Change - Sugababes > Reviews > Sugababes Change for the better

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	Mixed
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money	Good

Advantages:	Amelle, Heidi
Disadvantages:	No Siobhan Donaghy

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I rushed to HMV after university to buy "Change" and was very excited, wishing I could listen to it on the bus on the way back! I flicked through the booklet to see if we had some pretty new pictures of the girls. My personal favourite was the picture of Amelle. I think that Keisha's picture was far too zoomed in, and I didn't like the yellow jumper thing around Heidi's waist. However, all three babes looked stunning as usual! I also liked the final group shot in the booklet, and the effects of writing one letter of Sugababes on each page. I was especially glad that SUGABABABES didn't make an appearance, as it looks stupid.

I put the CD in to my player the second I got home, and the now familiar sounds of About You Now echoed around my room. To be honest I prefer the single version, as I believe that the extra lines draw the first verse out too much. All in all though, I really like this song, and I think it deserves to be number one! [5/5]. As the song ended, Never Gonna Dance Again began. I was slightly disappointed as the reviews seemed to big up the track more than it deserved in my opinion, but still, I really liked it, obviously being placed as my second favourite song at the time. Highlights were the chorus and the middle 8, Miss Range may only get a small part, but she knows how to deliver it. [4/5].

Next up was Denial, another song that has had a lot of good press, and to be honest, I felt a bit let down. Lyrically, this is one of the strongest tracks on the album, as it has some profound and meaningful lyrics, some which I can relate to strongly. BUT the music and vocals don't allow it to reach it's full potential. I can imagine this to be a grower, though. [3/5]. Next up was a song that I thought would be awful, judging from the title alone. BUT My Love Is Pink proved me wrong almost from the first moment. This song is catchy, fun, and although the lyrics could be better, it became my favourite so far. I reckon that this would make a great and popular single. [5/5].

After these songs I took a break from listening, and when I returned I resumed with Change. All I can say is: wow! Sugababes have mastered the ballad and emotional song, with Too Lost In You, Now You're Gone and 2 Hearts being personal favourites of mine. This song starts off with a lot of potential. I was waiting intently for a powerful chorus, and I got it, earlier than expected. I love the way how this chorus kicks in before the verse has even ended, it gives it an added power. The only thing that lets this song down is not enough vocals by my favourite member, Heidi. But that aside, I can imagine this being another chart topping single. [5/5] . After Change, which I had to listen to twice because I loved it so much, Back When began. Now Sugababes rarely have album "filler" in my opinion, but I think that this song gains that title. I didn't like the lyrics or vocal arrangements, but it had a pretty sweet melody. A friend of mine said that he loves this song, but I had to disagree, it didn't really do much for me, and is my least favourite track so far. [2/5].

After the let down of the previous track, I was hoping for something to get the babes back in my good books. Suprise did the job perfectly. From looking at the liner notes, this is the Goodbye that the reviews spoke so highly of, and I totally agree with them. It's catchy, fun and I had it stuck in my head in the shower later that evening, after just one listen! The oh oh ohs are catchy. It's just a perfect pop song! [5/5]. The next track, Back Down had a lot to live up to... and to be honest, it didn't do it very well. This song sounded to me like they were trying to recreate the sound of Nasty Ghetto but failed miserably. I think the only redeeming feature of the song was the equal vocals from all 3 girls, with a verse and a chorus each. This became my least favourite track on the album. [2/5].

After another short break, I eagerly returned to the CD, and the next track, Mended By You, which was co-written by Karen Poole, one of the best pop writers of today, in my opinion, so I had high hopes for this. My hopes were correct! This song is absolutely beautiful. Listen to it and fall in love, definitely the best ballad on the album. [4/5]. The next track is another track that I had low expectations of because of the name. 3 Spoons Of Suga may have a bad name, but it is far from a bad song. It's another great pop song and grew to be one of my favourite songs on the album straight away. I especially like the "and all the girls/guys say" lines, and the speaking lines towards the end, although I couldn't make them out, sound really cool and have a great effect. I don't think this is single material, but it is an album favourite! [5/5].

As the album drew to a close I felt both excited and upset. I didn't want the constant flow of new Sugababes material to end, but I was also looking forward to waht the closing tracks would bring. Open The Door came next. I was busy whilst listening to this track, so it wasn't very memorable, but I remember thinking "is this the closing track?" forgetting about the 12th song. I think this song has closing track qualities, and was placed in the wrong place. It's not amazing, nor single material, but I like it, and I probably consider it a grower. I'll listen some more. [3/5]. Now it was the turn of the actual closing tracks, and I had high expectations. Run For Cover and 2 Hearts are perfect examples of how to close an album, but no, they didn't judge on their past successes, and ventured in to Round Round (alternative mix) territory. Undignified has an amazing title, but it's all downhill from there. I like the song, but i feel it's been misplaced. The lyrics are beatiful, but they suffer the same fate as those of Denial, not really advantaged by the music or production. Perhaps if this was swapped with Mended By You or Open The Door I'd prefer it, but it had a lot to live up to, and failed. Perhaps another grower, maybe I should listen more. [3/5].

Summary

I like this album, it's a good advance from their previous work, they've experimented with different styles, vocal effects etc. I love the rock aspects that Amelle has brought to the band, It's amazing how Keisha's vocals have matured and become more beautiful with every album, and Heidi's voice remains unique and special. I still miss Siobhan. Mutya, a bit less so, but the babes are Keisha, Heidi and Amelle, and I can imagine it staying that way for another few albums. I don't think I like this album more than previous ones, as I like them all equally. I now have 5 Sugababes studio albums to play with, plus a Greatest Hits, and I'm happy with that. They'll all stay in my record collection as classics.