Melanie C: former Spice Girl – a much criticised and rare species. The Ex-Sporty Spice has made successful in-roads on a long term solo career. Reason is the follow up to her triple platinum debut “Northern Star” which spawned 5 singles, two of which reached number one, one featuring the late Lisa “Left Eye" Lopes. Melanie tried a range of diverse sounds on her debut: Rock, R&B, Pop & Dance. Sadly the follow up doesn’t explore the same routes.
Reason, when released in early 2003 was highly anticipated. The lead off single “Here It Comes Again” being a good example of what to expect. As mentioned this album is in no way as diverse as Northern Star. There are a couple of rocky tracks; a few acoustic ballads and some 100% pop gems, there are no R&B or Dance tracks. This is a shame as Melanie could have picked up where she left off three years previously and shed the spice tag completely. However it is still
a pretty good album. Melanie obviously had more control and was pleased with the result, which is good just not in comparison with her debut.
Here It Comes Again sets the pace for the disk. It is followed by the title track “Reason”, a piano ballad with strong lyrics. Not a particularly radio friendly track but nice all the same. This is followed by the midtempo “Lose Myself In You”
Second single “On The Horizon” is a happy, summery pop gem which will have you singing along all day. This could have easily been remixed into an “I Turn to You” type dance smash. Once again the topic is love “All I see is love, sweet love, on the horizon” very sweet. In fact the main theme here is love, probably inspired by Melanie’s long term boyfriend. Melanie clearly used up all her angst on her debut.
“Positively Somewhere” is an album stand out track. Another feel good song in which Melanie sings about “Falling down a freeway”.
“Melt” is my personal favourite. One half of the third single release it sadly only managed a top 30 chart position. (This was partly due to lack of promotion & a poor video due to Melanie’s “The Games” injury and poor distribution). Melanie wrote this lovable ballad with Guy Chambers who has written for Robbie Williams in the past. “Melt” is a memorable track which has a fantastic melody. It should have been the lead off single.
“Do I”, “Soul Boy”, “Water” and “Home” are the four tracks following on from Melt on the disc. “Soul Boy” is probably my least favourite on the disc. It’s the only cover and can make you feel very sleepy…. These four tracks may have stood out better had they been split up across the album. They are all pretty samey to be stuck together like this.
However the album definitely end on a high with the two rocky tracks. Again this is a tracklisting flaw. One of them should be earlier in the disc to make the layout more interesting. “Let’s Love” is a sing-along masterpiece. “Sugar let’s go!, Let’s roll, outta control, baby”. This is my second favourite track on the release, a single in Japan and a hidden gem in the UK. Lets Love is perfect for driving, well I think so anyway. “Yeh Yeh Yeh”, the second half of the third and final single from the album is a foot tapping anthem, seeing Melanie return to form. Not as punky as “Goin’ Down” but rocking all the same.
The artwork is simplistic – black and white with silver lettering. Not the most eye catching sleeve but it works well.
Overall this album is very good. Definitely not as good as it’s predecessor, so do not buy it expecting it to be. However it is a worthy album which is pretty underrated. Melanie made some controversial comments when this was released, many being about not wanting to reform with the spice girls, which in my opinion is fair enough, they had their day. Some people may have been put off by this stance however. Still, I’d recommend this album to anyone, Melanie is very talented – she has a great voice and deserves to succeed.
[By the way: at the time of writing Melanie is hard at work on her third solo album. It promises to be more like Northern Star and will be released on her own record label, Red Girl Records in early 2005]
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There was a sense with 2000's Northern Star that the former Spice Girl Melanie C was ... more
trying out a new persona. With its swinging backbeat and Southern style horns, Reason is smoother, more mature, less eclectic. Like a female Robbie Williams, Melanie C...
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