Just like the first time… it's the Steps thread

[Mel O'Drama]

I love Living In A Lie, but think I will love it even more when I get an extended mix at some point in the near future.

I'm hoping 7th Heaven get their hands on it at some point. And it'll make a very nice acoustic version as well.

I think what it is with A Hundred Years of Winter is that they have just tried to emulate the Darren Hayes demo as much as possible, hence the more male led vocals.

Ah yes. That makes sense.

I have to say that Lee sounds amazing on his verse too. It's a strong vocal from him I think, but yet it sounds so vulnerable. I love it.

Lee's contribution to the album is great. He's really present here, but not in a way that feels forced.

I am now just wondering if the Amazon delay with a lot of orders effect their chart position. I have read that sales are not logged until the item has been dispatched.

I'm not sure how it all works with albums charting. Do you know what day the album charts are officially done? I've read various stuff about midweeks or whatever but I have no idea where any of this information is.

Just checked my Amazon account and my signed deluxe album has been dispatched finally! Should be here on Tuesday, let's just hope it makes it threw the letterbox.

That's great news. I'm really looking forward to you having the physical album(s), as it's all part of the classic Steps experience!!



I wonder if there'll also be any news about special digital editions over the next couple of days.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

After listening to Pt. 2 yet again I just suddenly found myself compelled to see if Claire's album was still being sold. Before I even knew what was happening I somehow managed to order the Deluxe Edition of My Wildest Dreams.

Is it possible that Claire has somehow encoded Pt. 2 with subliminal messages? And if so, where will it end? Pasta à la Clara for breakfast? Running off for a wee whenever I'm asked to dance?

I'm scared.

 

[Alexis]

After listening to Pt. 2 yet again I just suddenly found myself compelled to see if Claire's album was still being sold. Before I even knew what was happening I somehow managed to order the Deluxe Edition of My Wildest Dreams.

Is it possible that Claire has somehow encoded Pt. 2 with subliminal messages? And if so, where will it end? Pasta à la Clara for breakfast? Running off for a wee whenever I'm asked to dance?

I'm scared.

Hahaha! I bought her solo album ages ago and listened to it once all the way through. I never felt an urge to go back. I mean obviously she's a fantastic singer. Honestly I would say the best vocalist of her contemporaries of the time. However it just didn't excite me, I have never been a Claire super fan anyways. Like with H and Claire's stuff back in the day it just makes me want to hear Faye and Lisa and the whole group. There were some nice songs on it I think, but it was one for the Yummy Mummies on the prosecco as far as I remember. Not really slagging Claire off there, I am sure there is a market for it. It just didn't speak to me.

 

[Alexis]

I'm not sure how it all works with albums charting. Do you know what day the album charts are officially done? I've read various stuff about midweeks or whatever but I have no idea where any of this information is.

Oh I honestly have no idea, I remember we both talked about this before and neither of us was any the wiser at the end of it all.

That's great news. I'm really looking forward to you having the physical album(s), as it's all part of the classic Steps experience!!

Yes, I really can't wait to see the deluxe especially to see if it's the same as yours. I really hope it is. I am hoping to get it on vinyl at a later date too. Just because I have the Tears deluxe on vinyl and WTFH Part 1 too. If I do that I will have bough the same bloody album 8 times!

 

[Mel O'Drama]

I bought her solo album ages ago and listened to it once all the way through. I never felt an urge to go back. I mean obviously she's a fantastic singer. Honestly I would say the best vocalist of her contemporaries of the time. However it just didn't excite me

From the little I've heard in samples on iTunes I'm keeping expectations low around production and whatnot. Though Steve Anderson is producer for some songs which gives me a little hope.

I have never been a Claire super fan anyways.

Nor me, as you'll remember. Previously I generally found Faye more pleasant to listen to because Claire's voice seemed almost too big for the group at times.

But I have had a bit of a Claire breakthrough in recent times. This has surprised me, but I'm enjoying her vocals so much on the new album it's affected how I've heard the previous two albums as I've re-listened this weekend. I'd say she's currently my favourite voice in the group.

Plus I seem to prefer stuff that's a bit more mellow recently, so it could be a good time for me to hear the album. I'm not expecting it to rock my world, but hopefully I'll find a track or two to enjoy.

Yes, I really can't wait to see the deluxe especially to see if it's the same as yours. I really hope it is.

I have a feeling it will be, but fingers crossed.

If I do that I will have bough the same bloody album 8 times!

And that's not including the marketing that's probably going to happen in the next few days to give them an extra push.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

I've just started listening to the new Steps episode of Track By Track.

I wonder if @James from London has caught this one yet since it's one of his favourites (the podcast, that is. Not the album).

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Oh - is is just Lee, Faye and Lisa? How refreshing to have an interview without the Butlins redcoat blather.


Faye (after her standard tour spiel) "That's so vague"

And Lisa's awkward little titter after Lee joked about his individual CD cover selling out first.

 

[James from London]

I've just started listening to the new Steps episode of Track By Track.

I wonder if @James from London has caught this one yet since it's one of his favourites (the podcast, that is. Not the album).

Well remembered! As with most things, I’m massively behind with Track by Track. Yesterday I got up to the Sounds of the Underground by Gotls Aloud episode which is from about a year ago, but which funnily enough introduced me to Steps’ version of Lay All Your Love On Me (which is certainly preferable to Denise Van Outen’s version of Gimme Gimme Gimme). I look howard to listening to the episodes with Steps in due course (I think they’ve guested twice now), although generally speaking I prefer it when the boys are on their own as they tend to be a bit naughtier than when they’ve got guests.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Yesterday I got up to the Sounds of the Underground by Gotls Aloud episode which is from about a year ago, but which funnily enough introduced me to Steps’ version of Lay All Your Love On Me (which is certainly preferable to Denise Van Outen’s version of Gimme Gimme Gimme).

That's a good way to view the Steps version. Bar low and glass half full.

1999's whole ABBAmania special and album is quite fascinating simply for being an almost bonkers collision of worlds. You've got Steps, S Club and B*Witched on one hand, while on the other you have Madness and Culture Club. With The Corrs and Martine McCutcheon somewhere in between. It really does go to show the universal appeal of ABBA's music.

I look howard to listening to the episodes with Steps in due course (I think they’ve guested twice now)

Yes, they mentioned last year's appearance in this one, so it felt very much like a sequel (kind of like the album itself).

although generally speaking I prefer it when the boys are on their own as they tend to be a bit naughtier than when they’ve got guests.

Yes, I can understand that. There were a couple of little teases about key changes and whatnot, but I'm sure they have to be much more diplomatic when the artist is actually present.

They've covered some Steps albums from their original run, so I might check those out since I think it's just the boys.

 

[Alexis]

My signed individual albums arrived today, all minus Claire's. Nicely signed too and no smudges. I will take a picture when I have the deluxe and Claire's one too. They should hopefully be here when I get home from work tomorrow evening.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

My signed individual albums arrived today, all minus Claire's. Nicely signed too and no smudges. I will take a picture when I have the deluxe and Claire's one too.

Great. I'd love to see your new haul!! I'm curious what colour Sharpie they use to sign the individual covers as they're quite dark. I can hardly see Claire's siggy on my Deluxe as it's black ink on black dress.


Two random thoughts:

Wasted Years (album version) has been my earworm all day today. I haven't been able to stop it going round my head. I had to play it when I got in from work, and then it hit me how Steptacular it is in structure and lyric (even though the sound is a bit different). Now I kind of love it.

Clouds came on shuffle today, and it occurred to me that it could make a good mashup with Madonna's Sky Fits Heaven. Perhaps it wouldn't, but it felt like that as I listened to those final notes.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Also, I haven't been able to stop wondering if I'd come home to find an email from Steps announcing a couple of new digital (or even physical!) exclusives.

Must confess I'm really pinning a lot of hope in this happening at some point.

 

[James from London]

1999's whole ABBAmania special and album is quite fascinating simply for being an almost bonkers collision of worlds. You've got Steps, S Club and B*Witched on one hand, while on the other you have Madness and Culture Club. With The Corrs and Martine McCutcheon somewhere in between. It really does go to show the universal appeal of ABBA's music.

Intriguing! For a long while, I was quite resistant to Abba covers unless they were radically different - I kind of hated the idea of those perfectly produced self-contained nuggets of Scandinavian pop uniqueness being watered down into West End/ITV1 mulch - but I've become more open to them now, partly due to Track by Track. (During lockdown, I started making this massive playlist of every song and every remix of every song referred to on the podcast. Don't ask me why.) Now I'm like, "The A*Teens? Bring 'em on!" I do like the idea of Boy George doing 'Voulez-Vous' and Madness doing 'Money Money Money' - but only if there are versions that don't include the ITV audience whooping and clapping depressingly along.

They've covered some Steps albums from their original run, so I might check those out since I think it's just the boys.

Yes, I've heard the first one they did and I seem to remember there were a few jokes that they probably wouldn't say in front of the group! They're unapologetically passionate about pop music, but quite irreverent about it at the same time, in a genuinely funny way, which is a good combination.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

For a long while, I was quite resistant to Abba covers unless they were radically different - I kind of hated the idea of those perfectly produced self-contained nuggets of Scandinavian pop uniqueness being watered down into West End/ITV1 mulch

I really struggle with almost any ABBA cover. Nine times out of ten I'd prefer to listen to the original. And don't get me started on the Mamma Mia stage and film renditions. I think Dana Winner might be my exception in terms of ABBA-oke.

I've become more open to them now, partly due to Track by Track.

That's great. Anything that opens up more music to enjoy has to be a good thing.

(During lockdown, I started making this massive playlist of every song and every remix of every song referred to on the podcast. Don't ask me why.)

Wow. And that also shows that there's some inspiration in there.

Now I'm like, "The A*Teens? Bring 'em on!"

Ha ha.

Off the back of some discussions in the original Steps thread I went through an A*Teens phase a few years ago, though I must confess once I'd heard them once I felt that box was well and truly ticked.

I do like the idea of Boy George doing 'Voulez-Vous' and Madness doing 'Money Money Money' - but only if there are versions that don't include the ITV audience whooping and clapping depressingly along.

If you're in that place, the ABBAmania soundtrack album for the TV special has all studio versions - no whoops or claps. It can usually be found at a reasonable price on various online marketplaces. It's not art, but it's a novelty.

Yes, I've heard the first one they did and I seem to remember there were a few jokes that they probably wouldn't say in front of the group! They're unapologetically passionate about pop music, but quite irreverent about it at the same time, in a genuinely funny way, which is a good combination.

Definitely. I don't think pop is there to be taken too seriously.

And over the years, a few things have definitely been said in this and the previous Steps thread that we probably wouldn't say in front of them.





In other news, Steps are just about to perform on This Morning. Daytime TV, here I come.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Oh my.

After the earlier performance, I've been listening to post-2017 Steps and now Claire's album's just landed on my doormat. And the digital bundle must be almost here. And they're about to perform their medley on This Morning.

I feel like I've died and gone to Steps heaven.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Well, as medleys go, today's was (almost) everything I could have wanted. Really nice arrangements that feel sparkly and new without screaming "remix". A full verse each from Claire and Faye, with lovely harmonies from Lisa, Lee and H but without any of the "mixed vocal" thing that dilutes the Steps experience for me.

The energy was great and they were all in fine voice. Faye in particular sounded amazing in her verse of Tragedy. I'd say it's the best I've heard her sing it. I'm sure she'll be in great vocal shape thanks to Singin' In The Rain.

The classy and gentle three-piece interview the other day must have really spoilt me as I found H rather overbearing today. His harmony sounded louder than the melody at times (most noticeable at the end of the Tragedy verses. He needs his mic turning down, or to stand further away). He also dominated the first half of the brief interview before the medley, and interviews are where I actually want an even split with their voices. I want to hear from them all, and poor Lisa didn't get to say anything while Faye and Lee seemed to get in by claiming their space before it was taken again. Still, it's a relatively minor gripe and the goodness more than made up for it.

Lee's little joke about the fun of watching back the concerts when they get it wrong was typically humble. Is he still kicking himself over last year's little misstep on The One Show, I wonder.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Exciting stuff:

Manic Street Preachers and Steps revive ‘90s chart battle as their new albums fight it out for Number 1 on Official Albums Chart​

​

In September 1998, Manics’ This Is My Truth Now Tell Me Yours beat Steps’ Step One to the top spot by a huge margin of 95,000 sales. Fast-forward 23 years and the gap between them is much closer, with just 3,000 chart sales separating the Welsh rockers and pop purists.

 

[James from London]

Exciting stuff:

Manic Street Preachers and Steps revive ‘90s chart battle as their new albums fight it out for Number 1 on Official Albums Chart​

​

Interesting! Apparently, there's a song on the new Manics album that sounds like the New Seekers. I can't wait to hear that!

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Apparently, there's a song on the new Manics album that sounds like the New Seekers. I can't wait to hear that!

Wow. I'm trying to imagine howYou Won't Find Another Fool Like Kevin Carter would sound, but it's not easy.

 

[James from London]

You Won't Find Another Fool Like Kevin Carter

Here it is: