Reviewed by Mitch Andrews and posted on January 7, 2010

Soda's second album release, "Popcorn", is an appropriately titled collection of excellent bubblegum dance and eurodance songs.  This is Soda's most cheesy release, and was released in 2000 during the peak of bubblegum dance production.  Many of the tracks follow a very "bubblegummy" formula, in particular "You've Got Mail" and the extra cheesy "Lost In Space".

The album begins with one of my all-time favourite "intros" (this was back in the day when creating an intro for albums was popular), a mysterious sounding music piece filled with synths and shimmers - the perfect introduction to Popcorn.  The next track "Here I Am" is a grunting eurodance song.  Though not the strongest song on this album (I would have chosen a stronger song like Handsome to be the first track), I can see why they used it; the message is a good introduction, and the production is good, even if the melody isn't that memorable.  Next up is the bubblegum dance track "Paradise".  The song is slow to build up, but when it bursts into action you won't be able to stop dancing and singing along.  Great production, good vocals by Anne J (this is the style she suits), this is easily one of the catchiest songs on the album and an instant favourite for those who love tropical bubblegum.

"Handsome" is one of those tracks that a young Britney Spears would have died to have.  If she had released this track back in 2000, it would have been a huge hit.  This was also the only Soda song to be released in the USA, and it actually got a bit of radio play there (probably because the style fitted what was popular at the time).  A very catchy song, easily one of the best in this album.  "Lost In Space" as mentioned earlier is probably the cheesiest song in this album.  Anne J puts on an extra cute voice for this song, and as a result shines.  Nice production and synth solos make this a very traditional bubblegum dance inspired track.

Next up Soda returns to their tropical style introduced in Paradise.  "Summertime Love" is a great song, though I do think Anne J's singing could be better.  The next track "You've Got Mail" falls straight from bubblegum euroland, with its traditional production, toungue-in-cheek message and lyrics.  This is one of my favourites from the album.  The next track "Kokoliko" features lead vocals from Papa Kwesi, while Anne J supplies back up.  It is a great up-beat song and very catchy, and the change in vocalist is refreshing for those tired of Anne J's grating baby voice.  "I Guess I Fell In Love (Again)" is a slower song, but still somewhat upbeat.  It's actually one of my favourites on this album and has a unique message that I haven't heard before.  The next song, "I Believe" is very good, but I feel that it was written for a more powerful vocalist and sadly Anne J doesn't do this song justice.  The chorus demands good singing, and while Anne isn't bad, I would love to hear her remake this song after the release of their 3rd album (by then her singing was much better, and the song Born To Love You is great).  The remaining tracks on the album feel a bit "filler" to me, though "Sing-Along-Song" is still a nice track.

Anne J does something I really wish she didn't in "All My Life".  A ballad.  Usually I like the ballads on bubblegum dance albums, but this one is shocking.  Anne J fails to hit the right notes, and her voice is emotionless in this song.  Luckily, Soda picks themselves back up again with a hit medley of their older hits - "The Summer Medley".  This is an 'acoustic' line up of the songs "Hey You", "Summer Delight", "Summertime Love", "Paradise", and "I Wanna Be".

"Popcorn" is my favourite album by Soda because it is the cheesiest and most bubblegum dance like.  While the songs do get weaker as the album progresses, Soda manages to prop it up with some amazing tunes.  I recommend this album for fans of tropical bubblegum dance.  Catchy production and music writing, only the female vocals could use a bit of a brush up at times.  But apart from that, I'd give this album an 8/10.