All of The Pipettes’ earlier releases, i.e. from before the first “real” single off this album, were quite raw. Guitar-led, with heavy drums and a so-and-so bass, there were only a few other instruments allowed to make a cloink or two, but then the sound of an organ was the most intrusive bit.

Things have radically changed.

Whereas their songs once bore sexual emotion, they now are whisked inside some half-assed Phil Spector-candy. Don’t get me wrong, I love loads of Spector’s productions, but this is not good for the band.

I mean, a track like “Pull Shapes” is made to sound Spector-ish, but what on Earth can anybody say about “ABC” or “Tell Me What You Want”, which both were a lot more lewd and honest in their rockier, previous incarnation.

Lucky for some, the “old” 7” vinyls are transferred to MP3, which means more generations to come will get to absorb what is now a fairly good Phil Spector-rip-off.

All in all: the songs are quite strong, some very strong indeed, but trying to cover a sound like that never fares well if you only have one oar to paddle with.

I’ll tell you what I want, alright, in the words of Michael Jackson: “I want you back”.