IF HEAR'SAY were, at their height, the Chelsea of the pop world, then Liberty X must be the Accrington Stanley - revered underdogs who are really quite good to boot.

How lucky for this talented fivesome that they didn't win the cursed Pop Stars competition. If they had maybe they wouldn't have been forced to forge their own identity and find their own sound; the prowess of which is reinforced in this, their second album.

Liberty X have come up with a style which reflects nothing of the sickly-sweet way they were brought together. Their vocals are so closely knit together, the join is hardly visible and the R and B package lends itself impressively to the dance-floor.

They produce some songs so fresh and energetic you just have to move and others just made for listening to.

Watcha doin' Tonight is just such a number, and being written by Tony himself, points to the band trying to stretch their obvious musical skills even more.

Favourites on the album include their energetic current single Jumpin' and their next - Everybody Cries, the ballad-like qualities of which will surprise new fans. Good stuff.

SCC