There is a well trodden path from soap opera star to pop singer, but Natalie Bassingthwaighte has taken a slightly different route to usual. In 2006, she left Neighbours and joined the successful electro-pop group Rogue Traders. A string of hit singles and awards followed. Bassingthwaighte was the perfect front for the funky group, sexy and sassy, oozing attitude and cool. Following the release of breakout single Voodoo Child, she was the hottest thing on the Australian pop scene.

Come 2009, she has left Rogue Traders and released her debut solo album, 1000 Stars. It’s a bold move. Rogue Traders were continuing to enjoy success, and Bassingthwaighte must know she is the wrong side of 30 to establish herself as a solo pop artist. Her record company are obviously taking it seriously, as they’ve teamed her up with a small army of credible and successful producers.

What’s the result? The album starts well enough, with a sixties inspired guitar lick featuring on the energetic Catch Me If You Can. It’s a rare highlight though.

1000 Stars generally lacks creativity and conviction, and Bassingthwaighte seems to have misplaced the granite-cool attitude that made her so interesting in Rogue Traders. What she has produced is classic pop meringue - light and frothy and sweet, but no substance.

We will need to hear another album before passing final judgment. Bassingthwaighte is probably hoping to be the next Natalie Imbruglia. But at the moment, it seems more likely she will be the next Holly Valance.