The Official Girls Aloud Thread - Page 24

#1 10th November 2008, 10:09 AM

An interesting read for you guys:

Spoiler:

Why England's Pop Divas Put the USA's to Shame

At a moment of American economic meltdown, it's probably inadvisable—maybe even traitorous!—to advocate for the increased import of foreign goods. ("Buy American," commanded the headline of a recent New York Times op-ed by Warren Buffett, a man whose knowledge of finance equals mine regarding The Hills.) But listen: When the Pussycat Dolls are churning out crap as witless and charm-free as this year's Doll Domination, a lifelong lady-pop fan's got no choice but to globalize—especially now that Girls Aloud's terrific new Out of Control is calling out for his recession-ravaged dollar.

Girls Aloud are the most successful products of England's Popstars, the reality-show precursor to Pop Idol (which itself led to American Idol), and though they're hugely famous in the U.K., none of their five studio albums has been released in the United States. (The Internet, of course, makes this distinction largely symbolic.) The music's official unavailability here is not entirely a function of market protectionism: Though the painted ladies of Danity Kane have done an admirable job of chipping away at America's fear of camp, we're still, for the most part, a nation of Hinder-loving mouth-breathers—which means you can't blame our beleaguered record biz for not throwing in its lot with a group so dedicated to fabulousity that they once covered a Pointer Sisters song.

But, indeed, for anyone unafraid of fun and sparkles and girls who are boys who like boys to be girls, there's no denying that 2008's homegrown pop crop withers in Out of Control's shadow. I mean, this thing has more highlights than Carmen Electra: Opener "The Promise" (a number-one debut in England last month) swirls with junk-Bond spy-flick strings; "Love Is the Key" walks Nancy Sinatra's '60s-pop boots back to the future; "The Loving Kind," co-written with the Pet Shop Boys, is so pretty it could bring a tear to a mannequin's eye. The best cut might be "Untouchable," a pulsating six-minute emo-disco jam about beautiful robots dancing alone. Beautiful robots dancing alone! Why didn't Katy Perry (or the Killers) think of that?

Girls Aloud aren't England's only threat to the crippled notion of American pop-cultural pre-eminence; see also strong new imports by the Saturdays and Sugababes (the latter of whom actually had a brief Stateside deal back in the early '00s). On Chasing Lights, the Saturdays—including two former members of S Club 8 (the kiddie version of S Club 7)—make nifty use of a Yaz sample, harmonize sweetly over grinding synth riffs, and sing about feeling vulnerable without sounding vulnerable in the least. It's a confidence thing. (Also: computers.)

Catfights and Spotlights, the Sugababes disc, does offer woebegone Yanks a glimmer of hope in the form of a pronounced Motown influence that suggests that, hey, at least there's profit in our past. "Disaster is always just a beat away," the 'Babes sing over a juiced-up Supremes groove in "You on a Good Day," before helping themselves to a handful of Jackson 5 hooks in "No Can Do." A less flamboyantly English-sounding effort than Out of Control, Catfights is, in fact, loaded with lifts from other American hits—Chris Brown's "Forever" in "Unbreakable Heart," and "Let's Hear It for the Boy," of all things, in "Hanging on a Star." With any luck, we'll be in a position to call in these loans sometime soon. (Say a little prayer for Britney Spears's upcoming Circus.) Until then, expect the trade deficit to continue deepening.

http://www.villagevoice.com/2008-11-...ours-to-shame/

I completely disagree, I think PCD gives them a run for their money and Britney too.

drewbilation · #2 11th November 2008, 05:20 AM

tbh, all three albums mentioned in that article are about a million times better than "Doll Domination," which only has about three repeat-worthy tracks.

I'd actually love for GA, The Satz and the 'Babes all to come over here and show PCD how to make a GOOD pop album.

#3 11th November 2008, 06:56 AM

^Unfortunately for them America prefers their pop to be hip-hop oriented and sl*tty, which would be hilarious for any of those groups to attempt. I really liked Doll Domination but it's just so much different from GA's new CD, I don't even see how anyone could truly try to compare the two albums.

drewbilation · #4 11th November 2008, 07:17 AM

...uh, why did you post that article then, which does compare them?

#5 11th November 2008, 08:15 AM

^Cuz I think it's kind of ridiculous, so I had to share. I don't agree with it, obviously

Kaiouforever · #6 11th November 2008, 09:03 PM

I don't think GAs new album is that amazing. I felt like it could have been better...but their singles are usually good, so I can't complain.

bernardation · #7 16th November 2008, 05:27 AM

a friend of mine told me that 'the loving kind' has just been confirmed by radio 1 as the new single. the release date is 22.12 and apparently the video is already done.

Kaiouforever · #8 16th November 2008, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bernardation

a friend of mine told me that 'the loving kind' has just been confirmed by radio 1 as the new single. the release date is 22.12 and apparently the video is already done.

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

drewbilation · #9 16th November 2008, 06:53 AM

Sugababes are releasing their new single on Dec 22nd as well.

it's a pretty slow week music-wise, so GA might be able to get another no. 1.

bondingo · #10 16th November 2008, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drewbilation

Sugababes are releasing their new single on Dec 22nd as well.

it's a pretty slow week music-wise, so GA might be able to get another no. 1.

My God, if only. That would be incredible. The album and the first single going to number one is great enough but another single would just be phenomenal.

**milky_way** · #11 16th November 2008, 07:10 AM

YAY!! That's my b-day, so this can be my present

bernardation · #12 21st November 2008, 03:37 PM

I officially don't know what to think anymore. Apparently there are some rumors telling that 'rolling back the rivers in time' IS going to be their next single.

drewbilation · #13 21st November 2008, 06:16 PM

^ well, when Kimba was on Radio 1 she said herself that "Rolling Back The Rivers" was a single from the album, but she didn't specify if it was second or third or whatever. "Love Is The Key" was also one of the rumored choices for the second single, but thank gawd they didn't choose that LOL.

anyway, I'm pretty sure that "The Loving Kind" is going to actually be the second single, though, 'cause apparently it's already started getting a bit of radio play.

edit~ yep, "The Loving Kind" is officially the next single:

Quote:

Originally Posted by girlsaloud.co.uk

21.11.08 - Get ready for The Loving Kind

www.girlsaloud.co.uk can now bring you exclusive news that will give you the Friday Feeling!

After going to Number One with 'The Promise,' Girls Aloud will soon be heading straight back into the charts with their next single 'The Loving Kind.'

Taken from their Number One album, Out of Control, the track is a collaboration between the Girls, their long time producers Xenomania and one of Britain's much loved bands, the Pet Shop Boys!

The track will be out 12th January, along with another stylish video courtesy of Trudy Bellinger ('The Promise') and a B-side in the shape of the new recording 'Japan.'

We'll be bringing you more information very soon, including news on an exclusive megamix of everyone's favourite Girls Aloud hits, celebrating the band's 20th single, The Loving Kind.

apparently the video will be premiering on December 3rd and the making-of will air on MTV UK December 13th.

p3ayu · #14 24th November 2008, 03:37 AM

I'm super excited cause I love The Loving Kind!! I figured this would be a single at some point since they talked about it a bit more than other songs. Love them <3