Alexandra Burke - Overcome

[Wayne]

Anyone else dying to hear this? :o I loved her! And her leaked track (can't remember its name at the moment :oops: ) was brilliant!

On set of the Albumshoot:

http://www.alexandraburkeofficial.com/images/photos/IMG_3466_medium.jpg

According to this (http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=1097905), her debut has been pre-ordered 357,000 times (over 200,000 times at HMV alone) which means that its already Platinum. This will have an amazing first week, I can feel it! :shock:

[crazycool]

My favourite X Factor contestant ever, I'm über-excited for this album.

I just know she won't dissapoint... I'm already predicting it will be one of my favourites of 2009.

[James]

I can't wait for this album. I think she has an edge and attitude that maybe Leona lacked. Think she will go down a storm in the US. I can imagine her singing a hook on some cool hip hop track at some point.

[Wayne]

PunchbowlBlog can exclusively reveal that X Factor 2008 winner, Alexandra Burke’s new single will be called “Bad Boys”.

We were played the new track a few days ago and we smell a smash hit!

The video being shot in L.A. at the end of the month.

It will be directed by either Jake Nava or Joseph Khan, both highly prestigious video promo directors in their field.

It looks like her record label are pulling out all the stops to ensure Alexandra follows the huge success of label mate, Leona Lewis.

The track is due to be released in October - so expect a high profile X Factor performance later this year.

“Bad Boys” is an uptempo, big beat R&B / Pop number with the catchy chorus – “Bad Boys catch my eye….” Definitely one for the ladies.

Her husky vocals are reminiscent of Toni Braxton and the song itself is similar to a Christina Aguilera sound.

Check back soon on PunchBowlBlog for the track itself…

[James]

That sounds good, glad she is getting the proper attention.

Although I do get a little peeved when people compare to Toni Braxton, I don't think there is or wil be a human alive again that sounds like Toni Braxton.

but good for Alex, I think she has everything she needs to do really well.

[Wayne]

GQ Awards: Designers fighting over to kit out Alexandra Burke in couture
By 3am 9/09/2009

http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m4/sep2009/9/2/alexandra-burke-with-clemmie-821558698.jpg

Alexandra Burke has had designers fighting to kit her out in couture dresses for the GQ Awards.

Her feet have also been taken care of - she has been passing notes back and forth with Louboutin and yesterday they sent her a studded bag and matching shoes.

Nice!

http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/200 ... -21658819/ (http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2009/09/09/gq-awards-designers-fighting-over-to-kit-out-alexandra-burke-in-couture-115875-21658819/)

[Amy.]

I can't wait for this. I hope it becomes huge and that the material is excellent.

Alexandra is my favourite X Factor winner

[britneyfan09]

Hope this is good. I'm not expecting much but I'm still interested to see what she does.

[crazycool]

I can't wait for this. I hope it becomes huge and that the material is excellent.

Alexandra is my favourite X Factor winner

Seconded.

[Wayne]

Official cover:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51lk-La-pxL._SS500_.jpg

[crazycool]

Cover + title are nice enough.

[simonf]

Its alright, but I was hoping for something else. Its like they've used the same pic for single, album etc. But still, the quality of the album is far more important. I still think Leona will whip her arse though (in sales i mean, not literally) :P

[Amy.]

Cover isn't great. the photo is stunning but the white makes it kinda bland

[Neil]

Cover would have been better if we hadn't seen the photoshoot already! But I do like it a lot :)

[Wayne]

Thanks IAmWill

More new promo pics:

http://www.alexandra-burke.us/photos/albums/PHOTOSHOOTS/Bad%20Boys%20Promos/normal_07.jpg

http://www.alexandra-burke.us/photos/albums/PHOTOSHOOTS/Bad%20Boys%20Promos/08.jpg

[Amy.]

^^^ I don't like those photos

I lovvvve this new one though: :grinlove:

http://www.flavourmag.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Alexandra_Burke_flavour_magazine_2.jpg

[Wayne]

From DigitalSpy:

Alexandra Burke is reportedly in talks to support Beyoncé on the European leg of her 'I Am' world tour.

The X Factor winner, who releases new single 'Bad Boys' on October 12, is allegedly planning to join Beyoncé for the 11 dates across the UK and Ireland.

"I can't confirm anything yet. But I'm hoping to be on the European leg of Beyoncé's tour," she told Flavour.

"She's a great support and a great friend and she's still my mentor in a way because everytime I've got a problem, I'm ringing her and she's the one who advises me."

The singer revealed that she formed a close friendship with Beyoncé while recording her debut album in the US.

"In the studio in New York I was singing and opening my eyes and my girl Beyoncé was standing there," she said.

"I went to cuddle her and cried. She said, 'You can't cry - we're friends now' and I cried some more. I was like, 'You can't tell me things like that. You're Beyoncé'."

[Amy.]

Only 3 weeks until it's released. :mrgreen:

I'm refraining from listening when it leaks.

[Wayne]

A demo by Brandy & Ne-Yo called Goodnight Good Morning (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0li4oiJelBE) has leaked. Could it be the same track?

Thanks jf32!

[Wayne]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Overcome/dp/B00 ... 4&sr=301-3 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Overcome/dp/B002QY71WS/ref=sr_shvl_album_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1254310094&sr=301-3)

SNIPPETS! :D Some of these sound absolutely brilliant! Bury Me! OMG <3

[Amy.]

I don't wanna listen but I am SOOO tempted :?

[Amy.]

Okay I listened.

Its a VERY solid album. I love Dumb, The Silence, Broken Heels and Overcome but my fave is All Night Long :grinlove:

[Wayne]

Ne-Yo's demo of Nothing But The Girl has leaked. It's produced by Stargate.

[Wayne]

Ne-Yo's demo of Nothing But The Girl has leaked. It's produced by Stargate.

Here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMO6LaR8Xi8)

[James]

i heard the demo of Goodnight Goodmorning with Neyo last night, it's pretty good however Brandy is on the demo and sounds better than Alexandra.....to me anyway

[Wayne]

Thanks IAmWill

More new pics of Alex

http://www.alexandra-burke.us/photos/albums/PHOTOSHOOTS/Labica%20Dulermo/normal_01.jpg

http://www.alexandra-burke.us/photos/albums/PHOTOSHOOTS/Labica%20Dulermo/02.jpg

http://www.alexandra-burke.us/photos/albums/PHOTOSHOOTS/Labica%20Dulermo/normal_03.jpg

[Amy.]

^^ Those new pics are AWFUL :?

[James]

^^ Those new pics are AWFUL :?

agreed

[Wayne]

Someone said she's not photogenic at all, but I disagree. She does have a lot of bad pics, but she's just photographed in some awful positions or making awful expressions! I love pic 2

[Wayne]

A great review from www.eli.com (http://www.eli.com)

ALEXANDRA BURKE Overcome (2009 UK 13-track CD album - With a wilfully mischievous glint in her eye, Alexandra Burke is sitting on one of the hottest pop debuts of the decade. From the rumbling first bars of her sci-fi disco stormer single 'Bad Boys', to the Red One fashioned dancehall groove of 'Dumb', Alexandra's A-list produced debut album is a party monster of a record, poised to knock the socks off even the most cynical pop enthusiast. Recorded over six months, 'Overcome' is a collection of club smashes ['All Night', 'Dumb', 'Broken Heals'] peppered with astonishingly soul-bearing slow jams ['Silence', 'Perfect']. Created with the help of perhaps the industries most in demand production houses [Roc Nation and Jay-Z, The Phantom Boyz, Red One, Stargate and The Freemasons], the album is a sonic manifestation of Alexandra's ballsy personality, with the lady herself describing the collection as 'a beast'. Includes the Bonus Recording 'Hallelujah').
[released 19 October 2009]

[crazycool]

Fingers crossed my copy arrives tomorrow! :D So excited to hear this.

Ps. can someone edit the title to "Overcome". :oops:

[Wayne]

Link is in you know where! ;) Guests need to register :P

[Wayne]

Here is my first review (quite short):

Actually quite disappointed on first listen. I think some of the songs are utter tosh, whereas some of the songs are actually really good (more of the former though). The album sounded SO much better from the clips *sigh* I hate when this happens!!! I'd love to be able to call this album a grower, but I honestly don't think I'll listen to the entire thing again :oops:

One really huge point that annoys the hell out of me is that I really wanted this album to be a mixture of both divine balladry and up-tempo smashes - she was at her best when she was doing the balladry IMO. We don't get that - we get too many up-tempos, and not enough slower songs!! BTW, I generally really don't like mid-tempo music, and some of her songs seem to straddle that divide.

The Silence has an outstanding vocal BTW and lived up to every expectation. Bury Me (6 Feet Under is probably one of my favourite tracks on the album too

All in all, I'd award this with a 5-5.5/10 upon first listen!

[James]

I haven't listened to it but I already know it won't be as good as people expected. I don't know why.

The fact that she is using tracks that Brandy has rejected isn't a good sign considering Brandy has no label and Alexandra has the strongest music team in the world behind her.

AND coupled with the fact that Bad Boys has began to sound like a mix of a Javine song mixed with a Jamelia song mixed with a Eurovision entry song :crazy:

I knew she wouldn't go the ballad route.... she would be compared to Leona and to be fair..... she would lose. Leona kicks her ass on ballads.

[Wayne]

So I've been listening to this on and off all day long, and these are the most played songs on my iTUNES:

1. Bury Me (6 Feet Under)
2. Broken Heels
3. The Silence
4. Gotta Go
5. You Broke My Heart
6. Dumb

The album track version of Bad Boys & the song featuring Ne Yo have not received one play yet! :P Well not full play anyway. Broken Heels is SO cute!

[Lophorina]

i love only 4 songs !!!!

rest out ...and has EP :rofl:

[Neil]

rest out ...and has EP :rofl:

I don't even know what that means.

1) Bad Boys - Great intro to the album. Upbeat and energetic, and an excellent choice for the first single. Does a great job of capturing Alexandra's vocals & personality. Should break the US market without a problem as well. 9/10
2) Good Night Good Morning - Took a few listens for me to appreciate. I don't think I would like it as much if Ne-Yo weren't included. I think there will be some excellent dance remixes of this if it ever makes a single. I assume this was the song Alex tweeted about; saying how much she loved Stargate. 8/10
3) The Silence - Reminds me of a variety of 90's ballads. Although I can't really name any off the top of my head. 8/10
4) All Night Long - I LOVE THE RUNAWAYS :grinlove: Some of my favourite writers/producers. 9/10
5) Bury Me (6 Feet Under) - I don't get it. It's nice enough, but it doesn't fit in. B-side material IMO. 6/10
6) Broken Heels - REMINDS ME OF SOMETHING SO MUCH. Just can't put my finger on it. Needless to say, I LOVE IT. 10/10
7) Dumb - I think this had 'radio smash' all over it? 10/10
8) Overcome - Seems like the producers just copies their previous work from Kelly Clarkson's "Anytime". Still, despite the lack of originality, I do love it. Should be the (only) ballad single from the album. 9/10
9) Gotta Go - I feel like the song never really builds up to anything? Probably my least favourite. 5/10
10) You Broke My Heart - REALLY LOVE IT. Total *singing into a hairbrush looking in the mirror moment*. Great album track, but I think it is diverse enough to be a great single as well. 9/10
11) Nothing But The Girl - Again, sounds like a throwback to the 90's. This time sort of disco style. LOVE IT. 9/10
12) They Don't Know - Beautiful song. I love the lyrics. I don't like the way it fades out though, I feel like it's missing the end of the song. 7/10
13) Hallelujah - Reminds me of Christmas. 10/10 During the festive season, 7/10 any time else!
14) It's Over - Why was this only a bonus track!? Lately I find myself loving the bonus tracks more than the other album tracks. 10/10

Overall - 8.5/10

[Wayne]

Not bad, not bad! ;)

I COMPLETELY disagree with your review for track 5 though.

[Lophorina]

Bad Boys , The Silence, Broken Heels at single....

other songs... out ... :(

[MrFreddy]

This album is awesome. I was never interested in Alex, but thought I should give this album a listen because I liked 'Bad Boys'. She's made such a strong debut!

Bad Boys 9/10
Good Night Good Morning 9,5/10
The Silence 9,5/10
All Night Long 9/10
Bury Me (6 Feet Under) 7/10
Broken Heels 8,5/10
Dumb 10/10
Overcome 9/10
Gotta Go 8,5/10
You Broke My Heart 6,5/10
Nothing But The Girl 8,5/10
They Don't Know 7/10
Hallelujah 9/10
It's Over 9/10

[crazycool]

Such a strong album! Very varied and consistent, and vocally a masterpiece! It has to be said, her vocals are out of this world.

[Wayne]

^ YES! I've done a complete U Turn and think the album rocks. The Silence is incredible

[Amy.]

Album is bloody amazing, So many amazing songs. A lot of variety and strobg tracks.

All Night Long <3
Dumb
The Silence
Broken Heels

are my faves

[Wayne]

So I've been listening to this on and off all day long, and these are the most played songs on my iTUNES:

1. Bury Me (6 Feet Under)
2. Broken Heels
3. The Silence
4. Gotta Go
5. You Broke My Heart
6. Dumb

That was last week. So far, this week:

My most played tracks are now:

01. Bury Me (6 Feet Under)
02. The Silence
03. Broken Heels
04. All Night Long
05. Dumb
06. Gotta Go
07. You Broke My Heart
08. Nothing But The Girl
09. They Don't Know
10. Hallelujah

So my top 6 appear to be the same! They are for me THE 6 standouts (+ Bad Boys). I think the album is SUCH a great debut effort. The only one that I don't overly like is the one feat. Neyo

[crazycool]

Adore this album so much.
Can't pick a favourite!

[Wayne]

DAILY STAR:

Alexandra Burke: 'Overcome'
Released on Monday, October 19 2009

By Nick Levine, Music Editor

How many up-and-coming popstars thank Beyoncé, Dolce & Gabbana and the celebrity editor of The Sun in their liner notes? How many get to collaborate with Ne-Yo and Flo Rida after releasing one single? And how many are so laden with choice material from the likes of RedOne and Stargate that Xenomania and Neptunes productions don't make it onto their debut album? It's not hard to work out what's going on here. With reigning X Factor champ Alexandra Burke, Simon Cowell reckons he can pull a Leona.

That is, in terms of making the garrulous Londoner an international pop sensation - not in terms of Burke's musical remit. Overcome does feature a couple of Leona-ish power ballads, 'The Silence' and the title track, and there's a stripped back number designed to show off her vocals at the end, but the real meat lies in its uptempo cuts. Trailer single and current UK No.1 'Bad Boys', an electro-R&B stomper with a heroically catchy chorus, is very much a preview of forthcoming attractions.

Impressively, these uptempo cuts tend to be more memorable than those their overworked producers give to other artists. RedOne's 'Dumb' has verses that recall Ace of Base, a tempo change that could raise the dead and a furious, almost Cascada-ish chorus. 'All Night Long', written and produced by Louis 'Battlefield' Biancaniello, refuses to settle for one chorus when it can have two. Even samey old Stargate pull their fingers out, giving 'Nothing But The Girl' an appealing technopop throb and 'Good Night and Good Morning' loads of drum & bassy beats.

In fact, these quality pop bangers are so satisfying that the album's pair of retro moments - a Pixie Lott offcut called 'You Broke My Heart' and the Winehouse-lite 'Bury Me (6 Feet Under)' do rather smack of bets being hedged. Then again, you can't blame Cowell for wanting to offset the risk of his investment, just as you can't deny that both songs have pretty decent choruses.

And Alexandra (girl) herself? Well, she's not required to show much individuality - unlike Leona, she bags no writing credits first time out - but she certainly makes a favourable first impression. She carries off everything from sassy ('Broken Heels') to saddened ('They Don't Know'), has more fun with a RedOne shout-out than any other artist, and gives 'The Silence' the mighty vocal performance it deserves. The result isn't just the best X Factor album yet, but a cracking pop record by anyone's standards.

4/5 stars

[crazycool]

^ Great review.

Listening to the album for like the 4th time again today already... just amazing.

[Amy.]

The sales aren't supposed to be very good :(

[crazycool]

The sales aren't supposed to be very good :(

First week sales aren't overwhelming, but I really think this will have great longevity and postive sales in the long run.

[Amy.]

Yeah I hope so.

I really want the album to have longetivity.

[djdiva]

On a few listens, I just love "The Silence" (absolute fav), "It's Over", "Bury Me" and "Hallelujah". The other songs sounds kinda cheap to me :? I think I just need to give the album another good listen to really comment on it completely.

[crazycool]

I won a competition and got signed copy of Overcome today!!
YAYYY :) Alexandra <3

[Wayne]

That's amazing! Well done Simon!

I still love this record by the way. I'd love for The Silence to be released. This girl has some raw vocals!

[crazycool]

^ Thanks :) so glad I got it!

And I think The Silence is the next single Wayne!

[Wayne]

Eep! That's AMAZING news. I envisage some awesome lives, i.e. the Paul O Grady show!

[crazycool]

She better get a wriggle on and release it SOON though!

[Wayne]

Alexandra Burke has revealed that new songs she is recording will either be for her next album or a re-release of her debut Overcome.

Rumours have circulated over recent months that the 'All Night Long' singer is reworking her LP for the US market, but she has now confirmed that she is considering putting out a brand new record instead.

Speaking to DS, she said: "I'm working on new tracks all the time. I've gone back in the studio with RedOne, as well as a very talented producer and songwriter called Lukas.

"For me, the recording process is a continual one - it doesn't stop - and the songs could end up on a re-release or on album number two. Everything's up in the air at the moment, so I can't confirm anything just yet, but give it a couple of months and all will be revealed. Just give me 'til August!"

Alexandra also confirmed she will perform a tour in the new year after promoting the album in Asia and Australia.

[Wayne]

Might as well bump it now. Its being geared for a US release apparently, with Nicki Minaj featuring on Bad Boys (see the Bad Boys thread).

I wonder what singles will be released over there

[Neil]

Just when you thought Nicki had reached saturation point in the US, haha.

[Wayne]

Alexandra just Tweeted:


Studio ! Oh yes... 2nd album! Very exciting !! Xx

:D

[crazycool]

I wish she was releasing a brand new album, but now digitalspy are reporting that she's just releasing "Overcome" with 3 new tracks and a DVD.

I'd have preferred a brand new album like I said, with "Start Without You" and another single before it's release. But I guess her team want the X Factor spot to launch the new project, and there's not enough time for a BRAND NEW album so just a few new tracks on "Overcome" then.. :(

[Wayne]

I wish she'd have released The Silence last year, during Winter. Would've pushed Overcome to a million units across the UK.

I would also love a new record though. Her management don't have a clue to be honest.

[Wayne]

OFFICIAL COVER of the re-release, titled "Alexandra Burke - Overcome : The Deluxe Edition"

http://loft965.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/74383_451982613249_36255963249_5607961_8096310_n.j pg?w=510&h=510

I think its awful!

[crazycool]

The cover is okay! Not so bad, I guess.

[Wayne]

http://i2.cdnds.net/10/20/M/music_alexandra_burke_3.jpg

Sales of Alexandra Burke's album sales have soared following her performance on The X Factor.

The singer, who performed her new single 'The Silence' live on the show's results programme last night, has seen a massive album sales increase overnight.

Play.com reports that the 'All Night Long' (http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a291665/alexandra-burke-reports-huge-sales-surge.html) star saw a 332% sales boost of Overcome, as she releases a deluxe edition of the LP this week.

'The Silence' has also entered the iTunes chart at number 30.

Meanwhile, the cast of Glee, who performed 'Don't Stop Believin'' on the singing contest last night, saw sales of their first soundtrack soar by 172%, while the Black Eyed Peas' new album The Beginning had an uplift of 158% following their performance of 'The Time (Dirty Bit)'.

:D Good!

[crazycool]

What do people think of the new songs?

I think they're all GOOD, but nothing blew me away.