Party Pop Music. (Gold: Greatest Hits - Steps)

Member Name: daseaford

Product:	Gold: Greatest Hits - Steps
Date:	06/01/02 (83 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good pop music.

Disadvantages: None.

I suppose that now because Steps have broken up their music will slowly disappear from the radio and television, but I think it will be as popular as ever at family parties, wedding receptions and anywhere else where a group of mixed aged people want to dance to easy to listen to pop music.

This album has a collection of many of their popular dance music tunes, plus some of their slower, romantic numbers. I am sure it will be played for many years to come. The music on this album does not pretend to have any deep meanings, or is not trying to convey any message, or change the world, it is just good pop music.

Of course most teenagers will tell you they dislike Steps music, but will happily sing along, when they think nobody else is around.

On this album there are 20 tracks, over an hour and a quarter of music. A lot of the tracks are covers of songs previously released by other artists, but given the Steps special treatment.

Tragedy.
One of Steps most famous songs and a great way to start this album. This originally was a big hit for the Bee Gees, but they never had the dance routines that Steps perfected with this track. Almost everybody who hears this track puts their hands up either side of their head, as so many people do when this track is played. A great lively way to start off the album.

One For Sorrow.
Steps are often mistaken for Abba as the sound of some of their songs is so similar. This is so true with this track which definitely has that Swedish sound to it. A catchy little number.

Stomp.
An excellent track for encouraging people to get up and dance. The words are about how the weekend is the time to start enjoying yourself and to party all night. A good dance track.

Better Best Forgotten.
Another jolly track that encourages everybody to leave their troubles behind and to live for the future. “Take your chance on a happy ending”, a great sentiment.

Love&#
8217;s Got A Hold On My Heart.
This track is OK, but not one of my favourites, a bit too repetitive. (Did I really say that about a Steps song?)

Deeper Shade Of Blue.
This is a slightly slower track that is very pleasant and relaxing.

Last Thing On My Mind.
This is definitely one of the classic Steps dance tunes. One of the facts that has made this group so popular was the easy to copy dance routines that they developed for most of their records and this must have been one of the most famous.

Better The Devil You Know.
Another popular sing along track.

Summer Of Love.
There is Latino feel to this track as they sing of Fiestas and dancing on hot Summer nights.

5,6,7,8.
From the first couple of notes you know this is definitely a classic Steps tune. This song must have been one of the most popular numbers at every Line Dancing club and holiday camp over the past couple of years. Lines of people all over the country have been parading around to this tune. The country feel to this song is just addictive and it is almost impossible to listen to it without feeling that you want to tap your feet or get up and dance.

Chain Reaction.
This was a great hit for Diane Ross and the Bee Gees and now with the Steps touch it is a hit all over again. Although this is one of my favourite tracks on the album I still prefer the Diane Ross version which I have on a 45rpm vinyl single. However Steps put so much energy and vibrancy into this track that it is very good to listen to.

Baby Don’t Dance.
I must have missed this hit, because I do not ever remember hearing this track apart from on this album. It is also not one of my favourites and perhaps it was just a minor hit because it is not as good as a lot of the other Steps tunes.

It’s The Way You Make Me Feel.
This is one of the slower tracks on this album and is a song about love and the feelings that love provokes. <
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After The Love Has Gone.
This is another very “Abba” sounding track and is again a slow song. This is the longest track on the album at just over four and a half minutes.

Here And Now.
There is a bit of a different sound to this track and it is not such a typical Steps song. I do like this track, it seems to have a bit more depth to the sound than a lot of the other tracks.

Say You’ll Be Mine.
This is another track that I had not heard before buying this album. This is a jolly, little song that is quite pleasant.

Only In My Dreams.
The album slows down for the last four tracks starting with this track, which is quite relaxing to listen to.

Words Are Not Enough.
This is smooth sounding track that is quite good for a slow dance, or just to chill out to. It is sung with a lot of feeling and passion.

When I Said Goodbye.
This is one of the few tracks that has a lot of orchestral sounds accompanying it and this fuller production makes this one of most powerful tracks on the album.

Heartbeat.
This slow love song finishes off the album nicely. Of the slower Steps numbers, this is definitely my favourite.

Altogether this is a great album for pop music. I know that every time we have a bit of a party or a barbecue at home then this album will definitely be played.

My favourite tracks are Last Thing On My Mind, Tragedy, 5,6,7,8 and Chain Reaction. These are all fast, dance tunes. When I am in a quieter mood then it is the tracks at the end of the album that I prefer to listen to, but mostly it is the dance tracks that I prefer. There are only a few tracks that I am not over keen on, but there are none that I dislike.

I know I may be a bit old for all this pop music stuff, but Steps does seem to appeal to people under the age of 10 or over 40, and I just sneak into the second category, although when I listen to Steps my children believe I am ba
ck in my childhood.

This is an album of good, uncomplicated, innocent, pop music that anybody can enjoy and have a bit of a dance to. Well worth every penny.

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