June 24, 2005
PASSION
Geri spices it up
By ANDREW CARVER -- Ottawa Sun


Geri Halliwell
PASSION
(EMI)

Geri Halliwell was always touted as the Spice Girl most likely to have a successful solo career, thanks to her capable singing voice.

After a slight sophomore slump, her third album more than justifies any long-ago hype with a slew of catchy dance pop and a few intriguing curve balls.

The title track is a jazzy number recorded with an honest-to-goodness string section, but don't think the Artist Formerly known as Ginger Spice has turned into a torch singer.

As soon as the CD hits Desire it's straight into catchy dance-pop, cunningly fortified by a live drummer. Love Never Loved Me nicks a few tricks from Depeche Mode.

A later flirtation with Tropicalia, There's Always Tomorrow has a pleasantly breezy feel, and the album concludes with a brassy tune So I Give Up On Love.


The lyrics to songs like Feel the Fear and Superstar sometimes fall flat, but the music keeps things moving along.

Track Listing:

1. Passion
2. Desire
3. Love Never Loved Me
4. Feel The Fear
5. Superstar
6. Surrender Your Groove
7. Ride It
8. There's Always Tomorrow
9. Let Me Love You More
10. Don't Get Any Better
11. Loving Me Back To Life
12. So I Give Up On Love