Angels With Dirty Faces - Sugababes

...then. 7/10

Angels with Dirty Faces (3.48)

The namesake of the album is rather fast paced with a fast moving melody and great vocals. I would really like to love this song but feel that the chorus spoils it beyond belief as the chorus is very repetitive and tends to drag. The song was really catchy but the constant re-occurrence of the chorus tends to grate. There is a slight element of rock into this song thanks to the ...
...catchy as well as the riff and especially the bridge into the chorus which I really enjoy listening to. Although the chorus irritates me I still like this song and there are many factors of this song which make it more than playable. 8/10 for the verses, bridge bass beats and riff
4/10 for the repetition of the chorus.

Virgin Sexy (3.44)

This song tends to remind us of the girl’s ages. I have heard a live version ... more

Since the reformation of the girl group full of sugar, spice and sexiness, The Sugababes have been the most talked about girl group of the year with their comeback number one single another follow up number one and also a number two album. Mutya, Heidi and Keisha have returned to the music scene all mature and full of energy. The Album ‘Angels with Dirty Faces’ has only been out since this august but it is getting noticed as a great album as the number two chart ranking portrays. I must say they were up against stiff competition from Coldplay who have had the biggest selling album in the UK. ‘A Rush of Blood to the Head’ has also showed huge popularity in America and around the world also, so the girls have done well to get a high charting rank especially since their first album ‘One Touch’ only managed top 30 status at best.

I always said that the girls would do well but felt they were strongly restricted by their label and their age. It goes to show how much a new label, a more raunchy image and a new sound can do to one persons success which is also reflected in the comeback of Atomic Kitten. Over the last year or so, I have moved more from the pop side of music and more to urban and r n b music. In my view, I find the Sugababes to be a fresh girl group who deflect the usual stereotypical view of a girl group as much of the album is co written by the girls. They are also not so governed by their label as they seem to have more of a unique image and attitude which is older than their years.

Before I do a breakdown of the songs on the album, I must warn many of you as you are probably aware not to expect One Touch mark 2 as you will be rather surprised as I was. The album is a huge leap from their fresh sounding debut album which is not a good thing or a bad thing. When I first listened to the album, I was completely disappointed as many of the songs sounded far too similar and dull but I gave it time and since then haven’t stopped playing it. The album is more urban and soulful in sound and more experimental with more computerised effects such as flange, distortion and loops such as drum and base effects. The album is much more upbeat from the first and there are few slow songs on this one which evenly balances out the previous album.

Tracklisting

Freak Like Me (3.15)

This song claimed the Sugababes first UK number one. The song is a cover/remix of 2 songs, the lyrics and melody adapted from a song called ‘Freak Like Me’ from Adina Howard which has been covered once before into a garage track. The background riff and such was taken from Gary Numan’s ‘Are Friends Electric?’ Which was a past hit also.
The bootleg was a great new start for the girls as the elements from various sources culminated in a fresh, modern and polished song which was immediately used for a Rimmel advert thus reinforcing the songs success as a UK hit. The video to this song was also very effective in creating the girl’s new image, it was way sexier than before and more thought out and much darker than ever before helping to emphasise their new-found maturity. 8.5/10

Blue (3.16)

What I heard when I first heard this track was not what I was expecting. As it was the first new track on the album, I was quite surprised to hear the darkness of the track, sounds such as drum and bass riffs, warps effects more effects engulf the start of the song. The verses focus on the lyrics while the bass line rumbles along simplistically highlighting the importance of the words in the background. The Bridge into the chorus gathers pace and rhythm as the song leads into a more upbeat and lovely song with a guitar strumming along. At first I didn’t like the way the song worked overall but I always did like the chorus. The songs use of mood changes help emphasise a cloud being lifted over a person who finally sees something such as a relationship clearly “That’s all you do, play with peoples minds. Two faced, I was so blind”. It has undoubtedly grown on me as time has gone on. 8/10

Round Round (3.57)

This was the Sugababes second consecutive number one for them during august and is still in the top 3 currently. The song once again is more mature but at the same time rather ‘happy go lucky’ and upbeat. The catchy chorus is what got me listening but surprisingly the song was unappealing to me and to be honest I hated it but it really did grow on me and I love it to bits, its just a happy song although the cool video depicts otherwise. The intro to the song is effective as it emerges from the silence of your speakers and leads straight into the chorus. Good vocals are evident here with a good use of harmonies, the base beat is continuous and maintains interest.
The middle eight of the song is good also as the song suddenly slows down to an almost halt and moves into a slow melodic section with guitars and simple drum beat with the girls accompanying Heidi in harmony. I enjoyed the way the song then leaded back into the chorus with use of repetition heralding an inevitable return to the chorus that the video also demonstrates. 9/10

Stronger (4.00)

This song is one of the slower ones and was released with the namesake of the album it was tipped tipped to be the girls Christmas single although no song had a chance this year with the Christmas number one battle between the obvious Popstars Rivals. It did managed to get into the top 5 though. The song although being slower and melodic has strong bass beats with echoing tones in the intro along with a string section as the vocals of Mutya emerge. The lyrics are rather emotive and work well with the mood of the song which is of triumph “I’ll make it through the rainy days, I’ll be the one who stands here longer than the rest”. The song is fulfilling and the vocals, with use of harmony work well in the song demonstrating the girl’s voices well. This song is more in line with something Dido herself would produce which is somewhat reminiscent of Here with me with the uplifting feeling. 9.5/10

Supernatural (3.37)

This song was one not written by the girls. It’s not a favourite of mine and on times I do really like it. It is a strong beat stomper as I call it as it quite grungy and catchy at the same time. You do have to be in the right mood at the time to listen to this song though, it is quite repetitive thanks to the chorus and it has irritated me on times. There is a nice experimental section during the middle eight of this track which is highly simlilar to Britney’s Slave. The middle eight has the pitch bends and slurs in the voice and the exotic sound in the back which makes the song much more interesting and aids in the listeners interest. Not one of my favourites on this album though, but still good to listen to every now and then. 7/10

Angels with Dirty Faces (3.48)

The namesake of the album is rather fast paced with a fast moving melody and great vocals. I would really like to love this song but feel that the chorus spoils it beyond belief as the chorus is very repetitive and tends to drag. The song was really catchy but the constant re-occurrence of the chorus tends to grate. There is a slight element of rock into this song thanks to the electric guitar adding chords here and there. The beat is catchy as well as the riff and especially the bridge into the chorus which I really enjoy listening to. Although the chorus irritates me I still like this song and there are many factors of this song which make it more than playable. 8/10 for the verses, bridge bass beats and riff
4/10 for the repetition of the chorus.

Virgin Sexy (3.44)

This song tends to remind us of the girl’s ages. I have heard a live version of the song on MP3 before I heard this one so I knew what to expect and quite enjoyed it. It was very catchy with strong beats, again a rather grungy sound as well as pure funk to accompany sultry voices with “oohs” being sung here and there as well as screams and a reference to Freddy Krueger emphasising the frightened feelings that one might encounter when considering going ‘further’. “How will I know if I’m ready to take it there, just thinking about it really scares me like Freddy”. I really like this song and the bridge again lends a new idea to the song adding contrast. The song at first was weird but gradually it really grows on you. 8/10

Shape (4.10)

Here is one of my favourite songs on this album, a very Spanish sounding song, the track features Sting singing the chorus with the Babes. “Shape” was sampled from Stings song “Shape of my Heart”. The sample is taken from the chorus whereas the Sugababes have added unique verses to the track similar to what Atomic Kitten have done to ‘Tide is High’ although this song is done much more uniquely and surprisingly it is really appealing. The song is uplifting and at the same time a ballad type song which progresses nicely with each verse being sung by two of the girls in harmony (backing each other) with strong beats and a rhythmic MC type vocal being used to sing the verses which are very syncopated. These effects work well and provide a polished track worthy of number one status.
The accompaniment is greatly helped by a Spanish guitar being the main instrument used ascending down the notes of each string. I really enjoy listening to this song as it is emotive thanks to the lyrics, vocals, instruments and various musical techniques which help maintain interest as well as modernising the track making it playable to all ages. I cannot stress how much I love this song, as I don’t think it is possible to express. A use of a harmonica is also used near the end and the introduction is a nice addition to an album full of female voices. Seeming that this track is the longest one on the album bar the remix at the end, I find this song one of the most entertaining and hope that such a collaboration no matter how surprising, gets released as I think it could do well depending on when its released. 9.9/10 (always room for improvement though!)

* News just in that this is the girls next single which I am very pleased about!!!)
The girls subsequently released this track with a new updated version and a cool video to match but sadly missed out on the top 10 getting in at 11 probably due the albums huge success. Never-the-less it is still the best song by far!

Just Don’t Need This (3.30)

This song is very clever, it reminds me of something like a massive attack or garbage track which incorporates a dark mood along with various computerised effects such as distortion, flange, tunnel as well as incorporating a string section into the song. The song is very experimental, soulful and urban in sound. I love the middle section in this track. Whilst drumming the album into my head to get familiar with the new sound of the Babes, I was gobsmacked by what I heard in this track. The song suddenly breaks from the chorus and with a few bars of riffs the song suddenly leads into a rather emotive and melodic harmonised section which I thoroughly enjoy listening to. The part is simplistically accompanied whilst a stronger beat gets introduced in the second part of the harmonies. I found it very funky and really effective and it was a shame that this part of the song wasn’t expanded on. The part reminded me of the previous album on such songs as ‘Run for Cover’ and ‘Promises’ which use a lot of harmonies. I liked this song as the usual musical conventions (what works well with what) were once more broken to appeal to a wider audience and modernise the track. Another possible single release? 9/10

No Man No Cry (3.32)

This is the worse track on the album in my view. When I saw the title I just had the idea of a reggae influence in my mind and I wasn’t far wrong. The song begins with a reggae sounding drum beat but then progresses into a more modern song with heavy beats and electric guitar. I don’t know why I dislike this song but I just seem to switch off when it is played as it is not very imaginative and is far to repetitive and as I dislike the chorus that’s not a good thing at all! There are no big discoveries in this track the most you will get are strong beats and a metal drum sound which is different but I think this song will be smothered by the others which is a good thing as its just boring. 2/10

Switch (3.37)

A rather electronica sound is used in this song, its quite funky, the song is very computer game like in sound and the chorus is quite catchy although simplistic in some aspects. The beat of the track overall is what is of main interest as it is very rhythmic. The middle eight of this song is also effective adding contrast including the bridge. In my opinion, this song goes on for too long as once again the chorus plays on for too long and outstays its welcome. I have been irritated by this song and also have enjoyed it on times but this really needs an acquired taste. The beat in the chorus, although needing to accompany the lyrics, keeps a too rigid pattern for my liking as it gives the song a harsher sound which is does not need although it does tend to portray a constant change in direction as what the song might suggest/want. 7/10

Million Miles Long (3.23)

This is another grower, the song is like a garage track at start it is fast pace in terms of vocal rhythm and the accompaniment is drum and bass like with various computer generated sound effects. There is a nice use of acoustic guitar in this song and the vocals by Mutya work well in syncopation with the bass riff and beats. Again there is a bridge in this track which all the girls sing and when the chorus enters, the song gains more pace once more. The chorus is very ‘fuelled’ with a string drum and bass influence.
Once more the Babes experiment with their music and the middle eight in this song is furthest attempt of experimenting I have heard. Keisha takes to the microphone in a Alesha from Mis-teeq style attempt to MC and as her first attempt, it isn’t that bad. The girl has the rhythm and syncopation to do it and she just sounds like a younger version of Alesha as her voice is less mature. This addition to the track urbanises it more and provides more of a crossover between the various music styles, while sounding garage like it still is poppy and also urban. I enjoy this song as it is very catchy and the various styles work well each blending well together to sound very polished. 8/10

Breathin’ Easy (3.58)

This is the only song that really sounds like the old Sugababes we knew. It is an acoustic version (better than the polished one) with an acoustic guitar being used as the main instrument. It is very slow paced and relaxing, it’s very melodic with great accompaniment. I really like this track, again it didn’t sound as good as some of their other tracks possible boring but give it time and it is a real grower. Once you have listened to such as range of styles on one album, this song is a nice simplistic chillout track which gives the girls the opportunity to demonstrate their vocal skills which are truly amazing. A bring down from the energetic styles is just what the music guru ordered for a satisfying album. 9/10

Round Round (alternative mix) (6.04)

The longest track on the album, which is obvious, as it is a remix. The song is not dissimilar to the number one hit, it is more of an extended version with some effect dumbed down and the vocals being made more ‘drier’ to add atmosphere and to emphasize the darkness of the remixed track. New additions to the effects include a reverb used on the chorus which is more ‘vocal’ focused. The second verse begins about 3 minutes into the track it is much more haunting. The lyircs have been altered to create contrast to the original as well as the echoes and a dry sound is added to contrast with the fatter chorus and middle eight which is much more uplifting than before. This remix is much more atmospheric rejecting the upbeat sound of the original often creating a new mood entirely. The remix is a worthwhile addition to the album although on times it would be better if the previous track was the final one as it left on a light and airy note which to me was more sufficient as a final song on an album. 8/10

I truly do enjoy listening to this album now, there is a song to suit everyone here and many are from all spheres of the music world which culminate in a much textured album than before which often would stick to the desired and tried and tested method.

Like I said, this albums songs might sound too similar to begin with but please give it time. Listen to the lyrics and go where each song wants you to go, it truly is a satisfying album which I am sure I will play for years to come as I still do with their debut.

This album demonstrates the girl’s talent to sing as well as write songs which most is of a high standard. The girls have done well for themselves and it finally looks like they will get the recognition they have been deserving of ever since they came onto the music scene.

Thanks for reading, Mike.

Hope you like the review and the pictures I have just recently uploaded!! I should be back soon to write on their third album 'Three' - it all depends on wether my full time jobs tires me out too much or not!!
 

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