Atomic Kitten Feels So Good CD

Atomic Kitten are a dance-pop trio from the U.K. that mix disco-influenced beats with mainstream melodic pop, and FEELS SO GOOD, the follow-up to the group's debut, delivers the goods. Included here are the singles "It's Ok" and "The Tide Is High (Get the Feeling)."

Feels So Good maintained Atomic Kitten's status as one of the U.K.'s most successful pop groups, with a pair of number one singles and another that reached number three plucked from it. Their first album recorded with Jenny Frost is nearly as solid as Right Now, with more playful chemistry evident between the three members. (Frost replaced original member Kerry Katona, who departed after the debut became a success; oddly enough, once Frost settled in, Right Now was redone and re-released, with her vocals put in place of Katona's.) Though the three biggest hits -- "It's OK!," "The Last Goodbye," and a cover of Blondie's cover of "The Tide Is High" -- are well-executed, easygoing pop songs, the group is at its best when it takes on the role of a modern disco act (as heard on "Feels So Good," "Love Won't Wait," and "Softer the Touch"). Like the debut, this album wasn't issued in the U.S. Instead, Virgin combined highlights from the two albums for a self-titled quasi-compilation, released in 2003. Despite the fact that Atomic Kitten's singles are often as strong as the ones from the popular U.S. acts, the disc did nothing to establish them as a successful act in that country. ~ Andy Kellman

Rather than merely issue Atomic Kitten's second album a few months after its initial U.K. release date, Virgin U.S. took the opportunity to make the trio's stateside debut a combination of songs from that album (Feels So Good) and 2001's Right Now. This self-titled album came out just after group member Natasha emerged victorious in the U.K.'s 21st Rear of the Year competition. (It's true; look it up.) Both of the U.K. albums represented here fared extremely well in the group's homeland and spawned several Top Ten hits, all of which are included on this. Two numbingly tedious remakes -- one of the Bangles' "Eternal Flame," another of Blondie's version of "Tide Is High" -- are balanced by a small clutch of dance-pop songs that rank favorably with any of their American competitors. "Be With You" is the clear-cut best, a glitter-speckled ode to new love that samples ELO's "Last Train to London." "Right Now," co-written by group mastermind Andy McClusky (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark), is another gushing wave of energy heavily indebted to disco, though it holds the umpteenth use of the "do it to me now" line. Along with a couple decent ballads, Atomic Kitten should be more than enough to win the group some fame in the States. ~ Andy Kellman

Sophomore album from hit British dance-pop act is a delicious mix of 80's dance, funky disco & heart-tugging ballads. Feels So Good includes five tracks co-written by the girls themselves as well as songs written by Rob Davis, Stargate & Kylie Minogue (who co-wrote the album's title track). After the massive success of 'Eternal Flame', the song's original writers Susanna Hoffs, Tom Kelly & Billy Steinberg have also co-written one track 'Love Doesn't Have To Hurt' especially for the Kittens. Other album highlights include the up-tempo dance floor filler 'Love Won't Wait' & the gorgeous 'The Last Goodbye'. Includes the singles 'It's OK!' & 'The Tide Is High (Get The Feeling)'. Innocent. 2002.

Additional personnel includes: Stuart Kershaw (guitar, keyboards, bass, programming); Rob Davis (guitar, keyboards, programming); Ash Howes (keyboards, drums); Andy McCluskey, Marcelo Auletta (keyboards, programming); Martin Harrington, Alex Von Soos, Simon Hale (keyboards); Sebastian Morawietz (organ); Yvonne John-Lewis, Ingvild Hasund (background vocals).

Producers includes: StarGate, Ash Howes, Martin Harrington, Bill Padley, Jem Godfrey.

Atomic Kitten: Jenny Frost, Natasha Hamilton, Liz McClarnon (vocals).