Remember the Supremes’ “Baby Love” or “Stop! In The Name of Love?” Or maybe “Dancing in the Street” by Martha and the Vandellas?
No? Probably because these soulful Motown girl groups conquered the 1960s, when most Loyola students weren’t even a thought in their parents’ minds.
But these talented beauties revolutionized the legendary Motown label by fusing pop music with rhythm and blues, catchy lyrics and matching dance moves.
Well, this sound is back.
The Pipettes (pronounced “PEEP-ettes”) attempt to revive the smooth 1960s girl pop on their U.S. debut “We Are The Pipettes.”
This Brighton, England-based band formed in 2003, and after plenty of member departures the current line up is RiotBecki, Rosay and Gwenno, three women who front their male band, The Cassette. They signed with Memphis Industries and released their debut album in the U.K. in 2006. “We Are The Pipettes” reached No. 41 on U.K. Album Charts, which prompted them to sign a U.S. deal with Cherry Tree Records. Greg Wells (Mika, Timbaland, Pink) remixed and produced the U.S. version, which came out Oct. 2.
But don’t get it twisted. Even though this threesome embodies the matching stage wear (polka dot dresses), choreographed dance moves, three-part harmonies, heavy drums with a prominent melodic bassline and the call-and-respond “doo wop” singing style, they have cultivated a style of their own, reminiscent of the better days of Phil Spector’s happy power pop.
These sassy and confident girls declare, “If you haven’t noticed yet, we’re the prettiest girls you’ve ever met” in the techno-and punk-infused opening title track. The album takes a drastic turn to the rich violin, drum and bass-inspired melodic songs of yesteryear with the “twist and shake” dance groove, “Pull Shapes.”
Their songs involve relationship, breakup and makeup issues, as in the harmonious “A Winter’s Sky,” the feel-good “I Love You,” their No. 5 Billboard Hot 100 Single “Your Kisses Are Wasted On Me,” and the “doo wop” tune “Why Did You Stay?”
Some songs even make simple yet bold statements, like “Dirty Mind,” “Judy” (the loose Judy “will show you things you never seen”), “Sex” (the girls turn the tables on a way too eager boy) and “One Night Stand” (“I don’t love you/ leave me alone/ you’re just a one night stand”).
Though it’s cute to hear the Pipettes pronounce “donce” and “cont,” their debut is filled with oversimplified concepts (“I don’t want to fall in love/ I don’t want to see the stars up above/ In the sky/ I just want to catch your eye”), repetitive lyrics (“Tell me what, tell me what you want”), and “Hey Mickey” clapping sequences.
Also, each song is super short – some just under two minutes.
And while their sound is unique in an era dominated by rock, pop and hip-hop, their songs lack depth and refinement, making me want the Pipettes to pipe down.
3 out of 5 stars
Contact info:Briana Prevost can be reached at [email protected].
