The follow-up to her debut Honey to the B, Walk of Life (2000) is British actress Billie Piper's second and final CD. More slickly produced and featuring a bigger wall of sound than its predecessor, Walk of Life nevertheless hews closely to the formula set down on the first disk: highly processed synth-pop odes to love, sex, and independence. Sadly, this release marked the end of Piper's musical career: she would later crash and burn, then reinvent herself as an actress.

The big singles are all right up front: "Day and Night," "Something Deep Inside," and "Walk of Life." Of these three, the title track is clearly the standout, a wonderfully delivered love song whose sentiments are surprisingly sincere and free of cynicism. This might possibly be Piper's best vocal performance. Other highlights include a delightful cover of "The Tide is High," featuring a brief rap mid-song that pokes playful fun at Piper's celebrity, and "Run that by Me," the closest Piper gets to a straightforward rock number. But the real gem of this collection is the final track, "Misfocusing," whose lyrics are leagues more complex and mature than anything else Piper recorded, and her beautiful vocals are strongly reminiscent of a young Jewel. In hindsight, this song is like a sad coda to Piper's short-lived pop stardom.

Other strong numbers on the CD are "Safe with Me," "Ring My Bell," and "Promises." There's less filler than on Honey to the B: "Bring It On," "Because of You," and "What Game is This?" pad out the disk, but again, nothing cringe-inducing.

It's a shame that Piper turned so thoroughly away from music (though it's not surprising, given the difficulties she encountered). Nobody will ever mistake her for a great musician or a great vocalist, but she plainly had a knack for catchy pop, and her sheer bravado as a singer more than compensated for the weaknesses in her material. Her fans will probably always be left wondering what might have resulted had she ever teamed up with a more creative writing team and tackled more substantive material.

It is very unfortunate that she quit singing in 2001 when she was whisked away by Chris Evans. its been 3 years and she's blossuming as an actress after rave reviews in The Canterbery Tales: Miller's Tale.

Anyway, on with her album:

Billie has changed since her first album. This album (Walk of Life) is much more mature than her first album Honey to the B. Honey to the B was more sugary, Walk of Life's a whole new world. All her tracks were great to listen to. Highlights of the album are: Day & Night, Something Deep Inside, Safe With Me, Tide is High, What Game is this, and Misfocusing.

Overall:

1. Day & Night - Very very catchy, the single CD's have awesome remixes. If she gave effort in promoting this one in the US, she could easily have crushed Britney's Oops I Did It Again (they were released approx. the same time) _#1 IN THE UK_

2. Something Deep Inside - I heard the original first (radio mix is in the album), once I heard the one on the album (with earphones, I went CRAZY. It really "tickles" your ears and makes you move. _#2 IN THE UK_

3. Walk of Life - This single flopped in the UK, I knew it was gonna flop, because I felt it wasn't single material. Something tells me that billie felt forced to release this song because it was also her album title. This was her last single. This song has an overall different feel to the rest of her songs.

4. Safe With Me - An AWESOME ballad about someone who's afraid to love. Beautiful lyrics, similar to Walk of Life, but is MUCH MUCH better. If it was released (maybe mixed) it should max at #1.

5. Bring it On - Slightly annoying, But the music is upbeat and very catchy. not too bad.

6. Ring My Bell - Catchy, great tune, funny song.

8. Run That By Me - Girl power song. It has a rock music feel to it. It certainly adds diversity. Lyrics are beautifully done. very edgy.

9. Promises - I'd say this one's a tad bit like Safe With Me, except a different topic. just a tad bit like SWM. Another ballad with beautiful lyrics.

10. Because of You - This song is great, only if it was remixed it would be perfect. Catchy, upbeat, but lacks a little something.

11. What game is this - Powerful song about cheating. I can see Avril Lavigne singing this song at the moment. Sounds like rock. (not punk rock)

12. Misfocusing - this is, to me, a celebrity's anthem. About the downsides of being a celebrity, you're friends betray you, and when the tabloids talk crap about you. Billie has experienced it all. Kinda puts you in billie's shoes and makes you think. Music is mellow.

This is a great album, the songs are a lot different from Honey to the B, the songs are more mature. I am 19 now, and I loved the first album when it came out, and I just got this one. The songs are great, to really appriciate the CD you should listen to it a few times through completely before making any judgements. When I listened through the first time I didn't care for many of the songs, but after listening to the album a few times, I'm really starting to enjoy the CD, "Walk of Life" has matured with Billie as a singer, I won't go as far as to say the songs are better, they're just different, if you like Billie, give the cd a listen, you'll probably enjoy it... and if you don't like Billie, then listen to a few of the clips, you may like the CD as well.

Beautiful voice, great melodies, killer tracks! Many tracks are co-written by Ms. Piper, and the CD is a beautiful addition to any collection. Fast songs to dance to, slow songs to chill to. A great collection of music from the talented young British pop star!

1. Day And Night 10/10

2. Something Deep Inside (radio mix) 10/10

3. Walk Of Life 9/10

4. Safe With Me 9/10

5. Bring It On 7/10

6. Ring My Bell 10/10

7. The Tide Is High 9/10

8. Run That By Me (One More Time) 7/10

9. Promises 9/10

10. Because Of You 10/10

11. What Game Is This? 6/10

12. Misfocusing 5/10