Still waiting for my package to arrive from Germany, but listening to the album on Spotify I'm not too bothered about how long it takes. I'm currently shaking my head at the choices on these celebration versions. Surely ONE of them might be an improvement? Maybe?
Short answer? No.
I really, really don't like the new version. They all sound so limp, boring, samey. It's like they sucked the fun and joy or basically any emotion out of all the old songs. I mean sure, I'm much more used to the old versions and I am generally not a fan of "refixes" or whatever they are called, but this is all so cheap. Ugh. I tolerate "Physical 2.0", though, especially that shoutout to some of their old songs before the last chorus . "Mad Wild" is alright, too.
I was so excited when the songs were put on spotify last year and there was real hype and excitement around a potential comeback and then they announced it and I couldn't believe it at first because it seemed absolutely out of the question for so long. But everything after the announcement has been a disappointment, to put it mildly. However, I appreciate their enthusiasm and they genuinely seem to enjoy being together and perform again.
During 2001-2003 they were my ultimate number one favourite music act (next to Britney, but I still felt a deeper connection because I saw them on TV) and I will always love them in that form (plus Welcome To the Dance era), but I think I have to unstan now.
Vanessa said it best in this unreleased song: