Not to make out that the Sugababes were the second coming or anything, but their success has opened a whole new chapter for British girlbands. Where once they were cute and fun, now they’re strident, sexy and above all else, allowed to be taken seriously. Had the Sugababes not shown the commercial viability of genuine girl power, Westlife creator Louis Walsh may have been tempted to make Girls Aloud the new Atomic Kitten rather than the petulant divas they are. Look at them now.
The 411 have obviously been paying attention, even if the rest of pop seems to have been unusually slow on the up take. With their first three singles, they’ve quietly established themselves as ladies of class and character, intelligence and dignity.
The sinister soul and melancholic strings of “On MY Knees”, “Dumb”’s clicky club murmur and “Teardrops”, built on a chilling Lola Shiffrin sample last heard as the spooky backdrop to Portishead’s “Sour Times”, all shudder with an imagination rarely expended on a chart act. Add the sultriest of vocals, an ever present undercurrent of taut sexuality and a demeanour that’s more uncompromising woman than totty, and The 411 have the makings of a style they can call their own.
The rest of their debut album continues the theme of sultry strength and sexuality. What it doesn’t do is reinforce the feeling that The 411 are an act like no other. Only the oriental shimmer of “China Girl” and “Jumpin’” with its feel good reggae bounce, come close to living up to their singles’ promise of pop with distinction.
Elsewhere, the likes of “My Friend” and the title track slip into the well-worn mid-tempo R&B groove favoured by TLC circa “Crazy, Sexy, Cool” and every female R&B hopeful thereafter. And therein lies the problem. The songs themselves are well above the R&B average, they’re just impossible to pick out of the crowd.
Some acts are born to fade into the background. The 411 have proved they’re capable of more, making “Between The Sheets” seem like a wasted opportunity, despite containing some fine songs. A solid debut, with exceptional moments, it still makes them the UK’s most credible and interesting girl band - at least until the Sugababes return.
