Starting my weekend/Saturday morning off with this album.

 

Enjoyyyyy :yahoo: Kinda of jealous that you will hear these for the first time :wub:

 

 

Enjoyyyyy :yahoo: Kinda of jealous that you will hear these for the first time :wub:

 

Thanks. It wasn’t as bad as I was expecting, based on what I’d read on here. Goodbye and Let Love Lead The Way are my top two.

Edited February 11, 20232 yr by spiceboy

Get down with me is one of the highlights of the album for me utterly love it!

This thread is out of control.

 

A good spanking is in order, methinks. :coffee:

This thread is out of control.

 

A good spanking is in order, methinks. :coffee:

 

To be honest, it is the most popular thread out of their albums and singles thread so lets keep it alive and only spank the ones who says BLEMISHES of this album :teresa:

DEFINITELT blemishes the legacy of the biggest girl bsnd ever, except for the singles!! Honestly the worst album I've ever heard!

DEFINITELT blemishes the legacy of the biggest girl bsnd ever, except for the singles!! Honestly the worst album I've ever heard!

 

Worse than Britney Jean?

 

I forgot about that one tbh. Hmm

I noticed on eBay that a Let Love Lead the Way Promo CD has this sticker on the back of it:

 

 

"Following the Top 3 airplay hit 'Holler' we are re-servicing 'Let Love Lead the Way' for playlist consideration during the festive season"

 

 

Holler went Top 3 on airplay (#2 in fact) on Sunday 5th November, which was one week after the Holler/Let Love Lead the Way single reached #1 in the main singles chart, and the day before 'Forever' was released. So the above promo/sticker was commissioned after that date.

 

It's interesting to learn that Virgin were at least attempting to prolong the life of this single (and 'Forever') into Christmas.

 

In the lead up to the single and album release, only 'Holler' was being supported on radio. I wonder if it was intentional from the label's point of view for radio stations to focus on just that song? Or was it the case that radio only agreed to playlist 'Holler', but weren't receptive to 'Let Love Lead the Way'? Either way, 'Let Love Lead the Way' was not charting on radio at all. "Re-servicing for playlist consideration" suggests that Virgin had previously serviced it to radio, but it wasn't picked up on for some reason? And sadly this second attempt didn't work either, as we know that 'Let Love Lead the Way' never did enter the radio charts. I wonder why radio was against supporting that song?

 

I suppose if this promo CD was put out there during the whole Westlife vs. Spice Girls thing, was it the case that radio were completely turned off from supporting Spice Girls, due to it seeming like their popularity had dipped (which seems like such an overreaction considering they'd had a #1 single and #2 album).

 

It's a shame because some strong support for the song in late November and December surely could have been very helpful in preventing both Forever and H/LLLTW from falling down the charts like stones. In my opinion I can imagine that 'Let Love Lead the Way' would have sounded good on the radio during the Christmas period. A shame it didn't work out that way.

 

The interesting thing about the success of 'Holler' on radio is that despite initially doing well, it dropped out really quickly after how 'Forever' performed in the album charts:

 

Holler on Radio Airplay:

17/09/00: 32-21-14-15-11-13-04-02-07-26-23-40-x

 

I think it has been mentioned before that it's one of the quickest falls for a Top 3 peaking radio hit in radio history.

Silly broads not to reissue a Christmas jingle bells mix x

Yup, or release a Christmas cover to go alongside ir in a NEW double a seed!!

 

That must have been Virgin's plan all alomg: start with Hollier, switch to LLLTW around Christmas.

 

However, their brand was bust by then and the album flopping was the end. Rsdio dropped them and they were seen as over.

This is my review for the Spice Girls final studio album Forever




01. Holler - 10/10
The album opens with the lead single and straight away showcases something different to anything the group has done as it represents a shift from the bubblegum pop sound to a more mature pop and R&B sound, which results in a cracking tune with its slick and polished production, funky beats, bouncy chorus, and catchy hooks that still retains the essence of the Spice Girls. This is a great and underrated song in the girls back catalogue.

02. Tell Me Why - 9/10
Opening with a robotic voice introducing the group before the pulsating up-tempo synth beats kicks in alongside the strummed guitars and sleek chorus. Lyrically the song has a very bitter tone, but the vocal harmonies are strong and the production is stellar on this. My only gripe is that I didn’t like the intro, other than that it’s a great little R&B pop number.

03. Let Love Lead the Way - 9/10
The other half of the lead double A-side single is this rather sentimental number with shuffling percussive beats, understated drums, and glossy production. This is a warm and tender Spice Girls ballad with stunning harmonies and fantastic vocals from Melanie C and Emma who really elevates this. This doesn’t come close to being their best ballad, but it’s a beautiful and elegant track, nonetheless.

04. Right Back at Ya - 7/10
If this was the original pop version which was far superior then I would give this a 10. This version opts for a slicker R&B sound and it’s lacking the fun and energy the original had and the production doesn’t flow with the pop lyrics or melodies. This version isn’t terrible by any means there are some nice vocal harmonies throughout and Mel B’s rap does breathe life into it. But stick to the pop version its far better.

05. Get Down with Me - 8/10
A fun up-beat R&B number with light beats, funky basslines, and pianos flows perfectly with the layered vocal harmonies. The synths and strings add a nice touch to the production, and the handclaps helps keep things bright and catchy.

06. Wasting My Time - 7/10
A funky and sassy mid-tempo number with fantastic vocals from Melanie C who takes lead on this and uses some effective raspy tones and Victoria’s soulful tones on the bridge sounds great. The production has some great musical flourishes, but this track feels a little too similar to the previous track and maybe shouldn’t have been placed right after it.

07. Weekend Love - 6/10
The song begins okay enough with some nice vocals by Emma who sings in a lullaby sounds, then the acoustic guitars and synths comes in and gives this a warm sweet sentimental feeling before the beat drops for the chorus. But then Mel B’s rap drops in the middle and its rather awkward and jarring. Not too keen on this one and definitely one of the worst tracks on this album.

08. Time Goes By - 5/10
Another ballad and it’s a slow plodding one that goes on for way too long. The vocal harmonies are nice and the R&B-tinged production is okay, but nothing can save this dreary paint by numbers boring and forgettable mess that should have been left on the cutting room floor.

09. If You Wanna Have Some Fun - 10/10
Thankfully the pace picks up with this catchy, funky up-beat bop that perfectly captures the Spice essence which had been sorely missing from the last couple of tracks. The beats are fun and brimming with energy with addictive hooks and soaring melodies that hangs this song together and making it perfectly formed. This really should have been a single, but given a radio edit form of course.

10. Oxygen - 10/10
Back to the ballads now and this one is a stunning one with nice breathy vocals as the song gently builds with percussions, echoey keyboards which gives this a sad yet uplifting feeling at the same time. The chime bars and bleeps gives the track a very ethereal magical feel to it. The soaring vocals over the key change adds a nice touch to this rather beautiful emotional number.

11. Goodbye - 10/10
The album closes with one the girls best ballads of their careers with its lavish production that gives it a cool yet very wintery vibe, the stirring strings, heart-breaking lyrics and that grand and powerful chorus that soars beautifully over the production. Despite being a member down, this shows that they are stronger than ever. This is definitely right up with some of the Spice Girls finest singles in their discography.


Avg.8.272

Eh??? Why are you giving out hight scores on Gorever?

The all in a row middle of the album combo of Wasting My time > Weekend Love > Time Goes By is definitely the worst part of Forever. All are so un- Spice Girls.

Yup, absolutely terrible!! That rap in the middle of Weekend Love - my CHRIST!!

Thanks for reviewing it, Nina! Actually, my assessment of the album would be very similar to yours. And I'm glad to see you like Oxygen. After If You Wanna Have Some Fun, it's my next favorite non-single album track on Forever. I get that people get irked by the dripping noise. But. I dunno. It doesn't bother me, and I see it as a cute quirk? I hate to see Oxygen ever get lumped in with Time Goes By. To my ears, Oxygen sounds like the girls are being genuine...and Time Goes By does not.

 

The only area my opinion would differ at all would just be in the album's two raps. I actually really don't like Mel B's rap in the album version of Right Back At Ya. I think it's clunky. Bizarrely, I really enjoy the same rap (which sounds like the exact same vocal take) on the leaked pop version of the song. Go figure. The production just makes that much difference to me. The tone of the rap's fun and spunky on the pop one...and a bit...spiteful?...on Darkchild's take.

 

And...there's this. Brace yourself. I'm going to defend the Weekend Love rap. Yes. The shock. The horror. Shower me with your rage. But. What can I say? I like it. I remember thinking the song was a little humdrum on first listen...until that rap came along and blindsided me. I loved it. It's a burst of energy...a jolt of a surprise...in an album that doesn't have a lot of surprises after the novelty of Darkchild producing the Spice Girls wears off after the first two tracks. It's like three of the girls are trying to get rid of this guy politely...but he's not getting it...so...they have to deploy Mel B to finish the job. I think it's in character. It's weird. It's funny. I could do without the two Darkchild references in a song that doesn't really need them. But. Darkchild's gonna Darkchild. Not much we can do about that.

I noticed on eBay that a Let Love Lead the Way Promo CD has this sticker on the back of it:

 

 

"Following the Top 3 airplay hit 'Holler' we are re-servicing 'Let Love Lead the Way' for playlist consideration during the festive season"

Holler went Top 3 on airplay (#2 in fact) on Sunday 5th November, which was one week after the Holler/Let Love Lead the Way single reached #1 in the main singles chart, and the day before 'Forever' was released. So the above promo/sticker was commissioned after that date.

 

It's interesting to learn that Virgin were at least attempting to prolong the life of this single (and 'Forever') into Christmas.

 

In the lead up to the single and album release, only 'Holler' was being supported on radio. I wonder if it was intentional from the label's point of view for radio stations to focus on just that song? Or was it the case that radio only agreed to playlist 'Holler', but weren't receptive to 'Let Love Lead the Way'? Either way, 'Let Love Lead the Way' was not charting on radio at all. "Re-servicing for playlist consideration" suggests that Virgin had previously serviced it to radio, but it wasn't picked up on for some reason? And sadly this second attempt didn't work either, as we know that 'Let Love Lead the Way' never did enter the radio charts. I wonder why radio was against supporting that song?

 

I suppose if this promo CD was put out there during the whole Westlife vs. Spice Girls thing, was it the case that radio were completely turned off from supporting Spice Girls, due to it seeming like their popularity had dipped (which seems like such an overreaction considering they'd had a #1 single and #2 album).

 

It's a shame because some strong support for the song in late November and December surely could have been very helpful in preventing both Forever and H/LLLTW from falling down the charts like stones. In my opinion I can imagine that 'Let Love Lead the Way' would have sounded good on the radio during the Christmas period. A shame it didn't work out that way.

 

The interesting thing about the success of 'Holler' on radio is that despite initially doing well, it dropped out really quickly after how 'Forever' performed in the album charts:

 

Holler on Radio Airplay:

17/09/00: 32-21-14-15-11-13-04-02-07-26-23-40-x

 

I think it has been mentioned before that it's one of the quickest falls for a Top 3 peaking radio hit in radio history.

 

 

 

That's really interesting! Wonder why they were so against LLLTW? I can imagine it sounding lush in December and actually always wondered why they didn't save it for an intended Christmas release. If they paired it with a festive Christmas song they could have tried for another Xmas #1 (obviously we know they were not interested anymore, but surely in advanced plans there must have been some ideas for a longer promo strategy).

The all in a row middle of the album combo of Wasting My time > Weekend Love > Time Goes By is definitely the worst part of Forever. All are so un- Spice Girls.

 

Yes!

 

Waisting my time > Pain Proof

Weekend Love > A Day in Your Life

Time Goes By > Go Go Go

 

Actually here I go again:

 

Holler

Pain Proof

Let Love Lead

Right Back

Woman

A Day In Your Life

Go Go Go

Tell Me Why (more dark pop version)

If You Wanna Have

Goodbye

 

Now THAT would be a Spice Girls album !

That is a Spice Girls album, not the Dark Child pap!!

 

Bur they should have done a full on 1999 pop/ poppy rock album, followed by rnb/ pop in 2000.

 

Agreed - Hollier should have been stand-alone, with LLLTW/ a Christmas song the next single in December.

 

The album being one of the worst of all time and desperately flopping at #2 ended them, and it really made them look completely over and wounded, so everyonw, includonf radio, droppwd them. They shoulda released he album in Janusry, a quiet month, and gone that way.

And...there's this. Brace yourself. I'm going to defend the Weekend Love rap. Yes. The shock. The horror. Shower me with your rage. But. What can I say? I like it. I remember thinking the song was a little humdrum on first listen...until that rap came along and blindsided me. I loved it. It's a burst of energy...a jolt of a surprise...in an album that doesn't have a lot of surprises after the novelty of Darkchild producing the Spice Girls wears off after the first two tracks. It's like three of the girls are trying to get rid of this guy politely...but he's not getting it...so...they have to deploy Mel B to finish the job. I think it's in character. It's weird. It's funny. I could do without the two Darkchild references in a song that doesn't really need them. But. Darkchild's gonna Darkchild. Not much we can do about that.

 

:clap: :clap:

 

Yes.

 

YES!

 

Fully agree: Mel B's rap on Weekend Love is the ONE Spicy moment in that middle stretch of the album. And I love that it comes out of nowhere and slaps. Weekend Love is 8/10 for me.

 

I said.

 

What I said.