Angels with Dirty Faces

2002 was one of the most exciting moments for pop music in modern history. In the US, Timbaland, Neptunes, Rodney Jerkins and co had turned the mainstream avant-garde, and in the UK producers Richard X and Xenomania and bands like Goldfrapp were likewise throwing away all conventions. The second album by British vocal trio Sugababes (already in their second lineup with Siobhán Donaghy replaced by Heidi Range) veritably boils with that sense of possibility. Kicking off with a deranged remake of Richard X’s mashup of R&B singer Adina Howard’s “Freak Like Me” with the apocalyptic synths of Tubeway Army‘s “Are “Friends” Electric?” is a massive statement, but the album manages to carry through its promise. Sugababes harmonise like a dream, yet always feel like they’re barely one step removed from their audience, and the free for all collision of R&B, UK garage, electro pop, glam rock, trip hop and more is buzzing with energy throughout. It gave Sugababes their first two UK number ones in “Freak Like Me” and the Xenomania-produced “Round Round,” and launched them properly as one of the country’s best loved pop acts of all time.