Having just started a new job, my life is unexpectedly chaotic. I'll resume writing on Ciao as soon ...
Having just started a new job, my life is unexpectedly chaotic. I'll resume writing on Ciao as soon as possible. http://members.lycos.co.uk/ich schmatze
Member since:19.11.2000
Reviews:256
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I bought this album after falling in love with 'Never Be The Same Again' and 'If That Were Me'. I was hoping for some more tracks of a similar style, or at least some that I liked of different styles, and I wasn't disappointed.
5 of the songs off the album have been released by Mel, so there is almost guaranteed to be something that everyone knows on the album, which is good as it encourages sales. I really don't think that this album has been given the praise that it deserves, it is by far one of the best albums of 1999.
The album brings about a range of different genres of music, from pop to rock, 60's pop to Brit-pop, R&B and dance, this album covers practically all the styles of music that stil exist in the UK.
Being the only album released by Mel to date, it contains all the songs of her solo career, and is well worth the value-for-money if you are even a slight fan of her work.
Also, with 14 tracks on the album lasting just under an hour in length, it isn't an album that after a few plays will become boring as there is so much material on the disc.
Here is a run-through
of all of the tracks on the album:
1. Go - an upbeat, almost Brit-pop type song with all the guitars and drums in the background. A nice introduction, but a strange choice for the opener to an album.
2. Northern Star - One of the first singles to be released off the album, and to be honest, one that I didn't like at all at first. I found it rather mediocre, slow and boring, but after listening to the lyrics more attentively I can see that it is a lot more beautiful that I first thought it was. The lyrics are all about the importance of life and it really makes you think about yourself and how you treat others.
3. Goin' Down - Another single that was released a couple of years ago off this album, this is very rock in its style and is completely different from the rest of the album (except perhaps track 9)
4. I Turn To You (Original) - A bit more relaxed than the version released as a single, this is, in my opinion, and several other people that I know, a much better version. I like it because it makes it more easy-listening whilst still being dance-y enough to fit into that category as well.
5. If That Were Me - The latest song to be released by Mel, this is my personal favourite and the reason why I bought the album. This song is all about the homeless, and the words are really moving. It is a slow accoustic song that, sadly, didn't do that well despite being a brilliant song.
6. Never Be The Same Again (Original) - A duet with Left Eye Lopez from TLC, this slow yet 'pop-py' and beaty track is really easy-listening, and has one of the best choruses of any of the tracks on the album. Yet another to be released as a single, and a Number 1 last year.
7. Why - A slow mix of depression and moving lyrics makes for a song perhaps of a lesser standard than some of the others but interesting all the same. The chorus in this ballad is particularly pleasant as the modulation to a major key gives the song a positive side as well as a negative feel.
8. Suddenly Monday - My favourite song on the album besides If That Were Me, this song is very Beatles' sounding and seems as though it ought to be released 30 years ago. It's a shame that the track is so short (about 2 and a half minutes) as it is really uplifting and brings the 60's back in a scarily likeable revival!
9. Ga Ga - A more hard-core rock sound brings the album turning in a 'Goin Down' feeling of powerful femininity again. This song is one of those that you can't help liking whatever music you are into - kind of a 'Garbage' style. Very pleasing.
10. Be The One - An accoustic guitar and light drums are all that accompany Melanie in this song which is a really pleasing 'relaxed pop' kind of style. More of 'The Corrs' style of music than pop is nowadays, this is yet another variation of style.
11. Closer - Sounding at first slightly like 'The Cardigans', this song is slightly latino and very bright despite it's lack of heavy accompaniment. Contains very strong syncopation (off-beat rhythms) without being overly powerful, which is very minimalistic sounding in a way and often very hypnotising in its sound.
12. Feel the Sun - More like Madonna's 'Music' album than anything else I can think of, the mixture of bizarre background songs and a beat makes this song very easy-listening and relaxing.
13. Never Be The Same Again (Single Mix) only available on special edition CD - This is supposedly the single mix of the original, but to be perfectly honest, I can't tell the difference between the two except for the occasional bar here and there.
14. I Turn To You (Hex Hector Radio Mix) only available on special edition CD - The version of the song that was released, and got to number 1, this tune is definitely the 'danciest' tune on the album. Not a bad song, but, as I said earlier, I think that the other version on the album is a lot better.
I love the album, and I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of her work, young or old, as at least some aspects of the album will appeal to all. It is especially worth buying if you like a great range in the styles of music that you listen to. Buy it now!
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I love this album too, I have also reviewed it on ciao.
HellyBelly 08.01.2001 23:03
We really must have an identical record collection, yet again another good op, keep them coming.
PoloFruits 07.01.2001 21:54
I have this album too and I agree with a lot of what you have said - the breakdown of tracks is great. Your opinion seems much better than mine on this album!
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Advantages: There's a song for everyone, some nice songs Disadvantages: It doesn't catering for one audience and there are some weaker songs on the album
galaxynicole 04.08.2005 (04.08.2005)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
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