Can lightning strike twice in the ferociously fickle world of television-generated pop music? Bardot's debut single Poison hit the top of the charts in the first week of release; so did Popstars Mark II Scandal'us with Me, Myself and I. Bardot's self-titled album also created Australian chart history last year by hitting No. 1 first week out.
Festival Mushroom Records, which will distribute the Scandal'us album Startin' Somethin', has geared to ship more than 35,000 copies to stores for its May 7 release, guaranteeing it a gold status debut. Song Zu, who manage the group and produced the album, have sourced songs from established hitmakers who have worked with the likes of Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys.
The timing of the release is significant in that Scandal'us will be able to ride the tailend of the pop rollercoaster that could run out of steam later this year.
But FMR spokesman David Chamion, who has been involved in developing the group, said they were not looking for a No. 1 album debut. "It's about the second single; we are not going to load up our marketing on the front end of release but let fans find out about it themselves," he said. "Its a very solid pop record, with no fillers, and we believe it's got a very long life."

More hits than misses

1. Me, Myself and I: The chart-topping debut single follows the hugely succeddful staccato R & B formula devised by Dstiny's Child. The album version is a little more Space Invaders than the revamped track played on radio, but it showcases the group's vocals well. 2 stars

2. History: The guys got more of a vocal stretch on this mid-tempo slice of pure pop. The girls' harmonies grate on the high end, but the song is saved by the infectiours chorus. 2 stars

3. Think Again: More mature pop, again in the mid-tempo range. The mandolin-stle hook (think REM's Losing My Religion) adds something different. 3 stars

4. Make Me Crazy: A hit. Using the Spanish guitar-driven Latin feel that has dominated the pop scene forever, you can just imagine the clip: Simon playing acoustic guitar as they sit around a fire on the beach. 4 stars

5. Be That Way: Very Europop. Production is similar to the offerings from the current crop of British Boy and girl groups. Simon gets to stretch his voice to good effect. 3 stars

6. You Bring Me Love: Straight out of Britney's territory (baby, baby, baby) and they do it very well. The vocals are the sexiest on the record, and the chorus is punchy as hell. 3 stars

7. Startin' Somethin': The accoustically driven power ballad crossover smash. Yu can just hear this being played at weddings for the next 12 months. 4 stars

8. High On Your Love: The band kick it up again on this one, but those high-end harmonies and background blips set the nevers on edge. All in all, it has a fun feel. 2 stars

9. Love You To (Be My Baby): Back to the pop/R & B world with a delicate production that doesn't pile unnecessary sounds on top of their voices. A more sophisticated track. 2 stars

10. Hand On Your Heart: Nothing offensive about this quiet little ballad, but there's nothing particularly special about it, either. Pop by nuumbers. 2 stars

11. I'm Not Gonna Cry (Na Na Na): This track uses the guys' voacls to answer the girls' to good effect, although rhythmically it just tends to plod along. La La La than Na Na Na. 2 stars

12. Now That You're Gone: Solid attempt at American-style R & B and it almost works, but there's not enough happening in there to stick in your head. 2 stars