the 31 best of 2007 – 17: Sugababes – Change

Perhaps they named their new record Changebecause of the fact that it is technically the first record they have done with newcomer, Amelle, but whatever the motivation, the record, in my opinion, is a hit. The Sugababes, for all of you in the States that haven’t a clue who they are, are one of the most successful UK pop acts over the past nine years, and they don’t seem to be slowing up. In fact, with the release of Change, I think they have gone past having a few hits, and a few number one singles, to a bona fide girl group capable of delivering an album that demands recognition.

On Change,the girls bring more of their throaty and smoky vocals to pop track after pop track, and get you dancing from the very beginning. If you doubt the greatness of this album, just look at the performance it has had on the UK charts; it shot straight to number one, giving them their second number one album. There’s no denying that these girls have got it going on in their homeland, but with this record, I think that they have given us something that more than likely, would provide a great crossover, enabling them to come to this side of the pond. Almost all of the songs on Change are radio-worthy, and with their take on pop, which is both refreshing and fantastically desired by those like me that are tired of most of what America tries to push off as pop, the Sugababes are just proving that they have the goods to go with their powerhouse voices.

Twinged with slick and savvy R&B, filled with beats that would burn up a smaller, more intimate dancefloor, as well as a ballad or two sprinkled in for good measure, Change is an album that is enjoyable from beginning to end. My only complaint about this record, which is the ONLY thing that prevented it from receiving a full 5 star rating, is the awful song Back Down; which not only feels awkwardly tacked on to the album, but really seems more like something Destiny’s Child would cover, and not the Sugababes. Perhaps if Mutya was still in the group it would have fit, but since she isn’t, it doesn’t. If they would have left this off of the record, it would have been perfect; but alas, they did not, and as such, I have to skip it every time it threatens to come on.

That being said, there are some AMAZING singles on this album, and apparently, they know it; they are releasing them one by one. First About You Now, and then the amazing Change (which I featured in one of my 5SFs a while back); which is definitely one of the best singles of the year. If this record is truly indicative of a “change” for the Sugababes, I can’t wait to see what comes next, so far, the change is stellar, and one that has me (and apparently, those in the UK as well) paying close attention; even though I was already a fan!

Favorites from Change:
Change
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/sb-change.mp3]
Surprise
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_1026_surprise.mp3]
Mended By You
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/sb-mendedbyyou.mp3]
About You Now, and Back When.

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