Listening to the Sugababes new single "Freak Like Me". It's strange how things seem to come around full circle. When I downloaded this, all I really knew was that it was riding high in the U.K. singles charts and that it was by the Sugababes, who I already knew I liked. At the time, I was entirely unaware that the basis of this song was a bootleg, mixing some old 90's R&B song with a Gary Numan synth-pop sample. Let's just say it was quite a surprise when I pressed that Winamp Play button and found that I actually knew this song. Yes, I remember this. How could I forget? It's a "Torrs Classic"! Unbelievable. I'm already having flashbacks of those early high school years, a musical black hole for me if there ever was one. I didn't really listen to the radio back then, but I do remember riding around in the Torrsmobile hearing all the big R&B and "alternative" hits of the day. A more-miss-than-hit deal that always was, but heck, who am I to complain. Those were good times. Ack, I'm getting off topic. Anyway, back to the song...the original "Freak Like Me" was by no means terrible (it was even a bit catchy), but there was always something so stereotypical about it. To me, it sounded like what R&B of the time was
supposed to sound like. Looks like this Sugababes version has solved that problem. Obviously inspired by it's bootleg roots, the new "Freak Like Me" has a refreshingly unclean, fuzzed-out sound. That, along with the new high-pitched squelches, dirty electric guitar, and spaced-out tones make for the foundation of a pretty fantastic remake. Really, this song is to say the least,
off from what you'd expect to hear on the radio, American or British. Heh. Somewhat generic mid-90's R&B anthem spawns noisy, chart-topping pop mutant. What a great story.
