Album C-View: Sugababes - "Taller In More Ways"

[00:00:00] So I remember Keisha's outfit and I was like, I could never but you know now I'm older. I'm like, oh, I can't you know It was one of those where it was released and then like never talked about ever again

[00:00:11] They're weird like one guy's on the bed sitting like showing her tight cheese Yeah, sorry Come show these visiting British pop stars what you can do We're looking at themselves trying to figure out why they're existing in this Viewer discretion is advised your fave will be criticized

[00:00:30] That's this that's Shan and welcome to CCTV the Nonstop Pop Show and today we're discussing Sugar Babes fourth studio album taller in more ways Endlich Urlaub bald sitze in spandam strand aber erst mal musst du morgen früh pünktlich zum Flughafen kommen relax

[00:00:52] Start a new law stress free Buche deine fad und komme jederzeit pünktlich zum Bahnhof oder zum Flughafen Auf Nummer sicher gehen klick jetzt auf spanner und Buche deine fad bequem und günstig fahren mit der uber app Uber vermittelfarten und ist kein beförderer

[00:01:07] Looking for an awesome global pop music podcast Chris and I have the inside scoop with extensive experience performing on stage and working at Record labels we review and deep dive into your favorite artists songs and careers analyzing all the creative and business

[00:01:20] Decisions along the way and you can join us on patreon at patreon.com slash cctv pops and become a part of our amazing Crew including Lily Lassette Emily and Juliet subscribe now and let's explore the world of pop music together Yeah

[00:01:35] Yeah, and thank you to everyone who has watched or listened to our sugar babes episodes There's still some of our most successful ones. We did the one-on-one We did the lost tapes track by track review

[00:01:48] We did angels dirty faces track by track review and now it's time for another album Deep dive yeah, and to give some context. I've been a fan since I was a kid Shan your newer fan. It was one of the crash courses. I gave you during the pandemic

[00:02:04] Yeah, so for you this is probably the first time you've heard a lot of these songs, right? So oh, yes, you fun discussion because I have like yeah, oh G fan versus like new fans It's always like that with the Brit Pop one especially with Kylie

[00:02:16] I don't know enough of Kylie this was such a funny conversation Yeah, no definitely be sure to tune into our other episodes leave some feedback. Let us know your favorite songs I was like your ratings and your scores for each of those songs on those videos

[00:02:27] But yeah, we're gonna get into Tala and wall ways released in October 2005 Tala in more ways is the sugar babes fourth album and it was a time of transition for the group Mutia gave birth to her daughter earlier in the year

[00:02:43] And she would eventually leave the group following the release of the album in December 2005 which she later revealed was due to postpartum depression and the hectic promotional schedule and a mel quickly replaced Mutia and the album was re-released in March

[00:02:58] 2006 with a few tracks re-recorded by a mel if you want to hear some more discussion on the member switch up and the overall journey of The sugar babes make sure to check out our sugar babes pop 101 episode

[00:03:09] Which is still one of our most popular episodes as we mentioned before Mm-hmm so before we get into it You do want to note that the song better is a UK bonus track even though it's on all the international streaming services

[00:03:21] So that's just very confusing plus why do they have the version of Mutia's album cover? But then a mel's vocals on streaming services to you like someone needs to clean this up. But anyway, I digress Better is a UK bonus track

[00:03:35] So we're going to omit that for now as we have been kind of with all of our album reviews We're doing just the standard album We will do bonus tracks and b-sides at a different time because this era actually has quite a lot as well

[00:03:48] So oh my goodness We will now go track by track and discuss the production vocals and lyrics and give our ratings for each song All right, the first track is

[00:04:03] By Dallas Austin and members key ship with yet and Heidi it was released as the lead single from the album in September 2005 and the track went straight to number one in the UK and remains one of the group's signature hits

[00:04:15] It was even included in the official playlist for the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics in London His song Yes, yes, so I love push the bud I have a connection to it though because I feel like when it came out it was everywhere like even in Hong Kong

[00:04:34] This song was everywhere I remember that music video so well because it would play so often and it did feel like a moment when it was Released I think there was a lot of anticipation for them, you know, cuz obviously they were just coming off of three

[00:04:48] So it was like hold my head and two lost in you like they were you know Kind of at their peak commercially and this one I think did even better than that So this was a good time to be a fan when push the button was first released

[00:05:02] Yeah, yeah super super catchy The chorus is very easy to sing along to I do love Keisha's pre-chorus and the way it builds Yes, yeah, yeah tells a story really well there too I agree and yeah, it is interesting obviously now

[00:05:19] They've been performing it with Siobhan so Mootya's line was always one of my favorites You know my sexy ass has got him in a new dimension But now actually Siobhan sings it so they've switched verses which is very interesting but Siobhan kills it too

[00:05:31] Yes, indeed indeed. Yeah, that's great Yeah, yeah, I think the production is fun You know, it's more it's definitely not as cool quote-unquote as maybe like the previous eras of like holding the head Etc like it's a little more pop a little more bright

[00:05:47] But I think it works and I think because it's Dallas Austin He still does kind of bring that bring it down from it being too bright

[00:05:55] So I think the balance is there. I do have to say I wish Keisha's ad libs were went off a bit more at the end

[00:06:03] You can kind of tell she's holding back a little bit because vocally I mean or what she's thinking that live. Yeah, she goes off. Yeah Yeah, I still love this song but I know you have kind of mixed feelings right?

[00:06:16] Yeah, cuz um, you know for me, it's like I didn't like it at first Honestly, I think even back then we first did it for the pot one or one I thought oh, yeah, and I can't mean this is the single

[00:06:27] But now as you mentioned like where they were professionally does make sense You know you had all that anticipation here already kind of like on top of the world in a sense. So I Can see why I did well And then I kind of have like this

[00:06:41] Attachment to the songs you previously mentioned like the hole in the head and the even like when Heidi first came in They did on freak like me It just there was something so cool about it

[00:06:50] Even though it was pop and I appreciate that and then this song to me just felt like Is this but that's just me, you know, I was like I don't know how I feel about this and that's what happened

[00:07:01] I just like them doing you know warm silky arm beatings, you know with a little bit of Pop inspired or like weirdness somewhere in there, you know, I think what made me like it more though is the top line

[00:07:13] I think the melody of the song is flirty and I love how conversational the verses are that's what kind of Brought me in a little bit more because it felt like somebody was talking to their friend like girl

[00:07:21] I'm a child to get this man to come oh my gosh. Oh, it's going on And I was watching some videos in case she was saying that this is kind of Autobiographical because she had kind of had a crush on Dallas's friend and the friend was just like

[00:07:35] And I heard she was like come on boy Come on So I appreciate that and it seems like pop songs about buttons are always very much about men not making moves And I love that that's like you see demon buttons this song

[00:07:46] It's like come on with the buttons But yeah, I just find it interesting that Dallas Austin worked on this one for sure Because like I know his productions for TLC so I can kind of be like oh, yeah I wonder if he had this planned out for TLC

[00:07:58] I know they had it long hiatus But I do wonder if he was just like hmm because I mean Lutia's voice is very like T-Bossy yeah, I mean hers is a little bit more of our brighter tone not brighter

[00:08:09] But it can go a little bit higher and she tends to be able to show more of her range That could be brighter could be lower she just jumps around a lot T-Boss kind of stays in that one very cool setting

[00:08:21] Which isn't bad, but it's just it happens I do wonder because I'm like oh, I can hear them And I just I wish it was a little bit more R&B hip-hop in there

[00:08:30] But I appreciate the the attempt at something new the video though. I do remember liking and Knowing the song because of the video, but not really knowing this song, but I knew the video. Yeah, you showed me I was like

[00:08:42] It's a very memorable visual with the with them and the elevator They're all styled very differently as well And then all the stuff with the men at the end is so funny because it's so awkward Like they're all like trying to be dominating

[00:08:56] But it's like not sexy at all, but it's not supposed to be right It's just supposed to be like very silly and messy and yeah very funny I appreciate that. I appreciate they didn't take themselves seriously I can see how people thought it was raunchy though

[00:09:08] Like oh, yeah, I mean at the time you have Wu Tian these little panty shorts She had like just given birth to Because it was just a good dose to her. That's a lot of pressure. Oh my gosh

[00:09:19] But yeah, no, I mean like it's interesting that people are like, oh, this is so raunchy You know this is raunchy, but yeah, they were working the camera. They were working it Coyote a few hours or wasn't much there's a lot of swaying

[00:09:28] Listen, these girls can sway themselves to zets. I'm not gonna say the word but they love to sway. Okay But yeah, I remember Seeing this video when I was in elementary school

[00:09:37] They're all gonna you two at first like come out and it's I had uploaded and I was like wow So pretty that's what I remember

[00:09:44] So I remember Kiesha's outfit and I was like I could never but you know now I'm older. I'm like, oh, I can't you know All the body rolls and stuff though I mean I do wish that they could have had a little bit more choreography in there

[00:09:56] But you know all the all the body rolls and stuff is fine. It works Yes That is giggling But yes, I appreciate their step into a more colorful kind of color palette because there's a lot more rock and underground and just like

[00:10:10] You know dirty this was that so I appreciated it. Yes Now that being said though my ranking may have the sugar babes the saltfellows whatever the fans are I call y'all saltfellows. I'm not sure what the fans are calling yet. I still love that Saltfellows. Yeah

[00:10:25] I'm sorry saltfellows, but my score is probably not gonna be that great I'm gonna give it like an 8.5. It was a little bit lower. That's high It was lower, but I ended up liking the song as I was stuck in traffic listening to the

[00:10:39] Kiesha's the one who saved it for me. I'm gonna just say that now. He should save it All right, I will give it a nine Yes All right moving on to track two. So you spoke of dallas austin. He did a lot on the album actually

[00:10:54] Yeah, and he also did this next one gotta be you And he did it with tricky stewart the dream and Penelope Magnet and I do believe he had actually originally written it for

[00:11:05] Another artist called cameo. I believe I tried to find that version, but I couldn't find it So if any of you saltfellows have a link, I would love to hear it again But yes This song was one of the tracks that was re-recorded by ml for the re-release

[00:11:22] So we have the two versions to compare and most notably there was a lyric change from Newsweek you would say today look at mutia to you would say today. Look at this slut It was an interesting change

[00:11:37] And then again, I'm curious if that was actually the original lyric that was in the cameo version Maybe it probably was yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. They make the text out now starting to make sense

[00:11:46] It's all coming together. Yeah, so this sound sounds very american. What do you think of this one? Dude, yes. Oh my gosh. Oh, this is like a 2005 album, right? Yes

[00:11:56] Like it into kpop at the time. I'm trying to figure out because I'm trying to figure out what the heck my ear No, it wasn't too early, right? It was too early. Yeah for sure. I'm trying to what was that listening to 2005 that was like

[00:12:09] They all listen to more hip-hop rmb at the time so it did have elements of this for sure But The synth here, I don't think I ever liked songs that had synth like this when I was younger

[00:12:21] I didn't like songs like this when I was younger. I don't remember being like, oh, yeah It says a lot. I don't even now I listened to listen back to these synths I was like who thought this was a good idea. Like I get it was the style

[00:12:31] But it's just for some reason it's just from then to now. I'm like, oh god. Here we go It just sounds a little like like an attempt at making them a crossover You know a song and I just don't like that

[00:12:42] I feel like like you said it wasn't for them, but I could tell before you mentioned it was for Camille But yeah, I mean, but yeah, I mean it's all bad

[00:12:51] It's just a little disappointing to think that tricky stewart and the dream had worked on it because tricky had worked with b2k I done things with pink like they have better productions. They have better songs that they've written

[00:13:03] I just don't know why this feels like a little bit of a filler for someone else's album Because it was but also feels like a little bit fillery for their album But yeah, I mean it's okay

[00:13:14] I don't know. I think it just sounds like a demo. That's what I wrote down here I didn't want to say it but the harmonies are decent enough and the talking bits

[00:13:21] I think are my favorite part like the talking bits are just like they're cute because it's like everyone makes mistakes Mom was just you I was cracking up. I'm like, I love that line That's amazing So mean um, but yeah, I understand the meaning of the song

[00:13:34] It's like relatable, but this song isn't like peak for any writer or artist that's that's involved in the track That's just my opinion salt fellows. I'm sorry, but not really But yeah, it doesn't really do much for me really. It just feels like a

[00:13:47] All the all the girls in the club hold your cups up and you know It's not strong enough. I feel especially after push the button Yeah, yeah, I don't really remember how I thought about it when I was younger I don't think it was necessarily a favorite

[00:14:05] I do believe and again fans correct me if I'm wrong. I do think this was at one point Going to be a single. I think maybe mutia's departure kind of messed with that a little bit

[00:14:17] But it does sound very american like I could hear like dany d canes saying this. Oh, yeah, okay. Yeah. Yeah, it ain't me It ain't me. Hey, thank you. Yeah, you're right. I'm like, oh, yeah

[00:14:28] Are we going off? Yeah, but I think they did what they could with it like I think the verse melodies are nice I think Heidi sounds great in that pre chorus moment and the vocal production there is really cool too with the different layers as well

[00:14:41] Yeah, and then the chorus is very simple. It is just that repeat, right? But at least there is that harmony build you do still hear the three of them I don't love that male vocal loop in the back. I know that was also a big thing

[00:14:54] At the time But that is a little annoying What do you think of the differences between mutia's version and emel's version? You know what? Oh, man. I feel so bad for emel because she's uh, god She stayed in the group longer than ferra did desi's child for sure

[00:15:11] But it's just things that she gets let's let's just say emel Amel did contribute quite a lot to the shigabay. Give me a second. I didn't finish my statement. I didn't finish my statement Oh, those two names should not even be in the same sentence

[00:15:24] You know, I say that because I feel like she gets a little bit of a weird rap But even when we're doing like the pot one or one it turned to this thing where it's like she's not mutia

[00:15:32] We get that her name is not mutia. It's never we get that because she's not mutia But she doesn't sound bad. She holds it down for someone who has a lower More raspy her voice. She held it down

[00:15:42] Mutia just has a little bit more depth where she just it sounds a lot more full where she can I call her like she's like a true alto She'll sit down in this low spot of her voice and take you home with it

[00:15:53] You know I'm saying and her even her higher brighter tone in in her voice. It sounds good But yeah, I think emel sounded pretty good, you know Like I said, you know, you don't think ferra and hers should be in the same sentence

[00:16:04] I think that people go hard on emel for everyone has a reason I get it But listening to it she didn't do a bad job. She didn't do a bad job I appreciated her but again, I think because I do prefer mutia's boy

[00:16:15] Yeah, I think it's a stronger it's not like oh my god Bad. I oh my gosh. She's terrible compared to but it just has a different kind of vibe It just gives it a little bit more of a grittier sound

[00:16:25] And if you watch it and mutia is kind of like the the thing you listen to you hear like oh, who's that in the group? right, so yeah emel just kind of is just a Like a like a Pepsi Coke

[00:16:35] Which depends on what you like which one you you know that kind of thing for me But yeah, I think emel did a pretty good job. I think mutia just because of how

[00:16:43] Warm and like or how warm her voice sounds is just even it just elevates the track a little bit more just enough Yeah, yeah, I think emel did a good job with it. I think she definitely gives more attitude to the lyric Yeah, mm-hmm

[00:16:56] Mutia I think naturally is a little more like cold just in her delivery Like the tone is very warm But she's very like unemotional with how she delivers it and that just gives a very different vibe to the energy Yeah, yeah different energy to the lyric for sure

[00:17:09] Um, but yeah, actually like both versions But the reason I actually prefer mutia's version is actually has nothing to do with the two of them It's because there's this ad lib at the end where kisha is going off And that's only in the mutia version

[00:17:23] I don't know why they took it off for the emel one and then they turned it into a fade-out Why they do that at least kisha did it live I'm the words you're right actually now I think about it. So right It is They know choices

[00:17:36] I guess to kind of make it different for the fans is like, yo, this is not the mutia version You got to listen to this like I don't know. I don't know

[00:17:43] No, you couldn't even hear the mutia version like ever after that they like discontinued it everywhere. Anyway, not discontinued And it's not available on streaming. There's like a horrible rip on youtube. Yeah, absolutely Um, so yeah, I actually think this song is decent

[00:17:59] Is it the best sugar babe song ever? Definitely not but I think it has a place on the album given that it is a bit more On the american side. I think so. Yeah, I'll give it an eight. How about you? Okay, yeah, no, honestly because it

[00:18:13] Wasn't just listen to our happen rmb But yeah, 2005 we got like holla back girl. We got yeah the year before we got upon replay all those other little fun rmb tracky stuff and pop tracks that

[00:18:23] There's better versions of american pop. I'm gonna give it like I said, but it's okay All right track three is follow me home It was done by dallas austin johnny rockstar jeremy nshaw Karen pool and members mutia kisha and heidi

[00:18:37] It was released as the album's fourth and final single in june 2006 with a melz vocals And the track received a muted reaction and only hit number 32 on the uk singles chart

[00:18:49] Mutia later revealed that she was disappointed by the single release as she wrote her verse about her daughter And she also expressed that she felt the video was awful stating I just saw a bunch of you know nasty men and Pido guys and they're singing follow me home

[00:19:05] Which I can't say I don't agree with I completely agree with that But we'll get into that part of our review later. All right now. We're gonna talk about the song which actually stands fine alone God But you guys what do you thoughts about the track itself?

[00:19:25] I do like the song. I think it was tainted a bit by the whole situation Actually, I kind of wanted them to sing it at the o2 show a few weeks ago because I kind of want them to just kind of reclaim it Maybe it's um

[00:19:39] Just kind of take it out of this era because it was one of those where it was released and then like Never talked about ever again Damn, like it wasn't even included on the greatest hits album that was released like

[00:19:51] Later that year like that's how much they ignored it. I enjoyed the song. I think the production is cool It's kind of haunting but then the message is warm So it's just like an interesting blend there

[00:20:02] My favorite part is the pre chorus sometimes life it drags you down Um, I just think that's It's a nice lyric it has a nice melody and then they're in the recording There's some nice kind of ethereal harmonies in the back

[00:20:14] And then the live one they do like a full blown three-part harmony there as well, which was nice The chorus is fine I would say the rest of the song is stronger than the chorus

[00:20:27] I think again the added harmonies and the live version elevated it a bit more because it's kind of just the one lead vocal in the studio version And akisha sounds amazing in those ad-libs at the end For sure

[00:20:40] Yes, but yeah, I think the choice to release this as a single Is definitely a bit odd. I would have chosen pretty much anything else on this album I think just given the context Of everything Yeah, what do you think? You're funny, bro

[00:20:58] I agree with you in terms of like the atmosphere of the song like the production creates this very lonely Kind of feeling and there's like this beeping Kind of sound the jump patterns and then the strings just make the song feel super emotional

[00:21:09] Like you're so sad and you feel hopeful and I appreciate that But yeah, they really do emotional well And I feel like this song was meant to be like the successor to stronger

[00:21:21] But it just doesn't hit the same and it's like dang and I think it's because of just Maybe because of the the the chorus the chorus didn't bring it anywhere. Yeah, it didn't go anywhere with the chorus like it wasn't like

[00:21:34] Like I was trying to like recreate magic or a strike lightning twice And I think that's probably why it also didn't do well like this is not as strong as stronger Keep saying strong

[00:21:43] But yeah, I mean tied in with the lyrics to like the verses and whatnot. I do like the sentiments I appreciate the song It sounds like it's about a relationship But I do appreciate that you know Mutia wrote parts of it about her daughter and things like that

[00:21:56] So I think that's sweet and then Keisha wrote about like a personal friend of hers So it feels a little bit more closer to the girls And I have to say that that bridge with Heidi and Mutia is so soothing like

[00:22:07] It's simple but it's beautiful like an angel leading you somewhere like I'm getting out of the darkness and you know That boom the crescendo with keisha going off in the literal back

[00:22:16] The literal back. I don't know how I feel about that mix of her vocal like what it's like Yeah, but live She is yeah Hilliness. Yes, absolutely, which I appreciate. I just don't understand like I don't know how I feel about it being in the back

[00:22:28] Like I get it But I also don't because I'm just like yeah, I want to just let her just just take off the filter off the voice And just push it more. Yeah, I wonder if it's a Dallas. Is it a Dallas Austin thing?

[00:22:39] We know he's now done all three of these tracks so far and all the ad-libs have been kind of like in the back. So You know what?

[00:22:48] There's a pattern. I'm just gonna get all this pattern kick it forward and I but um, yeah, maybe maybe not that question But yeah, the song has potential or had potential to be a little bit more And I think

[00:23:01] A good video would have just you know, definitely kind of carried it a little bit better But Yeah, what'd you think? We got some weird undercover Video, you know from the first shot being a liquor bottle and a lens flare I don't know what they had to expect

[00:23:20] Because I just I heard the song several times before I watched the video and I was thinking wow They must have like, you know like stronger even though it was by the pool

[00:23:26] It felt like you know like the girls the girls from around the way are gonna figure out how to get out the hood Like that's what it felt like This one I was expecting something about homelessness

[00:23:35] Addiction even like the themes of friendship or a relationship could be could have been explored. Yeah, no we get I'm about to save everyone from traffic Yeah, I can't say the real work because I think we're gonna get you know caught on youtube

[00:23:49] But I'm trying to save people from the traffic the dangers of traffic Are you kidding me? Like someone was trying to literally be super deep and I'm like this is not the time Sometimes it's good to be on the nose. This is one of them songs

[00:24:00] Get it right on the nose because they were like yo, what if Like who brought the treatment for this? I'm just trying to figure out who thought this is a good idea Here's the thing. I think as an idea, it's not the worst idea

[00:24:10] But I think the execution was terrible because unless you're watching it really closely It's very easy to miss what's going on because unless you just happen to see those shots where they like put the mic Under the table and stuff. Yeah

[00:24:23] It just looks like the three members are also part of this operation Setting the girls up to get caught. Yeah Yeah Like so and then all the scenes of the Men and young women. Yeah, it's like I don't know

[00:24:39] They're they're weird like one guy's on the bed so they're like showing her tai chi Yeah, sorry, sorry That's that is one of the more odd moments. Yes Sorry, but yeah, I just feel like if they were gonna go with this

[00:24:51] Go with even more on the nose like have them be like police officers and like working out the The situation and make it really obvious what's going on because with a pop music video

[00:25:04] No one's watching it that carefully and so I would interpret it the same way that mutia did as well So yeah, I mean this is basically a forgotten song in their discography. So I think because of the video

[00:25:17] Yeah, I mean those did you see the b side with the key show i'm a little talking about some Although you are smart. I'm like no no no stop smarkin stop smarkin stop smarking Like oh, they weren't emoting properly the direction was just off

[00:25:30] Uh aside from that though. It looks good into snow at the end I'm gonna ride for you, baby Just think my dandy came now. We're kind of walking through the seasons. Yeah, I'm not gonna let this change my score though

[00:25:42] Okay, uh, how do you how do you rate this song? So I love a good sugar babes mid tempo moment, right? Like I love stronger I love too lost in you. I love cotton a moment

[00:25:52] I love all that and this one's not as good as those so I will give this one a seven Yes in terms of a mid tempo bops. This one is a It's a seven All right, moving on to joy division

[00:26:07] This one was done by johnny rock star cameron mcgvay and members mutia kisha and heidi So it's our first non dalas austin track on the album so far What do you think this one is interesting because it was giving a lot more energy than what I got

[00:26:22] Vocally and it's not their fault. I know the girls wrote on it and I feel like people are gonna like you're being a hate No one's being a hater. I'm being honest with you sometime

[00:26:31] Sometimes it's okay to have other people right for a vibe that you want to you know achieve And I feel like the the top line is okay for me. It's something that was like

[00:26:42] Wow, you know really fits. It's not terrible. It's not terrible, but I just feel like the song Uh with the rocky moments. I was expecting something a little bit more, you know I don't know a little bit more interesting in terms of like the chorus

[00:26:58] You know and even the title's a little weird because like the joy division is also is a band Yes, but back in the day it was another is exclaimed term for like the The n a's di people

[00:27:12] Like barracks where they had women do like trafficking things. So I just don't understand dude That's what i'm saying because I was just like Why does this look strangely familiar? I'm like, I used to be a history buff

[00:27:22] I suck now, but the joy division was something that was created by That group For you know imprisoned female People and that's why I just don't like the title either and i'm trying to figure out how that works out

[00:27:35] And I guess it's kind of like I guess is lyrically they just don't want to be seen as just bodies I don't know but I just don't like it or like maybe there's a schism between

[00:27:45] What makes a man and a woman happy, you know, I'm trying I'm reaching right now That's my thing. I don't I don't care for the lyrical Content and the meaning of the song and the me trying to have to interpret what it means

[00:27:57] I will say Heidi's line about the delicatessen is hysterical Yeah, and it makes me think like I can never hear a u.s. Group saying it But it's very brit to say it was like i'm not me and it's like she pronounces it too Yeah, too. Yeah

[00:28:10] I was just like think about this is like mildly cheesy, but it's witty enough for me to go I like yeah You know, so I appreciate that appreciate that but aside from that the police stood stood out to me in a sense

[00:28:21] Where i'm like wow I need to play this song again I like the rock inspire in the beginning but after that it's kind of just like okay, you know, i'm so right Yeah I agree with you and that the chorus Is not that strong

[00:28:35] I think the chorus is again probably the weakest part of the song Which is kind of annoying because I actually do think the other elements are great. Heidi's pre-chorus is my favorite part Mainly because of that delicate test in line, but it's amazing

[00:28:48] And I do enjoy quiche has middle eight as well with the and then there are us, you know like the almost acapella Yeah, so I enjoyed those moments and I think the production is cool overall like it's kind of spacey It has a funky bass line

[00:29:04] But there's a roboticness to the vocal production as well. So it's just like Kind of weirdly kind of futuristic but not I guess Yes, cool. Yeah I will say the lyrics are actually very well-written Like if you read it as poetry, it's actually quite beautiful

[00:29:21] But melodically it's like just okay So i'm saying i'm like, oh dang it and this is one that I tend to forget Exists i'm gonna be honest Among the sugar babes discography. This is not one that I

[00:29:38] Really turn back to you ever so you didn't show me this one. Yeah, I can understand Yeah, so yeah, all right, I'll stick with the seven Yeah, this one's a seven too. It's like, okay. It's not terrible. I just feel like yeah, a little fillery

[00:29:52] Up next is red dress done by xeno mania's bob bradley Lisa cowling shawn lee nick coller tim powell maranda cooper ryan higgins and members mutia kisha and hyde And it contains a sample from landslide a northern soul recording by tony club

[00:30:09] It was released in march 2006 as the group's first single following muti's departure and amel's joining And the song peaked at number four in the uk singles chart For the single mix not only did they replace muti's vocals with amel's but kisha also re-recorded her verse

[00:30:25] And mutia has often stated how much she disliked the song noting that she was glad the group released a single following her departure And ironically the song has since become not only a staple in the set list for the original sugar babes in more recent years

[00:30:38] shabon has noted that it has become a favorite to perform live Full circle the song has gone full circle. Yeah, it's not from being hated to like okay And they're like, oh wait, we all kind of just like it in the south. Let's just keep it in there

[00:30:52] Ah This was just a weird time to be a fan So it's kind of hard for me to disconnect those feelings Because I love mutia, right?

[00:31:04] And so this is kind of being the new beginning in the middle of an album campaign like it was just a bit odd It was just a bit odd But I don't really remember thinking much of this song when it came out

[00:31:17] So like if you just for reference 2005 girls allowed chemistry era. Yeah, so we're talking like this is post love machine era This is now getting into like chemistry with biology And yeah, so and yeah, and that's an amazing album. And so my standard for zenomania

[00:31:41] Had to become quite high by now And this song is not really up there in the echelon of zenomania tracks to be very honest so eloquent But Speaking of the new version that mks have been doing. Yeah, it is so good

[00:31:58] The new live arrangement that this band has is so good Like to see mutia loving performing it and shivan killing Heidi's part Is just a great moment as a fan So I really enjoyed it experiencing the song live. Yeah. Yeah going back to the studio version though

[00:32:17] I do enjoy the bass line It does have the signatures in a media like electro pop like lushness Yeah, so it is well produced for what it is. I think again though I've already said this for a few songs. The chorus is my least favorite part

[00:32:32] Like I think the verses are really good. I love kiesha's verse Again, Heidi's part is just perfect for her voice and it's like perfectly balanced of like sweet and sassy And nonchalant like it's just a really really good I like Heidi's voice

[00:32:48] It's so good. Her voice is amazing But I do think it was a good choice of the single to introduce a mel Like if you go through the album and you had to choose one as kind of a relaunch quote-unquote

[00:33:00] This song was a good one. I think to do and she sounds good on it She sounds better than mutia does on it. Yeah, I think she fits this because I think mutia again She kind of has that kind of nonchalant kind of like cold

[00:33:14] Delivery and knowing that she hates the song. It means makes even more sense that why it was delivered that way but a mel is like Really giving the attitude which the song kind of needs to elevate it. I think yeah, so yeah

[00:33:27] I think I think it makes sense. But is it one of my favorite sugar babe songs? No, no I could understand that I like this song I think the chorus is the weakest we've been saying it this whole time

[00:33:38] Yeah, which stinks because it's like the chorus is kind of about the part that Non-fans would kind of latch on to and then like delvin to get you know to become fans So it's a little weak

[00:33:48] But it also just feels like runway as well. So it kind of is okay I think what I like the most about it is the northern soul influence They're that like brit pop loves northern soul like funk music. It's at it just sounds good

[00:34:02] I just think of brits. I just think of the uk as opposed to a funk music You're like, okay. I'm getting doo-wop and blah blah blah, but I like it. Um, it's not terrible the song

[00:34:14] It does however sound like girls allowed which why I was like, why do I feel like I know this song before even mentions in a Mani? I was like, why does it sound like good enough? Uh, because I know that's why

[00:34:26] Which is not a bad thing and I do like the meaning of the song I think it was meant to kind of be like an empowerment anthem So I appreciate the lyrical content like who needs all the extra parts of me that are putting candles on

[00:34:36] Putting on this red dress and doing all this stuff if this person can't like me for who I am I don't need him And I appreciate that and yes, Amel gave it what it needed in terms of like

[00:34:46] sexy like red lip high heel kind of girly thing going on with this like the girl pop thing The girly pop thing, you know, so I agree with you that relaunch with this song It's a good idea because she kind of fits that very like

[00:34:59] Chic sexy look too. But yeah, again back to what I was saying about like her and and and Farah people think that Desi's child's Line-up change was like, oh my god. No, they're like survivor the show

[00:35:09] No, the fact that they changed and it was like right in the middle of the album cycle is crazy And then what happens later is crazy Shadowed to the random whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, it's a key shoot by the way I didn't meant to mention that

[00:35:22] Sounding amazing and sounding even better now Yeah Things like that and you're right. I think like listening to it now even with the member the the member revamp, I don't know what the heck to call it anymore, but with the original members that is weird

[00:35:35] Such a weird thing But you having all the original first three members do it It is nice to hear with the new band version and things like that So I appreciate the song because of that newer version

[00:35:45] But in terms of like pop electro tracks and Xenomania and Shikobapes No, I don't know. I feel about it too much. It's okay. The video wasn't bad I think it looks like a fashion music video. Like it's very like the colors the lens flares

[00:36:00] I love the colors. I love that they use like three different colors on some of the scenes like you have your Your your blue you have your red you have your whites. It looks nice. The girls look very like Schmecks shape

[00:36:11] Like fashion models and then you get the weird Pights the high stockings socks socks and underpants and tank tops. I was like that doesn't make no sense But whatever it's whatever They look like they at least enjoy each other's company that matters, you know

[00:36:25] Like I like some of those the walking the strutting and the turning together So I think they have decent enough chemistry for me to be like, you know what?

[00:36:33] They don't want to beat each other up. That's good, you know, or like they at least converse when they go back to the flat, you know, I'm saying like But the video is not like amazing. It's okay but

[00:36:42] I do wonder if they kind of use all these crazy colors and kept homegirl in the back a mel in the back because she wasn't moved to you

[00:36:49] You know, but they pushed her to the front for parts of it for parts of it was wearing the bob wig Which made it more confusing probably too. So yeah, yeah Yeah, I mean, I don't mind that hair. The hair was very like of the time

[00:37:02] Yeah, yeah, but yeah, tell me about the video You were like there when it happened. It was okay I don't know man. This is just a weird era because like again Muccia had an edge, right?

[00:37:15] And so like especially with the three album, which that was probably my favorite era as a fan before now Obviously because now it's an amazing time to be a sugar base fan, but

[00:37:25] At the time I loved that album and that was them kind of at their edgiest, right? Like it was a hole in the head. It was too lost in you It was like all just kind of dark and stuff and I loved that

[00:37:35] Um to really set them apart as well from the other really kind of bright groups that were around And girls allowed had the glamour Thing kind of going already So sugar babes transitioning to that More glamorous kind of Victoria's secret esque

[00:37:54] Kind of image. I just found that a bit Much But I do think it makes sense With the new member joining to adapt and also kind of like move on To something else. So it's not like a very obvious replacement

[00:38:09] Like what destiny's child kind of did right like this one was a very clear like There's a new era the start of the new thing Like we have a new person and they're bringing a different energy and I do appreciate that

[00:38:21] So yeah, I do find it odd though because like you said the song is about like cooler than the red dress Like I don't need to be wearing this. I don't need to be like proving myself to you But then in the video they're wearing the red dresses

[00:38:34] They're just like you know what I mean? I'm just like wait, I don't get it It's just this concert dick the song Oh, hang on that makes sense. They're wearing the red dress in one scene Like oh my god, that girl's so hot

[00:38:46] But in the other scenes are down to like their underpants and stuff like that the show like I'm still hot without it That's what it is. Oh see that's not clear

[00:38:54] See I just realized that because you said what you said that no the video should not have to Listen y'all y'all gotta do better I mean we can't go back in time, but I gotta do better directors from back then. It's fine. Just watch the live version

[00:39:05] Oh my god, that's now the superior one Yeah, yeah, listen here saltfels. We said it's superior So yes, um as I was saying earlier, I'm going to give this song a Seven it's okay. It's all right. I thought it'd be higher for you actually okay

[00:39:22] I will do a seven point five. I actually think some of the hooks are good in it. So All right, moving on we have ugly Which was written and produced by Dallas Austin

[00:39:33] Who came up with a concept after reading all the negative press and comments about the members of the group And the song was released as the album's second single in december 2005 and hit number three in the uk singles chart

[00:39:46] The single would also be motya's final single before her departure And the track received a lot of comparisons to tlc's Unpretty especially because Dallas Austin also wrote and produced that one Hmm, you know, I didn't like the song. We heard it first. I remember that one on one

[00:40:03] Yeah, and okay, so here's why I think people mistake their nostalgia and the meaning of a song For it being like making a good song like there are bad love songs There are mid sad songs and mid songs about self-esteem

[00:40:16] And at the time I thought this song was fall under that category like I get the meaning I understand what it means to some people what it's supposed to represent But it's like that song fight song. I can't stand that song

[00:40:26] But many people use it for like, you know different causes in their life. I can't this is my I don't know I don't like that song either Like I said, there's there's there's ways to deliver, you know the message or even ugly by 21

[00:40:38] I got it was like a rock version. Cool. Whatever This one took me a second to like appreciate and I think it's because of the production Like the twinkily bells the very like cheesy generic guitar riff the synths like oh my gosh

[00:40:53] What really kind of brought me back in was the verses Because they were a little bit more personal and I listened to muti as parts and I was like wow

[00:41:01] kind of like imagine she was going through you know growing up and then like having to kind of create this Kind of tough exterior to bet combat how you were treated

[00:41:08] Maybe or maybe this is what she's always just a cool chick, but I can imagine what it's like being Conquered Asian looking and ages she's half or partial 25% either way But not looking like a normal Brit as they should quote look

[00:41:20] And I like appreciated that and then in Keisha's part was nice and the I get it Heidi's bridge wasn't that it for me. I'm not gonna sit here and pretend like wow, it was amazing Dynamically speaking the melody was very plain

[00:41:34] And I think the last line is the most dynamic part of her bridge like the higher note It christenos really nicely but like That's the only part for me that really did something

[00:41:45] Um, but yeah, again the lyrics for that part is very like you have nothing nice to say. Don't say it at all And for me, I'm just like Okay, it's all right. I mean I get it

[00:41:55] But yeah, I mean it's not me like pooping on the song. I'm just explaining why I didn't Sorry guys. Sorry salt fellas, but this isn't me explaining like why I don't care for it now live Just acoustically. I think it does what it needs to do

[00:42:06] I feel like if you would use more natural natural sounding Instruments as opposed to all the synths and the twinkles and all that bull crap. I wouldn't be so like

[00:42:16] A little cheesy feels like a commercial to me. Oh like a commercial for like a medicine or something right now I love the meaning, but it's just Production wise is not my favorite

[00:42:26] So I love to hear your side of it because you grew up with it. You still know it and uh I like the song again, not my favorite sugar babe single It's really funny because from talking to a lot of fans at the o2 show and stuff

[00:42:38] This one's actually one of the more divisive ones some fans love it. Some fans don't love it Okay, some fans. It's like it like helped them in their lives, you know And some fans it's like I don't need this in the set list

[00:42:49] So yeah, that was just kind of interesting that it is one of those songs I'm I'm kind of in the middle like I don't love it, but I do like it

[00:42:56] Like I think I it is cheesy, but you know, I think it is of its time as well You know songs were naturally just kind of cheesy back then. So I didn't think that like when it came out You know, right?

[00:43:06] I will say Dallas did a good job of making it feel very personal Like you were just saying like I would have totally thought that they wrote it if I didn't read the Dallas You know, so so I thought he did a good job There

[00:43:18] And I do think that if I'm ugly then so are you Love that I do appreciate that like as a line Yeah, you know like it's it's positive, but it's also like kind of cheeky You know And to be fair the Shooka babies really were

[00:43:34] Slated quite a lot in the press and stuff. So I think also in that context that I'm releasing this was also I don't yeah good for them your face. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I

[00:43:45] Completely disagree with you on Heidi's bridge. I think she sounds great on it. I think I think it has a nice melody Because it sounds very internal I think the way that she sings it

[00:43:58] And I like all the little trills that she does leading into the final courses as well And yeah, I'm also okay with the production as well. Like it is kind of a very Classic kind of more pop rocky kind of thing and I'm okay with that

[00:44:11] I like a lot of songs that have that so uh, yeah, I didn't really think anything of that one funny note though I don't know if I told you this from the o2 show going back to that from

[00:44:20] A few weeks ago. They'd asked for selfies from fans on their socials And they actually used them to display during this song which Was the interesting choice. You see what I mean? Come on. I was like no one

[00:44:35] Because then like I was surrounded by the fans that did submit pictures And it was just funny because it was just like This song, I don't know. I guess to recreate what happened in the music video where there's different Yeah, I remember right

[00:44:48] As we go that music video. Yeah, the music video also just aids my my opinions about it is just being very like It just felt like a commercial was like I think I even said this in my review of pop 101

[00:45:01] I was like it looks very much like if if this is these are the side effects of all the medicines Like that's what it felt like, you know Sorry guys, listen to the song means something to you

[00:45:11] Don't let me to detract from that because still means something to you Which is does not do that for me. So don't come for me or do I'm just gonna ignore it But just for me the video was just felt very like I don't know

[00:45:21] I feel like they could have just used more of the girls a little bit more So I just had them I don't I didn't know they were like judges And auditioning people or like they were having like an introspective moment before they had the auditions

[00:45:31] Like I don't know if you were auditioning for I thought it was more just a talent show like a showcase That's what I'm saying. So why were the girls sitting there like being like come show these visiting British pop stars?

[00:45:41] What you can do who are looking at themselves trying to figure out why they're existing in this Like I was giving but um, yeah, I just I think They looked great So before I go, but they looked amazing. I'm not saying they didn't look amazing

[00:45:56] I'm just saying the video didn't make any sense and they have all these random people who are very talented Very diverse community of people holding up signs on cakes very cute very sweet um, but yeah, I think them interacting with the

[00:46:09] The talent or the people that extras was more interesting. I wish there was more of that As opposed to them girls being like, oh, I think I'm ugly and then be like, oh, but you're not Oh, we're ugly together. Like it's just oh my god

[00:46:21] There's so many better ways to do things like that again the message is meaningful I think the deliveries are just not my favorite Of them. That's it. I'm not totally Okay with the video concept. I think especially because it's like it's new york, you know

[00:46:36] Arguably the most eclectic part of the world Um And yeah, kind of just like a celebrating uniqueness. I think it's fine. I I think it's tough to look at it from Like today's point of view because it's very cheesy given current culture but back then like

[00:46:57] You know, like this was still like awesome for them to actually even show people that look different on tv You know and so you kind of just have to take yourself back 20 years. I think I appreciate that is just the video's

[00:47:11] Treatments is not cohesive for me. That's it. Just a girl fine with it Yeah, I get what you mean because it's like why are they like being so like internal and reflective but then they're also like randomly judging these like

[00:47:24] That's what that's amazing randos in new york. Yeah, I understand that's that's really fun I don't like I'm like what But yeah, I don't know. I think I think it fits the song. I think it does what it needs to do Yeah, yeah, it's a satisfactory

[00:47:37] Yeah, the score i'm going to give this is a 6.5. I don't really care for this one at all. Okay I will give it an 8.5. I like it Up next is it ain't easy done by dallas austin by himself

[00:47:53] Yep, and it shows. Yeah, so this is another one along with joy division that I kind of just forget exists to be honest And they're kind of similar in vibe as well like it still has that kind of metallic electro pop kind of thing going

[00:48:12] Again, I just find the chorus very lacking. It ain't easy. Oh, it ain't easy. Oh like it's like it's just like It's just like oh, that's it like it doesn't go anywhere I do think the verses are good like there's a franticness to it

[00:48:27] And there's an interesting syncopation to the way they're singing the verses But yeah, another chorus just Disappoints me the warm thing of the production is kind of interesting And it does develop nicely and build throughout the song which I appreciate

[00:48:41] Yeah, but yeah, I think I feel like with the whole it ain't easy like repeat Like at least give us different members singing The the ad-libs and stuff in between or just something just to kind of like make it different

[00:48:54] I think maybe Heidi's part is probably the best Part because you know, it's dramatic It's very kind of zenomadia where it's like kind of like round round right where like It feels like they took a completely different song and

[00:49:06] And just took the bridge from it and suddenly there were strings and a guitar and And she sounds great. I don't I don't ever think of this song I don't blame you this one's a little tough because like I heard the production

[00:49:18] I thought okay, we might get something out finally I feel like Dallas was trying to make something sexy but then like because the Way the production is I have no problem with something not being obviously Matchy to the production. I I appreciate it when it's done properly

[00:49:35] Now before I had mentioned that I felt like joy division didn't fit the production But I will say that if that better than this one, you know, the girls are singing in a syncopated way

[00:49:46] It could have been done a little bit better. I just hate that they're singing in their mixed voices Like why are we are we singing in our mixed voices?

[00:49:53] Like the song is giving me stomp in your high heels your killer heels, whatever is giving me very just strong woman It's electro pop. It just has a very driving kind of beat to it and then I'm getting this

[00:50:09] For me, I just feel like vocal production wise. It just does not fit to me I didn't see like the melody wasn't good. It's just the way it was delivered It's not my favorite. I wish was a little bit more chest voice

[00:50:19] Maybe something that sounds like I'm hot. I look like this. I'm this kind of woman I look like this or my life is like this and then the hey, it ain't easy

[00:50:26] At least give me some type of difference in the tone so that at least I can appreciate when the chorus I mean the chorus comes around because the chorus is weak as hell But the verses are great. The mixed voices are okay

[00:50:36] It's like oh Moutia's part is kind of what I wanted in terms of like vocal delivery where it's a little bit stronger But even she's kind of singing in this little like blendy kind of voice

[00:50:50] And I'm just like, uh, and then we get to the bridge like I get it Like he's trying to do the denominated thing But that's what it sounds like it sound like he heard that and was like, oh, y'all want this Oh, let me do something really different

[00:50:59] You could have gone for a bluesy kind of sound You could have made something a little bit more rockier That would have just been a little bit more

[00:51:05] You could have done or even a dance break that they were just going to sway their bodies to but at least something That was just made sense. It didn't have to be super cohesive where it's like, yeah Oh my god, this fits perfectly

[00:51:16] But at least not just like Here's some randomness right here just to throw you off Like uh, like I do like the production of the song But the top line of it and certain parts flat lines pun intended

[00:51:30] Pun intended but yeah, just for me. I'm like it's okay It's okay and and Heidi great voice She does handle the bridges very well. I just want to know why that part of the reduction to what it did and was so just like

[00:51:45] But yeah, no, I mean, I don't hate the song I just wish I just wished for so much more because this was their opportunity not theirs But this was an opportunity to have a really stronger lyrical contact content and vocal delivery Just something that's a little bit more

[00:51:58] Different than what we just heard previously That's my opinion on that So what do you get it? I think it's sitting at a 6.5 as well just somewhere kind of just there It's not terrible. It's just one more Yeah, I will give it a 6.5 also

[00:52:14] Oh, the softfells are gonna hate me No, I don't think I mean again fans I'm curious of your opinions on this because as a crazy sugar babies fan This is not my favorite album like at all

[00:52:27] And as a new sugar babes fan, I would like to say that the first three Were probably my favorite But again, I like a little bit darker darker for my girls. I like them And then obviously lost tapes was amazing. Oh, yeah. Yeah, I do. Come on now

[00:52:42] Moving on to track eight. We have bruised which was done by guy sigsworth Kathy Dennis and members mootya kisha and Heidi Kathy Dennis makes an appearance And for me

[00:52:56] She did a great job. I really like bruised. It's super catchy. I think this one totally could have been a single It's got a fun bounce to it And everything is a hook, which is kind of what Kathy is known for right

[00:53:10] But even the dana dana like even just that is a hook already Yeah, where the song has even really started. So yeah, just good pop writing And I think the vocal delivery is is good as well

[00:53:22] Like the song is about an unhealthy relationship and you can really hear the frustration in their voices Especially in kisha's pre-choruses as well Yeah, and I love the way they did the harmonies in the chorus where it's like certain words

[00:53:34] Again, you can kind of hear all three of them And it's one of those songs where it passes the dolly parton test Which you know the dolly parton test

[00:53:42] Could you sing the song as a piano ballad or guitar ballad? Yes, you could and would it still be amazing? Yes, it would Yeah, I think the song would hold up on its on its not its own, but yeah, it would hold up. Yeah

[00:53:57] That is so funny the dolly part I learned that from Kylie. Thank you That you know a dolly part of you guys have not seen that documentary on nuff like so insightful She's amazing as a songwriter, but yes, what a whimsical approach to a tumultuous relationship God

[00:54:13] You know it really creates a cat and mouse atmosphere, but like more like tom and jerry Because like the war mentioning getting bruised and like you're my favorite enemy lines

[00:54:22] I was like is giving tom around the corner jay with a with a pan and smashing it in the head like It's just it's just so yeah, I think the the whimsical like sound of the production and the dana dana It just feels very like chastes for me

[00:54:36] But yeah pop has like this this this habit of making emotional or physical aboose Sound like like a dance track. I don't know what that is That wasn't listening that closely when I was driving But then I I was sitting down and I was like

[00:54:51] I want it. Whoa. Whoa. Wait Um, but yeah, like there's no resolution or a solution to this in terms of like this lyrical lyrical storytelling There's no resolution. It's more just acknowledging like there's an issue

[00:55:06] I think it's so fun. I was just like, well, we suck. We are really sure it's terrible But you know, we get too close to each other and just feels like ooh and the song is like danceable It's a weird combination. Doesn't mean I don't like it

[00:55:16] It's just a little little thing I noticed and I think the dana dana part when I heard it I started thinking of um Not that it's a copy but that kind of like hooky thing that was really

[00:55:31] It's really prominent in kpop now you hear in this Brit pop from like 2000 something and it's just like oh man It's so fun to be able to kind of make those correlations and be like, oh my gosh, I'm sorry. I see that song and da da da

[00:55:41] But yeah at this point in the album or even just like in their career or whatever I just wonder why there's no feature like this kind of

[00:55:48] I mean the girls really had features I get that but I just feel like the song would have been a little bit more Interesting with like a male voice or male perspective at least because like like a rap or vocally

[00:55:56] I think it'd just be interesting. It doesn't have to happen But I do wonder what would have happened with this is something that was more like Not like look what you made me do kind of vibe But more like I'm also very confused by our dynamic

[00:56:06] Like this is a war neither one of us will win kind of thing, you know Doesn't have to happen right but something a little different not just like

[00:56:14] Oh my god, this relationship is crazy. Oh you burn me. Oh I'm bruised. It's been nice to be with a guy like I'm confused too, sis I don't you're confused I'm confused if you know that tick tock sound drop it in the comments

[00:56:25] But yeah, I like this song and the lyrics definitely caught me off-card But I actually do like this one on the on the album. So not me laughing But yes, my score is higher for sure. Okay. I will give it a nine. How about you?

[00:56:37] I'll give it a Up next on the track list is obsession done by Dallas Austin Michael Debar and holly night It was a cover of obsession by an emotion an american new wave Sim the pop group. Oh boy. I'd say I've never heard this

[00:56:58] Me either. I never heard the original before. Yeah news to me. Yeah, you know this one I feel like it's it's interesting because we're getting this darker concept that I was asking for for like the whole album Uh-huh

[00:57:11] But like production wise it's just oh my god. It's just not what I was looking for and I was a little shocked because I like I like me a good 80s, you know, bop

[00:57:21] Okay, now if you guys have not watched our tension highly album review definitely check that out because I mentioned how much I love 80s But yeah, this I was like, okay, got some 80s things going on again. I was listening to it in my car

[00:57:32] So I didn't look at the the title I'm listening to the lyrics and I'm like, oh there's a stabby synth for a stabby song All right, and I'm listening some more and I'm like, oh my god Here we go

[00:57:41] Like the whole tainted love slash maniac theme was just super prevalent in the 80s And it probably should have stayed there because this sounds a little I don't want to use a c word But it sounds a little crazy A little lot of crazy but

[00:57:55] The girls haven't been the girls have an ability to make things sound a little bit more sultry And I appreciate it because the original boy. I think was bananas and pajamas You know, bananas and pajamas as it sounds crazy, but yeah, it was just bananas and pajamas

[00:58:09] So for me, I feel like is a little bit better I do however wish they would have like Gotten a little bit darker for the 80s synth or maybe like a dark electro pop version Like that would be a real remix. I mean real remake for me

[00:58:22] It would feel a little bit more like was in a mania did with a freak like me just take those risks I feel like what my problem is with this album. There's not enough risks. It's a lot of just safe

[00:58:31] Thank you and Mutia was still there. You guys have a reputation take a little bit more risks Go delve a little bit more into what you did before but it evolved it, you know I guess there was nothing else more to do

[00:58:42] But yeah, no the song is okay. I like what the girls did with it. It's it's satisfactory But yeah, I want more experimentation at this point Yeah, I'm confused by this

[00:58:53] Choice like was it chosen by Dallas? Like oh, I think you girls do this cover from this like random american 80s band, you know what I mean? Like it's just such a weird choice

[00:59:05] To be fair. I think I agree with you. Yeah, I agree with you in the sense that they Executed what they had well. Yes. I think they all sound good I kind of like the kind of cold and emotionless delivery kind of paired with kind of the

[00:59:21] Kind of the more kind of intense 80s kind of production Also, how dare you slate bananas and pajamas? They are great. I love them. They are not crazy They look crazy. You can want giant bananas

[00:59:36] Okay, I think in the general context of the album the 80s synth pop thing works So if they just kind of needed I don't know. Did they like need a song to pat it out? Like I just don't understand like this is just a bit odd

[00:59:48] Anyway, I'll pat it out Yeah, the lyrics are just very creepy and to be fair the cold and emotionless delivery They sound great, but that makes the lyrics even creepier. Yeah Yeah, that's why I thought like I thought soft cell like tainted love because it was very like

[01:00:03] Oh, yes, that's like that. That's why I appreciate it. But it just threw me off. I was like, what? Yeah, I will say though where the song starts is the exact same way it ends

[01:00:15] So there's no like build like it doesn't really go anywhere not much effort. Yeah It's just kind of like at a Straight line like the whole time. You have very linear. That's yes. Yeah. Yes. Yes. It's fine Do I listen to this a lot? No

[01:00:35] It's fine and I agree. Yeah, I think I think this is why we're gonna just I'm gonna keep my score pretty like at the At the seven level because again, it's not terrible. It's just yeah, they sound great

[01:00:45] But I just feel like the production is not as creative. Yeah as these girls are Yeah, catch my drift. But yeah seven for me. How about you? I will also agree with that seven. Yes

[01:00:57] I did find a little fan cam of them performing it on tour with the mel and it did sound great live Like it had a great energy to it. So I maybe it was fun live

[01:01:06] It might be one of those tracks that just kind of like it's 2d and you listen to it But then when you see is like wow like red dress suddenly being like wow to me But yes moving on

[01:01:18] Yes, up next is ace reject which was done by xenomania this time tim paul brian higgins and maranda cooper And of course members mutia kisha and heidi And ace reject is often referred to by fans as one of the group's best songs

[01:01:34] And the track has kind of become a bit of an inside joke with the fans constantly requesting live performances of the track Much to kisha's dismay as she has expressed that she does not like it that much

[01:01:46] Most recently when the sugar babes twitter account tweeted like what songs would you like for the o2 show? one person tweeted a funny like gift Of of if kisha saw all the requests for ace reject and she did reply That is cute Which is the melty

[01:02:05] smiley face when I was talking to fans before the o2 show I was joking with them because we were talking about like what do we think it's going to be on this set? Listen, I was like

[01:02:12] I wonder if they're at least just going to throw in like a chorus of ace reject or something just to appease the fans They did not so Sorry kisha you're gonna keep getting these requests because apparently everyone's obsessed with it It's okay for me

[01:02:25] I like that mutia singing a little bit more brighter and a brighter tone for the verse Which brings me back to what I was saying about like push the button and her and t boss voice is being similar

[01:02:32] But mutia can actually kind of like not actually but mutia Has more of an opportunity Based on the genre that she's in to present a more brighter tone T-boss can sing all the highs and the lows whatnot

[01:02:43] But a lot of the songs are more laid back and chill like she's the cool one So she always sang very coolie, but this I heard mutia's voice and I was like oh my I don't know Oh wow, wow, it's a great pop of you

[01:02:54] And I also kind of just got like Nadine's voice in there. I was like wow I do wonder if this was like You know something that would have been for Girls allowed at one point because the cut of hair was like that was my ultimate

[01:03:07] But it's not super girls allowedy which I appreciate but I can only imagine what it's like as like a Production team to be writing for both. It's tough Like granted they obviously gave like Huge quirky pop hits to ga

[01:03:21] But also you're writing for this group who you actually kind of work with a little bit first So it's like how do you find that balance and again brings me back to the question of why not? Are you not taking the risks you took when you did?

[01:03:33] You know, they're earlier songs. Where's the risks? You know, but it's okay like for me like all I think production wise. It's good For his enomania. I appreciate it. I think the top line is good. Like it's nice. I don't feel as like

[01:03:47] Much disdain for it as I did for like some other like Dallas Austin produced tracks What's that man? He's great. He's very talented, but this wasn't his bag. This was not his bag

[01:03:56] But yeah, I feel like the song it does what it needs to do for their voices It's okay. I can appreciate it And I feel like it fits a lot the girls a lot more and it fits them better than like the

[01:04:08] Army that they were trying to make happen in the earlier part of the album like with the second second track It was just yeah, this one this one just fits for them Again, I still wish there's a little bit of just a little bit of darkness somewhere

[01:04:19] I'm not saying they have to be super dark and moody, but there's a way to be a little bit more You know, I don't know. You didn't think obsession had darkness to it

[01:04:29] I'm sorry. You all can't see my face. I like look that Christmas. I was like super white No, it did it did like I said, it's just okay though. It's just okay. It's okay But yeah, her verse is kind of long. You're right

[01:04:40] But you know, yeah, it's okay. How do you feel about it? I do like the song but I agree with you I don't really get why the sugar fans love it so much Yeah Weird like some of people will list it like in their top

[01:04:54] Sugar Bay songs ever like people always talk about it amongst the fandom Um I mean, here's the thing in in the larger context like do I think it could have been a single with a radio edit? Because this is a little long

[01:05:09] Definitely definitely. I think it definitely could have been a single. Is it better than red dress? Yes I do like all the different verses very signatures and a media there and it all the parts sit each

[01:05:21] Girl really well. Yes. And I and again signatures and a media production It's very lush just a great balance of more organic sounds like the guitars and stuff and the electronic sounds And it has that kind of like melancholic feel to it

[01:05:38] While being very bright. So again, just things I love in a pop song as well Um, so yeah, I think it's a good track. It's a solid Track, but yeah, I feel like because the fans love it so much. It almost has made me like

[01:05:55] Not like it less, but it's almost like okay. It's not that good like question it a little bit A little bit. Yeah, I don't know. Yeah But among the album is it one of the better ones for me? Yes Oh, yeah, baby. Yeah

[01:06:09] It is oh man, you know, listen salt fellas. I call you guys. If you don't like it I'm sorry. It's gonna stay not official title by the way leave in the comments in a nice

[01:06:18] Constructive way. Why are you like this song? Yeah, you know, I would love to hear opinions I like listening to Chris telling me why he likes something when I don't come on make sense

[01:06:25] Kind of opens your eyes a little bit more you listen to it again. You're like, okay perspective was added So yeah, definitely drop some perspectives in the chat. Let us know how you feel and also Be sure to subscribe if you haven't yet. We've made it

[01:06:37] We're almost at the end. So be sure to subscribe. Um, but yes What is your score for this one? I will give it a nine. How about you? Mine's an eight. Okay, but I like a lot more than a lot of stuff

[01:06:48] Next track is two hearts done by Johnny Rockstar Cameron McVeigh and the members of the sugarbibes and this song was performed for the first time in 2022 with original ot3 member Sheba

[01:07:05] You saw this live. No, I did. Oh my god. It was such an amazing moment in that show I love this song. So this one was always one of my favorites again Going back to my love for like the two lost and used etc

[01:07:19] This one's up there. The melody is so Pretty like they do this melancholy kind of haunting Ballad really well and it has that kind of metallicness as well That I think Cameron McVeigh is also kind of known for because that was a lot through one touch as well

[01:07:35] Like he did a lot of the one touch album So I think to bring him back As well, like I just love the song as he does with with the girls and yeah I think the production is just really beautiful

[01:07:44] Like it has swelling strings some cool electric guitars and stuff just very haunting And the lyrics are very beautiful as well. Like this is the type of song You know, it's like a storm outside and you're like in your feelings and you're just like staring out the window

[01:08:01] This is one of those. Yeah, it reminds me of the come clean music video when you talk about the ranch Hillary delves coming clean or come clean rather Let the rain fall down. We should review that. I would love to review metamorphosis

[01:08:15] This word, you know laughs and gigs, you know, we don't poops interesting pop careers. Well, actually, I would love to talk through it But anyway, yeah vocally They all sound so good like Heidi starting the track sounding super

[01:08:28] Delicate then Moutia comes in very very rich and she even goes into her head voice a little bit this time And then Kiesha's bridge Just pulls back really really nicely and then you get the long strings at the end like just a really beautiful way to

[01:08:44] End the album quote unquote end the album because there is technically another song after ml's Re-release that is on the standard album, which is why we included it But I think of this is the real ending of the album the new arrangement with chavon

[01:08:58] Oh my gosh, the extra harmony is The guitar solo and then chavon does this like ethereal ending before the strings kick in and it's almost a throwback to some versolo stuff Oh, it's so good. That was one of the highlights of that show for sure

[01:09:12] You know, it's nice to have her like back and adding her like she's a very interesting kind of style for her own personal taste In music, so I guess that ending that new ending adds is that you know little

[01:09:23] Touch of ginger if you will but yeah, I liked this one. This one stood out to me I think after all the synths did electro pop it was nice to get a more acoustic sounding track And I wish ugly would have had more of the natural instrument sound

[01:09:35] Not that it had to be moody because the words ugly have to use ugly sounds not that I'm saying in terms of like The production grounds the meaning a little bit more for me

[01:09:46] So with this song the meaning of it just felt a little bit more down to earth sounded More believable in my opinion. I do like that. There's a synth that rises and falls and the tone is like

[01:09:59] Throughout and I thought it was voices and it might be voices sound like bgvs. I don't know But I like how melancholic it sounded it sounded like a very haunting kind of tone

[01:10:08] And I do like the song speaks of trouble in a relationship, but it it actually seeks resolution You know, I like I like songs don't always have to have a good resolution But it's just so funny that the song actually just does what I was expecting

[01:10:21] But yeah, there's a lot going on in terms of like the drum pattern and the chorus There's horns at the end. So everything just fills out really nicely and it is a lot stronger than follow me home

[01:10:32] This is what follow me home could have been even forget what I said about ugly But this could have been what follow me home could have done stronger course You know more

[01:10:40] Going on and in care taken. Um, but yeah, I like this one. It's nice like a lot Not because it's dark but because of the the whole completion of it lyrically production wise like it felt like there was purpose a lot more purpose around this for sure

[01:10:56] Nice. So what do you rate it? Give it a 9 Okay, I will go in 9.5 All right, so we're at the final track Which is now you're gone which was done by Pete Kirtley Tim Hawes and Yara Scarlett and members Keisha Heidi and Amel

[01:11:14] This time because the track was the only new song added to the album for the re-release in 2006 Yeah, so what do you think this is the first new new track with the mel The drum sounds like scribbling I had the the music in my ears. I was like

[01:11:34] In the symphony again are kind of like Um, it's kind of what I was talking about with them the second track on this album It's that that that weird like eight me. I ain't is it a me. Yeah

[01:11:47] Gotta be you gotta be there. I go yes, but yeah, it kind of has like those like really like dated Trying to be hip-hop and r&b since I don't uh-huh, but not too much the song is

[01:11:58] Okay, honestly when I was listening to the album for whatever reason I did not listen to this as much as I as I wanted to because I was just like It's okay. The previous track was a good ending. It's a good ending

[01:12:12] I do like the way they sound in the chorus though. Like they're going to run to I like that part It's nice. Um, there are moments on the track that I appreciate

[01:12:18] But it's not strong enough as a whole and that's what annoys me because it's like you'll have Bits and pieces that sound nice. Oh, she sounds great there. They hardly sound good here But like as a whole it's like I don't want to have to keep cherry picking

[01:12:30] And with this song I felt like I was kind of cherry picking well parts. I like you know I'm saying Sorry y'all. Um, sorry I saw fellas But yeah, I think Heidi's voice on this

[01:12:39] I think was probably like my favorite of how it sounded because she was very she emults really well with her voice Yeah, I love Heidi's tone. Yeah Yeah, so I think she's a highlight for me for this song, but it's not bad

[01:12:49] Yeah, I'll agree with you Heidi's parts. I also have that written down are probably the best parts for me In this one Okay. Yeah fans actually helped me out here because I was I have this in my memory

[01:13:00] But I couldn't actually find any articles or anything about it So let me know if I'm completely making this up But I remember reading that but yeah was actually at the recording session for this and maybe even did some of the backing vocals in it

[01:13:12] I don't know why I have that like as a memory But I couldn't find anything about it. So let me know if that is correct or not Fun fan more. Yeah, but Yeah, you know, this was

[01:13:25] Fine, I mean I get that they needed maybe another new song just to you know Just so it'd be a little more appealing to buy the album again Especially because ml only recorded a couple of the songs which even back then I thought was a very weird choice

[01:13:37] I was like if you're gonna make this a new era just have ml re-record the whole thing That feels more like a fresh start That way but anyway, whatever

[01:13:46] It was nice to have a song that was completely new where you couldn't do the ab comparison with mutia at least Totally the songs fine Like it's weird because like the lyrics could actually be seen as being written about mutia as departure

[01:14:00] You know like I mean, yeah, now you're going how to process that she's gone and vibe-wise It literally has the same vibe as follow me home Dude So like I don't get I don't really get why they could have just released this song like if they really needed

[01:14:15] A mid tempo track for that fourth single like just release this one. It's new You know, you don't have the awkwardness of mutia's first about her daughter. I don't know It's literally the same vibe and it sucks because because it comes right after two hearts

[01:14:29] Which had amazing production then this one just feels Not good because it kind of does a lot of the same stuff like it has strings It has kind of those like metallic drums again But then they're not as nice as the two hearts ones

[01:14:42] Overall just a tad unmemorable like this is just another song Like I would never turn them back to this song like ever and like Amel sounds Fine on her part. She doesn't sing much on it. I will say quisha has little solo chorus. It's nice

[01:14:56] She has like an interesting husk in this song that yeah, that she doesn't normally have. Yeah. Yeah So I appreciate that but yeah, I Don't need this song. It's just kind of there. Yeah, my phone didn't play this for a while. I had to look for it

[01:15:10] Um, I don't know why Maybe because of the album version I found but I was just like, yeah, you know, it's confusing because like the Mutia version And the Amel version have somehow been like combined on the streaming services. Like I don't really know what's going on there

[01:15:25] But yeah messy Yeah, so I'll give this one a 6.5. It's fine Oh, I give it one of six. Okay. I'm proud of myself. I've never gone super super low I'm proud of myself. There's nothing terrible on this album. Yeah It's just a lot of like That's fine

[01:15:43] Yeah, I know you're right. Absolutely. All right, so we're now at the cut or keep section So let's start with the cut first What would you cut from this album? I uh I feel like this song is lost potential

[01:16:00] If I like the production it's just it wasn't strong Is the weakest in terms of chorus Like if you're gonna make an album you don't spend all this money Why would you make a song like this and that song is it ain't easy?

[01:16:12] I would not tell anybody to listen to this but oh, this is the sugar babes ever Yeah, ever now. I will also pick it ain't easy. Yes Like I wouldn't feel like this this is that you gotta listen to this song is the sugar baby

[01:16:29] Look now get out of here production. That's so much potential though. Yeah. All right for my key Uh-huh. You know, I'm gonna stick with two hearts Oh, okay. Okay. So good. Yeah, I hear you man. You know Okay, I would actually just keep push the button

[01:16:44] I used to not like this song. So this is a big step for me I was trying to avoid a single but I actually would keep this on I know it's like the probably the easiest one to pick

[01:16:51] But if I had to kind of show somebody like hey, like, you know, this is a good group You should listen to them What is a decent song? I don't think it represents their song their sound as a whole past and even now

[01:17:02] You know what I'm saying? So but it's okay. I don't hate it Okay, so as a newer fan Now you've gone back to this era. What do you think of it? It's okay and it just stinks because it's like for me. I feel like when pop acts

[01:17:21] Try to get like mature They always kind of do this default lipstick and high heel thing And I'm like there's so many other ways to express Sensuality and sexuality. I can't say that that's what sorry guys But yeah, there's so many different ways

[01:17:34] But I mean at the time thinking about what was going on and like pop culture at the time This was the natural progression and this is the best quote-of-all way to go I just feel like

[01:17:43] There wasn't a lot of risk taken. There wasn't anything that stood out like whoa This is a sugar babes track. This is pretty dope like With girls loud not to make comparisons in terms of like who they are as a group

[01:17:54] But even though they had kooky songs like by out like like was it biology and like love Love machine was weird and then biology was weirder and then they had other songs written by the same team That just got stronger and I feel like this wasn't like

[01:18:06] It was more just like kind of like okay. Here we are. We're still here Kind of plateau as opposed to going up for me. It doesn't mean that they're bad It just means like this for me was probably like

[01:18:16] It makes sense like this is kind of at the beginning of the end. Sorry guys but I'm just saying it when you lose a member who people Hear and think oh, this is a sugar babe song

[01:18:27] It kind of can can represent decline the other two Heidi and Keisha absolutely amazing But again, you know, it's just it was just weird time. It's weird. That's why I fell about it. It's not bad. It's just weird Uh, okay, so

[01:18:42] Of the 2.0 era sugar babes albums. This is my least favorite one Yeah, I feel like a lot of the songs just kind of blend together like joy division It ain't easy obsession like they're all just kind of in the same name and none of them

[01:19:00] Are even close to being in the top of my favorite sugar babe songs, you know, I think as a whole it's fine I think like I said earlier. There's not a bad song on it But

[01:19:12] Yeah, I don't know. So it's just okay. And then I think especially as I guess in the grand scheme of the group's journey I would actually put it below some of the ml albums as well, honestly So I did average my scores out

[01:19:28] Um, so I'm at like a 7.6 all rounded out around it up to an 8 Oh Okay, I didn't I didn't do that lovely math that you did

[01:19:36] But I think overall in terms of like what I know about them as a group or what I like personally and what I like personally Excuse me. This is not a seven for me. It's okay. Like it's not terrible. I didn't hate

[01:19:46] Everything but I didn't like feel like That does I need to hear this You know, so it's okay. And it's not because of ml It's just because of what was done with the album and them bringing on American producers one

[01:20:00] So yes, it's okay. And again back here in america 2005 music We had hollow back girl year before we had Yeah, I'm just naming a bunch of songs that were really hot that were good american pop songs

[01:20:11] That he not could have had but this is no excuse for some of the weaker tracks on the album for me Yeah, it's nice Well next up I'm curious what you all would like us to review next in this sugar babes discography

[01:20:25] I personally think we should do an ml album Because we haven't done one yet because i'm just sexy for this club We could do seat seven if you guys would like yes I was thinking more cat fights. Yeah, I was thinking more cat fights and spotlights

[01:20:39] I said strobe lights my bad side. Not close enough. It's fine. But yeah, let us know And if you join us on patreon, you do get priority choice So please join us at patreon.com slash ccp pops

[01:20:51] And of course you can message us at ccp pops on social media as well Don't forget to like subscribe and turn on notifications for our youtube channel And if you're enjoying the show on a podcast platform, please give us a follow rating and review

[01:21:05] Until next time that's shanth signing off from cctv the non-stop pop show