CD Review: Dubstar - Disgraceful
The British music press is notoriously fickle. Their treatment of female-led pop bands has always been consistently weak. However, bands like Dubstar will make the media stop and take notice. Dubstar's singer, Sarah Blackwood, is ready to stand up and be counted among the best new acts in Britain.
Sarah may be a stunningly beautiful blond, but her aceface isn't the only thing leading the band. There is more behind her seductive eyes including a talented poet and lyricist. Giving up graceful pop melodies will prove Dubstar in a different class than the average (and still ignored) female-fronted bands.
Sarah's swan-like vocals weave amongst the songs on their Debut album, Disgraceful, as she darts fowl across the UK's musical pond. Her graceful vocals are backed by the sounds of extraordinary synthpop. The band may play poppy disco melodies but Sarah doesn't want to be a disco queen. Rather she's a graceful swan, a cut above the rest, who won't let her contemporaries clip her wings.
The words of 'just a girl she said' will echo for quite awhile in the male ego. The lyrics are a far cry from RIOT GRRL, but more the wit any cynicism of a sexy pop diva. They show Sarah as a touchable, personable singer. This swan tells it as she sees it, and that is a more attractive characteristic than her acegirl looks. Listen up, she has something to say:
"It's alright I'm just a girl she said. Talk down to me and take me to bed. I don't think, I don't feel and I don't really matter at all. I'm a person who speaks, I'm a person who thinks but you hope I forget as you ply me with drink. You cannot buy me and you cannot use me, but I know that you want to try."
I will admit that I am commonly more attracted to female-led melodies. My list of top groups reeks with female influences, but Dubstar are the epitomy of it all.
As established English bands split up (ie. Verve, the Stone Roses, Ride) the future isn't as grim as it could be because of new acts like Dubstar leading the charts. Their latest single 'stars' is currently staying strong on the UK Top40 charts. It's easy to hear why.
Dubstar's music doesn't rely solely on Sarah's lyrical genius. Melodically beautiful keyboards and simple pop tunes provide excellent accompaniment. The other two band members, Steve Hillier and Chris Wilkie, do a wonderful job...but still the focus of this CD is on Sarah's voice and on the stories she tells. The music doesn't overpower and it easily accentuates her powerful vocal tracks.
This is still the beginning of Dubstar, but with the grace and beauty their music portrays, this will certainly not be the end. Sarah will always be waiting to thrill: "I'll be around and waiting for your call"
Originally published 1996 TapOnline
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