Unanimously, the most popular singer from the Irish group Boyzone is lead singer Ronan Keating whose debut solo album is aptly titled Ronan. The album retains some of Boyzone's style, though it is appropriately, if not determinedly, subdued. That is a bit of a shock for a debut. Keeping in mind that Gary Barlow tried the same thing and missed the target, while Robbie Williams went all out with an egocentric rock album and became a British landmark, one would have expected a little more oomph. Ronan must not be caught up in trends. Besides, the album seems to fit his personality, which is quieter and modest compared to most boy group members. The album sports the number one European singles "When You Say Nothing at All" and "Life Is a Rollercoaster," which helped propel the album to the top of the charts for a short while. Indeed, it did not stand out as one of the great musical triumphs of the year, but it is not without charm, thanks to its sincerity. Bryan Adams provides the soft ballad "The Way You Make Me Feel," while Rick Nowels conjures up another spirituality-driven effort on "Heal Me," as well as a slightly more exciting "Rollercoaster." "If I Don't Tell You Now" is a Diane Warren-penned ballad, drippy and undistinguished, which is sadly how most of her songs are beginning to come across. Patrick Leonard co-wrote "Believe" and "Keep on Walking," both of which are unremarkable but enjoyable. "In This Life" makes another appearance (previously recorded by Bette Midler and Kathie Lee Gifford). For an album as seeping with heartfelt ballads as Ronan is, it is amazing that so many known artists came together with tunes that are so alike they sound monotonous. It really takes a few listens to bond wtih Ronan, because it is so slow. It is slow but it is also soft and tender. At certain moments it is exceptionally emotional. The splendid song "Brighter Days" is one of those moments. ~ Peter Fawthrop, All Music Guide
Priscilla Jones (Vocals (Background)), Steve Lipson (Guitar (Bass)), Katrina Leigh (Project Coordinator), Rick Nowels (Vocals (Background)), David Channing (Engineer), Phil Thornalley (Vocals (Background)), James McNally (Accordion), Steve Mac (Arranger), Dave Way (Mixing), Guy Wiffen (Assistant Engineer), Paul Gendler (Guitar), Danielle Brisebois (Vocals (Background)), Marc Moreau (Engineer), Terry Richardson (Photography), Tessa Niles (Vocals (Background)), Patrick Leonard (Keyboards), Phil Thornalley (Guitar (Bass)), Sue Ann Carwell (Vocals (Background)), Arnthor (Producer), Todd Shoemaker (Engineer), Andy Duncan (Programming), David Ashton (Engineer), Steve Lipson (Mandolin), James McNally (Whistle (Instrument)), Andy Richards (Programming), Elliott Blakey (Engineer), Brian MacLeod (Percussion), Nathan Martoff (Assistant Engineer), Arun Chakraverty (Mastering), John Pierce (Guitar (Bass)), Randy Wine (Engineer), Bryan Adams (Vocals (Background)), Andy Duncan (Drums), David Munday (Flute), Steve Pearce (Guitar (Bass)), Thicke (Vocals (Background)), Andy Richards (Synthesizer), Gregg Alexander (Producer), Heff Moraes (Mixing), Jackie Smiley (Vocals (Background)), Pete Murray (Synthesizer), Mike Brignardello (Guitar (Bass)), Alex Brown (Vocals (Background)), Dominic Miller (Guitar), Alfie Silas (Vocals (Background)), Rick Nowels (Synthesizer), Mats Berntoft (Guitar), Steve Lipson (Programming), Phil Thornalley (Piano), Rusty Anderson (Guitar), Chuck Sabo (Drums), Steve Lipson (Guitar), Steve Price (Engineer), Phil Thornalley (Mixing), David Munday (Guitar), Patrick Leonard (Synthesizer), Gavyn Wright (String Conductor), Yvonne Williams (Vocals (Background)), Marc Moreau (Assistant), Charles Judge (Piano), Eric Rigler (Uillean Pipes), Phil Thornalley (Producer), Andy Duncan (Percussion), Paul Leim (Drums), Samie Barela (Engineer), Patrick Leonard (Programming), Rick Nowels (Producer), Frizzy Karlsson (Guitar), David Channing (Assistant), Phil Thornalley (Synthesizer), Donna De Lory (Vocals (Background)), Steve Lipson (Producer), Wayne Rodriguez (Programming), Andy Richards (Keyboards), Patrick Tucker (Guitar (Bass)), Brian MacLeod (Drums), Brian Kennedy (Vocals (Background)), Matt Rollings (Synthesizer), Guy Pratt (Guitar (Bass)), Chuck Sabo (Percussion), Phil Thornalley (Guitar), Charles Judge (Synthesizer), Nick Ingman (String Arrangements), Patrick Leonard (Piano), Free (Editing), Rick Nowels (Keyboards), Paul Leim (Percussion), Pete Murray (Keyboards), Phil Thornalley (Keyboards), Rick Nowels (Piano), Steve Mac (Producer), Ed Colman (Engineer), Andy Richards (Piano), Jason Bailey (Vocals (Background)), Carol Riley (Vocals (Background)), Steve Mac (Mixing), Matt Rollings (Keyboards), Charles Judge (Keyboards), John D. Willis (Guitar), Matt Rollings (Piano), Heff Moraes (Engineer), Miriam Stockley (Vocals (Background)), Pete Murray (Piano), Tim Pierce (Guitar), Michael Landau (Guitar), Danielle Brisebois (Editing), Brad Gilderman (Mixing), Patrick Tucker (Guitar), Jed Hackett (Assistant Engineer)
