Disco de Geri Halliwell: “Passion”

Geri Halliwell's career has been nothing short of exciting. She sold over 35 million albums with the Spice Girls. Had 7 number one singles with the group. Four #1's on her own, and has written two biographies, had 2 Yoga dvd's, and has been a judge on a couple tv shows. This year, Geri is back with best album yet. It's her first release since 2001's "Scream If You Wanna Go Faster". But it seems this time, her album is not only going to be good, but better than her last two. "Schizophonic" was a great cd that showed she could make it on her own. The songs were safe, but showed her tiny, but strong range. That gave her 3 of her #1 singles. "Scream If You Wanna Go Faster" however, saw her branch out more with her music. She had lost a lot of weight and did a lot of yoga. This made her more active, but made an album that you could work out to. It was less successful as "Schizophonic", but still produced the biggest selling #1 single of hers "It's Raining Men"(featured on the soundtrack for "Bridget Jones's Diary"). It also sold 500,000 copies in the US, making it the biggest selling import of 2001 in the US. "Passion" is described as an album that goes through the extreme emotions of passion. Love, sex, fear, and excitement. Her first single "Ride It" was a very catchy dance song that reached #4 on the UK charts, and had a very campy video to go a long with it. It is a very catchy song that really is the new Geri. Her second single "Desire" is a very sensual song whose music video tells the story of an office girl who has a secret and desires her boss, whom she fanticizes about. Very cute video, and the song is very different for Geri, but is great. Other songs that are very good are "Love Never Loved Me" which is kind of a bittersweet song and about not finding the right person. It's a very catchy Kylie'esk song that I think is planning on being one of her singles. I find myself singing it from time to time when I don't have the album with me. "Let Me Love You More" really shiows how Geri voice has matured. She took singing lessons to try to help with her voice, and had some surgery on her throat which really improved the stength of her voice. This song is extremely pretty and just really.....nice. "Superstar" is a catchy dance number that isnt as good as her past singles "Bag It Up", but is a still the new version of that catchy fun type of song. One of the best songs though, is the last track on the album "So I gave up on love". This song is completely Geri. Just like in "Scream...", this is her funny track on the album, which is talks about her past relationships and how some got bitchy, and liked to wear her pink underwear. "So I gave up on love, I guess I've had enough, and I don't give a f***. What can I do?". It was a very jazzy vibe that she uses on the title track "Passion", which has a very beautiful intrumental sound in the background. On June 11th 2005, the ranking for this album on Amazon.com was 494. That struck me as funny and excited. Earlier this year Emma Bunton (Baby Spice) released her second album "Free Me" to the US, which is technically her debut if you are American. The album barely even reached the 800's on Amazon...and it was actually released to America. Geri's "Passion" is only an IMPORT. Hmm. Who's album is doing better? I think that it is shown that Geri has talent after all, and can still spice up everyone's life.

Geri's latest is a good buy for the hardcore fans and also new ones. This album spreads her range of pop songs from fun catchy tunes to more mature melodies. Although the album didn't pack the punch like her previous two did, sales wise, Geri is still holding strong as her talent is still blooming. Here's my take on the songs:

1. Passion- Cute, sexy little song that can only be sung in a dimly lighted jazz club while laying on a piano. Perfect for her husky vocals.

2. Desire- 2nd single; Different sound, but a good song, you might have to listen to it again to get used to it. It had to grow on me.

3. Love Never Loved Me- Same message as Cher's "Believe"; sad song, but it's a dance song. It's catchy and rumored to be the 3rd single, though it should have been the 2nd. Very "cruisable" kind of music. Definitely one of my favorites.

4. Feel the Fear- Ok song. Reminded me of "Calling" from 'Scream If You Wanna Go Faster."

5. Superstar- Not her best. In my opinion, this should have been left off the album. Bad lyrics and not very catchy.

6. Surrender Your Groove- It took a couple of listens to be able to "get" the song, and by that I mean sing along and enjoy it. The title makes it sound like a club song, but that.. it isn't. But still a good song.

7. Ride It- 1st single. GREAT song. Perfect for Geri's personality. Lyrics are great & the video is hilarious, done in good ol' Geri style.

8. There's Always Tomorrow- Beautiful song. I'm not sure what genre it would be, I'm guessing slow samba. Slow & perfect for summer; laying on the beach or cruisin'.

9. Let Me Love You More- Another beautiful ballad. REALLY shows of Geri's vocal talent. Producing and lyrics were perfect.

10. Don't Get Any Better- Another that could've been left off the album. Tongue in cheek lyrics. Although this song is the best on the album for REALLY showing off Geri's vocal talent.

11. Loving Me Back To Life- Very good ballad. Kinda sad though, but it's great. 3rd best ballad on the album.

12. So I Give Up On Love- One of the best songs Geri has ever done. Really funny and well sung. Good closer for the album.

All in all, Geri's Passion was good. Not her best though. Take a listen in the sample section, and test for yourself. But I still think that non-Geri fans will like it. It's definitely worth the buy.

I have believed and I will continue to believe, that Geri's separation from the rest of the Spice Girls has actually done remarkably a lot for her ongoing solo career. As a pop artist she is strikingly kinky (lol) and sincere; she writes most of her music and manages to deliver it with sassiness and confidence....(something some American pop artists are not good at doing....[not to mention any names]...) Her latest recording, "Passion", seems to have capitalized on all these attributes; it is both smart, sexy, kinky, silly, sentimental and confident. Most of all though - it lives up to its name, yes indeed it is quite PaSsIoNaTe!! Forget about the redundancy of your everyday pop acts, whether European or American, and freely, fearlessly embrace this clever and sexy album..... Conclusion: 4 stars - prepare to be seduced.....give "Passion" a chance...

1) Passion - a cute intro (5/5)

2) Desire - kinky'n'fun (5/5); love the beats!

3) Love Never Loved Me - sad but danceable; (5/5)

4) Feel the Fear - inspirational (4/5)

5) Superstar - nice beat (4/5)

6) Surrender Your Groove - mediocre (3/5)

7) Ride It - absolute fun; will leave you spinnin' (5/5)

8) There's Always Tomorrow - mediocre (3/5)

9) Let Me Love You More - sentimental/warm (4/5)

10) Don't Get Any Better - fun track (4/5)

11) Loving Me Back to Life - mediocre (3/5)

12) So I Give Up on Love - fun ending (4/5)

Being a huge fan of the Spice Girls when they first came out and then following each of them as they break out into their own solo careers has certainly increased my cd collection, and I have always enjoyed Geri's music after going solo. This album though unfortunately doesn't quite showcase Geri at her absolute best.

There are of course the usual stand-out dance tracks like "Ride It" which was hugely popular and alo was included on the "Queer as Folk Season 5 Soundtrack" and the surprisingly catchy "Desire" which didn't get as much air-play here in Australia as it deserved. The other stand out track from the album is "Let Me Love You More" a fantastic ballad with a fantastic chorus.

Unfortunately the rest of the album seems to be contain "filler" songs that one would be happier to hit the skip button to instead of listening to which is a shame because Geri's solo projects have always been much better.

Still she looks fabulous and she will only keep getting better ad better.

Not a bad cd at all. It isn't her best but like the other reviews say, there are some real good catchy dance songs. Desire, Ride It, and Love Never Loved Me are my 3 favorites. I recommend buying the cd, esspecially if you are a Spice Girl fan. Good job again Geri!