Spice Girls forever - SOUNDS FAMILIAR by Baby A. Gil

We know that times have changed and that singing idols have gotten younger and younger, that teeny boppers are concentrating more on boy bands and nymphet divas but it cannot be denied that the Spice Girls have made their mark and anything they do will always be big news. Besides as proven by the contents of the album Forever and contrary to what fans of All Saints and Destiny’s Child are saying, these girls can sing!

Forever is the group’s first album since Geri Halliwell (Ginger Spice) left the group and after the other members did went about their own ways, recording and performing solo, getting married and having babies. This album might be considered their make or break release. It will show if they can stand by their foursome and if the tabloid items about anorexia, infighting, insecurities and other unsavories have affected their popularity.

But no matter what, Forever is a bright colored gem of varied contents. It is funky hip hop and radio-friendly ballads with bits of Motown here and there. Maybe because, Victoria, Mel C., Mel B., and Emma are also older, there is also a more confident approach to the songs. Here at last, is real girl power, and of the mature kind. Let us leave the cutsey wutseys to Britney and Christina and company. Let us all enjoy what real spice is all about.

Holler, the first single penned by the girls and producer Rodney Jenkins sends out this message. It is about getting your own way, being in control. "I wanna make you holler/imagine us together/don’t be afraid to play my game." It comes with a superb video where the girls are dressed in similar black leather clothes. Have they shed their now legendary "individuality" and tag names? No more Baby Spice, Posh Spice, etc. etc.?

Perhaps. But despite the well-crafted new songs, the girls still hark back to their early days with the inclusion of Goodbye . This tune is generally believed as the girls’ farewell message to the former Ginger Spice. "Goodbye, my friend, I know you’re gone/you said you’re gone/but I still can feel you here/it’s not the end/gotta keep it going before the pain turns into fear."

Thoughts of friendship, love and goodbye run across the album and it is easy to see that they are still pining for those exciting times when fame was new and life was innocent. In the long run though, it is also evident that they have hurdled whatever difficulties they have encountered when they had to suddenly reposition their careers and personal lives. Fans of the Spice Girls will be surprised with what Forever offers but with this album, it cannot also be denied the future still looks bright for these girls.

Look to another big seller with the title track. Others included are Tell Me Why, Let Love Lead the Way, Right Back at Ya, Get Down with Me, Wasting My Time, Weekend Love, Time Goes By, If You Wanna Have Some Fun and Oxygen.

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Still on UK groups: Remember S Club 7? This peppy, good-looking group had a huge hit last year with Bring It All Back and one of the most enjoyable duet albums ever. They also made it big with the kids as evidenced by S Club 7 dolls based on the likeness of the members, Rachel, Paul, Hannah, Bradley, Jo, Tina and Jon, being sold in department stores in Metro Manila.

Here comes the group again with another big seller. S Club 7’s latest is Never Had a Dream Come True, and it is at present the number one selling song in the UK. This tune is the official single of the annual BBC fundraiser for the British network’s Children in Need Charity. S Club 7 performed the song at the 21st Children in Need telethon held last November and sales haven’t stopped since.

Children in Need is dedicated to helping children disadvantaged by poverty, abuse or neglect. It was founded in 1927 but has since grown into a huge organization that raises millions of pounds from donations and music and TV sales. I do not know if the special which featured the S Club 7 will be aired here but I am sure we will get the soaring ballad Never Had a Dream Come True in the local airlanes soon.