Sporty Spice -- Classic or Dud?

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

OK. Not a classic, for sure. But won't anyone stand um for Mel C.'s "Northern Star" album? I enjoy the range of genre, and the stumbling earnestness which pervades the whole thing. Like if you grew up in a false world, but wanted to say something real, and the only tools at your disposal were false ones. I mean... I find it catchy, in that offbeat indie way, that you have to want to like it, but then you really do like it way. twas has this: http://furia.com/twas/twas0250.html to say, which I think is very much on the spot. Also, the production kicks my ass.

― Sterling Clover, Sunday, 5 November 2000 01:00 (twenty-five years ago)

I think, though, that what she was saying with the Spice Girls was as much, probably more real than what she's saying on Northern Star. Less personal, sure, but that's not the same thing.

I think "Never Be The Same Again" is an excellent pseudo-TLC single, and "I Turn To You" is an execrable pseudo-Madonna one: the rest I hardly know. It's probably better than Schizophonic, though Geri is still a lot more interesting than Mel C. But with the weight stuff and the sadness stuff, she seems the most human of the four of them, currently.

― Tom, Sunday, 5 November 2000 01:00 (twenty-five years ago)

I think the problem with "Northern Star" is that really no matter how hard it tries it couldn't possibly have been good. Before she discovered the whine Mel C was pretty much the group player of the Spice Girls and, never having been bestowed a personality beyond that and the persistant lesbian rumours (which in truth were somewhat simplistic - how obvious is it that she'd never worn a tracksuit before 96?) there was no way she could develop one for herself.

"Northern Star" therefore is like a series of costume changes so hurried and desperate that the lipstick's smudged and wig's put on backwards. "Never Be The Same Again" works because it's the least strident moment, but everything else just sounds blary and overcooked. And if I want a schizophrenic half-serious half-pop album from a former popster with asskicking production I'll just go with Kylie Minogue's "Impossible Princess" which frankly was much much better.

― Tim, Sunday, 5 November 2000 01:00 (twenty-five years ago)

It just feels like this thread was created to take a kicking at Sporty, no matter what you say in the question ;)

Um, she can't sing worth crap, which is sad because before she started showboating she could sing alright. And the songs are just lamer than lame, she should get a real expensive songwriting team and just shoot for the moon. Also: William Orbit, cos that's what all the kids are doin' these days.

― Ally, Thursday, 9 November 2000 01:00 (twenty-five years ago)

No, nobody will. Until she stops whining. Oh, I'm too fat and everyone thinks I'm a lesbian. But with the money and "fame" (haha!) she's got, she won't rank on the depression chart.

― R.S. Rediffusion, Friday, 10 November 2000 01:00 (twenty-five years ago)

Can't believe no one has mentioned her atrocious hair which is an excellent reason to slag off someone's other 'achievements'. With the amount of money she's got you'd think she could sort herself out in that department.

AND she duetted with Bryan Adams!

Back to Spicies with you girl and quick!

― Emma Hamilton (Emma), Friday, 17 November 2000 01:00 (twenty-five years ago)

two weeks pass...

She's the most likeable of the Spice Girls....but what I've heard of her last album just sounds dull...allright I wasnt expecting her to sound like Tortoise or anything but "Going down" is just bad Garbage with a lame "kids-go-mental" video and the rest just plods....The Spice Girls are the musical equivalent of a nail-bomb...exploding off into different areas causing incredible pain

― Michael Bourke, Monday, 4 December 2000 01:00 (twenty-five years ago)

Well, thank fuck that it doesn't sound like Tortoise. That said mention must be made of "If That Was Me" (or whatever its called), her song about the homeless. Does your hope keep you warm at night? she asks. Um, no. Though the special brew does its best.

― Tom, Monday, 4 December 2000 01:00 (twenty-five years ago)

one month passes...

though she pretends to be cool and have a rock image, that's already better then making singles like "mama" or "2 become 1" and it's also better then maing singels like mel. B. does..

pfff.

Ludo

― Ludo, Monday, 15 January 2001 01:00 (twenty-five years ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.