Search - Sugababes :: Overloaded: The Singles Collection

Amazing Collection.

Peter St Eloi | B.C. | 10/04/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Sugababes are an English trio that was formed way back in 1998, and have since become one of the most successful female acts in the UK. (Their most recent single, "About You Now" just went #1 in the UK.)



Overloaded: The Singles Collection is a brief - and I say brief only because their albums are definitely worth checking out - history of the group. This record serves as a great introduction to the group, giving the listener a taste of what the girls sound is like and what they're all about.



This album is packed with some great dance tracks, like the trancy "Round Round" (A UK #1 in 2002), the thumping, makes-you-wanna-strut "Red Dress," and the Gary Numan sampled "Freak Like Me." They also show off their amazing vocal harmonies on ballads like "Too Lost In You" and "Stronger." They even manage an upbeat empowerment song as well, the Dallas Austin penned "Ugly."



The obligatory new tracks are "Easy" - which was released as the promotional single (and charted in the UK top 10) and "Good To Be Gone." Both are great upbeat, dance tracks that you can't help but move your body along to.



My favourite tracks on Overloaded are "Push The Button" (Produced by Dallas Austin) and "Hole In The Head," both of which I love to dance around to with the volume cranked up quite high. I also enjoyed the inclusion of their early singles "Run For Cover" and "Overload" as well.



The track listing is as follows:

1. Freak Like Me (UK#1, 2002)

2. Round Round (UK #1, 2002)

3. Red Dress

4. In The Middle

5. Stronger

6. Shape

7. Overload

8. Good To Be Gone

9. Caught In A Moment

10. Ugly

11. Easy

12. Too Lost In You

13. Run For Cover

14. Hole In The Head (UK #1, 2003)

15. Push The Button (UK #1, 2005)



My only complaint is that they left off the fabulous ballad "Follow Me Home" which was released as a single in the summer of 2006. Because of it's low chart position however, I understand the reasoning for leaving it out.



The accompanying lyric book could have been presented better as well, with a possible band history or pictures of the individual singles sleeves. There is no mention in the thank yous of the two former members of the band, Siobhán Donaghy (who left in 2001), or co-founding member Mutya Buena (who departed in 2005). You only know that they were there if you read the writing credits, or have researched the bands history like I have.



Presentation aside, Overloaded is a great album to own, especially if you like female pop groups, or pop music in general. It's great to throw on in the car to sing along to, or in the background at home."