Spice, for me when listening to it now sounds quite edgy for a female pop group. There's obvious pop songs like 'Wannabe', 'Mama' and 'Who Do You Think You Are' there but others like 'Naked', 'If U Can't Dance' and 'Last Time Lover' which were quite mature sounding, not only in lyrical content but production too. Not the usual fluffy pop that every 6 year old listened to at the time. They were sort of a template for what the Sugababes would do later on. Has the album dated? Probably. But then I think the whole attitude of the group back then during a 'Ladette' culture is dated now too.
'Spiceworld' is primarily pop at its best. But it's quite diverse for a pop record. There's an old skool feeling on 'Never Give Up On The Good Times', 'Stop' and 'The Lady Is A Vamp' and again, a little edginess with 'Denying'. But 'Spice Up Your Life' brilliantly captures just how big the group was at the time - a massive fun, colourful party. Just a shame about the video - all dark and going totally against what the song was about!
'Forever' - it's already been said here before - it wasn't a sound they could pull off credibly. Destiny's Child and TLC were doing it with ease. It was clear that Melanie C was just not feeling it when you listen to her on it. Even Mel B didn't seem that convinced. I actually think Emma and Victoria really shone on that album. Victoria sounded more confident and Emma's voice seemed to match the style. I remember reading a quote from one of the producers - Rodney Jerkins/Darkchild who said they all thought Emma was the biggest surprise for them and how great she was.
As for solo records, Melanie C's 'Northern Star' is still by far the best of them. When you list all the genres that are there - rock, soft-rock, a bit of indie, dance, even a bit of motown - it just sounds like a mess with lack of flow, but somehow it works. Emma's 'Free Me' era was her best period. But continuing the 60s revival trend on 'Life in Mono' was a mistake - considering people like Amy Winehouse were doing the old skool revival thing so much better at the same time. Amy doing 'Rehab' and then there's Emma doing a cover of 'Downtown'? No comparison is there?