Viewing entries tagged
sugababes
According to Popjustice the original lineup of Sugababes are working together again.
Subsequent different lineups went on to release songs that still make them the best pop act of the century. They disintegrated in 2008 becoming tacky American overtly sexual bullshit. Keisha left just in time.
Going back to the start would just seem right, if only to reclaim the psyche if not the name of their old group. Their first album came out when they were about 15. They were involved in the songwriting and it was British RNB soul sass, a spirit which largely remained intact through their more poppy moments and line up changes but died when Keisha left.
They can't call themselves Sugababes though unless they're going to sell wrapping paper ribbons.
If this reunion is true I'm excited. Almost OhMyGodTheStoneRosesAreGoingToPlayAgain excited.
Every time I revisit this song, I'm struck by just how good it is. One of my favourite pop songs of of this millennium, if not my absolute favourite, possibly trumping my fave track by Siobhan's former band.
The video's awful, mind.
You'd think that with Keisha leaving Sugababes I would stop mentioning them. But how can I resist this?
I haven't made up that picture. There really is a website called www.sugababeslovewindows7.com where the Sugababes...
...showcase just how simple Windows 7 is and how it helps them manage their busy showbiz lives.
The videos are a very natural recreation of a typical conversation from these showbiz lives. Of course they are. Judge for yourself.
If you can bear the prospect there are another 5 videos like this.
In the post Keisha Sugababes era it is good to know that new member Jade brings more than new vocal talent to the group. She can probably help Heidi with a diagnostic scan of her laptop's registry key settings.
All my Sugababes fantasies now appear plausible by comparison.
Described by popjustice as "very clearly the worst thing of all time", the site tries to promote a radio station event, the new lineup of a once great girl band, and the latest iteration of the world's most ubiquitous computer operating system. That it fails to deliver on all fronts is, in a way, genius. I love that the photos link on the site is just a Bing image search giving old pics of Mutya and Keisha.
At least when John Lydon advertised butter it was meant to be ridiculous.
Keisha, you got out just in time.
The current line-up of the Sugababes has disbanded.
Heidi Range and Amelle Berrabah will continue as the Sugababes and will be joined by new member Jade Ewen. They release their album ‘Sweet 7’ on November 23rd through Island Records.
Sugababes statement - 21 September 2009
At least I heard it first from Keisha. Now that the only original member has gone surely they can't still call themselves Sugababes. They are now just a manufactured pop band!
Now for the good news from the statement:
Keisha Buchanan will continue to record for Island Records as a solo artist.
Whatever the reasons for this (it looks like she was kicked out) I believe this is great news for Keisha. The last Sugababes album flopped and even I had doubts about the new one. Still, it will be an interesting album and hopefully there isn't time to replace Keisha's vocals before it gets released in November. That would be insulting!
UPDATE It seems Jade Ewen has already re-recorded Keisha's vocals. Scandalous!
She's always been the most talented singer through every line-up and part of one of the best pop acts of all time and, in my opinion, the best this century. The singles from Angels With Dirty Faces, Three, Taller In More Ways and Change often hit pop perfection. I'm glad I saw them live a few times during their peak.
Good luck for the future Keisha and thanks for the last 11 years.
The lyrics to Change would appear apt to put the video here but I'm not that sentimental for a grown adult. Ok I am. But, as that video is not Keisha at her best ....any excuse to show this one again:
Being an indie music snob I love being critical, passionate and pompous about popular music. I believe that also loving cheesy throwaway pop is compatible with such snobbery. The problem comes when the the artists I like from the more the poppy end of the music world make a crap song and I'm urged to condemn. It isn't what commercial pop is about, I'm not the target audience and I should know better but sometimes I can't help myself.
Of all the pop acts of the last decade none has pleased me more than Sugababes. (note it is Sugababes, not The Sugababes – these things are important).
I'd call them a guilty pleasure but that would infer that my adoration is a secret. Anyone who knows me has, at some point, been subjected to my passionate recommendation / defence of Sugababes, not to mention my less than healthy fixation on the divine eye candy that is Keisha Buchanan. I maintain that Freak Like Me and About You Now are two of my favourite songs by any artist of any time, and I don't care who knows it.
To have lasted so long is rare, albeit with line-up changes (Keisha is the only original member). Perhaps inevitably their music has evolved over the decade from semi-authentic r n' b pop, to polished dance soul, mutating with each album towards the plastic pop world. But whatever the style or presentation there have been memorable, catchy tunes throughout. Ignoring some trite album filler tracks, their singles have been consistently charming – even the dodgy ones have some redeeming qualities.
The last album (Catfights & Spotlights) didn't sell that well and even the singles weren't that great. No doubt this has led to the 'management' deciding on a full on commercial direction for the comeback single – Get Sexy.
It's a bit of a stinker and the first Sugababes single that I really don't like. If I find myself singing it at some point (which I suspect will happen) I'll feel even worse. There are no circumstances where I'm Too Sexy by Right Said Fred should be embraced.
What really bothers me is despite this I suspect it might grow on me. The (unimaginative) lyrics suggest that there might be scope for some cheap thrill titillation in the video, but it doesn't even manage that. The video is one of the dullest they've done.
I'm not the right age or gender for the Sugababes target market so there's no point being precious about them. It will take more for me to give up on them and from what I've heard this may be the first time that Sugababes album tracks are better than the singles. To redress the balance here's one of their finest moments.