To be deleted (Sugababes in general)

Member Name: yahtonie

Product:	Sugababes in general
Date:	06/01/04 (64 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some brillant songs, Easy to listen too, bit for everyone

Disadvantages: a few weak links

Sorry this isn't in the right place but Dooyoo hadn't made a sections for this album at the time of writing. I've contacted Dooyoo and hopefully they will move it soon. Please dont rate this if your no happy about i being in the ong place. I am trying to get i moved, so dont give low ratings on a simple cockup on Dooyoo's part. Give ratings on how well or badly its writen, thanks.

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Right, please wait one second while a load this album into my play list..........Right we're off!

Sugababes were formed in the late 90's for a fan base which was crying out for a new spin on the then dated girl group phenomenon. Gone were the Spice girls and on the way out was All Saints when the Sugababes hit the charts with their highly urban song 'Overload'. Although this was a massive success it failed to make the number One spot in the U.K charts. After this hits were thin on the ground. Labelled as one hit wonders they almost faded into the dark pit that is used pop, only surfacing to produce a few other top ten singles such 'Run for Cover'. Problems in the group caused tensions which lead to one member, Siobhan Donaghy, leaving the group in 2001.

With her departure, critics condemned them to the rubbish bin, but, the Sugababes had a new weapon up their sleeves, in the form of Heidi Range (once of Atomic Kitten fame). All was quiet on the Suga front until they let rip with their next album, 'Angels with Dirty Faces'. With this came their first number One hit, 'Freak like Me'. This was an instant hit, especially with the growing R&B and garage scene. It all started to go up hill from here. The album was a runaway success.

And so, I bring you to the latest album from the 'Babes, 'Three'. The album art is simple, bold and eye catching with all three girls on the cover in what looks like a collage of ph

otographs arranged together on a white background, suggesting a new, edgier sound to the newest incarnation. On the back, again on a white background are the titles of the songs in bold typeface in the same style as the

front cover. Inside this collage theme is continued with more photos of the girls
' interspacing the lyrics of all the songs. Overall it?s a clean, fresh looking album, not fussy which is a change from the highly graphically attacked albums of recent years.

And so comrades! On to the songs! The first song is the first single they released called 'Hole in the head'. This has an 'off beat' drum base which is tied in with hard guitar strumming. When I first heard this I was immediately drawn to this different style of the beat. It makes the song very catchy. Basically the song is about the girls getting over their boyfriends, 'Oh boy you miss me like a hole in the head' etc. It?s not all woman empowerment like the current pop theme. It?s kind of simple overall which make the song easy to learn quickly. Although the 'Babes are a more centrally vocal group than outright pop, this isn't really taxing their voice box much. I believe this was released first to draw the public attention to the new album. Catchy, a great use of the beat, but can get a little tiresome quickly after awhile. Current I?m getting a little bored of it and now skip it when listening to it on headphone, although I do keep it playing in the car.

The second song is just fantastic! Called 'Whatever makes you happy'. It starts of a little Asian-y. Think the echo guitars in U2's 'Elevation' single. This Asian theme continues which the double tap base. There isn't much of a tune to the music, but there isn't a need for it. The girls singing the verses provide all the variation of tunes that you need. The chorus is the best part though. A crescendo of belting out from the girls is really upli
fting
, while note holding in the background gives an almost gospel feel to the song. The song sings of doing what you want to do rather than what other people say 'is it crazy to be happy? Coz it?s doing it for me'. It a
real
feel good song which is just screaming out to be played full blast with all the windows
open.

Third song is called 'Caught in a moment'. This Ballard starts off with drumming and soft violins. Keisha Buchanan starts singing which leading to a chorus sung primarily by Heidi. This is an OK song which, when your listening to on headphones can get a little boring and monotonous. The best part which holds its appeal for me is the end part where the girls' don?t sing but do a lot of 'uhhhhh'ing. Not the best song but bearable.

The tempo is picked up and the theme gets a little darker on the fourth song 'Situations heavy'. It almost has a quick jazz base line with the heavy use of the brush on a cymbal. It starts of with an underground feel with tune played on some kind of electrical guitar I think. The lead into the chorus is a bit of a worry as each ending word of a sentence is ended on a high note (think how Aussie's talk by ending each sentence on a question). The Chorus is very good with interesting, thoughtful lyrics which aren?t just there to fill in a blank. In the middle of this song is vocal bit with the girls harmonising with the 'uhhhing' again, which is very good. It?s a very different song than the usual pop out there.

Fifth is 'Million different ways' which starts of with rapid computer produced hand clapping which works well with the girls singing 'da da dar da da.' This is almost cring worthy but bearable. The chorus isn't that great. Its not the greatest song on this album, feels like a fill if you ask me. The only good bit is the middle part where Heidi does a very little solo which is very good. It ends with a piano re
peated sim
ple tune with a harp scorch over it.

A very R&B feeling song is up next. 'Twisted' is a tongue in cheek dig at people who don't agree with their actions or music. It has a simple bass line with the girls prov
iding most
of the melodies. It?s at this point in this album that you start to find that Heidi is give
n quite a few of the middle solo inserts in every song. This enables us to enjoy her lovely voice to it full.

'We could have it all' is another of the great songs on the album. It has a great baseline with 'radio' effect voices for some parts. It?s like a miss of R&B and a little Indie with the drums played. I would expect this to do very well if it was released as a single as it has a little for everyone. Its difficult song to describe but excellent to listen to for a chill out mood in which you want a heavy baseline.

Song eight, 'Conversations over' is a dark starting song about them facing deceiving boyfriends. The chorus is lighter with the typical being strong women. This is a generally good song which is easy to listen to. Again, Heidi's little insert is excellent leading on to a little Moby feeling tune (the best bit of the song). It?s a great uplifting song a little like song two.

The tempo changes again with 'In the middle'. This is more of a dance song which will no doubt be remixed by some DJ. Thumping baseline and electronic horn blowing leans toward youth listeners. Not the deepest on lyrics but fine if listened to in the car where you won?t notice it.

Number ten is the Love Actually single soon to be released 'Too lost in you'. This is a truly excellent Ballard of a song with the right lyrics providing the right emotions in the listener. All three girl show off their vocal skills in this song. Heidi really shows off though during her solo part while Keisha and Mutya Buena provide a clear cut melody. A truly classic so
ng which is as
good as it gets.

Another change in direction leads us onto number eleven. 'Nasty ghetto' is a down and dirty R&B Asian feeling groove which reeks of attitude. The interesting use of a mono baseline and tune and the us
e of sitar'
s work extremely well in this song and make up for the strange title of the song. Feel like groov
ing to this, and then get your ass on the floor!

'Buster' is song twelve. Not the greatest song. Typical heavy R&B sounds with forgetful lyrics. The chorus might be its saving grace but it is still very hard to remember. I'll pass on this if I was you.

Making up fully for 'Buster' is 'Sometime' which is basically a Heidi song. She really shows of her vocal range while Keisha and Mutya provide the melodies for this slow Ballard. It?s just as good as 'Too lost in you' but has less belting of the chorus. The balance of the instruments is excellent. The girls aren't drowning out by the kicking bass and the playing of and electric guitar in the background puts even more feeling into the song. It ends on a simple tune played on the piano.

Last but not least is 'Maya'. Now I wasn?t sure about this when I first heard it but it?s a firm favourite. Electrically produced melodies flow and melt into one another. The bass is a little off putting at first but it gives the song form and body. Mutya provide the lead singing and her soft breathy vocals are perfectly suited to this kind of Spiritual song. It?s a must for chilling out or placing on repeat while you nod of to sleep. The other two girls provide a break with their melodies of 'na na na nay, nay, no. Na, na na, nay, nayoo'. It?s a really beautiful song which is most uplifting and makes you feel warm inside.

And so we have it. 'Three' in a rather large nut shell. This album is available from most retailers and is going for £8.99 on Amazon. OK, so the
re are a few weak li
nks on here but the other ones really make up for it and make the album worth buying.

Now, excuse me please. I?m just going to listen to 'Maya' again.

(Some biography info from www.sugababes.com)

Summary: