Reviewed by Mitch Andrews and posted on December 16, 2010

"Episodes", the debut album by 'bubblegum dance/eurodance' group Dominoo, is a well made, complete, dance album that should not be missed.  The album is very large, with a massive 16 tracks.  The theme of this album is world travel, with a focus on Egypt (hence their costumes and many Egyptian flavoured songs).

Like many artists in the late 90s, Dominoo includes an "Intro" track on their album.  While nothing special, it acts as more of a teaser for the album, and a "wind up" for the next track.  It actually reminds me of the beginning of an amusement park ride, where you are given instructions and a low-down of what to expect, before entering the ride.  "Run Run Away", the first song in the album, is an excellent song and one that is sure to get even the prettiest wall-flowers hopping at a party.  Along with My Hero, Run Run Away was the only song to make it as a single.  The song uses the same Scottish melody that Dr. Macdoo used in "Under The Kilt".  "Tutanchamon" is the next track, and is an Egyptian themed song about the Egyptian's son (Tutanchamon) singing and dancing inside the pyramid.  Very interesting concept, and the song goes well with the theme of the album.  Expert production and winning vocals by Sophie make this track as it is actually quite complex and wouldn't have been easy to make.

Dominoo take a trip into the jungle with their next track, "Doctor", a cheesy song about the "doctor of the jungle".  Once again, Dominoo displays their excellent song writing skills as this song is riddled with catchy hooks.  "Kangaroo" is themed in Australia, and is one of the best tracks so far on Episodes.  Very catchy chorus that will be stuck in your head for ages!  The next song "Round You Go" is extra cheesy, and if it wasn't so well produced and full of energy, I'd suggest it was a filler track.  It sounds a bit like something you'd hear off a kids programme on Nikelodeon - but that's a good thing. With a catchy chorus, you'll find yourself singing along to the words before it's one minute through.  "My Hero" is probably Dominoo's second best-known song after Run Run Away, and was their second single.  With a memorable chorus, great vocals and music, this song is my favourite from the album, and you'll probably find yourself playing it over and over again.

Dominoo creates a more dramatic atmosphere with the next song.  Thumping drums and screetchy electric guitars gives "Another World" a more sinister feel, and it takes on a more rock feel.  Although not my favourite track from the album, "Another World" is definitely not bad, and fans of rock music will definitely like it.  While I'm not actually a fan of the original "Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep", Dominoo has managed to pull me over to the dark side with this upbeat remake.  Sophie's vocals fit the style of this song perfectly, and the production beats all other bubblegum dance covers of this song that I have heard.  Next up is my all-time favourite Dominoo song.  "Island Girl" comes straight from the islands Mon, where you can almost feel the sand through your toes and the delicious tropical juice sliding down your throat.  This song has some of the best writing I have ever heard in bubblegum dance - with TWO excellent hooks in the chorus (the 'bridge' is just as catchy as the chorus in my opinion).  With funny lyrics, great vocals, and excellent production, this is a song that should NOT be skipped.

The next song, "Dominoo", is a clever song about the Dominoes game. "We're all bricks in a game... that's moved by the master." A catchy chorus and the male vocals in this song take a 'vocoder' effect like the well-known Eiffel 65.  The next track is a fun Spanish-sounding song about "Zorro", "the man behind the mask with all the courage."  Again, Dominoo will impress you with their catchy song writing, and will have you humming along to the catchy la la la's.  I'm not really crazy about the next track, "Crazy", though it definitely grows on you.  "Keep Moving" is quite similar to "Round You Go", with catchy tunes that make you feel like you're listening to a popular child show.  The theme is a merry-go-round, and you can hear the circus rift in the background at the beginning (listen closely!)

"Tokyo" is a clever song that has a Japanese style.  "Tokyo" begins with a sentence in Japanese, and ends the same way. A catchy bubblegum song that successfully captures the interest of the audience.  The female vocals really shine in this song, as she sings the catchiest bits.  The "shalala" bits are to die for.  Finally, but definitely not lastly, "Popit" is a pure bubblegum dance song quite similar to the Vengaboys sound (think Cheekah Bow Bow mixed with Crispy).  The lyrics are funny, and "Mr Popit" sings in a strange high-pitched/nose-blocked voice which sound like the vocals in Toy-Box's 'E.T'. "I like this, what about you, boys and girls?"

Overall, Dominoo's album is excellent, and apart from a few filler tracks, I really can't find anything wrong with it.  This album is music writing at its best, and each song is bursting with bubblegum goodness.  Dominoo really knows how to write catchy hooks, and the production is very good.  Sophie and Horpe's vocals are also very good, and shine in every song.  With lovely vocals, and an attractive, well designed CD, "Episodes" is an album that should not be missed!