Sep 02, 2005  |  By: BUCK C. COOKE  | COMMENTS     

WITH HER TRADEMARK brash style, Geri Halliwell returns to the pop music scene with her latest import release, “Passion.” The CD, her third as a solo artist, is filled with up-tempo, remix-ready tracks that listeners expect from Halliwell, who doesn’t shy away from the pop music label.

“I have always loved pop music,” Halliwell writes on her Web site. “‘Pop became a dirty word for a while, but it doesn’t have to be crap. It doesn’t have to be manufactured, soulless, heartless. There is soulful pop out there that is running on a heartbeat and a lot of fire and energy.”

The lead single, “Ride It,” already received the Midas touch from superstar DJ Hex Hector, among others. But going against Halliwell’s assertions on her Web site, the track is a catchy but disposable piece of pop, with lyrics like, “You’re a DJ, I’m a song/ Take me out and turn me on/ Let yourself go.”

It’s doubtful “Ride It” can take home any awards for outstanding songwriting, but it is still fun on the dance floor.

“Desire,” the second single, is a much stronger showing. The music is dramatic enough for any drag show, and the lyrics range from breathy to bold.

Bimbo Jones and Shanghai Surprize contribute remixes for the single. Jones’ version is fun to listen to, and the Shanghai Surprize remix is more dance floor-friendly.

“SUPERSTAR,” “SURRENDER YOUR groove,” and “Love Never Loved Me” are more examples of Halliwell’s trademark up-tempo numbers, with hopeful lyrics and toe-tapping beats. “Feel the Fear,” “There’s Always Tomorrow,” and “Let Me Love You More” are typical Halliwell ballads in which she croons about heartache, love and romance.

“There’s Always Tomorrow” is dedicated to “Kenny and George in St. Tropez,” apparently a reference to George Michael and his partner, Kenny Goss. Michael gave Halliwell shelter as she recovered from her split from the Spice Girls and the ensuing backlash from fans.

The album is opened and closed by cabaret-like tracks. The opening track, “Passion,” is an ode to the undeniable draw between two people in love.

“So I Give Up on Love,” on the other hand, closes the album with plenty of sass and brass as Halliwell declares she is done with men.

The track could also be a peek inside the mind of any gay man. Halliwell sings of finding faults with potential suitors: “There was David/ when he got naked/ he didn’t have much up/ or downstairs.”

“Passion” and “Give Up on Love” serve as fitting bookends to the album, introducing and wrapping up Halliwell’s moods perfectly.

Gay men fell in love with Halliwell’s flamboyant antics as Ginger Spice, part of the ’90s juggernaut pop group the Spice Girls. She gives a shout-out to her former band mates in the liner notes of “Passion,” which probably fuels the perpetual Internet rumors of a Spice Girl reunion.

“Passion,” while delightful, probably won’t win Halliwell any new fans, especially in the United States since import prices are often almost twice as expensive as domestic CD releases.

But existing fans are sure to love the bouncy new CD for its newly minted, fresh tracks and Halliwell’s signature pluck and sparkle.