Sugababes Album: “Catfights and Spotlights [Universal]”

So the latest Sugababes album is here. It's becoming a regular occurance, that at the end of every year the trio release a new album.

Their previous album, Change, was rather a disappointment. At the time (check back through my reviews for my take on it), I loved it, but over time the album has become boring. Thankfully, Catfights & Spotlights is a lot better. Yes, this might not be a popular opinion but I genuinelly like this album. The standout tracks make the whole CD for me.

So what are these tracks?

Well, my favourite song on the album is the ballad "Sunday Rain." This song is just gorgeous. The Babes do a cracker ballad, every album they've released has had a couple of good ballads and this is no exception. "Sunday Rain" has a retro feel to it, which makes you feel like you're in the 50's or 60's. It has creative lyrics ("standing on the platform, waiting for the train, watching the weather change") and a really catchy chorus for a ballad. The highlight of the CD and my favourite track for sure.

Another standout is the fan's favourite track, "Every Heart Broken." I have to admit, this track took awhile to grow on me, but now I adore it, it's one of my favourites. The lyrics are incredibly cool ("when he said cut, I took it literally") and quite dark, considering the track used to be called "Murder One." It's also really catchy and the girls sound awesome. I hope this is a single.

The album's official closing track, "Can We Call A Truce" is another highlight. It's another Babes ballad and it was actually my favourite on the first listen of the album. The girls talk more then sing in this track and yet again, the lyrics are top notch. I absolutely love this song, it's another favourite.

Another track that seems to have favour with the fans is "Side Chick." I find this track rather interesting. Sometimes I love it, sometimes I hate it. It's really catchy and Keisha sounds great on it.

I know it's not an official track, but I adore "She's Like A Star" with Taio Cruz. It's just such a cute track. Taio sounds great and the Babes complement him nicely. It's a short little track, but it works.

"Beware" is another cool track, lead by Amelle. It's another shorter track but packs a powerful punch, it's really catchy.

I must make a mention of the album's lead single, "Girls." What in the world were the girls thinking when they released this? It's their worst single yet. It's so boring! If the album failed, it was because of this song.

This album isn't nearly as strong as the new Girls Aloud album, Out Of Control, but it's still a fine offering from the Babes. I would have given it 4 stars, but I adore "Sunday Rain," "Every Heart Broken," "Can We Call A Truce" and "She's Like A Star" too much to do that.

How can anyone give this beautiful album a negative review? Every song and I mean every song is full of melodic sweetness. I bought this on a whim having never heard of Sugababes before and listened to it once and thought it was OK. Then I listened a second and a third and as all great albums do it came out in all it's glory. I have no complaint about any of these wonderful songs here. If you like girly pop/dance stuff as I do these days you will love this. 5 stars.

1. Girls - 1/10 terrible song, terrible single choice, they must have been high when they chose this as a single, shouldn't even be on the album, and the lyrics are horrible too.

2. You On A Good Day - 9/10, I hate 60's influenced songs, but this is a great song and the chorus really stands out.

3. No Can Do - 2/10, boring and blah song, bad 2nd single choice.

4. Hanging On A Star - 7/10, a mildly enetertaing up tempo track.

5. Side Chick - 10/10, ace song, sounds similar to Robyn's "Handle Me," probably because of the same songwriter on both songs.

6. Unbreakable Heart - 8/10, pretty great, but not amazing, but I like the production values on the song.

7. Sunday Rain - 8/10, good 50's inspired song with a cool chorus.

8. Every Heart Broken - 10/10, best song on the album, should have been the first single, it's that amazing. The lyrics are sly, the song is catchy as hell, and the production on it is beautiful.

9. Beware - 8/10, a different sounding song, but oddly unique and entertaining.

10. Nothing's As Good As You - 6/10, it's ok, but pretty forgetable.

11. Sound Of Goodbye - 7/10, better than the last track, but nothing breathtaking

12. Can We Call A Truce - 8/10, good song, not as great as some of the others on the album, but it's a pretty song and a smidge depressing.

Bonus Tracks:

13. About You Now (Acoustic Version) - 6/10, not as good as the original version.

14. She's Like A Star - 1/10, BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Unlike some other reviewers, I found the previous 'Babes album, "Change," a lot of fun. With "Catfights" the girls have return to suck on the teat of generic, uninspired, American-sounding urban rot. Lots of mid-tempo numbers, the occasional burst of energy, and then back to soulless ballads and bass-heavy pseudo grooves. I hope some good remixes are on the way.