Spice up your CD collection...! (Greatest Hits - Spice Girls)

Member Name: AmyAmy

Product:	Greatest Hits - Spice Girls
Date:	07/01/08 (100 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good mix, some positive memories, attractive, motivating!

Disadvantages: not much new material

I don't tend to buy CD albums which consist of tracks from just one artist. Now I think about it, I can't remember the last time I bought a compilation album either (I really need to sort out my CD collection!). My Dad has asked me if there were any CDs I would like for Christmas, but I answered him with a straight forward 'no'. Although, this was a bit of a fib. I didn't want to ask for anything that Christmas, everything was to be a surprise! Deep down though, I was hoping for one album. This was a special album, consisting of both old and new tracks, a CD full of memories good and bad. If I wanted any album that year, it was to be the all-new Spice Girls Greatest Hits album!


===Announcing Their Return===
I heard about the reunion of the Spice Girls long before they made the official announcement; somebody I know receives email updates about rumours in the music and film industry, and it was he who informed me of this unbelievable rumour. Of course, I did not think this was ever to happen! In fact, I think I forced myself to disbelieve it, just to avoid disappointment! You see, when I was younger, I was _the_ biggest Spice Girls fan, no denying it! I'd dance and sing to their songs in the playground at school, I collected all their merchandise I could get my hands on, and I even had my bedroom painted red, white and blue to match their Union Jack Tour Bus (it looked bloomin' awful, now I look back on it!). I felt like the luckiest kid alive when I even had a swing put up in my bedroom, just like Baby Spice had on the tour bus! Those Girls meant the world to me when I was growing up; their music and attitudes were a real inspiration to me! When they finally split in 2000, I was heartbroken. Something I can guarantee; Pop will never be the same!

If the Spice Girls were to return, I was for sure going to be taking several unwanted trips down memory lane, unlocking times in my past I would rather forget. In one sense, I would be delighted if the Spice Girls came back, and I was thrilled when it was announced officially, but at the same time, it somewhat scared me.



===Charity Comeback===
Personally, I was a bit nervous for the Girls that they were not going to be welcomed back into the music industry as well as they hoped. I think it helped them quite a bit that they released the Children In Need Charity single. 'Headlines (friendship never ends)' reached number 11 in the UK Charts at its peak, helping to raise more money for Pudsey and his appeal.

I think, perhaps if this were just an ordinary single, it would not have done so well. In my opinion, it's a good song, but not powerful enough on its own to hold their comeback.



===Receiving The Album===
Although I knew they were returning for quite some time, I was unaware of just how long the thoughts had been on the table, and that they had been working on a few pieces for quite some time! I was incredibly shocked when they released an album almost instantly after the announcement of their World Tour, they could not possibly have come up with so many new songs in such a short space of time?! Well, no, they didn't. When I found out that it was mainly a collection of their older hits, with the exception of one or two tracks, I was somewhat bemused by my reaction! I was pleased that all my favourite childhood tracks were being brought together onto one hit album, but I would have liked to listen to some new material too! Despite this, I still desired the CD, and wished with all my might that my Dad would pay attention to the odd hints I was dropping on the days leading up to the festive period!

When it came to opening my Christmas presents (an event which was much delayed because of a hospital admission), I fumbled in the bag and plucked out a square gift. This was a shape I recognised straight away - there was no doubting that it was a CD! Unfortunately, I could not tell which it was just by having a quick feel through the wrapping paper!

I tore at the huge amounts of sellotape my Dad always seems to apply to the wrapping, struggling to unveil the musical wonders hidden inside. After a lot of work and effort, I finally had the CD sitting snugly in my clutch, my eyes gleaming as I fixed them on the cover. Yes! The sneaky hints had worked, and I was now the proud new owner of the Spice Girls Greatest Hits album!



===The Album Itself===
What was it that first appealed to me about the album? You'd expect it to be the music, wouldn't you? In actual fact, it was the cover! I thought it was so attractive and eye-catching, it drew my attention straight away, luring me towards it for closer inspection.
The main background is nothing more than a simple white colour; very modern and demanding! Centred are the words 'Spice', in block lettering. The colours are these five letters are most certainly not dull or simple! No, they are glittery, and displayed in five fabulous colours; gold, ruby, silver, plum and emerald. It looked fantastic against the white background, and allowed them to stand out and shimmer all the more! Underneath, the words '-Girls, Greatest Hits' can be read, outlined in silver. There's something really special about how the colours seem to connect, each of the five letters in SPICE reflecting each Girl's personality!

I think that it's important the album looked appealing, it was rather important that it stood out on the shelves amongst the rest! Fortunately, it does just that! There is nothing exciting I can say about the actual casing; it's made from normal plastic, like any other! Though, I noticed quite a few scratches on my case when I opened it - the shops really do need to take more care with their stock!


***
I browsed over the track listing, before giving the disk a quick wipe and popping it into my CD player. It seemed to have a good selection on it! As the music began to play, all the memories came flooding back. I wanted to well up and cry, but I kept it together and stayed strong! So much magic...

1) Wannabe;
This song was first released in 1996, going to number one in the UK charts. I can't say I'm surprised either, it really is a wonderful song! It has a nice beat to it, and the lyrics are simple and catchy. It's all about friendship, a subject that would appeal to the younger generation - perhaps that's why it was such a success when it was first released!

2) Say You'll Be There;
Again, this one was released in 1996, and successfully went all the way to number one as well! Two great hits for the Spice Girls - things were looking great! I'm not keen on this song any more, although it used to be one of my favourites when I was younger. I'm not keen on the music itself.

3) 2 Become 1;
Unlike their previous material, this was the first ballad song for the Spice Girls, a new direction if you will. Nevertheless, it managed to go all the way to number 1 after it was released close to Christmas of 1996. I quite enjoy this one, even now. It's so soft and gentle, a good one to sing too!

4) Mama;
Oh, don't get me started! I really don't like this track! I think it's because I found the performance the Girls did with chairs on one of their concert videos very disturbing for me being such a young age, and it's far too slow as well! Not everybody thought this though, as it managed to get to number 1, selling over 600 000 copies!

5) Who Do You Think You Are;
"Swing it, shake it, move it, make it..." The lyrics from this never get old! I love this song! It's a great tune and a marvellous dance track! This was also the official Comic Relief song of 1997. This also made it to number 1 - no surprises there!

6) Move Over;
I don't remember this song from my childhood for some reason, despite it charting in 1997. After a bit of research into it, I discovered it has connections with Pepsi...I still can't recall hearing it before! It's a good enough track, but not the best!

7) Spice Up Your Life;
This definitely is a wild tune, guaranteed to put that spice back into your life (cheesy, I know!). I loved this one as a child, and I still do! There are no surprises when I say it reached number 1 in 1997!

8) Too Much;
I used to like this one, especially from the Spice World Movie, but as I listen to it more on this CD, I start to detach myself from it - there's something about the feel it gives off, a sort of negative vibe. Or maybe it's just me. Again, another hit from the Spice Girls.

9) Stop;
Ah, this song is splendid! This was always my absolute favourite - it was the one we would sing and dance to in the playground at school! Even now, it is still one of my most preferred tracks! I am shocked that it only reached number 2 in the UK charts!

10) Viva Forever;
Oh, goodness! I cried...and cried...and cried at this one! It's all about Geri leaving the band, and the video is so emotional in its cartoon form. I was so upset when I heard she was leaving! This song is far too slow and depressing for my liking, but it still managed to reach number 1!

11) Let Love Lead The Way;
This was the girls' first single where Geri's vocal were added in. The four remaining had a complete change, in their personalities and their looks; they were breaking away from kids' music and started to hit more serious material. Being young, I was not keen on the new transformation, but I think if it were now, I'd like them much more! I certainly prefer this track now, compared to when it was released in 2000. It crept its way to number 1 then too!

12) Holler;
This was the final song released by the Spice Girls before their official split, so it holds quite a bit of sentimental value to it. It was released in October of 2003, and made it all the way to number 1. I'm still not too fond of this one either, it's too slow in progressing!

13) Headlines (friendship never ends);
So, the Charity single brought a rather successful comeback for the Girls; things seemed to go well there! When I first heard this, I wasn't too fond of it, but now I think it is almost as good as their old material! They fit right in to this century's music, but still have some of their own style in there too!

14) Voodoo;
This is another new track from the Spice Girls. Unlike Headlines, I feel it's not the right kind of song for them to release, it doesn't seem to promote the fun-loving girl group I once knew them as. Needless to say, I dislike this track!

15) Goodbye;
I cry at this song every time I hear it. It was the Girls' first official song without Geri, and as the title suggests, they are singing goodbye to a much loved member of the band who would be missed greatly. Very emotional ballad.



All together, I think the tracks give a good mix to the album, so there is bound to be a song there you are in the mood for listening to, no matter how you are feeling!



**Inside the CD case, you will also find a little book, the ones that come with most albums! As well as a collection of pictures from the Spice Girls' early days, leading right through to their current image, the song words for all fifteen tracks have been provided, so you can sing along until your heart's content!



===The Girls===
One great thing about the Spice Girls was they each had their own identity; a unique personality! This made it easier for young girls to idolise them and select their favourites!

*_Emma Bunton - Baby Spice_
After making it into the band, Emma was nicknamed Baby Spice. She was the bubbly, blonde member who was known for sucking innocently on lollipops, and cuddling up to teddy bears. One the band split, Emma soon lost this characteristics, and became much more of a 'sex idol', her music appealing to the older generation too. With songs like Free Me and What Took You So Long, Emma managed to keep herself in the charts!
Emma also took part in Strictly Come Dancing 2006, and released the charity CD for Children In Need, 'Downtown'. In August of 2007, Emma and her boyfriend also welcomed the arrival of her first-born child, Beau. Back with the Spice Girls, it is clear Emma has grown up a lot, but for some reason the Baby personality is still there, just surfacing away!

*_Geri Halliwell - Ginger Spice_
The origin of Geri's nickname was very clear! You just had to look at her shockingly orange hair to work it out! She was also famous for her Union Jack dress, which she wore on many tours! When she decided to depart the band in 1998, it is needless to say that a lot of people were shocked and upset! Fortunately though, she did not retire from the music industry all together, and went on to releasing hit after hit with her new image and dyed hair, including It's Raining Men, Mi Chico Latino, and Ride It. Geri is also well-known for her yoga, through which she lost quite a lot of weight.
In May of 2006, Geri gave birth to her little girl, Bluebell Madonna. Now back with the Spice Girls, Geri has adopted a somewhat calmer shade of Ginger hair, holding out her Spice personality!

*_Mel Brown - Scary Spice_
With her crazy curly hair and loud personality, Mel B was known as Scary Spice. She was known for dressing in combats and showing off her tongue piercing. After leaving the band though, she continued to sing for a short period, and released one of my favourite songs, Lullaby - a song dedicated to her child, Phoenix Chi (whom she had during the Spice Girls). She also has a second child named Angel Iris.
Now reunited with the band, Mel has a new image approach. Her hair is straight, and she has certainly matured!

*_Mel Chisholm - Sporty Spice_
The biggest tomboy of the band, Mel C was almost always dressed in tracksuits and sports gear, with her glossy dark hair tied high in a ponytail. When the Spice Girls fell to four, she cut her hair short and dyed it light - a new image for Mel. Personally, I didn't like this at all! After the split, she went on to releasing a few solo singles, including a duet with Bryan Adams, and several albums.
After a busy 2007, Mel returned with the Spice Girls, resorting slightly back to her old style. She's kept away the tracksuits, but still manages to keep some of that more sport-loving personality!

*_Victoria Beckham - Posh Spice_
Known as Victoria Adams, she was nicknamed Posh Spice during the time of the Spice Girls, and this certainly showed in her nature! She was famous for her 'little black Gucci dress', and black bob. Since leaving the band, she released a few solo singles, and has even designed her own fashion line!
Developing the 'Posh Pout', Victoria married footballer David Beckham (a couple famously known as Posh and Becks), and together they have had three sons. Taking a break from her WAG lifestyle, Victoria reunited with the Spice Girls, but did not turn back to the Gucci dress! She has kept her current image, but fortunately it fits in well with the band!


Every little girl had a favourite Spice Girl! Mine was, without a doubt, Baby Spice! She was magnificent! :P


===Price===
Obviously, I do not know how much exactly my copy cost, and I doubt my Dad would tell me if I asked, so after doing a quick browse on the net, I have located a few stores with a range of prices for this album;

Asda - £8.93
HMV - £8.99
WHSmith - £10.99
Zavvi - £11.00

Cheapest at Asda, but HMV do free delivery if you can't get out to buy it!
That's not a bad price at all for an album, especially a Spice Girls Greatest Hits!





===Would I Recommend?===
This CD is a fantastic one to have in your collection if you were a Spice Girls fan! It brings back great memories (and some not-so-great), and makes you feel quite energetic and wanting to dance! I would definitely recommend this!
Though, if the memories are not there and you do not remember the Spice Girls, then I don't think this would be a very good one to own, as the music does not really slot in with this generation!

This is also available with a black cover, and has a bonus DVD feature included on it! I would have preferred that one to be honest, but a) this was a gift, and b) I've only ever seen the second edition once - I'm assuming fewer copies were made!





*****
Despite not normally purchasing albums, this is definitely a treasured item in my collection now; a CD which is not only full of marvellous material which captures attention with its glamorous cover, but it also holds a childhood of memories for me. The Greatest Hits are brought together by Virgin Records to celebrate the success of girl band Spice Girls, and I hope they are here to stay!


©Amy 2008

*You can find out more about the Spice Girls if you visit their official website www.thespicegirls.com

Summary: The Spice Girls made their comeback all the more successful with this superb album release!