Various developments in the S Club 7 camp have sent shock waves throughout the teeny-pop establishment. The problems began when, overnight, Bradley transformed into a hardcore gangsta rappa. It emerged later that, for some time, he had been attending twice-weekly evening in classes in 'How To Bluff Your Way In Hip Hop'. Not to be outdone, Paul became a bit of a scummy greaser.
Perhaps we should have read the warning signs, but no one was truly prepared for what was to transpire. One fateful morning, the nation opened their daily rags to find the two, aforementioned troublemakers 'tokin' da reefa' with reckless abandon. The last straw came, however, when we discovered that Paul and Hannah have been engaging in adult relations.
One question formed on everybody's lips - were the S Club going to start making credible, avante garde music catering for adults with a capital A? Upon sampling all 15 tracks of their third album ('Sunshine') the answer is categorically, and mercifully, no. Despite ominous pointers that these loveable popsters were moving towards a more 'mature' sound, it seems that they are sticking to what they do best.
The opening track - the floor filling classic 'Don't Stop Movin' - is certainly a hard act to follow. But the Magnificent 7, to the credit, back up their stateside smash with a some classic, crystalline pop tunes, including their current hit 'Have You Ever' and the excellent 'Show Me Your Colours'. 'You' finds the band on excellent chirpy, doo-be-doo-wop form. 'Dance, Dance, Dance' and 'Stronger' see the gang pick up from where they left off on 'Don't Stop Movin'.
Then, of course, there is Bradley's tentative foray into R&B on the 'Right Guy', complete with fake gold medallions and Tupac bandanna. After a dubious Spanish guitar intro, the track does lead into a typically infectious, polished chorus which restores a semblance of crafted pop to an otherwise pappy number. Even the cameo rap, more than likely accompanied by mechanical hip hop posturing, is mildly entertaining rather than highly irritating.
However, the S Club, with all their refreshingly innocent charm and energy, can only get away with so much. As one approaches the end of the album the quality does start to flag and forcing marshmallows down your throat becomes the gastronomic equivalent. Inevitably, one starts to become bloated by their persistently sweet, pulpy formula.
Having said this, the album does finish strongly - with the divine 'Never Had A Dream Come True' and a remix of 'Don't Stop Movin'. Still, one can't help thinking that the band would have been better advised to make a shorter and snappier album. There is no doubt that it could easily have been condensed into a classic collection of sparkling pop beauties but as it stands, the finished product is a worthy pop gem.
