Album Review – The Saturdays
The Saturdays – ‘Wordshaker’
UK Release 12/10/09 (Fascination)
Aww, girls groups eh? They grow up so fast. One moment The Saturdays were toddling about (because they had to learn how to walk in those high heels), getting their noses wiped by Girls Aloud and being told not to talk to strangers – unless it looked likely they would purchase a Satz™ track of course. It seems like five minutes ago. Yet in the last year pop lovers have taken the sleek, stylish, colour co-ordinated girls to their hearts. Now Mollie, Rochelle, Frankie, Vanessa and Una are all grown up and (stay with me here) Girls Aloud are proudly waving their protégées goodbye as they make their voyage to America. For this second album by the fivesome definitely has a touch of ‘we-want-to-make-it-across-the-pond’ some of these tracks wouldn’t look out of place on a Kelly Clarkson album.
The album opens with lead single ‘Forever Is Over’, a rousing ‘fuck you’ to a man who has passed his sell by date for those Saturdays girls, that climaxes with Una’s ‘I’m in paradii-ese cos you’re out my life.’ The song is a good indication of the album’s musical route, hints that were first heard when the very singleworthy ‘One Shot’ and ‘Wordshaker’ were previewed on the ladies’ first headline tour back in the summer. There are some lovely ballads on here, most noticeably ‘Here Standing’ that show the girls can do the slower tracks as well as the more feisty and fun stuff. ‘Ego’ can be filed under ‘feisty’ and is another highlight and a possible second single. ‘Open Up’ is when they wander into Miley territory followed by ‘Lose Control’ which is very Britney. Good tracks but there is a sense that The Saturdays have lost their sound a little. Are they also doing a Samantha Mumba, compromising what they have built for a shot at success with those kids in America? ‘Not Good Enough’ was first heard around the internet last year, now that it has been beefed up it fits into this collection nicely. ‘2AM’ is the closing track, it’s a bit like someone in the studio pressed the ‘Motown’ button on an 80s Casio keyboard, but it’s a cute and insanely catchy song.
Well-produced and with great vocal performances particularly from Taunton-born vocal powerhouse Vanessa, this is a very solid collection of songs with a fuller sound than debut ‘Chasing Lights’. ‘Wordshaker’ should ensure The Saturdays continuing ascent.
****
Lisa Allen (words & picture)
