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| genre =
| genre =
* [[Pop music|Pop]]
* [[Pop music|Pop]]
* [[Funk music|funk]]
* [[funk]]
* [[Soul music|soul]]
* [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]
* [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]
| length = 49:10
| length = 49:10
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| type = studio
| type = studio
| single1 = [[Girls (Sugababes song)|Girls]]
| single1 = [[Girls (Sugababes song)|Girls]]
| single1date = 6 October 2008
| single1date = 20 September 2008
| single2 = [[No Can Do]]
| single2 = [[No Can Do]]
| single2date = 22 December 2008
| single2date = 19 December 2008
}}
}}
}}
}}
'''''Catfights and Spotlights''''' is the sixth studio album by British girl group [[Sugababes]], released by [[Island Records]] on 17 October 2008. Produced primarily by [[Klas Åhlund]], [[Steve Booker (producer)|Steve Booker]] and [[Orson (band)|Orson]], the album also features additional contribution from [[Studio B (artist)|Si Hulbert]], The Invisible Men, Melvin Kuiters, and [[Max Martin]]. It is the group's final album to include remaining founding member [[Keisha Buchanan]].
'''''Catfights and Spotlights''''' is the sixth studio album by British girl group [[Sugababes]], released by [[Island Records]] on 17 October 2008. Produced primarily by [[Klas Åhlund]], [[Steve Booker (producer)|Steve Booker]] and [[Orson (band)|Orson]], the album also features additional contribution from [[Studio B (artist)|Si Hulbert]], The Invisible Men, Melvin Kuiters, and [[Max Martin]]. It is the group's final album to include remaining founding member [[Keisha Buchanan]].


The album received a generally positive reception from the media and music critics,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.teletext.co.uk/planetsound/album-live-reviews/f0f9a37b38361f03cde328aa0a327bd7/bSugababesCatfights+And+Spotlights+610b.aspx |title=link |access-date=17 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090523111907/http://www.teletext.co.uk/planetsound/album-live-reviews/f0f9a37b38361f03cde328aa0a327bd7/bSugababesCatfights+And+Spotlights+610b.aspx |archive-date=23 May 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/oct/17/popandrock7 link]</ref> but became the group's third lowest-charting and second lowest-selling album, reaching number eight and the top twenty in the [[UK Albums Chart|UK]] and on the [[Irish Albums Chart]], respectively. ''Catfights and Spotlights'' spawned only two singles, with the international top ten entry "[[Girls (Sugababes song)|Girls]]". The second and final single "[[No Can Do]]" was released on 22 December 2008.
The album received a generally positive reception from the media and music critics,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.teletext.co.uk/planetsound/album-live-reviews/f0f9a37b38361f03cde328aa0a327bd7/bSugababesCatfights+And+Spotlights+610b.aspx |title=link |access-date=17 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090523111907/http://www.teletext.co.uk/planetsound/album-live-reviews/f0f9a37b38361f03cde328aa0a327bd7/bSugababesCatfights+And+Spotlights+610b.aspx |archive-date=23 May 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=CD: Sugababes: Catfights and Spotlights |date=2008-10-17 |website=[[The Guardian]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108090935/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/oct/17/popandrock7 |archive-date=2019-11-08 |url-status=live |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/oct/17/popandrock7}}</ref> but became the group's third lowest-charting and second lowest-selling album, reaching number eight and the top twenty in the [[UK Albums Chart|UK]] and on the [[Irish Albums Chart]], respectively. ''Catfights and Spotlights'' spawned only two singles, with the international top ten entry "[[Girls (Sugababes song)|Girls]]". The second and final single "[[No Can Do]]" was released on 22 December 2008.


== Recording and theme ==
== Recording and theme ==
After they had completed their [[Change Tour|''Change'' Tour]] in May 2008, the Sugababes announced that they would not go back into the recording studio until September 2008 to work on their next album, insisting they needed more time to work on their new material for a 2009 release.<ref>{{cite web|author=WENN|title=Sugababes Scrap New Album Plans|work=Entertainmentwise|date=11 May 2008|url=http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/42406/sugababes-scrap-new-album-plans|accessdate=18 August 2008}}</ref> However, in June 2008, band member [[Keisha Buchanan]] told an interviewer that the group would start work on a new album straight away due to opportunities to record with new producers, and by 17 June the trio had started recording.<ref name="virgin">{{cite web|author=Champion, Sarah |title=Interview at Isle of Wight Festival 2008 |work=VirginRadio.co.uk |date=18 August 2008 |url=http://www.virginradio.co.uk/player/5497/interview_at_isle_of_wight_festival_2008.html |accessdate=18 November 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011005754/http://www.virginradio.co.uk/player/5497/interview_at_isle_of_wight_festival_2008.html |archivedate=11 October 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Production was fast tracked after Italian musicians Melvin Kuiters and [[Studio B (group)|Si Hulbert]] brought [[Island Records]] a new track based around a sample of [[Ernie K. Doe]]'s classic soul-funk song "[[Here Come the Girls (song)|Here Come the Girls]]" which was considered "a perfect vehicle" for the Sugababes sixth studio album.<ref name="virgin" /> Less than a month later at the annual [[Liverpool Summer Pops]] in [[Liverpool]], they announced that the [[lead single]] was completed, describing it as "amazing". The title of the single, "[[Girls (Sugababes song)|Girls]]", was revealed on 11 August 2008.<ref name="newsingle">[http://www.sugababes.com/site/news/381/new-single-girls "New single – GIRLS"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822121844/http://www.sugababes.com/site/news/381/new-single-girls |date=22 August 2008 }}. Sugababes.com. 12 August 2008. Retrieved 14 August 2008.</ref><ref name="girls">{{cite web | url=http://www.popjustice.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2840&Itemid=206 | title=Here come the Sugababes: listen to the new single now... | author=[[Peter Robinson (journalist)|Peter Robinson]] | work=[[Popjustice]] | date=11 August 2008 | accessdate=14 August 2008 }}</ref>
After they had completed their [[Change Tour|''Change'' Tour]] in May 2008, the Sugababes announced that they would not go back into the recording studio until September 2008 to work on their next album, insisting they needed more time to work on their new material for a 2009 release.<ref>{{cite web|author=WENN|title=Sugababes Scrap New Album Plans|work=Entertainmentwise|date=11 May 2008|url=http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/42406/sugababes-scrap-new-album-plans|accessdate=18 August 2008|archive-date=24 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724114652/http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/42406/sugababes-scrap-new-album-plans|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, in June 2008, band member [[Keisha Buchanan]] told an interviewer that the group would start work on a new album straight away due to opportunities to record with new producers, and by 17 June the trio had started recording.<ref name="virgin">{{cite web|author=Champion, Sarah |title=Interview at Isle of Wight Festival 2008 |work=VirginRadio.co.uk |date=18 August 2008 |url=http://www.virginradio.co.uk/player/5497/interview_at_isle_of_wight_festival_2008.html |accessdate=18 November 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011005754/http://www.virginradio.co.uk/player/5497/interview_at_isle_of_wight_festival_2008.html |archivedate=11 October 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Production was fast tracked after Italian musicians Melvin Kuiters and [[Studio B (group)|Si Hulbert]] brought [[Island Records]] a new track based around a sample of [[Ernie K-Doe]]'s soul-funk song "[[Here Come the Girls (song)|Here Come the Girls]]", which was considered "a perfect vehicle" for the Sugababes sixth studio album.<ref name="virgin" /> Less than a month later at the annual [[Liverpool Summer Pops]] in [[Liverpool]], they announced that the [[lead single]] was completed, describing it as "amazing". The title of the single, "[[Girls (Sugababes song)|Girls]]", was revealed on 11 August 2008.<ref name="newsingle">[http://www.sugababes.com/site/news/381/new-single-girls "New single – GIRLS"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822121844/http://www.sugababes.com/site/news/381/new-single-girls |date=22 August 2008 }}. Sugababes.com. 12 August 2008. Retrieved 14 August 2008.</ref><ref name="girls">{{cite web | url=http://www.popjustice.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2840&Itemid=206 | title=Here come the Sugababes: listen to the new single now... | author=[[Peter Robinson (journalist)|Peter Robinson]] | work=[[Popjustice]] | date=11 August 2008 | accessdate=14 August 2008 }}</ref>


The album has been described as having a "funkier" sound by [[Orson (band)|Orson]]'s lead singer Jason Pebworth, who has been working with the group in the recording studio.<ref>Kilkelly, Daniel. [http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a118983/sugababes-working-on-funky-album.html "Sugababes working on "funky" album"]. [[Digital Spy]]. 4 August 2008. Retrieved 14 August 2008.</ref> In an interview, the Sugababes described the ''Catfights and Spotlights'' as having a more mellow and mature sound which focuses mainly on their vocals. The album was also described by Range as darker.<ref>{{YouTube|9S_MC9JIgE4|"Sugababes Heidi, Keisha and Amelle on the new single 'Girls'"}}. ITN Music. 12 August 2008. Retrieved 14 August 2008.</ref>
The album has been described as having a "funkier" sound by [[Orson (band)|Orson]]'s lead singer Jason Pebworth, who has been working with the group in the recording studio.<ref>Kilkelly, Daniel. [http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a118983/sugababes-working-on-funky-album.html "Sugababes working on "funky" album"]. [[Digital Spy]]. 4 August 2008. Retrieved 14 August 2008.</ref> In an interview, the Sugababes described the ''Catfights and Spotlights'' as having a more mellow and mature sound which focuses mainly on their vocals. The album was also described by Range as darker.<ref>{{YouTube|9S_MC9JIgE4|"Sugababes Heidi, Keisha and Amelle on the new single 'Girls'"}}. ITN Music. 12 August 2008. Retrieved 14 August 2008.</ref>
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|rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
|rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
|rev1score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|last=Chisling|first=Matthew |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/catfights-and-spotlights-mw0001690604|title=Sugababes – Catfights and Spotlights|publisher=[[Allmusic]]. [[Rovi Corporation]]|at=Review|accessdate=6 November 2019}}</ref>
|rev1score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|last=Chisling|first=Matthew |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/catfights-and-spotlights-mw0001690604|title=Sugababes – Catfights and Spotlights|publisher=[[Allmusic]]. [[Rovi Corporation]]|at=Review|accessdate=6 November 2019}}</ref>
|rev2 = [[BBC Music]]
|rev2 = ''[[Digital Spy]]''
|rev2score = (positive)<ref name="bbcmusic">{{cite web|last=Davies|first=Lucy|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/zqp2/|title=Finally secures Amelle's place and puts the ghost of Mutya to rest|publisher=[[BBC Music]]|at=Review|accessdate=6 November 2019}}</ref>
|rev2score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="digitalspy">{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/music/album-reviews/a133030/sugababes-catfights-and-spotlights/|title=Review|date=19 October 2008|publisher=[[Digital Spy]]|at=Review|accessdate=8 November 2019}}</ref>
|rev3 = ''[[Digital Spy]]''
| rev3 = ''[[Evening Standard]]''
| rev3score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Smyth |first1=David |title=CDs of the week |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/music/review-23574493-details/CDs+of+the+week/review.do?reviewId=23574493 |website=[[Evening Standard]] |accessdate=26 February 2023 |date=17 October 2008 |archive-date=12 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090312071207/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/music/review-23574493-details/CDs+of+the+week/review.do?reviewId=23574493 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>
|rev3score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="digitalspy">{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/music/album-reviews/a133030/sugababes-catfights-and-spotlights/|title=Review|date=19 October 2008|publisher=[[Digital Spy]]|at=Review|accessdate=8 November 2019}}</ref>
|rev4 = ''[[The Guardian]]''
|rev4 = ''[[The Guardian]]''
|rev4score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="guardian">{{cite web|last=Lynskey |first=Dorian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/oct/17/popandrock7|title=Rock & pop review: Sugababes: Catfights and Spotlights |work=[[The Guardian]]|date=17 October 2008|at=Review|accessdate=6 November 2019}}</ref>
|rev4score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="guardian">{{cite web|last=Lynskey |first=Dorian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/oct/17/popandrock7|title=Rock & pop review: Sugababes: Catfights and Spotlights |work=[[The Guardian]]|date=17 October 2008|at=Review|accessdate=6 November 2019}}</ref>
|rev5 = ''[[Planet Sound]]''
| rev5 = ''[[musicOMH]]''
|rev5score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="planetsound">{{Cite web |url=http://www.teletext.co.uk/planetsound/album-live-reviews/f0f9a37b38361f03cde328aa0a327bd7/bSugababesCatfights+And+Spotlights+610b.aspx |title=Planet Sound review |access-date=17 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090523111907/http://www.teletext.co.uk/planetsound/album-live-reviews/f0f9a37b38361f03cde328aa0a327bd7/bSugababesCatfights+And+Spotlights+610b.aspx |archive-date=23 May 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| rev5score = {{rating|1.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Harper |first1=Jamie |title=Sugababes - Catfights And Spotlights (Island) |url=http://www.musicomh.com/albums/sugababes-3_1008.htm |website=[[musicOMH]] |accessdate=26 February 2023 |date=20 October 2008 |archive-date=30 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090930025825/http://www.musicomh.com/albums/sugababes-3_1008.htm |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>
|rev6 = ''[[The Sunday Times]]''
|rev6 = ''[[Planet Sound]]''
|rev6score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="planetsound">{{Cite web |url=http://www.teletext.co.uk/planetsound/album-live-reviews/f0f9a37b38361f03cde328aa0a327bd7/bSugababesCatfights+And+Spotlights+610b.aspx |title=Planet Sound review |access-date=17 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090523111907/http://www.teletext.co.uk/planetsound/album-live-reviews/f0f9a37b38361f03cde328aa0a327bd7/bSugababesCatfights+And+Spotlights+610b.aspx |archive-date=23 May 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|rev6score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="thesundaytimes">{{cite news|last=Edwards|first=Mark|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sugababes-catfights-and-spotlights-the-sunday-times-review-7tc0dlvdh2h|title=Sugababes: Catfights and Spotlights The Sunday Times review|work=[[The Sunday Times]]|at=Review|accessdate=6 November 2019}}</ref>
|rev7 = ''[[The Times]]''
|rev7 = ''[[The Sunday Times]]''
|rev7score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="thetimes">{{cite news|last=Elan|first=Priya|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sugababes-catfights-and-spotlights-cp0cjnxv7f3|title=Sugababes: Catfights and Spotlights|work=[[The Times]]|at=Review|accessdate=8 November 2019}}</ref>
|rev7score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="thesundaytimes">{{cite news|last=Edwards|first=Mark|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sugababes-catfights-and-spotlights-the-sunday-times-review-7tc0dlvdh2h|title=Sugababes: Catfights and Spotlights The Sunday Times review|work=[[The Sunday Times]]|at=Review|accessdate=6 November 2019}}</ref>
|rev8 = ''[[The Times]]''
|rev8score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="thetimes">{{cite news|last=Elan|first=Priya|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sugababes-catfights-and-spotlights-cp0cjnxv7f3|title=Sugababes: Catfights and Spotlights|work=[[The Times]]|at=Review|accessdate=8 November 2019}}</ref>
}}
}}


[[Allmusic]] editor Matthew Chisling called ''Catfights and Spotlights'' the ″group's strongest showing to date″. He felt that the album took the band "into a new dimension of artistic merit, flashing impeccable songwriting skills and flourishing arrangements thanks to the help of immaculate production, which throws the girl into a retro bodysuit yet never feels stale [...] ''Catfights and Spotlights'' is the true reflection of a girl group's transition from shallow pop stardom into full-fledged recording artistry."<ref name="allmusic" /> Lucy Davies from [[BBC Music]] found that the album "bounds out like a [[Kate Moss]] [[Rimmel]] ad, all metallic, sharp-sure and savvy", and added: "The trouble with the Sugababes' sound has always been keeping the balance between blending and preserving individuality, and they've managed it here on the whole."<ref name="bbcmusic" /> ''[[Digital Spy]]''{{'}}s Nick Levine remarked that "''Catfights and Spotlights'' is mellower and more classic-sounding than previous Sugababes records, with loads of strings and a conspicuous lack of synths, but it's no less polished and commercially-minded."<ref name="digitalspy" /> [[Popjustice]] called ''Catfights and Spotlights'' "the most 'complete' Sugababes album since their first."<ref name="popjustice">{{cite web|url=https://www.popjustice.com/briefing/so-this-sugababes-album/|title=So this Sugababes album…|publisher=[[Popjustice]]|at=Review|accessdate=8 November 2019}}</ref>
[[AllMusic]] editor Matthew Chisling called ''Catfights and Spotlights'' the ″group's strongest showing to date″. He felt that the album took the band "into a new dimension of artistic merit, flashing impeccable songwriting skills and flourishing arrangements thanks to the help of immaculate production, which throws the girl into a retro bodysuit yet never feels stale [...] ''Catfights and Spotlights'' is the true reflection of a girl group's transition from shallow pop stardom into full-fledged recording artistry."<ref name="allmusic" /> Lucy Davies from [[BBC Music]] found that the album "bounds out like a [[Kate Moss]] [[Rimmel]] ad, all metallic, sharp-sure and savvy", and added: "The trouble with the Sugababes' sound has always been keeping the balance between blending and preserving individuality, and they've managed it here on the whole."<ref>{{cite web|last=Davies|first=Lucy|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/zqp2/|title=Finally secures Amelle's place and puts the ghost of Mutya to rest|publisher=[[BBC Music]]|at=Review|accessdate=6 November 2019}}</ref> ''[[Digital Spy]]''{{'}}s Nick Levine remarked that "''Catfights and Spotlights'' is mellower and more classic-sounding than previous Sugababes records, with loads of strings and a conspicuous lack of synths, but it's no less polished and commercially-minded."<ref name="digitalspy" /> [[Popjustice]] called ''Catfights and Spotlights'' "the most 'complete' Sugababes album since their first."<ref name="popjustice">{{cite web|url=https://www.popjustice.com/briefing/so-this-sugababes-album/|title=So this Sugababes album…|publisher=[[Popjustice]]|at=Review|accessdate=8 November 2019}}</ref>


In his review for ''[[The Guardian]]'', Dorian Lynskey noted "a general transition from crisp modernity towards self-consciously grown-up, [[Duffy (singer)|Duffyesque]] soul". Indeed, half of it is as colourless as promised, but the half credited to Swedish songwriter/producer Klas Ahlund is unflaggingly terrific [...] Sugababes have always lacked a reliably sympathetic ally who can pull the best from them: a [[Xenomania]] to their [[Girls Aloud]]. In Ahlund, they might just have found one."<ref name="guardian" /> ''[[The Times]]'' reviewer Priya found that "Sugababes are attempting to put some electricity back into their sound" with the album. While he felt, that the band "make the 1960s sound their own [and] recall the urban angst that made us fall in love with them [...] the throaty-voiced [[Amelle Berrabah]] is no replacement for the soulful, feisty pipes of the former member [[Mutya Buena]]."<ref name="thetimes" /> ''[[Planet Sound]]'' felt that "mainly working with new producers has mixed success for the girlband". The [[Teletext]] music page noted "too many ballads" on the album, "but just enough singles here not to disrupt momentum".<ref name="planetsound" /> Elan Mark Edwards from ''[[The Sunday Times]]'' wrote, that "there are 14 tracks on ''Catfights and Spotlights'', and there isn't a single turkey among them".<ref name="thetimes" />
In his review for ''[[The Guardian]]'', Dorian Lynskey noted "a general transition from crisp modernity towards self-consciously grown-up, [[Duffy (singer)|Duffyesque]] soul". Indeed, half of it is as colourless as promised, but the half credited to Swedish songwriter/producer Klas Ahlund is unflaggingly terrific [...] Sugababes have always lacked a reliably sympathetic ally who can pull the best from them: a [[Xenomania]] to their [[Girls Aloud]]. In Ahlund, they might just have found one."<ref name="guardian" /> ''[[The Times]]'' reviewer Priya found that "Sugababes are attempting to put some electricity back into their sound" with the album. While he felt, that the band "make the 1960s sound their own [and] recall the urban angst that made us fall in love with them [...] the throaty-voiced [[Amelle Berrabah]] is no replacement for the soulful, feisty pipes of the former member [[Mutya Buena]]."<ref name="thetimes" /> ''[[Planet Sound]]'' felt that "mainly working with new producers has mixed success for the girlband". The [[Teletext]] music page noted "too many ballads" on the album, "but just enough singles here not to disrupt momentum".<ref name="planetsound" /> Elan Mark Edwards from ''[[The Sunday Times]]'' wrote, that "there are 14 tracks on ''Catfights and Spotlights'', and there isn't a single turkey among them".<ref name="thetimes" />


== Sales and impact ==
== Sales and impact ==
''Catfights and Spotlights'' debuted at number eight on the [[UK Albums Chart]] with first week sales of over 23,000 copies, becoming their fifth studio album to reach the top ten in the United Kingdom. However, it also became their first album since their debut ''[[One Touch (Sugababes album)|One Touch]]'' (2000) not to peak inside the national top three. The album fell out of the top fifty in its fourth week of release.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/albums.shtml The UK Albums Chart Week 9 November 2008]</ref> In the week of 19 January, the album jumped 22 places from 96 to 74 with sales 2,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.launch.yahoo.com/c/uk/album_charts.html |title=UK Music Charts &#124; The Official UK Top 75 Albums: Week of Mon 23 Mar – Yahoo! Music UK |publisher=Uk.launch.yahoo.com |accessdate=22 March 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027214935/http://uk.launch.yahoo.com/c/uk/album_charts.html |archivedate=27 October 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=87170 |title=Board Message |publisher=Buzzjack.com |accessdate=22 March 2009}}</ref> ''Catfights and Spotlights'' was eventually certified Silver by the [[British Phonographic Industry]] (BPI) on 7 November 2008.<ref name=BPI /> In Ireland, the album debuted at number 18, before falling to number 42 the following week. As with the UK, it became the group's lowest-charting album and first album to miss the top ten since ''One Touch''.<ref>[http://www.irma.ie/aucharts.asp Sugababes – Catfights and Spotlights Irish Top 100] {{webarchive |url=https://www.webcitation.org/6BWxcnDz5?url=http://www.irma.ie/aucharts.asp |date=19 October 2012 }}</ref> In [[Greece]], the album entered at number 33, before dropping to number 37 the following week. However, on its third week the album climbed to number 22.<ref name="Ελληνικό Chart">{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpi.gr/chart01.htm |title=Ελληνικό Chart |publisher=Ifpi.gr |accessdate=22 March 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061115033831/http://www.ifpi.gr/chart01.htm |archivedate=15 November 2006}}</ref>
''Catfights and Spotlights'' debuted at number eight on the [[UK Albums Chart]] with first week sales of over 23,000 copies, becoming their fifth studio album to reach the top ten in the United Kingdom. However, it also became their first album since their debut ''[[One Touch (Sugababes album)|One Touch]]'' (2000) not to peak inside the national top three. The album fell out of the top fifty in its fourth week of release.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/albums.shtml The UK Albums Chart Week 9 November 2008]</ref> In the week of 19 January, the album jumped 22 places from 96 to 74 with sales 2,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.launch.yahoo.com/c/uk/album_charts.html |title=UK Music Charts &#124; The Official UK Top 75 Albums: Week of Mon 23 Mar – Yahoo! Music UK |publisher=Uk.launch.yahoo.com |accessdate=22 March 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027214935/http://uk.launch.yahoo.com/c/uk/album_charts.html |archivedate=27 October 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=87170 |title=Board Message |publisher=Buzzjack.com |accessdate=22 March 2009}}</ref> ''Catfights and Spotlights'' was eventually certified Gold by the [[British Phonographic Industry]] (BPI) on 7 November 2008.<ref name=BPI /> In Ireland, the album debuted at number 18, before falling to number 42 the following week. As with the UK, it became the group's lowest-charting album and first album to miss the top ten since ''One Touch''.<ref>[http://www.irma.ie/aucharts.asp Sugababes – Catfights and Spotlights Irish Top 100] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020155311/http://www.irma.ie/aucharts.asp |date=20 October 2012 }}</ref> In [[Greece]], the album entered at number 33, before dropping to number 37 the following week. However, on its third week the album climbed to number 22.<ref name="Ελληνικό Chart">{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpi.gr/chart01.htm |title=Ελληνικό Chart |publisher=Ifpi.gr |accessdate=22 March 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061115033831/http://www.ifpi.gr/chart01.htm |archivedate=15 November 2006}}</ref>


In an interview with ''Daily Star Sunday'', Sugababes member Range blamed their music label, [[Island Records]], for disappointing sales of ''Catfights and Spotlights''. According to Range, "The sales have been disappointing but I don't think it is a reflection on the album's quality, and the problem is the promotion, I don't actually think our fans know we've even got an album out."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a137123/sugababes-blame-label-for-album-flop.html |title=Music – News – Sugababes blame label for album 'flop' |publisher=Digital Spy |date=30 November 2008 |accessdate=22 March 2009}}</ref> In a 2009 interview with ''[[The Guardian]]'', Buchanan further elaborated: "We're still really proud of [''Catfights and Spotlights''], even though it wasn't our most successful album [...] I was surprised – I think ''Change'' should've got those bad reviews, because that was a lot poppier. With ''Catfights'', we decided to go a bit old-school and stripped-back. But if we stayed in the place we were in, we'd never move on."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jul/24/sugababes-interview|title=Sugababes: 'We took our eye off the ball'|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=30 November 2008 |accessdate=8 November 2019}}</ref>
In an interview with ''Daily Star Sunday'', Sugababes member Range blamed their music label, [[Island Records]], for disappointing sales of ''Catfights and Spotlights''. According to Range, "The sales have been disappointing but I don't think it is a reflection on the album's quality, and the problem is the promotion, I don't actually think our fans know we've even got an album out."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a137123/sugababes-blame-label-for-album-flop.html |title=Music – News – Sugababes blame label for album 'flop' |publisher=Digital Spy |date=30 November 2008 |accessdate=22 March 2009}}</ref> In a 2009 interview with ''[[The Guardian]]'', Buchanan further elaborated: "We're still really proud of [''Catfights and Spotlights''], even though it wasn't our most successful album [...] I was surprised – I think ''Change'' should've got those bad reviews, because that was a lot poppier. With ''Catfights'', we decided to go a bit old-school and stripped-back. But if we stayed in the place we were in, we'd never move on."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jul/24/sugababes-interview|title=Sugababes: 'We took our eye off the ball'|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=30 November 2008 |accessdate=8 November 2019}}</ref>
Line 113: Line 114:
| writer4 = {{Flatlist |
| writer4 = {{Flatlist |
* Pebworth
* Pebworth
* Shave, Astasio
* Shave
* Astasio
* Geeki
* Geeki
* Buchanan
* Buchanan
Line 197: Line 199:


| title13 = [[About You Now]]
| title13 = [[About You Now]]
| note13 = Acoustic Version
| note13 = acoustic version – bonus track
| writer13 = {{Flatlist |
| writer13 = {{Flatlist |
* [[Cathy Dennis]]
* [[Cathy Dennis]]
Line 204: Line 206:
| extra13 = [[Dr. Luke]]
| extra13 = [[Dr. Luke]]
| length13 = 2:46
| length13 = 2:46
}}

{{Track listing
| title14 = [[She's Like a Star]]
| headline = ''Catfights and Spotlights''&nbsp;{{nobold|– International digital edition bonus track}}<ref> https://open.spotify.com/album/25d757MfwnAx2g5OquqRY3</ref>
| note14 = with [[Taio Cruz]]) (bonus track)
| writer14 = Cruz
| title14 = Girls
| note14 = radio edit
| length14 = 3:08
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = ''Catfights and Spotlights''&nbsp;{{nobold|– International [[iTunes Store]] edition and UK and Ireland bonus track}}
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| title14 = [[She's like a Star]]
| note14 = with [[Taio Cruz]]
| writer14 = Taio Cruz
| extra14 = Cruz
| extra14 = Cruz
| length14 = 2:43
| length14 = 2:43
}}
}}
{{Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = ''Catfights and Spotlights''&nbsp;{{nobold|– UK and Ireland [[iTunes Store]] edition}}
| collapsed = yes
| headline = ''Catfights and Spotlights''&nbsp;{{nobold|– [[iTunes Store]] bonus content}}
| title15 = Girls
| title15 = Girls
| note15 = radio edit
| note15 = radio edit
Line 222: Line 232:
| length16 = 3:18
| length16 = 3:18
}}
}}
{{Track listing
| collapsed = yes
| headline = ''Catfights and Spotlights''&nbsp;{{nobold|– Enhanced CD bonus content<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/catfights-and-spotlights/id293224855 |title=Sugababes – Catfights and Spotlights (pre-order) |date=January 2008 |publisher=[[iTunes Store]] UK ([[Apple Inc]]) |accessdate=13 August 2010}}</ref>}}
| title15 = Girls
| note15 = Klas Åhlund Rework
| length15 = 3:08
}}
'''Notes'''
* "All international versions of ''Catfights and Spotlights'' exclude She's like a Star, with some international versions replacing it with the single and radio version of Girls.


'''Sampling'''
'''Sampling'''
* "Girls" contains elements of [[Ernie K-Doe]]'s "[[Here Come the Girls (song)|Here Come the Girls]]", as written by [[Allen Toussaint]].
* "Girls" contains elements of [[Ernie K-Doe]]'s "[[Here Come the Girls (song)|Here Come the Girls]]", as written by [[Allen Toussaint]].
* "Hanging on a Star" contains a sample of "Yes, It's You" written by [[Nugetre]].
* "No Can Do" contains a sample of "Yes, It's You" written by [[Nugetre]].


== Charts ==
== Charts ==
Line 245: Line 246:
|align="center"|31
|align="center"|31
|-
|-
! scope="row"|[[European Top 100 Albums]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=sugababes|chart=European Albums}} |title=Top Music Charts – Hot 100 – Billboard 200 – Music Genre Sales |magazine=Billboard|date=15 November 2008 |accessdate=22 March 2009}} {{dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
! scope="row"|[[European Top 100 Albums]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/sugababes/chart-history/european-albums |title=Top Music Charts – Hot 100 – Billboard 200 – Music Genre Sales |magazine=Billboard |date=15 November 2008 |accessdate=22 March 2009 |archive-date=21 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121100139/https://www.billboard.com/artist/sugababes/chart-history/european-albums/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|align="center"|34
|align="center"|34
|-
|-
Line 260: Line 261:
== Certifications ==
== Certifications ==
{{certification Table Top}}
{{certification Table Top}}
{{certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=album|title=Catfights and Spotlights|artist=Sugababes|award=Silver|certyear=2008|id=1233-402-2|refname=BPI}}
{{certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=album|title=Catfights and Spotlights|artist=Sugababes|award=Gold|certyear=2008|id=1233-402-2|refname=BPI}}
{{certification Table Bottom | nosales=true}}
{{certification Table Bottom | nosales=true}}


Line 287: Line 288:
| 22 November 2008
| 22 November 2008
|-
|-
! scope="row" | United States<ref>http://www.sugababes.de</ref>
! scope="row" | United States<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sugababes.de/ |title=Home |website=sugababes.de}}</ref>
| 24 December 2009
| 24 December 2009
|}
|}

Latest revision as of 20:09, 21 October 2024

Catfights and Spotlights
Studio album by
Released17 October 2008 (2008-10-17)
RecordedJune–August 2008
Genre
Length49:10
LabelIsland
Producer
Sugababes chronology
Change
(2007)
Catfights and Spotlights
(2008)
Sweet 7
(2010)
Singles from Catfights and Spotlights
  1. "Girls"
    Released: 20 September 2008
  2. "No Can Do"
    Released: 19 December 2008

Catfights and Spotlights is the sixth studio album by British girl group Sugababes, released by Island Records on 17 October 2008. Produced primarily by Klas Åhlund, Steve Booker and Orson, the album also features additional contribution from Si Hulbert, The Invisible Men, Melvin Kuiters, and Max Martin. It is the group's final album to include remaining founding member Keisha Buchanan.

The album received a generally positive reception from the media and music critics,[1][2] but became the group's third lowest-charting and second lowest-selling album, reaching number eight and the top twenty in the UK and on the Irish Albums Chart, respectively. Catfights and Spotlights spawned only two singles, with the international top ten entry "Girls". The second and final single "No Can Do" was released on 22 December 2008.

Recording and theme

[edit]

After they had completed their Change Tour in May 2008, the Sugababes announced that they would not go back into the recording studio until September 2008 to work on their next album, insisting they needed more time to work on their new material for a 2009 release.[3] However, in June 2008, band member Keisha Buchanan told an interviewer that the group would start work on a new album straight away due to opportunities to record with new producers, and by 17 June the trio had started recording.[4] Production was fast tracked after Italian musicians Melvin Kuiters and Si Hulbert brought Island Records a new track based around a sample of Ernie K-Doe's soul-funk song "Here Come the Girls", which was considered "a perfect vehicle" for the Sugababes sixth studio album.[4] Less than a month later at the annual Liverpool Summer Pops in Liverpool, they announced that the lead single was completed, describing it as "amazing". The title of the single, "Girls", was revealed on 11 August 2008.[5][6]

The album has been described as having a "funkier" sound by Orson's lead singer Jason Pebworth, who has been working with the group in the recording studio.[7] In an interview, the Sugababes described the Catfights and Spotlights as having a more mellow and mature sound which focuses mainly on their vocals. The album was also described by Range as darker.[8]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[9]
Digital Spy[10]
Evening Standard[11]
The Guardian[12]
musicOMH[13]
Planet Sound[14]
The Sunday Times[15]
The Times[16]

AllMusic editor Matthew Chisling called Catfights and Spotlights the ″group's strongest showing to date″. He felt that the album took the band "into a new dimension of artistic merit, flashing impeccable songwriting skills and flourishing arrangements thanks to the help of immaculate production, which throws the girl into a retro bodysuit yet never feels stale [...] Catfights and Spotlights is the true reflection of a girl group's transition from shallow pop stardom into full-fledged recording artistry."[9] Lucy Davies from BBC Music found that the album "bounds out like a Kate Moss Rimmel ad, all metallic, sharp-sure and savvy", and added: "The trouble with the Sugababes' sound has always been keeping the balance between blending and preserving individuality, and they've managed it here on the whole."[17] Digital Spy's Nick Levine remarked that "Catfights and Spotlights is mellower and more classic-sounding than previous Sugababes records, with loads of strings and a conspicuous lack of synths, but it's no less polished and commercially-minded."[10] Popjustice called Catfights and Spotlights "the most 'complete' Sugababes album since their first."[18]

In his review for The Guardian, Dorian Lynskey noted "a general transition from crisp modernity towards self-consciously grown-up, Duffyesque soul". Indeed, half of it is as colourless as promised, but the half credited to Swedish songwriter/producer Klas Ahlund is unflaggingly terrific [...] Sugababes have always lacked a reliably sympathetic ally who can pull the best from them: a Xenomania to their Girls Aloud. In Ahlund, they might just have found one."[12] The Times reviewer Priya found that "Sugababes are attempting to put some electricity back into their sound" with the album. While he felt, that the band "make the 1960s sound their own [and] recall the urban angst that made us fall in love with them [...] the throaty-voiced Amelle Berrabah is no replacement for the soulful, feisty pipes of the former member Mutya Buena."[16] Planet Sound felt that "mainly working with new producers has mixed success for the girlband". The Teletext music page noted "too many ballads" on the album, "but just enough singles here not to disrupt momentum".[14] Elan Mark Edwards from The Sunday Times wrote, that "there are 14 tracks on Catfights and Spotlights, and there isn't a single turkey among them".[16]

Sales and impact

[edit]

Catfights and Spotlights debuted at number eight on the UK Albums Chart with first week sales of over 23,000 copies, becoming their fifth studio album to reach the top ten in the United Kingdom. However, it also became their first album since their debut One Touch (2000) not to peak inside the national top three. The album fell out of the top fifty in its fourth week of release.[19] In the week of 19 January, the album jumped 22 places from 96 to 74 with sales 2,000.[20][21] Catfights and Spotlights was eventually certified Gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) on 7 November 2008.[22] In Ireland, the album debuted at number 18, before falling to number 42 the following week. As with the UK, it became the group's lowest-charting album and first album to miss the top ten since One Touch.[23] In Greece, the album entered at number 33, before dropping to number 37 the following week. However, on its third week the album climbed to number 22.[24]

In an interview with Daily Star Sunday, Sugababes member Range blamed their music label, Island Records, for disappointing sales of Catfights and Spotlights. According to Range, "The sales have been disappointing but I don't think it is a reflection on the album's quality, and the problem is the promotion, I don't actually think our fans know we've even got an album out."[25] In a 2009 interview with The Guardian, Buchanan further elaborated: "We're still really proud of [Catfights and Spotlights], even though it wasn't our most successful album [...] I was surprised – I think Change should've got those bad reviews, because that was a lot poppier. With Catfights, we decided to go a bit old-school and stripped-back. But if we stayed in the place we were in, we'd never move on."[26]

Track listing

[edit]
Catfights and Spotlights - standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Girls"
  • Melvin Kuiters
  • Si Hulbert
3:11
2."You on a Good Day"
Åhlund3:27
3."No Can Do"
  • Jason Pebworth
  • Jon Shave
  • George Astasio
  • Geeki
  • The Invisible Men
  • Si Hulbert
3:11
4."Hanging on a Star"
  • Pebworth
  • Shave
  • Astasio
  • Geeki
  • Buchanan
  • The Invisible Men
  • Hulbert
3:22
5."Side Chick"
  • Åhlund
  • Alex Purple
  • Buchanan
Åhlund3:40
6."Unbreakable Heart"
Åhlund3:52
7."Sunday Rain"
Booker4:01
8."Every Heart Broken"ÅhlundÅhlund4:09
9."Beware"
  • Åhlund
  • Berrabah
Åhlund2:56
10."Nothing's as Good as You"
  • Pebworth
  • Shave
  • Astasio
  • Geeki
  • The Invisible Men
  • Hulbert
3:03
11."Sound of Goodbye"
  • Booker
  • Poole
  • Buchanan
Booker4:23
12."Can We Call a Truce"
  • Åhlund
  • Purple
  • Deanna
  • Buchanan
Åhlund4:33
13."About You Now" (acoustic version – bonus track)Dr. Luke2:46
Catfights and Spotlights – International digital edition bonus track[27]
No.TitleLength
14."Girls" (radio edit)3:08
Catfights and Spotlights – International iTunes Store edition and UK and Ireland bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
14."She's like a Star" (with Taio Cruz)Taio CruzCruz2:43
Catfights and Spotlights – UK and Ireland iTunes Store edition
No.TitleLength
15."Girls" (radio edit)3:08
16."Girls / Watershed" (music video)3:18

Sampling

Charts

[edit]
Chart (2008) Peak
position
Croatian Albums (HDU)[28] 31
European Top 100 Albums (Billboard)[29] 34
Greek Albums (IFPI)[24] 22
Irish Albums (IRMA)[30] 18
UK Albums (OCC)[31] 8

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[22] Gold 100,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
List of release dates, showing region, formats and label
Region Date Format(s) Label
Netherlands 17 October 2008 Island
Ireland
United Kingdom 20 October 2008
Australia[32] 22 November 2008
United States[33] 24 December 2009

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "link". Archived from the original on 23 May 2009. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
  2. ^ "CD: Sugababes: Catfights and Spotlights". The Guardian. 17 October 2008. Archived from the original on 8 November 2019.
  3. ^ WENN (11 May 2008). "Sugababes Scrap New Album Plans". Entertainmentwise. Archived from the original on 24 July 2008. Retrieved 18 August 2008.
  4. ^ a b Champion, Sarah (18 August 2008). "Interview at Isle of Wight Festival 2008". VirginRadio.co.uk. Archived from the original on 11 October 2008. Retrieved 18 November 2008.
  5. ^ "New single – GIRLS" Archived 22 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Sugababes.com. 12 August 2008. Retrieved 14 August 2008.
  6. ^ Peter Robinson (11 August 2008). "Here come the Sugababes: listen to the new single now..." Popjustice. Retrieved 14 August 2008.
  7. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel. "Sugababes working on "funky" album". Digital Spy. 4 August 2008. Retrieved 14 August 2008.
  8. ^ "Sugababes Heidi, Keisha and Amelle on the new single 'Girls'" on YouTube. ITN Music. 12 August 2008. Retrieved 14 August 2008.
  9. ^ a b Chisling, Matthew. "Sugababes – Catfights and Spotlights". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Review. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  10. ^ a b "Review". Digital Spy. 19 October 2008. Review. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  11. ^ Smyth, David (17 October 2008). "CDs of the week". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 12 March 2009. Retrieved 26 February 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  12. ^ a b Lynskey, Dorian (17 October 2008). "Rock & pop review: Sugababes: Catfights and Spotlights". The Guardian. Review. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  13. ^ Harper, Jamie (20 October 2008). "Sugababes - Catfights And Spotlights (Island)". musicOMH. Archived from the original on 30 September 2009. Retrieved 26 February 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  14. ^ a b "Planet Sound review". Archived from the original on 23 May 2009. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
  15. ^ Edwards, Mark. "Sugababes: Catfights and Spotlights The Sunday Times review". The Sunday Times. Review. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  16. ^ a b c Elan, Priya. "Sugababes: Catfights and Spotlights". The Times. Review. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  17. ^ Davies, Lucy. "Finally secures Amelle's place and puts the ghost of Mutya to rest". BBC Music. Review. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  18. ^ "So this Sugababes album…". Popjustice. Review. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  19. ^ The UK Albums Chart Week 9 November 2008
  20. ^ "UK Music Charts | The Official UK Top 75 Albums: Week of Mon 23 Mar – Yahoo! Music UK". Uk.launch.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on 27 October 2009. Retrieved 22 March 2009.
  21. ^ "Board Message". Buzzjack.com. Retrieved 22 March 2009.
  22. ^ a b "British album certifications – Sugababes – Catfights and Spotlights". British Phonographic Industry.
  23. ^ Sugababes – Catfights and Spotlights Irish Top 100 Archived 20 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  24. ^ a b "Ελληνικό Chart". Ifpi.gr. Archived from the original on 15 November 2006. Retrieved 22 March 2009.
  25. ^ "Music – News – Sugababes blame label for album 'flop'". Digital Spy. 30 November 2008. Retrieved 22 March 2009.
  26. ^ "Sugababes: 'We took our eye off the ball'". The Guardian. 30 November 2008. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  27. ^ https://open.spotify.com/album/25d757MfwnAx2g5OquqRY3
  28. ^ "Top of the Shops – službena tjedna lista prodanih albuma u Hrvatskoj". hdu-toplista.com/. Archived from the original on 11 July 2011. Retrieved 12 April 2010.
  29. ^ "Top Music Charts – Hot 100 – Billboard 200 – Music Genre Sales". Billboard. 15 November 2008. Archived from the original on 21 November 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2009.
  30. ^ "Sugababes – Catfights And Spotlights – Music Charts". Acharts.us. 8 January 2008. Retrieved 22 March 2009.
  31. ^ "Archive Chart". Official Charts Company. 8 January 2008. Retrieved 22 March 2009.
  32. ^ "SUGABABES / CATFIGHTS AND SPOTLIGHTS – Sanity.com.au – More Movies – More Music". Sanity. Retrieved 22 March 2009.[dead link]
  33. ^ "Home". sugababes.de.