Cher Lloyd
Sticks + Stones

It's certainly interesting that Cher Lloyd saw fit to name her debut album Sticks + Stones, a seemingly pre-emptive "I don't care what you say" war cry to music critics everywhere. She needn't have bothered. While this album doesn't go so far as to announce Lloyd to the world as a hereto never seen before talent, it's emblematic of anything else that has come out through X-Factor or Simon Cowell's never-ending assembly line of shiny, polished pop acts.

Album opener 'Grow Up' is a hip-hop infused whirlwind of hyperactivity, where Lloyd finds an unlikely vocal ally in Busta Rhymes. On paper this had the potential to be another jarring Jedward/Vanilla Ice collaboration but, let's face it, Lloyd is in possession of a semblance of musical ability - unlike the brothers Grimes. Lloyd is clearly a fan of hip-hop and it shows throughout Sticks + Stones. 'Swagger Jagger' though, the single released last July, is not a highpoint of the album, too polished and not representative of Lloyd's actual talents. The album is at its best when the tracks align with Lloyd's actual roots and influences, such as 'Want U Back', a song which - musical credibility on the line here - is a hell of a lot of fun.

X-Factor is going to continue to churn out pop act after pop act, almost to its detriment. Cher Lloyd is the talk of the town right now, but she could well be competing for chart placement with Misha B. Next year and who knows the year after that. X-Factor is a juggernaut. It's replaced Top of the Pops as the show with the most impact on the general public's music buying habits, but every year a new gaggle of pop starlets is pushed upon us. As quickly as it can propel someone like Cher Lloyd into the spotlight, it can replace her just as quickly, forcing her into the role of a 'has been' in her early twenties. But hey, let's hope that's not the case. This album ain't bad.

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