Customer Reviews

Reason

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Melanie C's debut album "Northern Star" was well-received by both fans and critics. Her strength as a solo artist shined in songs like "I Turn To You" and "Never Be The Same Again". While her debut had strength and was musically diverse, Melanie had yet to impress with her vocals, and the inconsistent styles displayed throughout her debut made the flow from song to song rugged.

The recent release of Melanie C's latest effort, "Beautiful Intentions", shows Melanie has come into her own as a glamorous and feminine (but still strong in spirit) rocker. Her second album "Reason" falls somewhere in between the sparkly melodies of "Northern Star" and the harsh honesty of "Beautiful Intentions". Clearly, Melanie's singing is far more impressive on "Reason" than on her debut. The melodies are laid back, and most of the songs featured on the album would sit comfortably in the adult contemporary genre. There's a charming closeness surrounding "Reason"; somehow, the songs seem familiar upon hearing them for the first time. This familiarity, though extremely inviting at times, can often seem somewhat uninspired and, dare I say it, boring. However, Melanie's song writing is to be commended, and in particular, her lyrics are insightful and thought provoking.

Most of the tunes on "Reason" adopt a sunny and positive vibe. Even the sad songs have silver linings of hope and optimism. "Lose Myself in You" and "Positively Somewhere" both come to the conclusion that it's ok to be uncertain of what the future holds, whether it's in a romantic relationship or at the turning point of ones life. "Melt" and "Water" both have simple but gorgeous introductions, including acoustic guitars and subtle backing chords. Most songs have a lazy-summer-day disposition, but there are several moments of glory on "Reason", including the peppy and inspirational "On The Horizon", which features brass instruments and has a very infectious beat. Other favorites include the soulful and relaxing "Do I", with some of Melanie's best vocals on the album (her lower range sounds beautiful here). In "Let's Love" we get a sample of what was to come with Melanie's newest album "Beautiful Intentions"; it's easily the hardest rocking song on the album, with strong electric guitars and a lyrical intensity. Perhaps the best moment of the album comes with "Home", featuring Melanie's vocals stretching successfully from soft and lush to loud and commanding. The musical production in the song is also worth mentioning; there's a lovely balance of guitars, sparkly keyboards and intense chords.

Overall, "Reason" is a soothing sound to the ears. It isn't very innovative, but it sounds comfortable. The album's flow is much smoother than "Northern Star" and the lyrics are more pleasant to listen to. In spite of all that, I would still recommend "Northern Star" over this. "Reason" is so laid back; it's less impressive and more simplistic. Even though the album shines as a whole, emotionally moving and climactic moments are few and far between. If you really want to go for an emotional ride, I'd recommend Melanie's newest album "Beautiful Intentions". But these lighthearted tunes make this album an avenue worth exploring.

Being a fan in the states, it had been awhile since I had heard anything from Melanie C. I was listening to "Northern Star" one day and decided to check out her website to see if a new album had come out. And indeed it had.

I rushed down to my local music store and checked to see if they had her disc as an import and indeed they did. And I haven't stopped listening to it since. It was little more pricey than usual CD's because it was an import but it was well worth the buy.

This album is a completely different sound than "Northern Star." It's a lot less "diverse", I suppose. You won't hear anything like "Going Down" or "Ga Ga" on it, and in fact, it's much more instrumental and pop-driven like "Northern Star", "Closer" and "I Turn to You". But Mel's vocals are so well handled it's hard to imagine disliking any song on the album.

"Here it Comes Again" is mildly catchy; "Reason", although I don't believe it's the strongest track on the album holds it's own very well and is so sweet, the way a ballad should be; "Lose Myself in You" is melodic in it's beats, and flows nicely; "Positively Somewhere" is cheeringly positive and upbeat; "Melt" frightenly hypnotic and peaceful; "Do I" is a simple song but that's what's so great about it; "Soul Boy" is fantastic and unique to anything else I've heard in awhile; "Water" is okay, sounds like something you might hear in a coffee house; "Home", "Let's love" and "Yeh Yeh Yeh" are the best songs on the album. Dark and haunting, I like the chorus on "Home", and "Let's Love" and "Yeh, Yeh, Yeh" is the stuff dance-pop addicts like myself crave.

I wish Melanie C were more successful in the states. Hopefully Virgin will try to bring her back into the States. I think she's enormously talented and gifted and wish she would get all the credit she deserves. I know a lot of people across the ocean here still would stereotype her because she was a Spice Girl but I think songs like "Yeh, Yeh, Yeh" and "Here it Comes Again" could change our minds even more so. People would probably be surprised she's lasted this long but we all know why. Come back to us, Mel C!

Reviewer: M-A-T from UK
Well, I bought this CD and now there is no chance to stop listening to it! Here are my first impressions:
> 1 Here It Comes Again: very lyrical lead-in! the title is programme (here she comes again)! great voice and high catch factor! 10/10

> 2 Reason: soft album-entitling track full of intensity! first surprise: melanie plus piano = huge feelings! 8/10

> 3 Lose Myself In You: starting r'n'b like, pretty laid-back and cool song! let's sing a long! great! 10/10

> 4 On The Horizon: guitar sound is back! somehow reminding me of carlos santana with cute michelle branch! positive energy and happiness! gorgeous! 9/10

> 5 Positively Somewhere: well known melanie style - nothing more to say ... high quality 8/10

> 6 Melt: 40 seconds tug heartstrings and almost made me cry! suddenly melanie turns the tables with appealing and strong messages! all in a wonderful sound garden! perfect! 10/10
...... by the way: co-written by Guy Chambers (who worked before for Robbie Williams ... no doubt, melanie and guy did a superb job!)

> 7 Do I: a lovely and emotional chorus in a the-corrs-like style! nothing out of the ordinary, but extremely heart-warming and catchy! lovely 9/10

> 8 Soul Boy: strange beginning, quite slow-motion and chill-out song. okay! 6/10

> 9 Water: easy going piece of pop music with musical surprises! big up 2 times! 9/10

> 10 Home: pretty sag song, seems to be very autobiographical when looking at the lyrics (once upon a time before all this mess began i never felt alone)! emotions pure! 9/10

> 11 Let's Love: classy rock sound, melanie's voice fits in perfectly and there's a good message: let's love! well done! 8/10

> 12 Yeh, Yeh, Yeh: up beat, party crasher - excellent ending of an album! PARTY ON!

so, i guess there are enough reasons to buy REASON! come on! it's great!!!

I thought that no album would be better than her first solo album, Northern Star. I was SO wrong ! I bought this album only days after it was released and i don't regret it ! Her songs are all good ! There are some which you have to listen to them more than once to appreciate them .

Here it comes again : Good song, good start for the album and a good release for a single. Her voice is at it's best at the end.

Reason : Wonderful ballad. The piano makes Mel C's vouce sound at it's best. One of my favourites.

Lose myself in you : Good song, i like the lines that repeat till the end.

On The Horizon : Second Signle for this album....cool sound of guitars which go so well with her voice !

Positively Somewhere : I like this song ! another of my favourites ! Cool chorus !

Melt: Touching begginning, then repeats the same lines over and over again till the end, but the music is so enchanting that you don't notice !

Do I : One of the songs which i had listened to more than one time to get used to it. Another nice song, still one of my favourites !

Soul Boy : Another song which i thought was weird at the first hearing. It was only after listening to it carefully did i apprediacte Mel's emotions pouring out at every bang of the piano.

Water: AHa ! i fell in love with this song at once ! it's sort of refreshing....yet another of my favourites !

Home: This was the last song i got used to....cool song. don't much like the chorus, but still nice

Lets' love: I love her voice in this one !

Yeh Yeh Yeh: Good ending to a perfect album ! Very catchy chorus !

This album is worth spending your money on. trust me !

Melanie C is often referred to in the British Press as the heir to the Pat Benatar throne, and for good reason. Her superb Debut CD "Northern Star" yielded 2 Huge Pop/Rock inflected Dance Hits in America: "I Turn to You" (Hex Hector) and "Never Be the Same Again" (Jonathon Peters). Her follow up CD "Reason" is one of the most underrated CDs of 2003. The Label chose "Here It Comes Again" and the "too Pop for Melanie" "On the Horizon" as the first and Second Singles, respectively. This perhaps explains why the CD failed to "catch". The real gems on this CD are buried at the end: the Modern Day Pat Benatar-esque track "Let's Love" and the equally rocking "Yeh, Yeh, Yeh". Another Artist showing her "Benatar roots" is Pop/Rocker AMBER. Her Pop Perfect "Just Like That" from her Superb "My Kind of World" quite by accident sounds almost like Benatar herself and is something of an unintentional nod to the Artist. And the Monster Hit-to-be Whitney Houston Meets Pat Benatar Power Ballad "Sacrificial Lamb" makes AMBER a worthy contender to any Female Rocker's throne. Amber has already hit #1 on the all important trendsetting XM Radio with her Alt Rock infused Single "You Move Me". My advice to the fans? Give Melanie C "Reason" a listen and pick up AMBER - "My Kind of World" as well.

Melanie C is often referred to in the British Press as the heir to the Pat Benatar throne, and for good reason. Her superb Debut CD "Northern Star" yielded 2 Huge Pop/Rock inflected Dance Hits in America: "I Turn to You" (Hex Hector) and "Never Be the Same Again" (Jonathon Peters). Her follow up CD "Reason" is one of the most underrated CDs of 2003. The Label chose "Here It Comes Again" and the "too Pop for Melanie" "On the Horizon" as the first and Second Singles, respectively. This perhaps explains why the CD failed to "catch". The real gems on this CD are buried at the end: the Modern Day Pat Benatar-esque track "Let's Love" and the equally rocking "Yeh, Yeh, Yeh". Another Artist showing her "Benatar roots" is Pop/Rocker AMBER. Her Pop Perfect "Just Like That" from her Superb "My Kind of World" quite by accident sounds almost like Benatar herself and is something of an unintentional nod to the Artist. And the Monster Hit-to-be Whitney Houston Meets Pat Benatar Power Ballad "Sacrificial Lamb" makes AMBER a worthy contender to any Female Rocker's throne. Amber has already hit #1 on the all important trendsetting XM Radio with her Alt Rock infused Single "You Move Me". My advice to the fans? Give Melanie C "Reason" a listen and pick up AMBER - "My Kind of World" as well.

Although she was never my favourite Spice, Melanie C has certainly impressed me with her solo albums. I was impressed with her first, Northern Star. However, I have been blown away by Reason. She is now my favourite Spice, to say the least.

Mel has shown a lot of growth since Northern Star. Her songs are definately more meaningful, more deep. They're all completely relatable. In a word, this album is LOVABLE. Every song shows depth and versatility from one to another. In her more simplistic songs, Mel shows her vulnerability in a candid way. And in more upbeat, spunkier ones she shows how much she loves to rock.

The album has no fillers, I can tell! It is the best [money] I ever spent. This is certainly the best album that has ever graced my ear.

P.S. the best songs are "On the Horizon," "Do I," and "Reason."

Listening to Melanie's new album means that one will watch her blossom into a full fledged artist with her own style. She developed her own sound, her own way of singing, her own identity. With Northern Star's ecelticism Mel grasped our attention with Reason she has us yearning for more.

Reason is a more mellow album that would be perfect to listen to while driving. It has a very British rock vibe to it like Robbie Williams, Coldplay, etc. All of the songs are perfect for singing along with and as usual there are certain gems that are not to be missed:

Reason, the title track is a beautiful piano ballad that shows Mel purging all her emotions

Soul Boy is a haunting oceanic-like song

Yeh Yeh Yeh is almost begging to be released as a single

Home is my favorite of them all. It's almost like a techno meets hard rock meets a ragge vibe.

And of course there's Positively Somewhere that reminds me of Oasis.

All in all I am predicting a long career for Melanie and I will definatly be tuning in to see what she has to say over the years.

REASON - Melanie C's sophomore album. Is one of those albums that really stuck with me in 2003! After her first attempt to fly solo with Northern Star in 1999, she out-does herself with REASON. I've always considered her as a talented vocalist, even when she was still with the Spice Girls; let's face it, she has the pipes (Emma Bunton comes in second) and with this album, I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is not a fan of hers; if you're into deep lyrics and a different sound, this is the album to listen to! Very inspirational, a happy optimistic record! It's a shame that this album is not marketed right in the US because they don't know what they're missing. Each song tells her personal stories and her life experiences! Enjoy!!!

Melanie C takes her talent to new hieghts with this cd. This cd definetly surpasses her first. She puts her heart and soul into every song. I wish she would come to the US because i think she would do really good here. she kind of has that pop sound with a hard rock edge. Let's Love, Yeh,Yeh,Yeh, and Soul boy are my favorite songs. Don't let her spice girl image scare you away from buying the cd. She's a great singer with an awesome voice.
BUY HER CD TODAY, YOU WON'T REGRET IT!!!