Spice doesn't need to be original to be entertaining, nor do
the Spice Girls need to be good singers. It just has to be executed well, and the innocuous
dance-pop of
Spice is infectious. None of
the Girls have great voices, but they do exude personality and charisma, which is what drives bouncy
dance-pop like
"Wannabe," with its ridiculous "zig-a-zig-ahhh" hook, into pure
pop guilty pleasure. What is surprising is how the sultry
soul of
"Say You'll Be There" is more than just a guilty pleasure, and how
ballads like
"2 Become 1" are perfect
adult contemporary confections. The rest of the album isn't quite as catchy as those first three singles, but it is still irresistible, immaculately crafted
pop that gets by on the skills of the producer and the charisma of the five
Spices. Sure, the last half of the album is forgettable, but it sounds good while it's on, which is the key to a good
dance-pop record. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine