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SHOPPING > Music > Rock & Pop > Northern Star - Melanie C > Reviews

Northern Star - Melanie C

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Never Be The Same Again after hearing this

Aug 4th, 2005

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

Recommendable Yes:

Detailed rating:

Originality

Lyrics

Quality and consistency of tracks

How does it compare to the artist's other releases

Value for Money

galaxynicole

galaxynicole

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Member since:21.01.2003

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Mel C - Northern Star

I bought this on Ebay for £3. I was when I was on an Internet buying spree! My expectation for this album were low as I wasn't really into the Spice Girls and didn't really think much of Melanie C's singing voice. Really I can't remember why the hell I bought this CD but I'm glad it did.

You can buy this CD from Amazon.co.uk for £6.99 and places like HMV, Virgin will stock it too.

Melanie used to be a member of the Spice Girl until they split up. Melanie decided to go solo and released her first solo song, Goin' Down. The critics didn't like it but Melanie continued and toured around the world with her new album Northern Star which was released in 1999. A newer version with 2 bonus tracks was released a year later.

Now onto the album, the cover is Melanie sat on a rock looking away from the camera. Dressed in a tank top and jeans with her. A sunset in the background. The CD is just black with silver and gold writing. Saying Melanie C Northern Star and listing the song list
The inlay has some more pictures and all the lyrics to the songs.

'Go!' is the first song on the album. I love the intro. Just a good bass and then electric guitar and gets louder until she starts to sing. It's very catchy and you just have to move around to this. It's a good feeling song :D It's a brilliant way to start the way.

The next track is 'Northern Star'. This seems like a slow ballad when the intro starts but don't let that deceive you. It's still a ballad but with a kick that is the chorus. It's very upbeat and the lyrics are nice. I especially like the line 'Live your life without regret' Wouldn't we all what to do that?

'Goin' Down' has to be my favourite song on the album. I love the rocky/punk feeling it has to it. I love to turn this up at full volume. The electric guitar in the background through out the song fills the room and it feels like everything is crashing around you. It's also a belting out anthem. My favourite line in this line is 'I'm singin' it loud and I don't care'

'I Turn To You' has a nice bass to it but for some reason, this song annoys me. Everyone says this is a dance song but I don't think it is. There are some dance beats but not enough to make this a dance song. The lyrics are a bit boring for my liking. I normally skip this song when I play the CD.

'If That Were Me' has got a lovely melody. This song is about the homeless. Some parts of the lyrics aren't as good as they could have been. For example, I can't live without my phone but you don't even have a home.

'Never Be The Same Again' is my second favourite song for 2 reasons. One because she collaborated with Lisa Lopez, who's sadly, died now. She used to be in the group TLC. Two because it's a catchy and a RnB tune that I wouldn't of expected from Melanie.

'Why' has a dark feeling to it. The way the piano is used in the intro and the howl sounds. Melanie's voice sounds like she's in a tunnel. It's quite deep and soulful and seems to light up after about 1.20 into the song but it just doesn't do it for me.

'Suddenly Monday' has a lovely intro with the piano just repeating a few notes over and over again. It's catchy. When the chorus comes in, the drums and other instruments come into play but the piano is still in the background. The lyrics are good and I just enjoy listening to this song without thinking about anything in particular. It's actually only 2.27 long, which is quite short for a song now.

'Ga Ga' is another rock/pop song. I like this one because of the guitar in the background and the happiness it brings me to belt out this song and turn up the volume again to annoy my neighbours. I thought it was going to be like Radio Ga Ga but it's totally different.

'Be The One' is a lovely soft ballad accompanied by acoustic guitar. Melanie's voice shines through music notes and leaves you thinking about your one and how he can move heaven and earth.

When I listen to 'Closer', I feel like on a desert island. It's got a slight Latin background sound to it. It's very easy song to listen to. Don't think she's quite pull this Latin tune off. It seems like little forced and the lyrics are a bit lacking.

'Feel The Sun' is a truly terrible ballad. It's boring and I feel that if the bonus tracks hadn't of been added this would have been a bad way to end the album. It's slow and has drums in the background. The lyrics are okay but don't lift the song out of the terrible song category.

Bonus Tracks
Never Be The Same Again - Single Mix and I Turn To You - Hex Hector Radio Mix
The bonus tracks are just remixes or different version of the originals on the album. They are alright but a bit like spares for me to be honest. Either they should of put the remixes on the album or the original but not both.

You can have a look at Mel C's website for more info on other songs and albums she's done at http://www.melaniec.net/

Overall Comments
I think it's a good album especially when my expectations were very low because of Mel C's previous work with the Spice Girls. I don't think I would pay full price of £6.99 for this album but if you can find it for a couple of quid, it's worth to have in your CD collection. There's a song for everyone on this album. That's maybe the problem with this album that it doesn't cater for one audience in mind. . There are some weaker songs on it but at least half the album is good and listenable. Just put it on as background music.

Tracklisting
1. Go!
2. Northern Star
3. Goin' Down
4. I Turn To You
5. If That Were Me
6. Never Be The Same Again
7. Why
8. Suddenly Monday
9. Ga Ga
10. Be The One
11. Closer
12. Feel The Sun
13. Never Be The Same Again - Single Mix
14. I Turn To You - Hex Hector Radio Mix

Pictures of Northern Star - Melanie C

Northern Star - Melanie C Picture 1550708 tb

Mel in concert

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Comments about this review »

stef1 08.09.2005 13:30

I also have this album and think most songs on it are quite good. Stef x

Lindylou13 15.08.2005 21:04

I have a copy of this Album and I love it. Linda

grown_up_girlie 15.08.2005 00:21

Not keep on all of the songs on this album but there are 1 or 2 that I really like. Vicx. x

read all comments

Advantages: Great album, Amazing voice
Disadvantages: None.

foreverontherun 02.05.2001 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Northern Star - Melanie C

Northern Star - Melanie C - review by Mel27

Advantages: Lots of hits and lots of styles of music
Disadvantages: Some weak singing in places. Bryan Adams duet isn't on it!

Mel27 08.02.2005 (08.02.2005) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Northern Star - Melanie C

Northern Star - Melanie C - review by PoloFruits

Advantages: Awesome voice
Disadvantages: None

PoloFruits 01.11.2000 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Northern Star - Melanie C

Northern Star - Melanie C - review by craigy_baby_2000

Advantages: Great number of tracks and variation between tracks
Disadvantages: Not everyone will like all of the tracks as there is so much variation

craigy_baby_2000 05.01.2001 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
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Northern Star - Melanie C

Never Be The Same Again after hearing this

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