Customer Reviews

Three

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Sugababes are undoubtedly Britain's greatest female pop group since the Spice Girls. These three sexy sassy ladies are always ahead of the game and just storm through the charts whipping up a frenzy and displaying such a cool attitude that is rivalled by no others. The Sugababes first arrived on the scene in 2000 with their debut album "One Touch" which spawned the massive hit singles "Overload," "New Year" and "Run For Cover." The band's future was put in jeopardy when the red head member Siobhan Donaghy left in 2001. Only two girls were left in the band - Keisha Buchanan and Mutya Buena. Then towards the end of 2001 the blonde bombshell Heidi Range joined the band, and in early 2002 they released "Freak Like Me," which became a massive UK No.1 single.

This was followed up by the album "Angels With Dirty Faces" and the massive No.1 single "Round Round." The girls continued their success with a mammoth UK tour and the hit singles "Stronger" and "Shape." The 'Babes were now the hottest chicks on the block, and have maintained this personality for years now. In 2003 the girls returned with their third album "Three." It debuted at No.3 in the UK charts and is easily their best album to date. On this album the girls equally divide their vocal contributions and fuse pop, rock, indie and dance to make easily one of 2003's finest efforts.

Three opens with the album's first single, "Hole In The Head," which was a massive UK No.1 back in October 2003. The catchy beat and man-hating lyrics became a firm favourite in club across the nation and gave the girls their third UK No.1 single. "Whatever Makes You Happy" is a loud and brash pop anthem that talks of fame and fortune in a money-hungry society, whilst the superb "Caught In A Moment" is the album's first ballad. With emotional violins and soothing vocals, it's one of the best songs on offer here. The lyrics are superb, too, especially for a girl band, like, "Your stare swallows me in, and I can hardly breathe. I feel it's dangerous, could be deadly. Somehow I'm willing to do the things you want. Take me in your arms, spoon feed my heart." Many people dislike "Situation's Heavy," but it's one of my personal favourites, especially for the opening sounds; a mixture of swirling heavenly beats. The vocal arrangement is catchy and the lyrics are though-provoking - classic Sugababes. "Million Different Ways" is a rather average track, but it's still pretty damn good. I think it starts off really cheap and tinny, but soon evolves into a rich and developed piece.

"Twisted" is probably the most simple song on the album, with a simple beat and uptempo sunny lyrics. "We Could Have It All" is the album's only real dud, but it's still listenable whilst the superb "Conversation's Over" makes for one of the best middle of the road tracks that the band have every produced. The third single "In The Middle" is a fantastic flurry of dance beats and eccentric horns that collide with the girls' ultra-cool and attitude-laden vocals and lyrics. The verses are so catchy and the bridge before the first chorus about boys and girls is simply groove-tastic! "Too Lost In You" is hands down the best ballad the Sugababes have ever sung, and with lyrics by the ballad legend Diane Warren, it's not hard to see why! Taken from the British blockbuster film Love Actually, the song features some awesome lyrics and an incredible bridge section where the violins take your breath away. It was the second single to be taken from the album in December 2003.

"Nasty Ghetto" simply sways like an elephant in a jungle with underground beats and primal funk! The girls deliver a fantastic message on this song, with an awesome sense of female power that dominates and controls a would-be relationship. "Buster" is a similar song to its predecessor, yet makes less of an impact. The girls sing of a guy who wants to get with them, but they're having none of it! These foxy ladies know how to work it, and when you get in their way, watch out man! It's a female power anthem, in a similar vein to Christina's "Can't Hold Us Down." The second to last track on the album is "Sometimes" which is an average ballad - a bit filler for my liking. The album finally closes with "Maya," a superb and emotional ballad about a friend who died. I usually ignore all songs towards the end of albums by pop bands because they're usually filler, but this sure isn't! The lyrics are very professional for a supposed pop band and the beat is soft and heavenly.

OVERALL GRADE: 9/10

America basically has no idea who the Sugababes are because they haven't really gone over there and promoted their material, but I'm sure they'd be a big success if they did! The Sugababes are Britain's top girl group, and I can see them maintaining this reputation because they have longevity. They're not some annoying novelty act that will wash away by this time next year. The only thing that's going to stop this band carrying on is a break-up once they've made their millions, have inflated egos and want to try solo careers. They could succeed in this, but I think they have too much talent and genius to do that just yet. Buy Three now, it's a fantastic album.

With the unimaginatively titled Three, Sugababes practically cemented their undisputed position as one, if not the best, female pop group to have emerged in recent times. While One Touch didnt shine beyond the excellent debut Overload and Run For Cover, Angels with Dirty Faces brought the girls (with replacement) to greater heights.

On Three, the gals covered such diverse ground as pop, funk, dance, R&B and rock without risking sounding confused. While the Destiny Child girls bad mouthed their bad men with angry words, the Babes always do it in style and recognizing the power within. First single Hole In The Head is a don't-play-with-me attitude type of song that plays against a riveting dancebeat that gets anyione on the dancefloor in no time. The girls shine on other songs such as the funky Whatever Makes YOu Happy, Million Different Ways and Nasty Ghetto (Linda Perry co-written track). All these without the need for a rapper chorus.

What really shines here is the ease the gals approach their ballads. When I first glanced and saw the Diane Warren-penned track Too Lost In You, I was disappointed but it turns out that the gals handled the track with unasumming ease and without the typical scream-your-lungs-out kind of rendition (read: Celine Dion). In fact, the song was "rock-trify" with the electric guitar midway through. The final two songs are also deserving of mention. Sometimes and Maya (Guy Sigsworth - Bjork, Lamb, mandalay and Madonna collaborator) are two of the finest tracks on the album.

One wonders why this band was not promoted in the USA in place of trashy and generic R&B/rap music in the US. They do not know what they miss.

I've been a big fan of the girls since their first album came out in the UK and I stumbled upon them on the TOTP website (I'm from Canada). Since then I've scrambled to collect rare tracks and their albums and recently got my hands on the aptly titled 3 - as it is their 3rd album and there are 3 members. Keisha and Mutya re-affirm their posistion as the original members of the group (3rd member Siobahn left after album #1 and was replaced by Heidi) by singing a lot of hte lead vocals with the exception of "Sometimes" but nevertheless this album brings the girls toa new level with another album of catchy and varied styles of music.

The album starts off with "Hole in the Head", which was also their first single off the CD and a UK #1, an awesome boy-bashing track that is really fun to dance to, you won't be able to resist feeling the rhythm of this one. "Whatever Makes You Happy" is probably the most poppy song on the cd, and one of the most multi-layered as there is about a million things going on sound effects wise. Not bad but a bit cheesy...

"Freak Like Me" is actually the first single of the girls last album, "Angels with Dirty Faces". An awesome song if you've never heard it with a cool Gary Numan sample. "Situation's Heavy" is a mixture between post-modern jazz and the popular sound of British two-step/garage. A very different sound for the group and for most popular artists to try out. "Million Different Ways" starts off by jumpin onto that whole India-inspired music trend but progresses into its mid-tempo pop song that has Hindi-inspired undertones. V.slick sounding!

"Stronger" is another track from the last album, and a nice ballad although I personally liked "Shape" better. It is a song about being made stronger after a breakup with a good message for listeners. "Twisted" Is one of my fave songs as it channels a bit of the classic American hip hop vibe with an amazingly catchy beat. A really different sound compared to everything else on the album, a lot simpler in terms of layering for sure.

"Conversation's Over"...this song is a bit hard to rate because on one hand its not particularly unique as a pop song (Think All Saints/Appleton) but it is different for the group to try out. Either way the chorus and harmonies are really pure on this one. "In The Middle" was the girls third single, and I think it was a bit of a cop out based on its catchiness...the lyrics are pretty weak but the song itself is amazingly worthy of club playage. "Too Lost In You" is at first a bit of a disappointing track, and the girls second single (and worst release off the album so far chart-wise). However they are each given a chance to shine vocally and eventually the song grows on you, as you might, like i did, find yourself mindlessly singing the words whenever you hear it.

"Nasty Ghetto" is a love it or hate it song. Its a bit hip hop and a bit dance music, a good track to dance to...rather grind to. "Round Round" is from the second album as well and definitely one of the catchiest songs from the previous release, I believe it was another number one for them. "Sometimes" is Heidi's song where she sings the majority of the lead vocals throughout in a sorta jazzy-old tyme ballad. A nice song and a good chance to let Heidi shine. Finally we finish off with "Maya" which barely seems to feature Heidi at all. Regardless it is one of my fave songs on the album as its so incredibly different, beautiful and peaceful. I believe it was written for one of the other two girls' sisters and is definitely a standout.

The thing that really struck me about this album is that hte girls successfully tried out a number of styles, even moreso then their previous effort, yet still sound fantastic on every track with out the need of guest vocalists or super flashy videos. If you ever hear them live the girls really are talented especially given their age, and hopefully will keep it together to make more progress in North America where they deserve some more attention. If you are looking for a release by a good girl group (since they are few and very far between) be sure to pick up this album as well as the other Sugababes cd's! Great for parties, chilling, or just singing along to, this album will surely be placed in my fave music category along with the rest of the Sugababes releases.

There are very few straight pop acts I can stand, UK teenage trio Sugababes are easily among them. I fell in love with their music right from the brilliant `Overload', `Freak like me' (which I preferred to the original by Adina Howard), and `Round round'.

The babes have always stood apart from the rest, maybe it is their aloof cool, or their offbeat pop, or the fact that they write most of their songs, I don't know but they are great.

`Three' is as the name implies, their third album. It starts off with the superb catchy man-bashing `Hole in the head' with lyrics like `Oh boy do you miss me like a hole in the head', and a jerky slight Bangra feel. A UK #1.

`In the middle' is an upbeat number with off beat sounding horns and a fab bridge. A UK top 10 hit. There are other upbeat danceable songs like the quirky retro sounding `Nasty ghetto' with warbly sounding guitar.

There's the rock tinged intricately layered `Whatever makes you happy' (with a sample of the 1986 Sly Fox hit `Let's go all the way), the swirling `Situation's heavy' (with a slight 2-step feel), `A million different ways' (which also has a Bangra feel with jangling sitars), the funky R&B of `Buster' and `Twisted'. Each song is a totally different sound and feel from the other.

Then there are the beautiful ballads; The Dianne Warren penned `Too lost in you' (I usually find her ballads too cheesy and dramatic but this is just great, great electric guitar and no over-the-top vocals. It was a UK top 10), `Caught in a moment' and `Sometimes' really showcasing the girls impressive vocals.

Pop perfection!

I have NEVER been a Sugababes fan until this year.I really love how they sing,how they songs are that catchy and how they actually write great songs.

1.Hole in the Head-9,5-Their first single of the album.It has that typical sound from them.I really love their voices,the beats and the catchy chrous and verses.
2.Whatever Makes You Happy-8-It's a good song.It's really upbeat and catchy,but not the best song on the album
3.Freak Like Me-9,5-Their first single of their second album(Angels With Dirty Faces).I just love this song.I can say it is one of the best pop songs in the last 4 years.What a beat and vocals by Heidi!(the blonde one)
4.Situation's Heavy-10-This is my favourite song from Sugababes.I can really relate to it.I love their voices,the beats.It's really catchy,it's like and R

The Sugababes are always ahead of the game. Whilst groups such as Atomic Kitten churn out pansy covers and cheap pop and Girls Aloud (although great) are still trying to catch up with the 'Babes last album 'Angels With Dirty Faces', the Sugababes are running ahead with the release of their latest effort "Three".

Since 2000's debut effort "One Touch" the girls have come a very long way. Flamehaired founder Siobhan Donaghy quit the band in 2001 after a rumoured string of rows with Mutya and Keisha, she has since released a quite simply AMAZING debut album in "Revolution In Me" which is definately one of the year's essential purchases. The band were then dropped by London Records, to then be snapped up by Universal and brang in new girl Heidi Range and released their slick,(...) second effort "Angels With Dirty Faces" after 3 number 1's comes their third album, simply titled "Three".

The album is opened with the band's recent third number 1 'Hole In The Head' which alongside some of the other tracks on this album seems pretty dull in comparison - that's not to say it's crap though. Linda Perry (producer for Christina Aguilera's latest album "Stripped") lends her production skills for the dirty, funky, electro ditty 'Nasty Ghetto' which is a definate album standout along with the amazing ballad 'Too Lost In You', the electro fueled beat laden stormer 'Whatever Makes You Happy' which is written on Keisha's views on the state of the pop market at the moment. Other standouts are include the bhangra styled 'Million Different Ways' and how could I forget the incredibly catchy dancefloor stomper 'In The Middle'.

Along with ex-band member Siobhan Donaghy, the Sugababes have also managed to release one of 2003's most essential albums. All 3 girls voices have advanced another stage and this album deserves success and maybe some Brit Awards in February ;) So go on, if you enjoyed the 'Angels...' album or the single 'Hole In The Head' you are bound to love this album. Buy.

The Sugababes are another phenomenon that have managed to win over most of the world with their smooth ballads and pop dance floor fillers, but have gone unnoticed by the American public. This multi-racial trio of British girls has delivered many hits in recent years and was the escape band for people who thought the likes of Atomic Kitten and/or Westlife delivered more cheese and less quality. One Touch, their debut album, managed to successfully fuse luscious pop melodies with morphing trip-hop beats, exhibited in the stunning "Overload" and "Run for Cover."
Next came an abrupt band break up, when Siobhan Donaghy left and was replaced by a bustier blonde. From then on, the Sugababes' music was directed at mainstream audiences and waned in experimentation. With their second album, Angels With Dirty Faces, the Britpop divas created a less risqué sound that still sinks its feet in unconventional templates. This is demonstrated by the Gary Newman/ Adina Howard mash-up on "Freak Like Me," and the number one song "Round Round."
This third effort, appropriately titled Three, doesn't stray too far from its predecessor in the sense that its main focus is to bring forward pop tracks that are not too experimental for radio and not commercial to the point of non-distinction.
The lead single displays the combination of easy-on-the-ears experimentalism. "Hole in the Head" is a strong dance number with an average boyfriend-baiting theme. However, its melodic arrangement is unabashedly unique. The second single and a cut from the original soundtrack of Love Actually, "Too Lost In You" is a wondrous love ballad that seduces.
Other album tracks verge on being audible avant-garde but stay within pop boundaries, such as the dark "Situation's Heavy" and the Panjabi MC-flavored "Million Different Ways."
Other tracks fall short of that glory, like "We Could Have It All" and "Whatever Makes You Happy." Some tracks are too cliché like "Nasty Ghetto" and "Caught in the Moment," the first an attempt at street-cred and the latter a measly crooner.
This mishaps are saved by the mystery of a dying relationship on "Conversation's Over," a standout track on the album.
Three is packed with future hits and is laced with pleasing vocals from the trio. In comparison to the rest of the girl bands, the Sugababes seem to be the only band worthy of appreciation. As Girls Aloud and Atomic Kitten rely profoundly on cover versions and out-played melodies, the Sugababes marvel in their tampering with readily-constructed templates.

Another solid album from the UK babes. Hole in the head is one of those songs that if you here it enough love or hate it you can't stop listening to it. Once again this trio continues to show growth with each album as well as a continuing effort to showcase vocal talents with the ballads such as with the last two tracks on this album. But....... I still say what best represents the babes are the party jams like hole in the head or In the middle. Great album.

I herd about the Sugababes on Top of the pops (Even though i live in america) i was reading news on the latest brit popstars and i came across them about there Album Three. so i decided to Buy the album one word "WOW" its a different pop than what i listen to. Cant wait till the 4th album keep up the good work.

If you're a pop music fan then you cannot afford to miss out on the talents of these 3 uk ladies. They have to be the most under-rated pop group out there at the moment. This is their best cd to date. There is not a bad track on the disc. From the upbeat first single 'Hole in the head' to the haunting and quite brilliant ballad 'Caught in a moment' this cd has it all -Sugababes combine dance, pop, rock, r'n'b, ballads & funk. Although every track is great two stand out the most: 'Too lost in you' -featured on the Love Actually soundtrack and the totally amazing 'Conversation's over'. Each girl shines on this cd but I have to say that I was blown away by the soulful voice of Mutya once again. This cd is a must for any pop music fan.