Sugababes Change (Island)
Well, that's torn
it. We could have forgiven them that charity cover with Girls Aloud, the
loss of Mutya, even "Ugly" (just). But this will not stand. The
Sugababes have officially gone sh*t. "Change", in this case, is
not as good as a rest; it really is a shame to follow-up such a storming
best of as "Overloaded" with this wet weekend of an album.
Perhaps our ladies are feeling overshadowed by newer, younger models, or
maybe they feel that as a mature pop act in their 20s they should be
appealing more to a "Sex & The City"-loving market that gets
its musical pointers from New Woman. But where they once sounded
hard-edged and hard-faced and wrote identifiably honest lyrics about the
life of a young (albeit rich and famous) woman in the modern UK, now they
sound dated, slack and fluffy, dripping one-size-fits all power-balladeering
clichés all over their fifth album.
While it would get a bit tiresome if all their lyrics were groin-kicking
you-ain't-all-that kiss offs, sodden simperings like "I turned my
back on love / I switched off at the mains / I cried night and day cause
it was over", on the horribly limp "Mended By You" are more
the sort of thing you'd expect from Atomic Kitten than the 'Babes. Get a
grip, ladies! These after all, are the girls that once delivered lines
like "Got such a pretty kitten / Boy you know you wanna pet it",
as coolly as if they were buying a bus ticket.
The disappointment of current UK chart-topper "About You Now"
was tempered by the knowledge that the Sugababes are the rarest of pop
animals, the girl group with album tracks that are frequently the equal of
their singles. To then find out it's one of the best tracks here is a
bitter blow. Its brittle beat and cool synths at least proffer a hint of
edge, even if it is eerily similar to Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been
Gone".
Amelle is a fine substitute for Mutya, with an aggressive vocal punch to
match her tabloid reputation. Keisha remains the vocal heart of the group,
but it's Heidi who always has to overegg the pudding with her
over-mannered, overwrought style, as on the aptly named
"Undignified". The dancehall-lite "Backdown" is
definitely the standout, with those Xenomania synths to the fore, while
the check-me-the-f*ck-out glammy strut of "3 Spoons Of Suga"
also finds them on stronger footing.
The bizarre "My Love Is Pink" is the most dancefloor-bound
number, but the impact is blunted by the lyrics, which are odd rather than
filthy. The title track, meanwhile, is just plain awful, a limper retread
of "Stronger" with little to recommend it apart from the moment
it stops. The Sugababes probably think they've grown up. Sadly, they're
just growing duller in more ways.by Emily
Mackay
Eric Clapton Complete (Polydor
This is a double
CD and with getting for 40 years of back catalogue and I do understand how
its not always going to be possible to please everyone's expectations or
hopes for any 'best of'..
However, I am particularly disppointed that The 'Complete' is far from
anything remotely approaching 'Complete'. Essentially, its a greatest hits
package, yet some of his biggest singles successes are missing. I refer in
particular to songs such as 'Behind the Mask' (a number 15 hit in 1987),
the live version of 'Wonderful tonight' (number 30 in 1991) and 'Love can
build a bridge' (the only UK no.1 he's ever featured on!) but mainly I'm
disappointed that 'Swing low sweet Chariot' is not included. His second
most (solo) successful single of the 70's (and a single-only release) is
greatly missed. (I shall have to keep my non-remastered version of 'Time
pieces' if I want to hear that) ! Furthermore theres nothing from his John
Mayall, Yardbird or Beatle work-outs and only 1 track from Blind Faith.
Given that his Golden period was mid 60's to Mid 90's (at best?) , why not
concentrate on that period rather than Robert Johnson covers, BB King
mish-mash, etc.
I do appreciate that different labels can sometimes play an important part
in compilations. However, his major labels are mostly represented on this
compilation (Excepting the London single 'Love can build a bridge') so
what is the excuse for these omissions?
'Complete' means everything! Clearly, Polydor can't be expected to include
all of his output on two discs, but for a 'best of' under a different name
its track selection is appalling. What, may I ask, is 'complete' about
this compilation?
|
Eric Clapton
- Layla (Live)
Eric Clapton performing Layla, from his 2001 world tour...Crossroads Clapton Layla |
SUGABABES
- About you now ( OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)
the
world) (KEISHA, AMELLE, HEIDI look so good):D...sugababes
keisha heidi amelle mutya change about you now video clip
|
