If you don’t get what makes the generic pop of walking Barbies The Pussycat Dolls so wildy popular, it might be the vodka. The first two singles of “Doll Domination” failed to dent Russian charts, unlike just about everywhere else on the globe. But someone evidently corked the bottle, because the album track “Hush Hush”, not released as a single anywhere, suddenly developed a life of its own, crashing the Russian Airplay chart on its way to No. 1 and bumping the album to Platinum in a mere three weeks. Now everybody wants to hear the break-up ballad, co-written by the Pussycat that sings, Nicole Herzinger.

by Mark Emge

Although no one but the most hardcore fan may be able to tell the difference between the five pin-ups comprising The Pussycat Dolls–much less their voices–the act is nothing if not a testament to the last-gasp determination of major-label industry-pop, from the vast multitude of pro songwriters and producers to the very way Interscope exploits their sexy interchangeability with any model in the current issue of Maxim. In a nod to a possible future of mainstream American pop (”New song? Just remix the old one!”), there are at least 20 official mixes of “I Hate This Part”, including this “edit” by Dave Audé, the Pussycats musical director.

by Mark Emge

Although no one but the most hardcore fan may be able to tell the difference between the five pin-ups comprising The Pussycat Dolls–much less their voices–the act is nothing if not a testament to the last-gasp determination of major-label industry-pop, from the vast multitude of pro songwriters and producers to the very way Interscope exploits their sexy interchangeability with any model in the current issue of Maxim. Yet they score hit after hit even though no one buying their music can pick Nicole Scherzinger (she sings lead most often) out of a lineup with the other ‘Cats. In a nod to a possible future of mainstream American pop (”New song? Just remix the old one!”), there are at least 20 official mixes of “I Hate This Part”, including the “Digital Dog Edit”.

by Mark Emge

Although this model was built for looks, not performance, Interscope records puppeteer Jimmy Iovine doesn’t skimp with the songwriters and producers behind his all-female burlesque revue-cum-recording act The Pussycat Dolls. Timbaland, The Clutch, Cee-Lo, Darkchild, and Lady GaGa, among scores more, were enlisted for their “Doll Domination” sophomore collection. “I Hate This Part” reminds us that even a glamorous pin-up rues a break-up.

by Mark Emge

The Dolls are taking over! Or at least that is the plan, according to The Pussycat Dolls‘ latest album title, “Doll Domination”. In other news, (file this in the “did we not learn any lessons from ‘Spiceworld’” section), the gals are apparently going to star in a musical about their lives. They’re currently looking at a number of scripts, most of them semi-biographical about their rise to fame, with plenty of dancing and singing thrown in for good measure, (of course). For a truly interactive website, visit the Dolls online at www.pdcmusic.com.

by Mark Emge

“When I Grow Up” is the first single from The Pussycat Dolls‘ new album, “Doll Domination”, which will be released 23 September. Frontwoman Nicole Scherzinger recently admitted that she refuses to read newspapers or magazines because she fears they will destroy her relationship with British race car driver, Lewis Hamilton. She said: “We used to read stuff and then we’d get scared and ask each other ‘Did we break up yesterday?’ It’s hard enough to have a relationship in this industry without having the press involved, too.” Visit www.pcdmusic.com for more on the ladies.

by Martín Wagmaister