Rating: 2/5

The Script must have counted their lucky stars when frontman Danny O'Donoghue was announced as a mentor of the BBC's talent show 'The Voice'. As the series opened with soaring ratings, O'Donoghue's profile soared, and despite depleting viewing figures, O'Donoghue managed somehow to maintain press attention.

Unsurprisingly, post 'The Voice', The Script announced that their next single would feature O'Donoghue's far higher profiled co-star will.i.am. As the bland-pop 'Hall Of Fame' soared predictably to the number 1 spot in the charts, it was clear that The Script were without any doubt the biggest profiteers of the BBC's failed attempt at a talent show ratings winner. As series winner Leanne Mitchell disappears further into obscurity and the finalists mourn their cancelled tour, The Script have pumped out their most polished album to date, the unimaginatively titled '#3' - maybe O'Donoghue was too busy in the spotlight?

But as ever polish does not necessarily make for an interesting album. While The Script moved the masses with the soaring emotion of 'Breakeven' and 'The Man Who Can't Be Moved', their latest effort is void of anthem rock and raw passion. '#3' is nothing more than bland pop, quickly produced for mass exposure. There is no doubting that The Script are more radio friendly mainstream than they've ever been, but in the process of achieving fame and fortune, O'Donoghue and his two chums have sold out completely on the sound that won them their fanbase in the first place.



Alleged rocker O'Donoghue, who started out in failed boyband MyTown alongside The Script bandmate Mark Sheehan, never allows his rich vocal time to shine, instead believing that his loyal fanbase wish to hear his newly developed talk-singing and rapping capabilities. 'Give The Love Around' is easily the album lowlight, as O'Donoghue attempts to channel Ed Sheeran but sounds more like 90s has - been Kavana.

'#3' is not all disappointing failure. 'If You Could See Me Now' is a poignant, touching song written for O'Donoghue's late father. While O'Donoghue emulates Dappy, his lyrical reflection strangely echoes O'Donoghue's honesty that lead to the runaway success of early The Script. Equally The Train-esque 'Millionaires' shows that O'Donoghue and his pals have simply lost themselves in the whirlwind of prolific success.