PCD

Long before the big-screen success of such neo-cabaret hits like Moulin Rouge! (2001) and Chicago (2002), the stylish Pussycat Dolls had been popularizing the nearly lost art of striptease burlesque. The brainchild of dancer/choreographer Robin Antin, the Pussycat Dolls began as a group of dancer friends at LA's legendary Viper Rooms putting on a show for fun and quickly became the talk of the city following guest spots from a number of Hollywood A-Listers. Among the troupe's guest performers during this period were Christina Aguilera, Charlize Theron, Gwen Stefani, Britney Spears, and Brittany Murphy. During the early years, Carmen Electra was the group's lead performer, and her presence gave the troupe a double dose of sex appeal and celebrity notoriety. But the host of other singers and dancers that formed part of the Pussycat Dolls over the years – more than 25 of them – were no less impressive. It was from founder Robin Antin's concept of "rock 'n' roll burlesque" that the group's unique, sensual style emerged.

The current incarnation of the Pussycat Dolls – comprised of Nicole Scherzinger, Carmit Bachar, Ashley Roberts, Jessica Sutta, Melody Thornton, and Kimberly Wyatt – are a focused sextet of pop hopefuls. The release of their debut album is set to take the Pussycat Dolls to the next level – the hottest girl band on the globe. PCD is certainly not lacking in the beat department, and combined with their vocal strength and radio-orientated melodies, girls produce some admirable results. For the 12 track album, they worked with a stellar line up of producers. From Timbaland who produces Wait A Minute to Black Eyed Peas' Will I Am on the club joint Beep. Rich Harrison produces the attitude driven I Don't Need A Man whilst Dianne Warren provides the lush ballad How Many Times, How Many Lies. Bite The Dust is full of dramatic string parts, reminiscent of the more funkier side of Destiny's Child, while I Don't Need A Man has some nice synth lines which bring to mind the classic late 80s sleek house of Inner City. Stickwitu is the compulsory soulful ballad nicely sung. The Pussycat Dolls bold covers of Tainted Love and Feelin' Good also make it onto the album. And their single Don't Cha featuring rapper Busta Rhymes has already hit the #1 spot in the US Billboard.

Over the last few years, the Pussycat Dolls have drifted away from their burlesque roots. While still known for their skimpy nightclub costumes, the pop-star Pussycat Dolls now dress more in the line of their one-time guest stars Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. Don't hate the Pussycat Dolls because they're beautiful, or because they've determined to leave no romantic or post-feminist cliche unturned in their effort to put the sex back in sextet. Scratch past the insipid lyrics on this debut and you'll discover that lead singer Nicole Scherzinger and at least a couple of her fellow Pussycat Dolls have supple voices. And collectively, they make the infectious hooks and grooves driving better tracks sparkle despite their superficiality. PCD reveals enough catchy songs that could blow the likes of Girls Aloud all the way to the job center.