Sugababes have always been a little bit different from your average girl band. Perhaps it's because with them, the emphasis has never been strictly (or at least solely) on sex or image; perhaps it's because of the implicit tales of in-bullying by core member Keisha Buchanan that's spiced-up the unavoidable tabloid tales; or maybe it's because they've simply been the architects of some great, great pop songs during their nine-year tenure. Songs such as Freak Like Me, Round Round, Overload and Push the Button certainly haven't harmed the trio's reputation as purveyors of slick dance-pop grooves, despite their numerous line-up changes and somewhat troubled collective history. Now one of the most successful pop acts of the 21st century, Buchanan, along with non-founding members Heidi Range and Amelle Berrabah, seek to solidify their position at the top (which is becoming increasingly shaky, thanks to the likes of Girls Aloud) with Change, their fifth studio effort. Unfortunately it's not half as dynamic as its name would suggest, although there are several sense-stirring tracks on offer - mainly vampish gay disco anthem My Love is Pink, sassy, funky, Beyonce-esque Back Down and the villainous pop of 3 Spoons of Suga, which all epitomise the sexy 'give-a-damn' attitude that Sugababes have pretty much built their career upon. However, much of the album is standard, saccharine ballads (Mended By You) or garden-variety pop (Denial) that suggest, despite the fact that uber-producer Dallas Austin is on board here, that Sugababes may be losing their magic touch.
