To clear up any confusion,
Steps
' only U.S. release,
Step One
, is a compilation of half the songs from its first two U.K. releases, though it borrows the title of its first album and the same cover art from its second album.
Steptacular
was the band's first overseas record to reach number one, and it did so instantaneously. This was probably thanks to a marketing scheme of releasing a double-track single during the promotion for
, which included the
Bee Gees
cover
"Tragedy,"
a preview song from
. The anticipation for the new album grew intense, mostly in the U.K., especially when
"After the Love Has Gone"
broke out on radio, a song which, as usual, paid stylistic homage to its
pop
forefathers.
may never be said to have a style all its own, due to relentless borrowing from
ABBA
. There was a time when
Ace of Base
was criticized for manipulating the
sound into something less mature, but
found a niche all its own and earned a solid reputation. In many ways,
is much more
ABBA-esque
, drilling out
power ballad
pick-me-ups that walk a fine line between inspiration and thievery. The other highlights here are
"Love's Got a Hold on My Heart"
and
"Say You'll Be Mine."
Like last time around, the guys have only a couple of songs all their own, which should make for something worth noting, but just as the pulsating, thundering synthesizer sets listeners up for something great on
"My Best Friend's Girl,"
the song falls into a dreary calm that is really a disappointment. It is easy, though premature, to advise that the guys leave the singing to the girls, but then there are one too many repetitive songs already. The only difference is that some are rich and memorable and the others play filler. The top-selling single for
which made a bridge between albums, was a smart move, because the second album sounds like a mere continuation rather than something new. [An import version of
adds a four-track bonus CD that includes the following songs:
"To Be Your Hero,"
one remix of
"One for Sorrow,"
and two remixes of
"After the Love Has Gone."
] ~ Peter Fawthrop