I think with after the love has gone I'm always waiting for it to take off in to a big stomper in the 2nd half.

 

I agree with this! It gets a bit ploddy.

Ya it does and its tge main reason I dobt rate the song as high as others.

 

 

Always interesting to see an uninterrupted video of their dance routines!

I really enjoy all the extra (small) clips/performances with each video they upload in HD! Curious to see wich song is next

 

Claire :lol:!

H’s response too 🤣🤣🤣

 

Claire :lol:!

 

I hope more of these are on the way!

Can’t believe nobody commented on how unbelievably hot Lee is on the front cover though I mean holy bicep! 💪

He was definitely at his hottest here (during their heyday anyway!)

Can’t believe nobody commented on how unbelievably hot Lee is on the front cover though I mean holy bicep! 💪

Someone's thirsty!

I hope more of these are on the way!

 

I think in the video there were a stack of CD's under Steptacular, so hopefully that means there's more.

We know there’ll be more because it says “Round 1” in the video’s title.

We know there’ll be more because it says “Round 1” in the video’s title.

 

Hahaha, how'd I miss that?

That’s nice!

 

Hopefully we’ll get some more HD videos as well anytime soon!

 

The next HD video :wub:

Really looking forward to this one!! :heart:

Here is my track by track review of Steps's second album Steptacular

01. Tragedy - 10/10
What a way to open the album with this bona-fide stone cold classic. Steps doing what they do best by bringing this Bee Gees classic to a modern audience & modernizing it with a fresh approach including the church bells opening bars, catchy pulsating beats & that iconic dance routine. This is quintessential Steps at their upmost peak.

02. After the Love Has Gone - 10/10
Stunning & often overlooked with rich vocals by Claire as it starts with a slow build up before dropping into up-tempo beats with a cool oriental twist. This was very mature sounding for the group at the time & a firm highlight on this amazing pop album.

03. Love’s Got a Hold on My Heart - 10/10
The lead single and a perfect transition from ‘Step One’ with polished production, solid rhythms, twinkling pianos and a fabulously catchy chorus that bounces with joy & perfectly captures that nostalgic summer feeling. Definitely one of Step’s finest singles in their discography.

04. Say You’ll Be Mine - 8/10
Perhaps one of the group’s most cheesiest poppy numbers, light, fluffy and yet full of charm. A catchy as hell uplifting bop that features vocals from all 5 members & just a nice little track all-round. Often overshadowed by its counterpart the Kylie cover ‘Better The Devil You Know’, but in my opinion this is the far better offering.

05. I Think It’s Love - 7/10
Claire’s solo number with this beautiful ballad that features her usual powerhouse vocals set against soothing melodies.

06. Make It Easy on Me - 7/10
Another nice offering which this time features Lisa on lead vocals on this cover of Sybil’s 1990 mid-tempo jam. This lacks the oomph of the original, with its softer yet plodding production.

07. Deeper Shade of Blue - 10/10
Thankfully we’re back on track with this flawless dancefloor classic with brooding synths, thumping club beats and dynamic production. This is perhaps Step’s most edgiest numbers to date and without a doubt one of their finest recordings. This is the standout moment of the album for sure.

08. Movin’ On - 8/10
Steps covering Bananarama again like they did with ‘Last Thing On My Mind’, however this doesn’t quite reach those levels, but the shimmering synths, polished production and Claire’s soaring vocals makes this a worthy effort.

09. Never Say Never Again - 9/10
One of my personal fave album tracks with its dramatic production and a wonderfully catchy chorus which shows the urgency of Faye & Claire’s strong vocals & of course some fantastic ab-libs which adds to the drama of this fantastic pop number.

10. When I Said Goodbye - 9/10
Without a doubt this is one of the group’s finest & most mature ballads to date with its simple yet elegant production, stunning arrangements and gorgeous vocal harmonies. After more than 20 years since its release it’s held up remarkably well and yes this was overshadowed by its more showier counterpart, but on its own the song is beautiful.

11. I Surrender - 9/10
Opening with Claire’s soft opening verse before the beat drops in a catchy mid-tempo number & then we get the breakdown complete with pulsating synths and disco synths. Yet another fabulous album track & one of the finest on here.

12. Since You Took Your Love Away - 8/10
Faye takes the lead on this gorgeous ballad & really shows how great of a vocalist she is, sounding confident yet sophisticated against the rich production.

13. My Best Friend’s Girl - 5/10
The most throwaway moment on here and one that I usually tend to skip with its very middle of the road production and H’s bouncy vocals. This should have stayed as a b-side & have replace it with ‘Just Like the First Time’ instead.

14. You’re Everything That Matters to Me - 6/10
A nice ending to the album with this lovely piano ballad with sublime vocals. But compared to everything else its very forgettable.


Avg.8.285

Please tell me what you guys think of this review & will review their other albums at some point.

Edited August 26, 20222 yr by Nina West

Always a pleasant surprise to see someone who is a big fan of both Love's Got a Hold on My Heart and After the Love Has Gone! Both, particularly the latter, get a hard time in the fan base. Can't say I would consider When I Said Goodbye close to being a 10 out of 10 moment though. Maybe it would be better if it was more of a group effort than an early H & Claire offering. Agreed that Just Like the First Time deserved a place in the main track list and would have been a standout moment!

Premieres at 3pm:

 

 

Click the video now to see 19 seconds of outtakes!

 

Not sure if any of you picked up on this but there was also unnused footage included in the Megamix video - check from 4:55 -

I have never quite understood how Just like the first time didn't make the track list. Was Mars and Venus from this era too as I think that is stronger than all the album tracks. I often wonder who makes decisions to include songs like My best friend's girl when they have more superior options.