Allstars [Box set] [Limited Edition]

Here's a quick rundown of the 16 tracks featured on CD 1 of this double CD:

1. Things That Go Bump In The Night (10/10): a stunning opening, I just love the bouncing bassline and vocal line, and the Hallowe'en theme is cute.

2. The Land Of Make Believe (8/10): a cover of the Bucks Fizz classic, a really great melody with a well executed key change. The ending's a bit weird though!

3. Back When (9/10): the first time I heard this I thought it was a fairly bog standard pop tune, but it really grows on you - the chorus is excellent.

4. Love Is (9/10): a disco-tinged groove, the girls really sound like they love singing this one - I love the chunky guitars in this one.

5. Best Friends (6.5/10): oh dear, cheese central!!! The theme to their TV show, Starstreet, has quite a cute melody but the lyrics make me cringe. Not to be taken too seriously!

6. Happy Ever After Endings (7/10): bubblegum dance-pop with a nice chorus, sounds quite dated when compared to other dance tunes around today but good all the same.

7. Going All The Way (7.5/10): the melody in this one sounds quite familiar, don't know why! More chunky guitar and a nice drumbeat make this one a winner.

8. You Got It Bad (9/10): this tune is really funky, has a disco feel and the vocals are delivered with a lot of attitude.

9. Tearing Up The World (7/10): this one has a lot of potential but is let down after the introduction, just seems too unoriginal, a standard pop tune.

10. You're A Fool (9.5/10): fantastic, a complete change in style, moves in to Destiny's Child territory with scattered beats and smooth vocals.

11. Butterflies (7/10): this one has an early nineties feel, quite nice but again quite a standard tune.

12. Once Upon A Lifetime (7/10): This one sounds a bit like S Club 7's "Two In A Million", only not as good.

13. Lost Without You (7/10): another ballad, the intro sounds like "How Deep Is Your Love" by the Bee Gees, but the rest of the song sounds a bit ordinary.

14. Greatest Love Story (5/10): oh no, please no more of the corny male talking bits!!! Doesn't have much of a melody, the worst track on the album.

15. Train Of Thought (9/10): quite cheesy, but that's what makes it soooo endearing! Has a real motown feel, and very nice vocal delivery, woo-woo baby!!!

16. Is There Something I Should Know (8/10): a Duran Duran cover, this one has quite a strange melody but includes nice synths and is the easiest tune on the album to dance to.

The remix disc is fantastic - including remixes from two of the best mainstream dance remixers, Almighty and Xenomania. The best remix is undoubtedly the Xenomania take on Things That Go Bump In The Night, with its pounding bassline and fantastic trance-flavoured synth section.

If you want an album that defines pop music today, then look no further than Allstars.

Eventually, I decided to swallow my pride and buy the album. I'm not one to conform to whatever is "cool" at whatever time, but I was aware that I may get a bit of stick for owning the album. But as soon as I heard it, I decided I didn't care.
Bump In The Night is incredibly catchy, Land Of Make Believe holds hundreds of 80s memories, Back When is a beautifully smooth track and Going All The Way, which featured on the Thunderpants soundtrack, is a brilliantly energetic and powerful tune.

If you're a fan of very "poppy" music and not ashamed to show it, add this to your Steps and S Club CDs - I promise you it'll fit in perfectly.