By STEPHANIE McGRATH
AllPop
The "Popstars" reality show craze is sweeping the globe. In the U.S., the U.K., Australia and here at home in Canada, pop groups are springing up faster than Justin Timberlake can howl "Dirty Pop", but who's got the edge?
AllPop's got a quick review of all the pop acts born from the various "Popstars" TV programs so you can decide whom to pledge your pop allegiance to.
U.K.
Group: hear'say
AllPop Rating: 1st Place
Album: Popstars
Group Make-up: 3 girls, 2 guys
Album synopsis: hear'say's album is full of fun, breezy, All Saints inspired melodies and perky choruses. This is an above-average pop album that will provide absolutely perfect driving-to-the-beach music. The single, "Pure And Simple", is an especially high-class pop track.
Canada
Group: Sugar Jones
AllPop Rating: 2nd Place
Album: Sugar Jones
Group Make-up: 5 girls
Album synopsis: This album leans more towards soul/R & B than straight bubble-gum pop (which is a good thing). The five girls have great voices that sometimes come together for a great song, ("I Got You") and sometimes miss the mark (A Little Bit Of Heaven). Overall, Sugar Jones' debut is a good first effort and a fun summer album.
U.S.
Group: Eden's Crush
AllPop Rating: 3rd Place
Album: Popstars
Group Make-up: 5 girls
Album synopsis: This "Popstars" album is full of energy and familiar hyperactive beats that can best be described as Destiny's Child light. The gals are missing that "je ne sais quoi" that has landed Beyonce and her cohorts at the top of the female pop world but their songs are still catchy and will surely stick in the minds of young fans.
Australia
Group (first season): Bardot
AllPop Rating: 4th Place
Album: Bardot
Group Make-up: 5 girls
Album synopsis: The Bardot girls sound like they'd be the "Popstars" tempting the wholesome Sugar Jones crowd into smoking behind the recording studio. The sound is a tad tougher and the vocals a bit more 80's pop than 2001 R & B. Overall, "Bardot" is kind of like vanilla ice cream - tastes decent enough but doesn't have any kick to it.
Australia
Group (second season): Scandal'us
AllPop Rating: 5th Place
Album: Startin' Somethin'
Group Make-up: 2 guys, 3 girls
Album synopsis: Whoaaaa, when listened to directly after hear'say, Eden's Crush and the rest, this album is a bit abrasive. "Startin' Somethin'" is full of overwhelming digital effects. In a word - overproduced.
