” are all too obvious here. So too are “cash” and “in”.
It’s a no-brainer that Boyzone have decided to release a covers album in the run-up to Christmas; what is more puzzling is their decision to cover this collection of Motown classics in a style that is closer to karaoke than anything else.
Ronan Keating occasionally makes way for Mikey Graham on lead vocals as they tackle the likes of Tracks of My Tears, I'm Doing Fine Now and You Can't Hurry Love; but with a cheesy backing track providing the music, the vitality and soul of most of these songs are rendered flat and schmaltzy.
Cynicism placed firmly aside, a live band and some creative arrangements might have made all the difference.
