Scream If You Wanna Go Faster

by

Geri Halliwell

Edit

Being in the Spice Girls was a good stepping stone for Geri Halliwell. Going solo was an even better career move. On Scream If You Wanna Go Faster, which betters her debut Schizophonic, she's lost none of that Ginger spirit despite losing that moniker. Geri is not merely enjoying herself on this album--she is simultaneously embracing life and seizing it for what it's worth. As she herself writes in the album sleeve, never lose the kid in you. That's something she'll always have, along with that essential Britishness about her.

What really struck me was the consistent 70's dance/soul sound permeating throughout. Yes, Geri was the retro girl and still is, and what's wrong with that? Nothing at all--it's all good!

The rocking title track, "Shake Your Booty Cutey," and "Don't Call Me Baby" are exemplify the 70's sound, with the latter reminding me of another 1990's song with a retro 70's sound, namely Vanessa Paradis' "Be My Baby" which was produced by Lenny Kravitz, so that's hardly surprising. The final song, "I Was Made That Way," is reminiscent of "Undercover Angel," "Native New Yorker," and other pop ballads of the late 70's. "Heaven And Hell (Being Geri Halliwell)" starts out with a brief accordian solo before launching into a fast-paced rocker with some distorted vocals, rapping rhymes, a snatch of ballad, a bit of circus music. It's her kitchen sink song.

Other songs worthy of mention: "Love Is The Only Light" is a top-notch ballad that belong with "Walkaway" and "Lift Me Up" from her previous album. "Strength Of A Woman" is the only track here that has an 80's sound, like a cross between Climie Fisher and Bananarama. And "Lovey Dovey Stuff" might as well have been an Ace Of Base reject that Geri improved with her sound.

Scream's jewel of the crown without a doubt is her cover of the Weather Girls' "It's Raining Men," which spent two weeks at the top spot on the UK charts. I've noticed her penchant for 60's and 70's covers, as was evidenced by "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" on Rugrats In Paris and Doris Day's "Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps" on American Sweethearts.

Geri has had a bumpy year so far. She got fined for speeding, had her home burgled, and to cap it all, was dissed by former bandmate Victoria Beckham, who said she'd like to see Geri drown! (And I thought Liam Gallagher was nasty!)

Well, this album should hopefully make up for all that bad stuff. Oh yes, and with this review being composed on 5 August, this is a birthday present, one day early. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GERI, and cheers!! You're my hero.

I don't own any of Geri's albums; a friend had it and I'm always on the lookout for good music and I was a Spice Girls fan, so I decided to give it a listen. Geri has a nasally voice, and I guess you have to like her to accept it. This is not an atrocious album, but it's not really good either. Check out her first one "Schizophrenic". It's much better. Two songs do I like are "I was made that way". And "Don't call me baby". It has a swinging 60's sound to it. But I swear that she sampled that from Vanessa Paradis' "Be my baby". They almost sound identical! Yet I think I like Geri's version better, even though I do like Vanessa's. But Geri's a different type of artist; she doesn't really fall into a category with the way her voice sounds, and the songs she puts out. It's like she's quirky, old school, and fun pop all in one. I think she has potential. her best asset is the songwriting. She seems to write on things other than the usual pop star fluff: I love a guy, I go to clubs with my friends, why isn't this guy calling?, e.t.c. Would she have been successful with her albums if she hadn't been in the Spice Girls previously? In my opinion, yes and no. She would defintely get some sales and some press, but not as much as whatever she has had.