Misteeq Reviews

Pros
first six songs, one of the best girl group records in a while

Cons
derivative, some filler and samies, Baby Cham, makes them look like one trick ponies

The Bottom Line
Finals are this week; after that, look out.

Full Review
When one really takes the time to compare the two biggest musical industries in the world, the resemblences and distinctions can be nothing short of striking. It seems like one is a carbon copy of the other, with Twilight Zone-y equivalent artists filling up the designated roles every industry has to have. While some aren't as prominent or innovative in their native industry and country as the other, everyone tries to breakthrough; the reason no new Brits ever come through is that we don't have any current openings, basically.

Saucy TLC-lite girl group Misteeq bursts into the consciousness of many an American with their scorching debut single that was inescapable at dance clubs for months on end. They received some love but the comparions weighed the impact and credibility of the group severely, as this record has only sold about forty-thousand copies thus far.

Tracklisting:
Scandalous (*****)
One Night Stand (*****)
Best Friends (**** 1/2)
Can't Get It Back (*****)
Home Tonight featuring Joe (*****)
Roll On (**** 1/2)
All I Want (****)
That's Just Not Me featuring Baby Cham (***)
How Does It Feel (*** 1/2)
B With Me (*** 1/2)
Do Me Like That (**** 1/2)
Dance Your Cares Away (****)
Can't Get It Back- Second Mix (****)

First single, token dance floor burner Scandalous is just as enjoyable in the colder months, thanks to the jumping synchronized Family Affair-type strings-and-bassline, layered siren-y horns and spunky clap track, all possessing that ingenius swagger that makes this entire record enjoyable. The group sounds nice, although the focus isn't on them or even the lyrical content. With the blazing production helping them along, they show bombastic individual and harmonic skills, particularly the juicy latter.

Second single One Night Stand is better than its predecessor in a lot of ways, most blatantly in the vocal area. Using more graspable albeit feel good/party girl tones and a softer delivery, you get a better indication of their actual talent. Over a simple string loop, clear cut production and percolating synths, this night-out-with-my-ladies evolution of the last track really exudes a cool confidence thats allowed to breathe.

Originally done by third-tier girl group Blaque, Can't Get It Back is an almost bubbly, tongue-in-cheek done-me-wrong track that really shows that they can have a sense of humor outside of the club-made tunes. Alongside spiralling production, sparing acoustics and throbbing bassline, this with-a-snap upbeat has one of the tightest hooks on a hook-heavy record, which definitely says something. They harmonies are very sweet sounding (especially since the two lead vocalists sound very similar) with a feathery softness that has to be constantly twisted to be considered effective. Its smart, fun and a ball to listen to. The second mix has an intro that reminds me of really old, dated 80s party record, those kindof horn-infused latin-wannabes that have an....ehhh...groove. The song is much more chunky, more instruments being brought in, with a lot of filled production to it and an annoying sax. Home Tonight is one of the slowest cuts, a loungin' in-the-car take-me-home-and-git-some kick-ya-game romantic steamfest that showcases a more emotional group. With lyrics that are a bit more cerebrial and a calmer production, you wonder why they didn't use this type of song on a more regular basis. Guest vocalist Joe adds another element to this already gorgeous track, riding the luxurious melody for all its worth.

Best Friends takes a really poppy subject matter and makes it sound like it has an ounce of credibility. Over very minimalist production (despite the cold, space-y effects), down home warm strings and covered up bounce, we get one of those you-my-homie-from-back-in-the-day type tracks, trying to expose a more down-to-earth and realistic sides to the group. Its sing-songy hookline will be good to belt to your best friend while their vocals tend to be a bit drowned out and too tightly compacted, not allowing much room for movement. Roll On automatically brings a smile to my face, a steamy summer anthem thats as breezy and effortless as it is enjoyable. Using elements of Just Got Paid in the booty bumpin' lyrical concept, its one of those songs thats truly appealing, from the slight G-funk influenced production to the dance craze-ready hookline. This is pure silk, complete with compact handclaps, stuttery keyboarding and one damn fine bassline. Definitely one of the most relaxing listens on the record.

All I Want is a very garage influenced track, trading in silky melodies and gorgeous layering for frantic arrangements, spoke-sung vocals and a more hook-based song structure. Using thumping percussion, distorted synths and explosive horns, this manages to be too much of a dance track, not letting much of a real groove form to let you get into the song. The rap is a much needed break, offering a more complex listen and another element to deal with. The lyrical scheme starts off very well, though fading into general territory very quickly. Hardcore dance music fans, I've found you an anthem. Do Me Like That is one of those tracks that I feel like I've heard before yet can't seem to place for the life of me. With my-man-sucks lyrics on the record accompanied by a pretty fierce production job (intricate latin acoustics, thudding percussion, tropical keyboarding), this is a track thats almost expected, especially in the way they do it. The rap is much darker, more brooding and quicker, all three very positive attributes other appearances lack from time to time. Its very empowering and will have you moving along, regardless. Dance Your Cares Away is a much better song than I expected, personally. Instead of a cheesy overly perky club track, we get a very weighty, underground-esque grity banger thats infinitely more natural sounding than the average clubber. Including the glitzy techno breakdown, its solidly pulsating melody is one to be admired because I've not heard a song done like this in a while. With flashes of Mary-ish hip hop soul, its sweetness shines through a more captivating listen. Its pied piper-ish effect is totally hypnotizing, proving that a good melody can capture us all.

The final three tracks I'll discuss aren't quite in the same league as some of the other material on the record. That's Just Not Me, featuring the behemoth ramblings of Baby Cham (who sounds like Lady Saw), is a bit too harsh and pretentious for my taste, having no discernable melody and some eyeroll-worthy patios from one of the leads. The production is a bit amateurish and repetitive (the synth riff is repeated more times than imaginable) while Cham spouts about a verse and a half too much. The last two are Twilight Zone-type similar, almost identical in structure and sound. How Does It Feel is a bit more of a full listen with real production and a pitbull-in-a-skirt lyrical scheme. B With Me is a more island themed listen, with steadier production and glamarous steel drums.

The Misteeq record was sadly overlooked when it was released, making any other American success unlikely, despite the emerging second single. One would think that, with the current absence of two-girls-and-a-rapper girl group TLC, the girls would've gotten more love but this compilation of their Euro records will be gathering dust for a while. They've got a nice energy about them, best exhibited by the beginning of the record. If you like dance music or hot black women, this is for you.

Great Music To Play While: buying the How To Be A TLC-type group book and plotting your success

Pay Attention To: One Night Stand, Home Tonight, Scandalous

Don't Pay Attention To: That's Just Not Me, How Does It Feel, B With Me