Disc Reviews

The Sugababes continue to maintain an element of authenticity the group demonstrates their musical versatility by incorporating numerous genres in their infectious pop

By HARRY RUBENSTEIN
sugababes disk 88 298 (photo credit: )
sugababes disk 88 298
(photo credit: )
SUGABABES Taller in More Ways (Helicon) Slightly darker, tougher, and edgier than your average pop vocal group, the UK's Sugababes' shelf-life has far surpassed that of the numerous disposable chart-topping pop tarts whose one hit wonders' (sometimes two) popularity waned within a few months of charting. On their fourth album Taller in More Ways, the trio once again deliver a catchy album of sexy pop. This time around the girls team up with hit-making producers from Dallas Austin (Madonna, Pink, TLC) to Guy Sigsworth (Madonna, Britney Spears) and Cathy Dennis (Kylie Minogue). The album's opener and first single "Push the Button" is an infectious Abba-esque soundscape while the second track, "Gotta Be You" gets its influence from American R&B as well as a light helping of southeast crunk. "Ugly" brings to mind TLC's "Unpretty" and Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful," exploring similar themes of imperfection and self-image. The girls take on Animotion's 1984 hit"Obsession" adding nothing new to the mix and stick to a straight up cover of the synth pop hit. This is pretty disappointing considering the groups' outstanding cover of "Freak Like Me" on their last album. The Sugababes continue to maintain an element of authenticity the group demonstrates their musical versatility by incorporating numerous genres in their infectious pop. Eminem Curtain Call (Helicon) Has Eminem really been around that long to warrant a greatest hits album? Dropping more pop culture references than an issue of Entertainment Weekly, Eminem has always entertained, whether by his humorous lyrics, vitriolic rhyme, sardonic wit or musical hooks which are far catchier than anything else on the pop charts. On Curtain Call we are given a retrospect of his top hits as well as three additional new songs. On "Fack" Eminem tackles those who say his lyrics are too dirty by taking it up a notch and rapping some of the most vile, disgusting and sophomoric lyrics he's ever written. It's all about shock value and it's territory that he's covered before a lot more intelligently. "When I'm Gone" is yet another new song about his unconditional love for his daughter Halie and how he wishes he could be around more. The compilation features his popular hits "My Name is," "The Real Slim Shady" as well as his best songs lyrically, such as the angry "The Way I Am," the energetic "Lose Yourself" from his film Eight Mile, as well as the outstanding Dr. Dre collaboration "Guilty Conscience." If this is indeed the end of the road for Eminem, then he couldn't have closed the curtains in a better way.