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.com With their second U.S. release (Step One actually pulled songs from the first two English albums), Steps have confirmed that they may very well be the best bubblegum band on the planet. Unlike most American acts aiming at the teen market, the British quintet doesn't look to contemporary R&B for inspiration. Instead, it proudly goes back to the heydays of late '70s and early '80s pop. The shadow of Abba looms large, and, unsurprisingly, Steps have charted U.K. hits with covers of songs by Bananarama ("Last Thing on My Mind"), Kylie Minogue ("Better the Devil You Know"), and the Bee Gees ("Tragedy"). The new album continues in the same vein, even if this time around Steps dip their toes in aerobicized funk--"Stomp," which blatantly quotes Chic's "Everybody Dance," is subtitled "a tribute to Bernard Edwards/Nile Rodgers." Despite a surfeit of ballads dragging things down toward the end, the album mostly zips along with feisty energy. If an unabashedly commercial English import deserves to make it in America, it's Steps. --Elisabeth Vincentelli
K**E
loved it
i love this group when i was younge i got really into their first cd an i couldnt wait to hear this one they are just the best group ever i wish they would make another cd
D**W
"Step Two" is another giant step for Steps
One genre of music I grew up with is British bubblegum pop. Performers like Rick Astley, Bananarama, Mel and Kim, and Samantha Fox, which were the product of the Stock-Aitken-Waterman machine. The influence of that 1980's bubblegum sound seeped through effectively on their debut Step One. Indeed, the last track was a cover of Kylie Minogue's "Better The Devil You Know" from Rhythm Of Love. So, what about Buzz, their sophomore effort? What is doubtless about Buzz is that it is not a carbon copy of their triumphant debut. Let me say right off the bat that Steps' music works when they are borrowing from influential disco from the 1970's and 1980's. There's nothing wrong with that--they play it safe. For example, "Happy Go Lucky" is an interesting track with two distinctive rhythms. The verses are reminiscent of Ace Of Base's pop/dub reggae, which then bursts into a bouncy Kylie Minogue-style chorus that would set the toughest platform shoes ablaze. "Summer Of Love" recalls Saint Etienne's "Pale Movie" in some parts as well as ABBA-ish synthesizers and synchronized harmonizing in the bouncy parts. The standout cut is "Stomp," a vivacious old school disco number which is a tribute to Chic, or more specifically, to Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards of that group. "Never Get Over You" is a track that might have been at home on their earlier effort. "Mars & Venus (We Fall In Love Again)" is a nice ballad that allows would-be partiers at Studio 54 a break inbetween "Happy Go Lucky" and "Stomp." "Wouldn't Hurt So Bad" and "Learn To Love Again" are filler in comparison, but the closing track, "Hand On Your Heart" (no, not the Kylie Minogue song from Enjoy Yourself) is a noteworthy ballad that I can easily envision being done by Debbie Gibson or Jessica Simpson. However, tracks like "It's The Way You Make Me Feel" and "Here And Now" have a sound that would work just as well for Britney Spears. (Note: nothing personal was intended against Ms. Spears in any sort of way.) Bottom line: Buzz is a worthy followup to Step One, and will cement Steps' future in British pop while the genre lasts.
J**E
buzz, not zzzzzzzzzz.....
FINALLY.....! my God, i'v waited for soooooooo long to get this album, i still remember that this album was released in UK in October 2000, but here, i can only get it in march 2001! what a nightmare! anyway, i got it and i enjoy it!"it's the way u make me feel" is on the top of my list from this album, it's the way the song make u feel....so good! "summer of love" is really very "summer" it just invite u to dance to the beat, for a summer party, play this!generally, this album does give each and everyone of the stepsters to show their talent, no matter it's vocally or in words and rhythms. this album has compiled almost 80% of their hand written rhythms and lyrics and some of them r really standard! at least this is a start for them that will give them a better future and get to share their feelings rather than just delivering the songs!lisa's "u'll be sorry" is another catchy one, she is pretty and she has a sweet voice, this song is just made for her!claire, the main vocalist of the steps, does not really that obvious in this album as all of the members r given a chance for a solo track, at least!"here and now", the third single made it clear that it deserved to be a single release!"better the devil u know", this song has been heard since steps' first concert tour and finally its recorded in an album, it's really good tune for halloween and may be u might want it for X'mas, too! haha!obviously, when i got this album, compared to the UK release version, we hav a few bonus tracks, i really prefered the UK's cover which is nice, it so pitty that we don't get alot of the singles releases over here, may be in the future, the album shall includes some ofthe remixes of singles?
M**K
Buzz
It doesn't take a genius to see right through Steps' manufactured pop machine, but all things considered their line of synchronised and upbeat tunes are among the finest in mainstream pop this century. Their first two albums, while both charming, followed an all-too similar formula (as to be expected), so being the third album, "Buzz" sees the group stretching their legs in some new territory. Of course, it's nothing completely off the mark- they're not about to bust out any stripped-down acoustic set or sexed-up attempt at hip-hop. Rather, "Buzz" is their progression into tighter production and stronger songwriting, the moment where they're hitting their stride. Starting with the opening No.1 hit "Stomp", the album covers ground on disco, '80s pop, and dance music trends while remaining faithful to catchy choruses and melodies. The fact that Steps, a by-the-books pop act, is choosing a different route from their pop peers by avoiding R&B influences and ripping pages right out of the ABBA playbook in their journey to maturation makes them interesting enough. A handful of ballads do dampen the mood somewhat, but the upbeat numbers are all maddeningly catchy, so slickly delivered that they're impossible to resist. Songs like "Buzz" and "Happy Go Lucky" sound like throwbacks to Swedish popsters Ace of Base's Euro-reggae sound, while "Never Get Over You" and "You'll Be Sorry" are stabs at late-night club music. It's nothing you haven't heard before, but "Buzz" is a reminder of just how good pop can be when a bit of fun is thrown into the mix and not just attempted sex appeal.
E**E
Superb as always
Steps' songs are the thing we need while in lockdown. The harmonies are great and the songs are happy. We need these minutes just to be away from all the bad news and sadness that's around us this year (2020).
L**L
Not very good
It does not play it skips
H**O
I love Steps!
Upgrading my cassette album version to CD. Love this album (probably my favourite out of their catalogue). Purchased from marketplace, good condition.
G**L
brill album enjoyed listening to it after a long time
Used to have this album years ago but was feeling nostalgic one day so decided to buy it on CD. brill album enjoyed listening to it after a long time. Well done Amazon!!
L**N
... for my dad he loves them and is a happy man
it was for my dad he loves them and is a happy man
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