Customer Reviews

Taller in More Ways

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you are reading this review because you are interested in this recording - just add it to cart now. This is the tightest pop album since - Blondie's 'Eat To The Beat' ? This is that good. I have turned so many people on to this - because it is still not available domestically in the states - one must wonder what is wrong with the industry here considering the garbage they force on you if you listen to commercial radio here. Maybe the 'Babes are TOO TALENTED AND TOO HOT for the States! Wouldn't surprise me. Between the incredible Depeche Mode "Personal Jesus" riff in "It Ain't Easy", the inspiring title track "Ugly" (it quotes 'Taller In More Ways'), the funky 'Bruised' - the startling pop quality of 'Push The Button' - without a doubt the best single in the last 5 years - no wonder it was #1 in the UK forever. There is not a bad track - this is so listenable you will want to be a Sugababe - these women are genuine. No gashes to the Spices, but they could not put together an album like this. (Also these ladies can SING). Track 10 - ACE REJECT - is so amazing you will wonder over and over why this is not being played here! Of course, look at the president here and you can wonder lots of things.
Major love to MY personal sugababe, Lauren - love you babe. ;)

This album is battling to become my favourite Sugababes album. It is in competition with Three, which is magnificent.

This album, the last with Mutya, has some of their finest songs to date and some brilliant production and lyrics. At only 11 tracks long (12 if you have the UK bonus track, which I don't), it seems short, but packs a lot into those 11 tracks. My rundown:

01. Push The Button (9/10)
The lead single of the album, this was No.1 in the UK for 3 (I think?) weeks. It's immediately catchy and very easy to sing along to. Keisha leads most of the song, with Mutya and Heidi singing the verses. Fun, upbeat with a saucy video.

02. Gotta Be You (9/10)
Another upbeat song, this is really catchy, with a repetitive chorus that you would expect to get boring, but somehow it doesn't. The first time I played this, I was like 'Boooooring' but now I love it, it's a lot of fun to sing along to. The girls share vocals out throughout the song.

03. Follow Me Home (10/10)
This ballad is reminscient of songs from Three like "Caught In A Moment", "Too Lost In You" and "Sometimes". That, my friends, is a very good thing. This song is beautiful and moving - I absolutely love the chorus, it's amazing! Heidi is absolutely brilliant on the middle 8, and Mutya and Keisha do the remainder of the song well. One of my favourites!

04. Joy Division (9/10)
Another upbeat song, this song is slightly strange with peculiar lyrics music. It's catchy with singable bits throughout. I don't know why it's called "Joy Division," they don't mention those words anywhere in the song. Anyway, a good song, if strange.

05. Red Dress (7/10)
This is the Babes new single and first single with Amelle. I wish it wasn't and that they had chosen something else, this is one of my least favourite tracks on the album. I don't know why, but this song is bland and uninteresting to me. The chorus is slightly catchy though, and Amelle does improve the song somewhat.

06. Ugly (8/10)
This song is probably my other least favourite. The Babes Christmas single, this reached No.3. I loved it on the first listen, but after repeated plays, it has gotten boring. "Ugly" has a brilliant message behind it about accepting people as they are and not judging people by their looks, but to me, it's bland and boring. But it's Mutya's last single with the group, so good on it.

07. It Ain't Easy (9/10)
The shortest track on the album, clocking in at 3:05, this is fast paced and upbeat. The chorus is really catchy, and gets caught in your head instantly. Before you know it, the song is over! But that's a good thing, it keeps your attention with it's short length.

08. Bruised (9/10)
This song is incredibly cool, it's very chilled out and relaxed, until Keisha starts singing the bridge. This song is another catchy one, and I like singing along to the chorus, which Heidi leads. Another very cool track.

09. Obsession (10/10)
I didn't even know this song was a cover until recently. But even if it is, it's brilliant! The lyrics are kinda random, about being obsessed with somebody, but the girls' vocals are really cool. Very catchy with great music.

10. Ace Reject (10/10)
This song is wonderful! Heidi's middle 8 is absolutely brilliant, her vocals and the lyrics are just amazing. The song takes almost 2 minutes to get to the chorus, it's a different format of song then just verse-bridge-chorus-verse-bridge-chorus-middle 8-chorus. Very cool song, with a catchy chorus (when it finally kicks in).

11. 2 Hearts (10++++/10)
This is it! The very last track on the album is my absolute favourite. This song is absolutely, utterly amazing. Heidi leads the majority of the song, singing the first verse, first bridge and leading the chorus, whereas Mutya sings the second verse and Keisha sings the middle 8. This song is so beautiful - full of amazing instrumentals (especially the ending) and a wonderful chorus with great lyrics - "2 you's, 2 me's, 2 minds to please" is just one line. I absolutely <3333 this song so much, one of my favourite Babes songs ever!

Overall, the album's quality of songs is amazing, apart from two songs, the rest is high quality and brilliant. A great 4th album, look forward to more from the Babes with Amelle.

Wow! Wow! Wow!....I really really truly freakin' LOVE this album....such a shame how different the U.S. and U.K. music industries are, as I truly believe this album could be huge here in the states.
Also, as the review before mine pointed out, this was Mutya's last album with group (left group to spend more time with her newborn daughter) so you should pick up a copy now before the re-recorded version with new member Amelle is released.

1. Push The Button - If your ass aint moving while listening to this song, then you must be paralyzed...such a fun fun song!!

2. Gotta Be You - The most 'hip-hoppish' track on the album is also quite the booty-shaker. Half rap and half singing, this song was written in response to all the negative publicity written about the girls.

3. Follow Me Home - The one song I really could have done without. Schmaltzy ballady song.

4. Joy Division - Rockin' little song about a girl tellin' the guy to get the clue already, she aint interested and it's time to go back to your wife.

5. Red Dress - This song is it!!!. Hot, hot, hot Xenomania produced track about how easy it is for a girls to manipulate guys who only think with the head they have downstairs. Very cool track that just seems to build up and up with 2 choruses and a seriously rolling bass-line!! This song is 25 out of 10 stars.....Perfection!!!
(This will also be the next single and has just been re-recorded with new member Amelle)

6. Ugly - Great mid-tempo song along the lines of X-tina Aguilera's 'Beautiful'. Written and produced by hitmaker Dallas Austin, in response to all the negative publicity he read about before meeting the girls.
"Personality reflects name/if I'm ugly then so are you!"

7. It Ain't Easy - Big boom-boom foot stomper!!

8. Bruised - Co-written with Cathy Dennis, kickin' song about those love/hate relationships we all go through
"I bruise when you get close/Feel my body choke/Bitter last blows/In the war with you/When you get close/Feel my body choke/So the pain grows/In the wars with you"

9. Obesession - Hot remake of the classic 80's song!!

10. Ace Reject - Ace song also produced by Xenomania. All about being blinded by what love should be, and not realizing how it really is. Lyrically this song is it.
"You turned down the light in me/I think our time is over/Ain't it funny how sweet I dream/But the bed keeps getting colder/And sometimes when I close my eyes/It feels like I'm living by numbers/'Cos I've been holdin' you so tight/I gotta stop 'cuz it's pullin' me under"

11. Better - Very indepth song about (in my opinion anyway) depression and pulling coming out of it.

12. 2 Hearts - Beautiful ballad closer!!

This band truly should be bigger than Destiny's Child ever were, considering the fact that D.C. don't even have 1/100th of the 'Babes talent.........

I purchased this album while travelling in the UK. After being a little dissapointed from the babes' last album which had a few fillers i wasn't expecting as much for this album. Man was i so wrong.



1. Push The Button 3.5/5
When i first heard the song i didn't really like it. But hearing the song 10 times later and it starts to grow, and is still growing on me. This song is the most 'poppiness' ive heard from the babes. Sounds light and boppy.

2. Gotta Be You 3.5/5
Showcasing there attempt at Rnb. I've never been that much of a fan of RnB, but the girls did ok with this one. American girl Ciara was suppose to do this song.

3. Follow Me Home 5/5
Bloody Great. Personally the Best up-tempo ballad that they have done! Kind of like a part 2 of 'Too Lost In You'.

4. Joy Division 4/5
When i first heard it seemed quite bland. But got into it after a few listens. The babes' voices are superb.

5. Red Dress 4/5
An unforgettable pop track. Personally this should have been the first single from this album.

6. Ugly 5/5
Soon to be released in December. A beautiful awesome ballad. The words are meaningful and suppose to represent the babes' breaking from girls into young women. Reminds me of TLC 'Unpretty' but has way more feel to it. Great.

7. It Ain't Easy 4/5
Very 'Clunk' beat with an up-tempo feel to it. Once you listen to it, you can't help yourself but move your head up and down while jumping on the spot.(By the way, it sounds like the song off ex sugababe Siobhan Donaghys' 'Revoultion In Me'. A song called 'Dialect'.) Quite unique for them and its definately one of the growers. Has a goldfrapp feel to it.

8. Bruised 5/5
2nd fav track on the album. Great, sexy beat, love the drums and suspence of it. Sugababes at there best!

9. Obsession 3.5/5
A good remake (The original done by Animotion). However it doesn't give you the 'wow' factor. They didn't add any 'suga' flavor to it. But still good all the same.

10. Ace Reject 5/5
Bloody amazing. My fav from the album The song is dark, moody and shows the sugababes' true class at hand.

11. Better 4/5
Love the acoustic guitar in this. Sounds a little like Jamelias' Thank You. Another grower.

12. 2 Hearts 4.5/5
Another Gem. Love the chorus and sensational instrumental at the end. Showcasing the lush side of the babes' voices.


So i recommend... no EXPECT you to purchase this album. You will not be dissapointed. Trust me.. The best since 'One Touch' era.
Lets take the sugababes to #1 in the UK Album chart. With a superb album like this, to showcase their real talents as the best girl pop band in the world!

Remember when Sugababes were thought of as a more R&B-leaning pop group? That would have beent he possibility had they completely had it their way when they were recording their debut album "One Touch." Keisha and Mutya would have wanted to do straight up R&B, but thanks to producer Cameron McVey's influences, they became a really experimental pop act.

Four albums in, they've pretty much changed. With the supposedly fiest Sugababes Mutya Buena saying that "Taller In More Ways" is the best album they've done, it pretty much proves that point because it's their poppiest effort yet. The notions of them being an R&B/pop band have almost been completely obliterated by their more dance-pop leanings.

...But who's to say this kinda dance-pop is vapid and just plain dumb fun? Sugababes are three smart chicks that know to make really good pop records (so they have an army of record makers backing them up - it still takes some talent or at least something to be cranking out great tunes with such commendable consistency for pop music is unforgivingly one of the most volatile genres of mainstream music today). Whew, so rest assured, you're gonna be getting something worth your money if you love pop.

No fillers here (if there are, they're disguised well enough with interesting production that shrouds them from being eye - or ear - sores). Here's a track-by-track breakdown of the gist of the album:

1. "Push The Button" - I really thought this was the weakest Sugababes lead single yet...Heh, guess they got the last laugh because it's ironically their biggest UK single yet (#1 for 3 weeks and it's still in the top 3 as I type this review). It gets insanely catchy after a while.

2. "Gotta Be You" - Quality crunk sound that's not really so gritty crunk as it's more a classier take on the edgy genre of music. Sugababes don't sound amazingly convincing being edgy street divas, but they sound good with this lone hardcore R&B track in the album.

3. "Follow Me Home" - Another piece of moody balladry. Probably less impacting than "Stronger" and "Too Lost In You," but better than "Caught In A Moment," it's a welcome ballad (well, it's like totally obligatory for a pop record, good or bad - it worked out for the better this time around).

4. "Joy Division" - Mystical-sounding cyber-ragga track that's cool, but not too instant.

5. "Red Dress" - Amazing dance-pop track that sounds like "Round Round" and "Hole In The Head" before it, but rivals them too because it's just that good.

6. "Ugly" - Catchy pop/rock-ish track that's in some ways anthemic of the opporessed-by-jealousy types. Uber catchy and sometimes preachy, but nice to the ears nonetheless.

7. "It Ain't Easy" - Shows off who the Sugababes are anc can be. Pure class against a gritty, beat-driven electro backdrop with almost no melody...But you know Sugababes are amazing enough to make this a really catchy track (damn "oh, oh, oh"'s in the chorus as infectious like a good disease).

8. "Bruised" - One of the poppiest Sugababes songs ever, but one of the classiest (especially that ending - almost day-glo Baroque-ish). The chorus - just that one second or so of glorious harmonies - can make any pure pop fan's ear melt with delight. It's just those harmonies that make you quiver with excitement on how much Sugababes' musical how really lends to their vocals as well...Otherwise, the backing track ain't really all that (but still catchy though).

9. "Obsession" - Catchy remake that's '80s, but with a bit of "Round Round" to it too. Dark and devious, yet sly and sexy. Noice track.

10. "Ace Reject" - One of the most sincerely heartfelt performances Sugababes have done. Catchy pop/rock track. Gorgeous melody. Xenomania, never quit working with Sugababes.

11. "Better" - Pop/rock that resembles the beat to Natalie Imbruglia's torn, yet with quirky melodies. Okay.

12. "Two Hearts" - This track almost had the danger of being overproduced, but knowing Sugababes getting slicker and slicker every time, they handled this quite well and with class. Any other pop act would have been killed trying to fit in the production of this kinda bombastic, yet subtley cool funky, orchestrated track, but Sugababes barely raise their voices trying to fill its cool. Such a great way to end the album (it couldn't have ended better and have found a better place to be in in the album).

In totality, "Taller In More Ways" may not be the absolute most exceptional Sugababes album, but it is definitely one of their most solid, consistent, and catchiest yet.

This album is everything you could ever expect from Sugababes and more. Sadly though, this is Mutya's last album with Sugababes so it is worth the purchase to get your fix of Mutya and her husky voice. This album is one that you could pop into your cd player and just jam to every song. I can honestly say that "Taller in More Ways" is the best album yet. Ignore every bad review and judge for yourself, if you love the 'Babes, then you'll love this album. I'm going to miss Mutya but i'll always be a fan!

Defying the usual pop group law of three albums, a greatest hits collection and a press conference, the Sugababes wheel out their fourth studio album, "Taller In More Ways". The band have had their fair share of drama since their arrival in 2000 with the sublime "Overload". They've lost a member, gained a member, one of them is now a mother (at the age of 20), endless split rumours and so on. On paper, the Sugababes should be a disaster but over the years they've furnished us with some of the greatest singles of the modern pop era.

Largely produced by Dallas Austin, famed for his work with Madonna and TLC, lead single "Push The Button" is simple yet incredibly infectious with its electro-R'n'B beats building to a pulsating, hook-laden chorus, whilst Animotion cover "Obsession" oozes atmosphere and bears production values similar to Kylie Minogue's "I Believe In You." But as far as Dallas' material on the album goes, that's as good as it gets. The rest is just typically bland Americanised 'urban' dross. "Gotta Be You" is one of these 'crunk' songs (ie. tired r'n'b under a new moniker) and is quite frankly, just irritating whilst "It Ain't Easy" for all its Depeche Mode plagiarising basslines, is just void of any kind of real hook and comes off sounding flat and "Ugly" couldn't be more of a wholesale rip-off TLC's "Unpretty" even if it tried.

The albums biggest strengths, however, lie with the two songs produced by pop-production geniuses Xenomania. "Red Dress" is a streamroller of pop perfection with basslines that cut like a sharp stiletto and not one, but TWO choruses. Whereas "Ace Reject" is a dark, moody number with what is likely to be one of the catchiest chorus hooks I've ever heard. Just these two songs alone prove that whilst Dallas Austin may provide the album with a 'big name', Xenomania give the album it's real identity and save it from sounding like a typical attempt at another crack for the American market.

Other cuts on the album include the striking ballad "Follow Me Home" which is lush with its haunting strings, despite being a typical Sugababes ballad and "Two Hearts" closes the album in incredible fashion with a full Orchestra and pounding live drum sound.

Considering this is the group that has reworked pop music and kept it cool over the past five years, it's a shame "Taller In More Ways" doesn't touch any new ground and instead sees the band slowly shuffling into bland R'n'B territory. Worth it alone for the Xenomania tracks but you could almost guarantee the new Girls Aloud album will batter this to floor, not through vocal delivery but in terms of fun and creativity at least.

Sugababes are back with their fourth album. Neither do they disappoint, nor surprise - they just deliver yet another portion of solid pop music. What stands for the Sugababes' trademark, is the way their voices brilliantly blend together, creating a perfect harmony, which is a simple joy to listen to. The girls' singing is, as usual, heart-felt and top-notch; I bet nobody doubts that these babes really can sing! Besides, their producers never fail to craft some great, addictive tunes, worth Sugababes' wonderful voices. The best songs here are "Ugly", "It Ain't Easy", "Bruised" and "2 Hearts" - closing track and a definite stand-out of the album. "Taller in More Ways" doesn't really bring the killer singles like "Round Round" or "Stronger", however it's still a worthwhile release, which takes a few listenings to be fully appreciated. If any babes in show-business deserve your attention, they're surely Sugababes!

Alot of people have said that with taller in more ways, the sugababes havent broken any new ground and its a bit same ol same old - this may be true in a sense however there is no other girl group out there with the talent and pop sensibilities as the babes. the truth is that the sugababes have never disappointed with any of their albums and taller in more ways maintains that impressive record. although a little too keisha heavy on first listen this album really keeps getting better with each listen. the weakest 2 songs imo are joy division and it aint easy which are keisha vehicles and fail to impress but not for a lack of trying - they are not bad songs at all, they just dont stack up when compared with the other tracks which are pure pop masterpieces. Lead single push the button annoyed me at first but has grown on me and is one of the babes biggest uk hits yet. the grunt and crunk of gotta be you is wickedly addictive, and red dress is a mezmerising dancefloor stomper with not one but two amazing choruses!, also great is the albums feel good anthem ugly - but the real highlights of this album are at the tail end. obsession - (a remake) is pure 80's meets 00's sexed up club track that needs to be played very loud - totally addictive! bruised is a breezy piece of funky pop with wicked verses and a sing-along chorus that will stick in your head for ages. the shining star of the album is also the best ballad off taller in more ways - 2 hearts, which is helmed mainly by mutya and heidi...a great way to finish off the album. although keisha does have some great verses and choruses on TIMW I found her oversinging on some tracks really grating, although this made me appreciate mutya and heidi even more. overall a great pop album with a huge 80's influence from the sugababes. Buy it!

I've been a fan of the Sugababes since the first Cd and have seen the lineup changes as well as continued growth musically. I loved this album and the heir of cool that these girls seem to carry. Push the button is good but red Dress has that classic Sugababes sound that we have all come to associate them with. Best of luck to Mutya in the future and i hope the girls can keep it real and keep it together.