Yahoo! Music Review

Gig played on 27/01/09

"LUNDIIIIIN! Are you ready to have fun?" Thighs of steel and killer heels; there may be harder-working performers than The Pussycat Dolls, but odds are none of them are critically respected blokes with guitars. Incidentally, who needs guitars - or a band? Not Cher-haired cheerleader Nicole, Sporty Spice-esque Melody, blondes Ashley and Kimberly or ginger glamazon Jessica - not when they can roar onstage astride motorcycles to the strains of a big, baleful "Take Over The World".

Seems The Dolls realised you can swap frowning bassists and clock-punching axemen for muscular percussionists and what Nicole calls, not inaccurately: "Hot male sexy dancers". And then, ladies and gentlemen - although to the surprise of anyone expecting maximum Maxim mouth-breathers, it's mostly ladies - you've got yourself a show. A stage show; "Chicago" meets Spears with just a flash of pole-dancing, a dash of burlesque. Pros to their toes, these troupers have those tirelessly pneumatic moves ("Sexy but always classy!" twinkles Nicole) down pat.

Be it live or pre-taped, tonight was never going to be about the vocals. Nicole ("Hush Hush", "Halo") and Melody ("Big Spender") show they've got lungs; Ashley ("Played") does not. Nor is it about melodies; even the cleverly curated R&B highlights ("Elevator", "Buttons", a sneakily postmodern "I Hate This Part") are all about beats. Only Jessica's Britney-licious "If I Was A Man" and Kimberly's day-glo take on Jane Child's "I Don't Want To Fall In Love" are pure pop thrills.

Even when Nicole's not out-pushing Posh ("That boy there - would you like to take me out on a date? You don't think my boyfriend Lewis would mind?"), it's hard not to think of their spiritual godmothers, the Spice Girls. Mind you, The Dolls' hard-bodied Yank professionalism makes Geri & co at their fittest look like five Helena Bonham Carters.

But whether it was The Dolls' idea or a paymaster's, they talk up girl power with as much sincerity as any guitar-boys' global warnings. "You have to love yourself - I wrote this for all the strong, independent ladies" ("I Don't Need A Man"); "Ladies, you gotta tell men what I tell them" ("Space"); "Thank you for helping us fulfil our dreams; we hope and pray we can help you fulfil yours" ("Stickwitu").

Admittedly, Cee-Lo's brilliantly vexsome "Don't Cha" (taken at a homeward canter tonight) isn't too sisterly. Sure, a thumping, set-closing "When I Grow Up" sounds like the battle cry of a new chav apocalypse (if you've never heard of Bros). And perhaps dedicating it to "Anyone who ever wanted to grow up to be a Pussycat Doll" suggests a limited vision for thousands of cheering teen girls. Maybe by the time those girls take over the world, they can occasionally swap stilettos and sparkly knickers for trackie bottoms and a well-deserved rest.

by Jennifer Nine