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Release Date: October 9, 2007 Label: Island Records Related Sites: · Official Site Grade: B+

Sugababes, where have you been all my life? That's what I found myself asking after listening to Change, the trio's fifth studio album. The answer is they've been "across the pond" and a little digging into their history shows them to be the most successful UK female act of the century. It also reveals why the title of their latest is so appropriate.

The short version of their career retrospective has founding members Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena and Siobhán Donaghy releasing their debut One Touch in 2000 when they were all of sixteen years old, with its initial single, "Overload," peaking at #6 on the UK Singles Chart. Since then, the group has scored six #1 singles, including "Freak Like Me" and "Round Round" from Angels with Dirty Faces, "Hole in the Head" (Three), "Push the Button" (Taller in More Ways), and "Walk This Way," a charity CD single for Comic Relief billed as by "Sugababes Vs Girls Aloud."

"Can we bring yesterday back around? 'cause I know how I feel about you now..." Sugababes in the music video for "About You Now," directed by Marcus Adam and shot at the Festival Hall at Waterloo Station in London, England.

During that time, Sugababes saw a membership shift as Donaghy left during their first tour, to be replaced by founding Atomic Kitten Heidi Range, and Amelle Berrabah joined the group following the departure of Buena after their fourth album. Change, indeed.

Following a greatest hits compilation, Overloaded: The Singles Collection, released last year on CD and DVD, Sugababes toured in support of the album before heading back to the studio to work on their new album with the current line-up. In a sign that they had truly arrived, Mattel teamed up with the videogenic Sugababes to create a new themed Barbie doll collection that hit stores this past summer.

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Sugababes:

Keisha Buchanan - Vocals and Songwriter
Heidi Range - Vocals and Songwriter
Amelle Berrabah - Vocals and Songwriter

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"About You Now," co-written by Cathy Dennis (who also penned "Surprise"), preceded the disc of all-new material by a few weeks and became firmly ensconced at the top of the charts. By the time Change released, it impressively joined its lead single at #1 on the UK albums chart, leapfrogging Bruce Springsteen's Magic and Katie Melua's Pictures, and besting the other big release of the week, Eric Clapton's Complete Clapton.

I'm at a loss to explain why Sugababes has not conquered America, because they are every bit as good as Destiny's Child, and infinitely less annoying. Their presentation of slick pop and R&B features impeccable harmony with plenty of groove. At turns, they can sound like En Vogue and TLC, while mixing things up with disco ("Open the Door") and a sleazy, reggae beat ("Back Down"). The title track is pegged as the next single, and its sparkling harmonies sound like Exposé.

Berrabah's rich, deep voice is quite appealing, starting on the electro pop opener, and continuing on the break-up ode, "Never Gonna Dance Again," which lyrically echo's George Michael's "Careless Whisper." I like the variety Sugababes presents, from the finger-snappin' "Back When," to mid-tempo ballads "Mended By You" and "Undignified," to the unfortunately-titled but catchy "My Love Is Pink."

Rounding out the disc is a bonus track, though I'm not what it's a "bonus" of, unless it actually means, "we're not sure if this song is any good, so we'll label it 'bonus' to indicate that we really didn't plan on including it." Well, let me tell you, beyond the visual possibilities of the title, this tune is ridiculously danceable Bananarama mimicry, and a stirring anthem worthy of completing this Change.