Sunday, June 27, 2010

A New Love Affair

I've always been a big fan of the pop group Sugababes, ever since I heard the cool laidback rhythms of their first hit Overload (here's a fab live version from Top Of The Pops). Part of the charm for me was Siobhan Donaghy's lead vocals on the track, with an edge that I found really appealing.

Well, after four years with the group, still being a 17 year old teenager, and coping (by all accounts) a pretty tough bullying from fellow band member Keisha Buchanan, Donaghy was depressed and climbed out of a window while on tour in Japan, ran away and quit the band. Other band members would feel the wrath of Buchanan and her fellow band mate Mutya Buena, and the Sugababes history would be one of line-up changes. Last year Buchanan, the only original band member left, was sacked for bullying the other two current members Heidi and Amelle after they both threatened to quit. Buchanan has since been replaced, but the group has come under lots of scorn in the UK for bearing little or no relation to the group. (Which I think is a little harsh, given that Heidi has been with the group since Donaghy's departure in 2001.)

Anyhoo, I was following video links on youtube when I discovered that Donaghy had released some critically acclaimed, if not commercially successful, solo albums. I listed to a track from her first second album "Ghosts" and now I'm hooked! Her style is much more indie and edgier than the work the Sugababes would go on to do, with some interesting production and world instruments.



"Don't Give It Up" - Siobhan Donaghy's first solo single from the Ghosts album


I just downloaded the Ghosts album from itunes, and these are my two favourite tracks so far:



"Ghosts" by Siobhan Donaghy (unofficial video made by a fan)




"Halcyon Days" by Siobhan Donaghy (video made by the same fan as above)


She hasn't had all that much commercial success, as I mentioned before, but it's really a shame that she hasn't. Her sound sits nicely amongst other singers I'm a fan of, like Kate Bush and Roisin Murphy. I'm now a fan!

3 comments:

MSB said...

Hi,

Great to see another Siobhan fan born into the world. Just to let you know, Ghosts is Siobhan's second album. Her first was Revolution In Me. If you haven't checked it out already you really should. It's more guitar and instrument based than the largely electronic Ghosts, and there seems to be a fairly even split among fans as to which is the favourite album. Personally, I swing toward RIM.

The Other Andrew said...

MSB,
Thanks so much for the heads up! I had another look at itunes and Revolution In Me seems to only be sold track by track, which seems a bit weird. I keep looking for it though! Thanks for the info.

Anonymous said...

Hello,

I agree with MSB, and its great to know Siobhan has a new fan. I'm her fan too since 2000. :D