11.12.98 - Songs For Emma

Advantages: An album of mature, catchy, memorable pop songs
Disadvantages: are 2 cover versions really necessary?

...I always thought that Emma would find it the most difficult to make the transition from Spice Girl to a successful solo artist. But with ‘A Girl Like Me’, her first album away from the group which propelled her into a global superstar, she looks to have hit the jackpot once again. To launch her solo career, Emma has enlisted the help of Richard Stannard & Julian Gallagher (Melanie C, Spice Girls, Kylie Minogue), Evan Rogers & Carl Sturken (Eternal, Jessica Simpson), Andrew Frampton (Steps - but don’t let that put you off!), Rhett Lawrence (Mariah Carey, Melanie C, Whitney Houston) and Tin Tin Out. The album kicks off with her recent number 1 single, “What Took You So Long?”, a guitar-based pop song in a similar vein to what we might expect to hear from Lene Marlin or Natalie Imbruglia. Next comes... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Emma Bunton has stormed our charts over the last few weeks and has now presented us with this album. Personally i think its a credit to her, all of the songs have there own feeling and depth to and are very enjoyable to listen to.
Disadvantages: Some of the songs on this album i found slighlty similar in style but Emma is now showing great talent and it shows on this album.

...In the past few weeks every talk show or pop show has had Emma Bunton on it, her latest song has stormed the charts and with the realease of this album i believe she will be around for a while to come. The album is very easy to listen to and the songs are unique. Many people still see Emma as a spice girl, but before you go on thinking this listen to this album, she has come on in leaps and bounds and i was astounded at the change in her style, voice and charisma. Its nice to see that someone can survive after being in a pop band and still have the talent and strength to Bite Back!.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Easy listening bought up to date with a noughties twist!
Disadvantages: A bit samey in places.

...I was listening to the radio one sunny afternoon in the garden (like you do!) and 'I'll be There' came on the radio. It made my ears prick up and take note. Of course I recognised Emma's unmistakable vocals instantly, but was shocked at the quality of the record. I thought it was a one-off, but then she released another and another! The vibe of this album is fab - really relaxed, summery and with a sixties motown feel. There is also a real latin american influence to it and I love that. The quality of the mix is excellent and all styles fuse together to make a unique, very adult sound. Emma has grown up and should be very proud of this album, especially as she co-wrote most of the songs. There is also an excellent cover of a little known sixties song, which she has just released. It seems she has finally found a style that suits... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful