3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Think "L.A.!", November 19, 2006
My how time changes things. Back in 1998, whilst touring America with former bandmates the Spice Girls, Melanie B declared that New York should've been her home. "Urban". "Raw". "Real". Adjectives she used to describe New York, while adjectives such as "tacky" & "false" described Los Angeles.
But motherhood & exposure to the nature of British celebrity must have changed Melanie's mind. Melanie now does indeed live in L.A. Though, after the madcap adventures of the Spice Girls, a divorce, a misdirected debut record, a bestseller book, & a daughter mellowed the "scary" in this spice.
"L.A. State of Mind" finds Melanie not discussing the Hollywood nature of L.A., but celebrating the warm & inviting calm it brought her. After her debut, Melanie took time between that record & this one. The sound here is radically different from "Hot", rightfully & thankfully so. Melanie was much more involved in this indie affair.
The eclecticism Melanie was known for, comes through on inspirational opener "Today", a number that is so positive, one can't help but smile. Even the subject of bad days is tackled with a Sheryl Crow affirmation feel on the bouncy "Stay In Bed Days". "If I Had My Life Again" & "In Too Deep" give the record a sturdy center, as they frankly address life & love, & celebrate them in all their confusing glory.
She's never sounded better, if at times she reaches too much, on "Beautiful Girl" & "Hold On". Hell, she smoulders on the spoken, sexy "Sweet Pleasure".
Overall, while this was not at all a commercial or critical darling in her native Britain or anywhere else for that matter, those that have heard it have come away with positive words about it. Melanie seems content & it comes across here. Honestly, with humor,& a little "spice". Forgive the pun, highly recommended!
On a sidenote, I purchased this version, which comes with a 30-minute mini-documentary on Melanie & this record. If you are a Spice Girl fan who has fallen out of step & wishes to get reaquainted? This is perfect way to do so. For the Spice Heads? This just shows why we love Melanie. She comes across as down to earth & humorous, plus learning the behind-the-scenes of this LP is nice!
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
LOVIN" IT, July 8, 2005
This review is from: L.A. State of Mind (Audio CD)
1)Today Upbeat song makes you feel good 5/5
2)Stay In Bed Days ok song a rock feel but her voice sounds good on it could have done without the little kids 3/5
3)Beautiful Girl a heartfelt ballad for her daughter 5/5
4)Music Of The Night i think anyone can dance to this song i love it 5/5
5)If I Had My Life Again A song that makes you think about the past not one of my favorites but listenable 3/5
6)In Too Deep i really never listen to this song very much unless i'm listing to the whole album 2/5
7)Sweet Pleasure I do not like this song at all 1/5
8)L.A State Of Mind ok song again not one of my fav's 2/5
9)Say,Say,Say Dont really like this song but she sounds good on the song 3/5
10)Bad Bad Girl Sounds like it should have came out in the 80's 2/5
11)Hold On A great way to end the album 5/5
i think this a good album people should really buy it
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely fabulous!!, July 22, 2007
This review is from: L.A. State of Mind (Audio CD)
I've always like Mel B when she was in the Spice Girls, i think she's the one who can really sing (also emma), this album is really really nice! Just because they didn't have much promotion on it, but it's really good!
This album is sooo much better than her first solo album, Hot. Loads of great tracks in there, a perfect CD for getting ready for night out.
I especially like the song "Hold On", "Today" and "Say Say Say"... !!
It might be a bit crazy to spend $37.99 on a CD, but i think it's totally worth it!!
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