Forever Free - Saxon

Advantages: Saxon Still Going
Disadvantages: Nothing Outstanding

...On the same German label as Motorhead, this actually covers a lot of the same topics as the 'Head, although in a very different style of course. That style is defined by good old Biff Byford, a singer whose voice I've always loved. This is one band which you just cannot imagine without their lead vocalist. "Gothic Dreams" is a one-and-a-half minute intro piece. Oh no, have Saxon gone all pretentious and mellow on us? Fear not, because "Unleash The Beast" is full of myths and mists and, above all, geetars. "Terminal Velocity" (about parachuting) and "Circle of Light" (near-death experiences – some would say a follow-on from the last track!) continue in the same vein. Soldiers, in particular "men from Harloch" (sic), appear as "The Thin Red Line" strays into the war zone, then it's politicians in the firing line again on "Ministry... Read review

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Advantages: The Girl's are back and are better!
Disadvantages: It does not seem to be doing to well in the charts!!

...different, "Forever" is fun free, but it does have the girl's massive appeal and fantastic new sound all over it, a must for all fans. Holler This being the first material to be released by the girl's in almost 3 years proved the girl's still have what it takes and gave them their record breaking 9th # 1, the familiar vocals are almost known by half the nation now and it is just a glimpse of what is to come from "Forever" slick R&B beats and highly polished vocals, this is one of the more catchier tunes on this long player, but after a few listens others take its place. Tell Me Why This has all the trademarks of US supergroups TLC and Destiny's Child, Mel B takes control on this track and is not unlike any material that you might find on her solo album "Hot". A punchy affair proving that girl power lives on, singing about... Read review

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Advantages: Might appeal to non-Spice Girl fans, since its a standard R'n'B record
Disadvantages: A misguided move away from everything that made them who they were

...any of them as Spice Girls tracks. If You Wanna Have Some Fun fails to live up to the promise of its title....it's no Who Do You Think You Are, that's for sure. Fun is something which Forever is chronically short of, and there is a sense of contractual obligation about the album. With successful solo careers taking off, and the personalities of each member becoming more disparate, the time was surely right to call it a day before this record. The gang mentality they built their appeal around has long evaporated with the passing of time, motherhood, and marriage. That was only to be expected, and perfectly natural. Forever was a rather unnecessary exercise.....what did they want to prove? Nobody would have been surprised if they'd let Goodbye stand as their final moment. The cycle had come to an end, they were free to move on... Read review

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