Spice Girls - Spiceworld
(Virgin)

As prolific as Bowie in his ‘70s prime, the heroines of soft-core feminism present round two just months after conquering the world with one of the finest radio singles of the ‘90s. Though not matching the brilliance of the seminal "Wannabe," Spiceworld is no sophomore slump. Beyond the Latin-flavored beat of the lead single, there’s cheap ‘90s Motowny bubblegum ("Stop"), the ‘30s-ish show tune "The Lady Is A Vamp," and, in typical Spice Girls kitchen-sink fashion, the bold "Never Give Up On The Good Times," which fuses funky organ, strings on loan from "Ain’t No Stopping Us Now," and a melody from "Break My Stride."

Whew. Anyway, no. No, it’s not a lost pop gem. It’s a corporate creation sold predominantly on its looks and accessibility. Still, Spice Girls are the class of the genre not just today, but perhaps even in a historical context. 1997 has been the best year for stupid, mindless, good radio pop since the mid-’70s, and who better than Emma, Victoria, Melanie, Geri, and Melanie to bookend it? You go, girls.

YEAH YEAH YEAH, 1997