Melanie Chisholm is currently putting her third album together on her own label after the last album didn't do as well as expected. Apart from the brilliant "On The Horizon", nothing really stood out. Let's hope she comes up with something as great as this debut solo album I'm reviewing. "Northern Star" is a great mix of different kinds of music. I reckon at least 2 or 3 songs will appeal to everyone.
The album "Northern Star" was released in 2000. I bought it from Woolworths in the sale for £4.99 instead of £15.99.
Track One - GO
A rather noisy, guitar-led affair. Not a great start to the album but it does set the feel, I suppose.
Track Two - NORTHERN STAR
A haunting ballad, that had a great video. It was a Top 10 hit. I'm not sure what it's about but the singing is rather good and the chorus is really sweeping and emotional. "I have learned my lesson well, the truth is out there I can tell....don't give up and don't give in to their lies and goodbyes".
Track Three - GOIN' DOWN
This is a really angry song, which had a terrible video. The song wasn't mixed properly for the promo and it wasn't until I got the single that I could understand the words. It sounds rather like a Janet Jackson track with a bit of punk thrown in.
"How come I didn't see, you were making fun of me, how dare you change the rules, you made me a look a fool!".
Great stuff for playing loud if you can stand the rather weak singing here and the lack of real chorus. This reached number 2 in the singles chart.
This track was seen as trite, just because the words "phone" and "home" were rhymed together. It's about homelessness and it's a rather depressing ballad. It made a good point though and raised money for charity when it went into the Top 10 in the singles chart. It's simplicity is its strength I think and Mel's voice is nice.
Track Six - NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN
Again, this is the album version of what was a huge smash. It's rather more haunting than the single version. A great stab at R 'n B though and it's this diversity that makes this album.
Track Seven - WHY
A very dark, noisy track which is a bit of shock after the previous two songs!
Track Eight - SUDDENLY MONDAY
This song is very 1960s and it reminds me of that song that starts off "wouldn't it be nice to get on with my neighbours" or something by The Kinks or something of that ilk. A fun track which would have made a different type of single.
Track Nine - GA GA
Another rock type track which has a great bass and rather angst-ridden lyrics. "Ga ga, crazy, foolish for wanting you, stupid cupid..."
Track Ten - BE THE ONE
Mel goes all soft again on this mid-tempo track.
Track Eleven - CLOSER
This has rather a Latin feel to it and it shows yet another side to Mel and this album.
Track Twelve - FEEL THE SUN
A rather mediocre ballad.
Track Thirteen - NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN (Single mix)
The version that became a hit. It's still quite a moody song, considering it's about the joy of discovering that a friend can become a partner but it was a big number 1 hit so something must be right with it.
Track Fourteen - I TURN TO YOU (Radio Mix)
This Hex Hector re-mix showed Mel going all dancey on us with a song that ended up with a techno feel. Much like her other singles, it grabbed yet another audience.
*Other Details*
The cover of this CD shows Mel sitting on a rock at what looks like dusk and the in-lay booklet has the lyrics and more pictures of Mel.
I really wish "When You're Gone" was on this album. It was such a huge hit!
I bagged this album as a bargain and I can certainly recommend at least borrowing it if you can.
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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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Review of NorthernStar - MelanieC
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Feb 8th, 2005
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