With a name such as C21, at first thought it could be short for Catch 22. But now with mobile phones in the market, C21 is now not only band name, but also a brand model name of a leading mobile maker. Back then when the boys took the name of C 21, they surely had not expected to hear this. But let’s get into the band and their debut album and what it’s all about.

Three lovable young lads, with voices that can be matched to the more polished NSync or Westlife. The new comers show talent in this their debut effort. David Pepke, Soren Bregendal and Esben Duus from Denmark have fulfilled their dreams of producing successful music. Possibly taking a cue from their fellow brethren MLTR who seemed to have vanished after making it big a few years back.

The boy band’s debut single the opening Stuck in my heart is sugary pop piece about being in love with a person you just can’t confess to….so in love that even though you try, nobody notices. This theme runs right through the album. A little upbeat pop tune comes in Be with you again, which you can surely join in at the chorus.

The band has been influenced by Robbie Williams, which displays the energetic guitar frenzy, She Tries. Among the more balladic pieces that are here, you could tune into You are the one which is very saucy, or even Don’t Wanna Lose You which is about jealously, and how it’s used to get a loved one’s attention. Of the other songs that are in the same vein, You just wait and see is a thumbs up for its lyrical effort in making you regret what’s done and putting the past behind. The boys fence over to shades of R&B in Deep Down which shows their relative ease of switching musical styles to include even a little rocky edge in the lively Hanging on a String.

The boys don’t stop here, for the 17 tracks which are too many no doubt, manage to keep you charmed right through Cuts deep inside has lyrics that go ‘Its me that your hurting, and your love cuts deep inside…….’ Splendid. More upbeat is the educational and inspiring advice the boys give you in the swinging, ‘Learning by Living’ which is about believing in your dreams, and fulfilling them. A very positive message put forth to their fans through a nice tempo and beat.

 The boys try their hand at reliving 80s pop super hit One Night in Bangkok in an original and remix format. The result is a pretty impressive.

The trio press their own handprints into each song, touching on the emotional core while maintaining a spirit that suggests equal strength and deliverance. They can sing and give you enough good moments to restore faith in a new boy band. With gorgeous arrangements and back-up vocals, this is one album the college kids prior 21 can catch on.

Rating: ***1/2

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­