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You’re a DJ
I’m a song
Take me out
And turn me on
Let yourself go
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Not that I’ve tried, but I would find it very difficult to hate Geri Halliwell. I know that she was a very controversial pop star after she abruptly removed herself from the Spice Girls in a seemingly bitter fashion, but even though my childhood heart was broken in so many ways, I was digging her solo work. But as my music tastes developed, the Spice Girls fell into a toy box and weren’t heard from for years. That was until I was driving around with my cousin, who seemed to keep tabs on our girls from a safe distance. And in that moment, I heard Geri’s latest dance track, Ride It, from her third LP Desire. While some of her work is quite spotty at times, this late-night song is absolute perfection. Beginning with distorted accordions and record hiss, it swirls into a mess of classic sounds that could make Kylie Minogue jealous.

The sound on this release is very European-discotheque, but it’s still warmer than Madonna’s Confessions on a Dance Floor. Geri’s vocals seem to be an acquired taste, but I think she was 70% of the Spice Girls’ personality and fire. Her energy is splattered all over this catchy pop song, which really should have done better on the charts. I mean, I would never expect this track to do even slightly well in the States, but I was surprised at how long it took me to get my hands on it. Geri has a scratchy warmth to her voice that makes her both a sex-kitten and your best friend. What I like most about this particular song is that it’s definitely a dance song, but it’s not that generic gay-disco crap you hear from Rich Morel; this is not the theme song from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. Even though Geri’s music career is on hold while she basks in the success of her children’s book series, I feel she has the talent and personality to create some great pop music for years to come. I look forward to her return to the scene.

Total words: 350

VERDICT
01.   Ride It [5 Stars]
 
SCORE: 5 STARS

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SPICE GIRLS
1996 - Spice
1997 - Spiceworld

GERI HALLIWELL (Ginger Spice)
2005 – Ride It [Single]

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For the Lean & Mean Write-Off: HERE

Recommended: Yes