The Sound of Girls Aloud: The Greatest Hits

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[5]
BBC Music	(very positive)[8]
The Guardian	[9]
Pitchfork Media	(8.5/10)[10]
Stylus Magazine'	(A)[11]
The Times	[12]

The Sound of Girls Aloud received positive reviews from critics. Talia Kraines of BBC Music called the album "a journey through the most exciting and daring pop music of recent times" and went on to add that "this reality band has surpassed all expectations,"[8] while Paul Scott of Stylus Magazine described it as "an irreverent party through the last 30 odd years of pop, taking inspiration from the most unexpected of places" and hailed Girls Aloud as "the finest singles band Britain [sic] has produced this decade."[11] Allmusic reviewer Andy Kellman noted the album for making "an ideal introduction" to the group, and said that the three new songs would most likely "keep the group's remarkable streak of dominance afloat."[5] Dan Cairns of The Times gave the album 4 out of 5 stars, stating that Girls Aloud's personality flows "through unimpeachable, sugar-rush pop singles" such as "Something Kinda Ooooh", "The Show" and "Sound of the Underground".[12]

Pitchfork Media critic Tim Finney described the album as "a whirlwind trip through bizarre but lovable pop gadgetry that may leave the uninitiated reeling."[10] He complimented the songs' "deathless hooks and multi-genre pyrotechnics" and noted that they are diverse, varying from different genres while embracing "elements of electroclash, big beat, and even skiffle."[10] Leonie Cooper of The Guardian characterised the album as "slick ... near-faultless high-octane pop all the way"; however, she felt that the ballads were not really necessary, as "Girls Aloud sound far more exciting when they're simply having fun".[9] In 2007, The Guardian included the greatest hits collection in their list of "1000 albums to hear before you die".[13] Dorian Lynskey wrote, "Years from now, when someone wants to know how bold and brilliant mainstream British pop could get in the noughties, play them this."[13]

The Sound of Girls Aloud became Girls Aloud's first album to debut at number one in the United Kingdom, and stayed on the UK Albums Chart for a total of 38 weeks.[14] On 24 November 2007, Mark Sutherland of Billboard reported that the album had already sold a total of 767,000 units in the country.[15] On the week ending 2 November 2006, the album debuted at number 13 on the Irish Albums Chart, rising to a new peak of number nine the following week.[16] It was certified Platinum by the Irish Recorded Music Association, denoting shipments of 15,000 units in the country alone.[17] On 29 January 2009, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) recognised The Sound of Girls Aloud as one of the nine albums that year to sell at least 1 million units in Europe.[18] As of 21 March 2013, the album has sold over 1,2 million units in Europe.[19]

"Something Kinda Ooooh" was released on 16 October 2006 as the lead single from The Sound of Girls Aloud, one week prior to the album's release.[20] The track debuted at number five on the UK Singles Chart on download sales alone,[21] before reaching its peak position at number three on the week ending 4 November 2006.[22] The accompanying music video was directed by Stuart Gosling and produced by Jon Adams, and features the group "singing and dancing glamorously".[23] "I Think We're Alone Now" was chosen as the second and final single from the album, being released on 18 December.[24] The song peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart during Christmas week.[25] The music video was directed by Alex Hemming and Nick Collett, and portrays Girls Aloud in an attempt to rob a Las Vegas casino.[26]

In 2007, Girls Aloud went on The Greatest Hits Tour to further promote the album. The announcement of the tour and the recording of their fourth studio album helped to stop rumours that the band were splitting up, which had surfaced due to the release of their greatest hits album.[27] The show received mixed reviews from music critics, with Dave Simpson of The Guardian saying that the group "fare best when they are playing their own songs."[28]