Spice Girls Album: “Spice”

I remember the first time I heard Wannabe on the radio -- I was hooked. In 8th grade at the time and looking for style and attitude, I found it in these five wonderful young girls. Emma (Baby Spice), Mel C (Sporty Spice), Victoria (Posh Spice), Geri (Ginger Spice), and Mel B (Scary Spice) all had distinct personalities and their music was fun and exciting. They were the biggest thing in Britain since the Beatles, and it didn't take long for them to conquer the rest of the planet, including the picky USA. This album is a classic, and I think everybody should have it in their collection. More memorable than any other Spice album, it will truly make an impression. Here's the play by play for this album, "Spice":

Wannabe:

Tell me whatcha want, whatcha really really want -- Wannabe Wannabe Wannabe! Who hasn't heard this song? Of course, we all had our own made-up versions of the rap break, all with different words and different styles. If you haven't heard this song, it's the perfect girl-power, good-timey, happy and perky thing, coated with spice and sugar as well. Each of the girls gets their own section to sing and Geri and Mel B battle on the rap intro, with Mel C shouting 'hu'! Arguably their best song ever, "Wannabe" is a classic radio tune and can still be heard today. 10/10

Say You'll Be There:

If I'm not mistaken, this single actually outsold "Wannabe" (and "Wannabe" was #1 in 32 countries!). This began the heigth of the girls' careers and in this song each girl got an identity, with Emma as Kung Fu Candy and Geri as Trixie Firecracker etc. The girls, having firmly made their own real-life identities well known by this time, played with them to create even bigger alter-egos. Not as hyped or as loud as "Wannabe", "Say You'll Be There" was a bit slower but didn't lack for in-your-face lyrics. Another classic with a harmonica solo, it's still fun and spunky. 10/10

2 Become 1:

With this song, the boys could like it and that's what helped make it so big. This was the first big ballad the girls did, and it helped make them bigger as singers and not just celebrities. They could actually show off more of their vocal talent than just vamp around singing short and sweet lyrics. Highlights of this song are the string arrangement and the chorus, which is soulful but not shrewd. A very nice love song with an important part for every girl, "2 Become 1" was another #1 for the Spices. 10/10

Love Thing:

A lot of people didn't care much for this song, but what made it good was the rap done by every girl in the bridge section. A bit more disco but not any less spicy, the girls make it clear in this song that they aren't playing around. Though this song was never the best concerning instruments, it still makes its mark. 9/10

Last Time Lover:

I always thought this song was one of the best, simply because Mel B sings very low in it, which makes it a sexy and va-va-voomish type song. Another fun thing about this song is the chorus, in which they sing "do you think I'm really cool and sexy?" Very fun, very Spice Girls-ish. Instrumentally I like the guitars in this song. 10/10

Mama:

Aww, a song for their mommies. Who hasn't done a song for those special ladies? This song also went to #1 and gave the girls a deeper side as apposed to their craziness. Like "2 Become 1", this song has some beautiful string sections, which makes it a lovely ballad. 9/10

Who Do You Think You Are:

Now THIS is a classic disco type song. Complete with quick lyrics and a raspy singing Geri, this song is just plain fun with warped guitars and fast paced brass. The video, with it's crazy and colorful presentation, helped define the girls' individuality that much more. 10/10

Something Kinda Funny:

Originally set to be the girls' first single, this tune has a sensual disposition hidden within jazzy music and soft teasing vocals. It's simple, stylish, and catchy. Despite it's appeal however, it's much more mature than "Wannabe", and while that doesn't make it any less good, it's not nearly as fun. However, it's nice to hear the girls taking a different approach. 9/10

Naked:

After seeing this song title, two words came to mind: Janet Jackson. But it is hardly anything shrewd and actually portrays a very thought-provoking concept. I would actually call this the most soulful song on the entire album. It's beautifully written, wonderfully sung and simply emits maturity. Stylistically, it falls somewhere between a spanish ballad and a jazzclub number. 10/10

If U Can't Dance:

The Spices close out their debut in grand style with this fantastic dance number! With a sliding bassline, raps by both Mel B and Geri (rapping in Spanish), and a great beat, many have called this their favorite track on "Spice". It leaves you wanting more. 10/10

Normally, I'm not a big fan of albums with only 10 tracks on them. But somehow, it works for the Spices, helping the public to remember not to take them too seriously. It really gives off the impression that the girls are in it for a good time, and that perfectly compliments their carefree and infectious personalities. The album clocks in at around 40 minutes total, but that's okay, because you can just listen to "Wannabe" again sooner.

I was a huge Spice Girls fan back in 1996/1997/1998. Then Geri quit the group and I lost faith in them. Spiceworld is brilliant too, but their debut album has to be the best.

Rundown:

1. Wannabe

2. Say You'll Be There

3. 2 Become 1

4. Love Thing

5. Last Time Lover

6. Mama

7. Who Do You Think You Are

8. Something Kinda Funny

9. Naked

10. If U Can't Dance

If you couldn't guess, Emma is my favourite Spice Girl. This album is brilliant. It's a shame the girls have given up on the Spice Girls, since they were a remarkable band. This CD is firmly lodged in my CD collection.

the spice girls were something else... they were not the best singers, the best dancers, or even the best actors... but these girls had something that most artist to date lack.... INDIVIDUALITY!!! that is the key to having a successful musical act...that is why they caught on so quickly... each one had their own style and every1 had their fav (mine was POSH cause she was so damn hot)

anyways this is the debut of the 90s. the whole LP rocked (but their second effort SPICEWORLD was their best)... hands down, 'say you'll be there' is the best track on the album... it has spunk, meaning, and has posh's first solo on the record...every1 sang their butt off on that song... i love the beat...the video was great with their own superhero look...

'2 become 1','love thing' 'naked', 'wannabe', 'mama', and 'who do you think you are>?' are classics.

the worst song on the album is probably 'last time lover'... the song is kind of dreary... but every1 has their lacklusters...

this album is great and the spice girls will be in pop culture history until the end of time... so you haters go somewhere... these girls are here to stay...

It's not hard to see why the Spice Girls were so successful with their debut SPICE. Still to this day I think it remains a classic in the realm of pop. The mega-hit "wannabe" was instantly catchy. I still find myself humming along to it sometimes. SPICE is still one of my favorite CDs ever. The Spice Girls were at the top of their game with this one. Mel B and Geri's sultry vocals, Emma's sweet-chirpy voice, Mel C's big-gritty squeals and Victoria's posh attitude were perfectly matched.

There's no buts about it that this CD was aimed at pre-teen girls that wanted a sassy role model to look up to. But, it's accsesable to everyone. I didn't really fit into that category but I really enjoyed SPICE. Besides the mega hit "wannabe" other tracks that stand out are "say you'll be there", "2 become 1", "love thing", and others. Geri even did a little Spanish rap on "if you can't dance."

That's another thing - the Spice Girls had personality. Each one unique and they blended well together. I think SPICE was a perfect blend of pop and R&B. It was sweet but not too sweet. Just the right `spice' with a little attitude. I became a fan with this CD and it's still one of those albums that you can still play again years later. How rare is that for a pop CD?

If you had your inhibitions about this, drop it and pick SPICE up. It's one of those awesome pop CDs that you will want to play time and time again. I still whip it out occasionally and it doesn't sound dated. It's also a great reminder of great pop music. Sassy, up-beat, bubbly fun. SPICE has got it all.

Inane Lyrics, dire backing music, stilted dance routines. Welcome to the Spice Girls.

This kind of blatent commercialism is totaly trashing the music industry and should be avoided at all costs.

I can understand that this music appeals to young girls and boys, but the fact is they are being exploited by fat-cat record chiefs out to make a quick buck!!!

Music is about self-expression, mood, soul, life and desire... Its not about image, barmy personalities and tacky product endorsements.