Customer Reviews

Angels With Dirty Faces

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first listened to Sugababes while browsing the TOTP website and enjoyed a few songs of their first album, then bought teh whole thing and loved it. Afterwards they lost a member, got dropped from their label, then luckily picked up an ex-Atomic Kitten (sorta) and a new record deal, and thank god as these girls have come out with a fantastic album! Keisha, Mutya, and Heidi are 3 chicks that if they had a motto, should be "Chicks Before Dicks" as many of their songs reflect their youth, love for friends, and the typical heartbreak experienced as teens.

The album starts with 3 upbeat partyish tracks, the first single (which went to #1) "Freak Like Me" that samples Gary Numan and screams sexual independance, but teasingly. "Blue" is a slam to well...anyone you dislike, ex-bf's or gf's, enemies, friends who turned on you, whatever. Its a catchy track that disguises the hidden message of "I really hate you...". Next is "Round Round" the 2nd single (another #1) and just makes you want to get up and dance with your best friends.

The next track is part of the third single, a Double A-Side that went to #8, entitled "Stronger". Its a powerful ballad taht encourages people to make it through their hardships, that could include a message to September 11th victims. After that the album picks up with a rousing dance number, "Supernatural", reminiscent of Brandy's "What About Us?" regarding how great love is...if you can find it. After this comes the 2nd part of the "Stronger" single...the title track of the album "Angels With Dirty Faces" taht sends a message to parents that they may look at their children as angels but htey don't know what they're really up to. Another dancey track sorta, with a good chorus. After this comes the suggestive song "Virgin Sexy" taht continues with the theme of the last track. It talks about how girls want to be percieved as older and want experience.

After this we get into the home run stretch of the album starting with the amazing ballad "Shape" that samples the song of the same name by Sting, and he actually sings the chorus with them. A very different track filled with spanish-inspired guitars and deep lyrics about risks in life and love. After this is probably the weakest track on the album, "Just Don't Need This" which is probably why its a bonus track. A fairly steady track it just beats on about how the girls feel violated by older men, or just men in general. However the album boosts itself in the next two tracks, first with "No Man, No Cry" a reggae inspired song that sorta reminds me of the girl group Dream. The title of the track once again implies stickin' with your friends over your fellas is probably better. "Switch" is an amazing upbeat song that uses a unique beat and style, similar to All Saints "Ha Ha". The lyrics are great as they give girls the idea that they can take the guys role of being players and "Switching" from guy to guy.

Finally what I like to call the encore of the album comes. Starting with one of the greatest gems on the album, "More Than A Million Miles", an amazingly composed track with a bit of nu-Madonna influence that mixes western guitar and two-step beats. The lyrics are great about a girl trying to make it through the problems with her boyfriend as he becomes obssessed with something else. Then comes the stunning vocal jam "Breathe Easy" where you hear the true talent in the girls voices, matched with nothing more than a simple guitar. After all the heartbreak and tears, the girls let ya know you can Breathe Easy. Then comes the remix of "Round Round" which isn't that fab. and in my opinion...isn't necessary.

This is such an amazing CD! I bought in when I was on vacation in London and am SO glad I did. This is one of my all time favorite CDs. The songs are great and so are the voices.

1. FREAK LIKE ME - (5/5) My favourite song on the album. It has such a good beat and I love the lyrics. It is so off the hook.

2. BLUE - (5/5) Another great song with a good message.

3. ROUND ROUND - (5/5) This one took a few listenings to get into, but once I did, I loved it.

4. STRONGER - (5/5) Another awesome pick-me-up song.

5. SUPERNATURAL- (5/5) This has a similar beat the Brandy's "What About Us?" and is on the best dance songs out there.

6. ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES - (4/5) A good song, but not as catchy as the others.

7. VIRGIN SEXY - (4/5) A bit childish, but nevertheless, a good song.

8. SHAPE - (5/5) A super good ballad featuring Sting on it.

9. JUST DONT NEED THIS - (5/5) Another favorite. It has uch a powerful chorus.

10. NO MAN NO CRY - (5/5) Another fabulous R&B jam.

11. SWITCH - (5/5) A great dance song.

12. MORE THAN A MILLION MILES - (3/5) While the melody is nice, the chorus doesn't click. Not my faveorite track.

13. BREATHE EASY [ACOUSTIC JAM] - (3/5) Nothing specialabout this track either.

14. ROUND ROUND [ALTERNATIVE MIX] - (4/5) Just like the regulr version, but extended a lot.

So, as you can see, this CD kicks ass. I absoulutely love it, and so will you!

The return to the fray by this trio,with new member Heidi in tow with an amalgamted cover version of Adina Howard's Freak like Me, with a Gary Numan sample just blew me & UK cd purchasers away. With a No1 in tow, UK audiences sat up, after their previous offering One Touch failed to make a significant impact on the charts. With another No1 in tow, the infectious Round Round, the babes proved they could be consistent, and with this album, downright amazing!! Not one bad song on here, with the tremendously tender Stronger as my personal fave, but kudos also to the infectiously catchy Virgin Sexy, Supernatural (which is a tad lie Brandy's What About Us) and the title track....I could go on. Heairng is believing. It's bright, street hip-hop and pop, delivered with angelic harmonies and a sass all of their own. These gals are talented lasses and shall no doubt go from strength to strength. A well worthwhile purchase

The sugababes did much with their first album: 3 top ten UK hits, a semi-underground talkabout and critical acclaim. Then, they dropped, Siobhan, one of their member, and replaced her with former Atomic Kitten (UK cheesy pop girl band)member. Then, London records dropped them from their label. What a mistake! Sfortly afterthey signed a deal with Universal and released one of the best R&B/Pop album of year. With numbers like the UK no. 1 hits like "Freak like Me" and "Round Round" they can't go wrong. But be careful, it's pop but the babes took out the cheese frrom their songs. They're sassy, sexy and sensual. With standout tracks "Supernatural", "Stronger", "Angels with dirty faces", "Switch", "More than a million miles", they set a high standard of quality but with middle-of-the-road songs like "No man no cry" and "Blue", they sound just like J.Lo, Destiny's Child or TLC, which is not bad at all.

Give it a try!!! I'm telling you, you won't regret it!

Sugababes and Atomic Kitten..the All Saints and Spice Girls of 2002....This album bares not a tune of pure manufactured pop..but of a funky superior grade..The album kicks off with the terrific first UK number 1 single 'Freak like Me'...one of the many tracks that samples other tunes...the second UK number 1 is the second single 'Round Round' - sampling 'Tangoforte' by Dublex Inc...The cooler-than-thou 'Supernatural', the forthcoming single 'Stronger' is unlike Britney's..the title track is funky notwithstanding is also the theme song to Powerpuff Girls movie in the UK....the absoutely smart 'Virgin Sexy' is simply amazin'...but the best track in the album got to be 'Shape'..Sampling Sting's 'Shape of my Heart' which also feature his vocals...a shiny RnB sheen even the former Policeman had approved of...This album is the comeback LP after a string of drama - reconfiguration of members..label dropping..Sugababes, formally from London Record..is now signed on to Universal/Island...Watch this babes...they gonna be huge.

But just as good, if not better. This has 3 bonus tracks, that make this already fantastic album even better. The Sugababes are a British all girl group, with a member change (Soibhan Donaghy quit the band in 2002, replaced with Heidi Range formerly of Atomic Kitten, another British girl group), one album "One Touch" already under their belts, two UK No.1s (Freak Like Me and Round Round) and 5 Top 10 hits. This is a fantastic album, you need it if you like British pop, garage or RnB. Track rundown:

1. Freak Like Me
Gotta love this song. It's the 'Babes first single with Heidi, and she gets a massive part in this song. It has peculiar lyrics and great rocky music. 5/5
2. Blue
Not about the well known British boyband. This is a funky little number, with a catchy chorus and a nasty rap with a few swear words included in it. 5/5
3. Round Round
Very exhausted on radio here in New Zealand, but still catchy. I can still sing along to this without it getting boring. I love Heidi's slow part near the end, it just changes the mood of the song completely. 4.5/5
4. Stronger
The third single from the girls - this is slower but still full of power. The vocals on this song are amazing. 4/5
5. Supernatural
Cute song - this has funny lyrics and a catchy chorus. I love the verses they have such cool lyrics! 5/5
6. Angels With Dirty Faces
The title track. This has a cool rap in the middle shared by all three girls, and a catchy chorus. One to listen to. 5/5
7. Virgin Sexy
This is my favourite song on the album now (in my other review it's a different song). I love this, it's such a anthem for teenagers. I'm 16 and can totally relate to this song! It has teenager friendly lyrics ("If you want me, just text me") and a catchier then anything chorus. 5/5
8. Shape
This is kind of depressing, but still good. This is a ballad, with Sting on vocals in the chorus. I can't help singing along to the chorus, and the verses are cool too. 4.5/5
9. Just Don't Like This
This didn't really catch me, but it does have a powerful chorus. 3/5
10. No Man No Cry
This is catchy, and I love the "No Man, No Cry" line uttered by Keisha at the very beginning. Better then the last track. 3.5/5
11. Switch
Love this song! It has the catchiest chorus of any song on the entire album, you'll be singing along in seconds. The lyrics are kind of weird, but that's ok. My second favourite song on the album. 5/5
12. More Than A Million Miles
This was my favourite song when I first got the CD, but now I like "Virgin Sexy" and "Switch" more. But this is my third favourite. I LOVE the rap! It makes the song! The song would be totally boring without the rap. The rest of the song is boring. This gets 5 stars because of the FANTASTIC rap! 5/5
13. Breathe Easy
I don't like this - it's really bland. The worst song on the album. 2/5
14. Round Round (Alternative Mix)
A remix. I don't really like remixes at all (the only remixes I can tolerate are remixes from Blue and Atomic Kitten), so I'm not gonna rate this, cuz I didn't listen to it. NOT RATED

This is better value then the original version of it, because it has 3 bonus songs. The Sugababes rock!!!

The SugaBabes have adopted a new more mature voice and it sounds great. This album has various types of music for hip hop, blues, to pop. Every song on this CD is a great song. You can listen to it again and again and never get tired of it or want to switch the song. Buy this album it is a must have in everyones CD collection

A year or so ago it seemed like it was all over for the Sugababes. After the initial (and deserved) hype over their debut single 'Overload', their subsequent singles failed to reach the top ten, their album bombed and Siobhan left the group. This all seemed such a shame as they were the most interesting English band to arrive on the scene in a long time. However, they proved us all wrong when they came back with a more mature look and sound (and a new member in Heidi, who had previously dropped out of Atomic Kitten) and their new single 'Freak Like Me' hit number one in the British charts. They swiftly followed that up with another number one 'Round Round' and this utterly fantastic album.

Sugababes manage to retain their funk from 'One Touch', whilst giving it a harder edge. Just listen to the two singles and you'll see what I mean. The band's obvious love for dance-orientated R&B pulls off on this album so incredibly well that their are a number of potential number ones to choose from, with 'Supernatural', 'Blue' and 'Switch' all being fun, catchy and stylish. Yet the group aren't afraid of a change of pace, balancing their dance offerings with a few slow hits that complement their tender vocals well, such as on 'Stronger' and the beautifully sincere 'Breathing Easy'. They also manage to do a great cover version of an excellent song (Sting's 'Shape Of My Heart'), something that it is rare to do without heckles on how the original was better. By retaining Sting's vocals on the chorus, singing over him and creating new verses this works not only because it's different but also because the Sugababes' lush vocals are so irresistible.

Okay so there's the odd clunky lyric, but surely that can be forgiven when the quality of music is this good. And even though 'No Man No Cry' seems a little misjudged, that doesn't mean that it's a bad song. And surely, an album so chock-full of potential singles and a huge vat of attitude can be forgiven one not-so-great song. This is quite simply the most exciting girl group in a long time. They carve new territory for themselves and to say that they've produced an album that's even better than 'One Touch' surely speaks for itself for anyone that owns their first record. Hopefully the Sugababes will be around for a long time yet.

I actually recieved the CD earlier then expected so I was happy for that. Great CD also. This was a CD that I loved when I eas traveling in europe and I'm happy I have it again.

My fav Sugabes song ROUND ROUND is on here and i believe first album when Heidi joined? They have found such a talent group of singers here and not one of them as weak like there often is weak singer. The vocals are strong and the songs have great melodies.