Jenny Frost
Kitten Sounds Index :
Singles
Right Now- The album
1:: 2000
2:: 2001

I have included reviews of both the original version of the album, featuring Kerry, and of the new version, with Jenny. I feel it's important that fans can see how The Kittens have changed, and also because I think a lot of people forget, or don't know about the previous version. I loved it when it came out originally, and still do. After all that's why I fell in love with this band: The fizzing burst of youthful exuberance and don't give a damn sass, which made them stand out from the girlband crowd.

The second version is undoubtedly a more sober, perhaps more mature, record, which plays to known selling points. Dare I say a little more cynical and world weary? The main difference is in the arrangements and inclusion of new material, such as "You Are". It's definitely a far slicker operation and one which has paid dividends.

Pure Atomic Pop : Review of the album "RIGHT NOW".
 23 October 2000 [UK version] - Highest chart position - 39

I'm writing this on the 23rd October 2000, the actual day of release. I've already listened to it a few times now, and I'm still not sure that I can do it justice. It is incredibly difficult to convey just how good a debut album this is.

There is everything you could want on this album, from the throwaway shouty pop of "See Ya", to the dancefloor cool of "Turn me on" via the incredible "Strangers". There is not one track on here that is a filler. Each one is good enough to be heard on its own. This album is as lean and spritely, and as perfectly formed as you could expect any to be in this time of pre-packaged music.

Where there could have been 12 tracks all sounding like "Right Now", the Kittens and their gang have been brave enough to go against that grain and put together an album that should be included as essential listening for anyone who wants to appreciate how to do a debut album with class and style, and a little bit of a brain. Below is my track-by-track review.

Track Review
Right Now The awesome, discotastic, come-and-get-it opener. Attitude, sass, style and more bounce to the ounce than Tigger on speed. Bring me my dancing booties, the party is this way....
Follow Me TLC influenced classy pop R'n'B number. Lush chorus and great lyric carried on Nat's big brassy voice. Not necessarily the strongest track but as good as anything
Cradle Big epic ballad, sounds like Westlife will need to do another cover version, unless they want to miss out on adding this gem to their repertoire
I want your love Space western dancefloor stomping monster. Just dares you to get out there and "give it some of that" as they say round our way
See Ya The playground taunt, girl-power to the max, pop stormin' second single. Like the toughest in the infants: beats you up and runs away before you can catch your breath.
Whole Again A lovely longing ballad that shows off about really needing someone. A bit like Spice girls 2 become 1. Gradually grows from something ballady into a full on gospel-tinged heartbreaker. possible Xmas single
Bye Now Another heartbreaker in the slightly epic mode, a bit of a show tune and one that will doubtlessly grow a life of its own the longer I own this album
Get real Another funky, upbeat R'n'B number, a distant cousin of "See Ya", but kind of a big cousin with a selection of fine herbs and spices.
Turn me on Disco is not dead, or at least the groove isn't. Catches that cool French house vibe nicely without going into cheesy Ritzy mode. Will doubtlessly have you reaching for lipgloss and glitter.
Do what you want Love this one, yet again good enough to be a single. Like the Spice Girls around the time of "Stop" this is cool fun pop which sounds almost effortless in its goodtime lyric and up for it feel.
Hippy Rough edged, slightly dark. Another more R'n'B number that shows the girls can do nasty as well as nice. Actually, more a nice kind of nasty. Spartan and just enough menace to suggest the dark side of the Kittens.
Strangers An epic ballad, the outstanding track for me. As good as any of the great Motown ballads, or even the epic "Motorcycle Emptiness". This should be the Xmas single. So beautiful it brings a tear to the eye. Pop froth? Guess again kids!
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Buy the album from amazon.co.uk

Version 2: The greatest comeback since George Foreman? Possibly
06 August 2001 - Highest chart position - 1

By the time this album came along, the Kittens were a far bigger proposition, and undoubtedly one of the big acts of 2001. With Jenny replacing Kerry, the vocals were redone and almost all the tracks went through a process of being remixed and repackaged to reflect a more mature, classy and serious Atomic Kitten line-up.

Many people were wondering if it wouldn't just be a chance to send out the same old album, but the addition of three new tracks and the vast difference in the reworked tracks ensured that no one was being fleeced if they had to shell out for the new version of the album.

Track Review
Right Now Still a rip-roaring opening to the album, as good as any I've heard. Still fresh sounding after all this time, and still makes me wanna shake my rump!
Follow Me Overlooked at the time of release as a single, this was the first marker that there was more to the Kittens than high energy pop. Has become one of my favourite songs, a lovely simple lyric and crisp pop soul backing sets up the album nicely.
Whole Again Not an Xmas single, but the one that relaunched them. A universal song, you can apply it to anyone you care about and it always brings a tear to my eye when I hear it playing in the background.
Eternal Flame Funked up version of 80's lighter waving ballad, which shows off Nat's voice and garanteed their presence in the pop firmament. Not my favourite track but one with huge cross-generational appeal.
Tomorrow & Tonight A new one, which sounds like a ballad but is far spikier underneath when you pick at the lyrics. The darker side of romance; betrayal, surfaces and makes this quite a tasty little morsel, playing with what you think it actually is.
Get Real Much underrated number, which seems to be a live favourite. A catchy R'n'B number which kinda grooves up to you and gives you a quick peck on the lips before running off.
Turn Me On Slicker version of essentially the same song from the first album, catches a neat French House sort of groove, without sounding too obviously retro.
Hippy Yet again, it's essential the same thing, but smartened up: Rough edged, moody little beast which hints at the darker side of life lurking within the Kittens. Leaves me slightly unsettled.
You Are Another belting ballad, which swells up into an epic chorus. Was meant to be a single but has been shelved. Perhaps a little obvious after Whole Again and Eternal Flame.
Cradle Much improved version of the same song. The production is far less heavy-handed/show tune, which benefits the sentiments of the song and stops it becoming mawkish.
Bye Now As with Cradle this one has been repackaged and sounds much better than the previous version which was a bit lightwieght and disposable. A far more convincing take on this song
Strangers I stand by everythin I said about this before, and will always argue that if this wasn't such a showcase for Liz on her own, then this should have been a massive hit for them. Still my favourite track on the entire album.
See Ya Amazing how different this sounds now. All pop froth and spikey attitude, this one is max strength girl power, buzzing with teenage energy and front.
I Want Your Love Like See Ya this one still has the edge that made the Kittens stand out: Attitude, sass, hooks and choruses catchy enough to keep you coming back for more.
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