 So, the difficult second album...
I remember a few months back when I received a promo copy of Doll Domination’s lead single ‘When I Grow Up’. Following the success and widespread popularity of smash hit ‘Don’t Cha’ and numerous other singles that the musically indifferent probably don’t remember, I was keen to see how The Dolls would respond to fan hype and the monumental task of following such a successful debut. As with the majority of pop releases, a considerable burden lay upon the first release from the album and ‘When I Grow Up’ really did not disappoint. It’s tight, clean, well produced rhythmic beats and instantly loveable chorus completely won me over on first listen, and second, and third...
So much so in fact, that I would go as far as top say that it is possibly the best pop record that I heard in 2008. I know – The Pussycat Dolls?! After such a strong lead track, I naturally had only had the highest of expectations for album numero deux but unfortunately, things don’t really go as planned.
Of the actual main bulk of ‘Doll Domination’ (i.e. Disc 1, not the Bonus Disc) ‘Who’s Gonna Love You’ is the ONLY other track that really got under my skin and made me question my sexuality. Which is fortunate in a way, because despite the fact that they make the best pop music in the world today (there’s your token sweeping statement), if I became too much of a fan of The Dolls, I feel that I’d have a lot of explaining to do to many people. Nonetheless, this is a great track that has the perfect 2008 pop song recipe of well produced vocals, heavy bass and a strong R’n’B / soul influence.
Unfortunately for this record, the rest seems to be padded out with musical fat – rather than a short, lean, muscular record that is packed to the rafters with 10 absolute belters of singles (more than within the capabilities of Pussycat Dolls); ‘Doll Domination’ consists of a flabby 16 tracks of which, the majority are easily forgettable, needless fillers. And yes, some of these are pretty cool (‘Bottle Pop’ feat. Snoop Dogg, ‘Magic’ with its understated laid back, yet busy vibe and ‘In Person’ – the modern pop hip hop/ funk influenced sassy brass number) but we rightly expect a lot more from a band of this level.
The fact that the record feels that it needs to tick all of the boxes just to please everyone is a massive shame – I understand that the main purpose of this record (like all other pop records) is to make a profit, but Pussycat Dolls are now at the level where their album would storm the charts regardless of its content. ‘Elevator’ offers nothing more than generic modern R’n’B, as ‘Hush Hush’ unfortunately acknowledges the faceless soul influenced R’n’B that has conquered the charts within the last three years where boys sound like girls and everyone sings about broken hearts. Boo hoo.
Wait there’s more!
As this is the deluxe edition of ‘Doll Domination’, we are treated to a bonus disc that takes the time to introduce the girls individually track by track – a fantastic idea which should silence the critics who claim that The Dolls can’t sing and are just mere puppets of their label blah blah blah. This handful of tracks successfully does the intended and it’s interesting to hear how the girls can perform as solo pop artists in their own right. The most notable of these tracks are ’Space’ (Melody’s sparse, minimalist bass heavy chill out offering) and ‘Don’t Wanna Fall In Love’, which sees Kimberly revisit 80’s pop but with the addition of a contemporary twist.
In all, not a terrible album, but could have been so, so much better if it had more short and sweet blasts like ‘When I Grow Up’.
Last edited by altsounds : January 4, 2009 at 06:22 PM.
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| | | | Overall Rating | | 7 | | Vocals / Lyrics | | 7 | | Musicianship | | 8 | | Production | | 10 | | Creativity | | 8 | | Lastability | | 8 | | Reviewers Tilt | | 6 |
77% | |
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