Buzz

I still haven't decided which Steps studio album is the best. Back in time they always sounded better than the previous ones, even this, though a bit strange on the first listening. Probably still the most expensive record I've bought (150 FIM), this is one of my rarest possessions, in Finland, that is, since it's "Special UK Edition". Except for the two weak ballads and the horrible r'n'b attempt, it's a very strong album, probably their best, after all. [UPDATE 080319] Buzz is the best. The UFOMETER told me so.

#1 Better the Devil You Know 9

As I've already reviewed many of these tracks for Gold, maybe I'll just copy what I said there. "A distinctively less understandable cover, though good anyway."

#2 Stomp 8½

"The other #1 chart hit, though never one of my favourites, nowadays permanently connected to the dancing game. "

#3 Summer of Love 8½

"Another single in the vein of Stomp: not one I'd have chosen but apparently not a bad choice after all. My favourite is the accelerating washing machine sound just before each chorus."

#4 It's the Way You Make Me Feel 10

"My number two on the album, also in my all time top 5. A perfect, "kaihea" song in just the right chords, powerful arrangement, definitely one for dreaming." Except that on this album it's a clear number one. Listening to this always brings to my mind the funny romantic choreography I've devised for it.

#5 You'll Be Sorry 8½

Strange, emptyish dance track that has never quite opened up to me.

#6 Learn to Love Again [H] 6½

Steps doing r'n'b? Umbh. 'Nuff said. Probably the worst of their own tracks.

#7 Never Get Over You [Lisa] 9

Comparable to Never Say Never Again, Better Best Forgotten and Scooch's Stay, basic good stuff with weird chords. The church sounds are a nice touch.

#8 Hand on Your Heart [Claire] 8½

Would you have expected anything else from Claire than a powerful ballad so suitable for her own voice? I've actually come to quite like this. Maybe their third best ballad (after ItWYMMF and SYTYLA)?

#9 Happy Go Lucky 9

First in the chain of good latter half tracks (now that I think about it, numbers 7 and 8 could also be included, but for some reason these four (9-12) are bound together (maybe because they are not their own ones)). Someone pointed out this resembles Britney's Lucky quite a lot. I don't know, maybe somewhat. Hers is even better. But how did this get onto the Princess Diaries OST?

#10 Buzzz 9½

Like I mentioned somewhere (in Another You, Another Me, probably), this might be the only Steps track with a modulation, which is a shame. There's a lot of Ace of Base feel to this. The "kö kökö crazy" lines towards the end are simply hilarious.

#11 Here And Now 10

"The version on Buzz has one of the best D parts ever, unfortunately they changed its beat for this and the single version. With it this would be really close to a 10." Now then, here's the 10 I promised. Ah the wonderful part D...

#12 Paradise Lost 9

Kaihea midtempo track that I for some reason don't think of as a ballad. The ending is different.

#13 Turn Around [Lee] 9

Really simple but functional. After all, Lee named Deeper Shade of Blue as his favourite from Steptacular, because he's the "upbeat bloke". A review pointed out as a derogatory fact that this contains the line "Your love means everything to me". It sure does.

#14 Wouldn't Hurt So Bad 6

Oh no, now this connects straight to H & Claire's Let Me Carry You, it's just as bad, maybe a bit less annoying. Three sleepy elephants set out onto a trip in the woods...

#15 If You Believe [Faye] 6½

From which Disney cartoon is this? None? How come? Hey hey, this has a modulation! Well, that doesn't count because it's otherwise so boring.