Customer Reviews

Schizophonic

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This Cd is the best one ever. Lift Me Up all ways lifts me up when I'm down and Look at me Rocks! I love all the songs and Geri Too!

I loved the Spice Girls, but Geri was always my favorite, so needless to say I couldn't wait for her solo album to come out. I bought it the first day it came out because I put it on hold. Although, the other Spice Girls are coming out with their own solo albums, none of their's will compare to Geri's. She is too inventive and self confident. GIRL POWER!

Rather than wait for the standard domestic CD of The Artist Formerly Known As Ginger Spice, I ordered the limited edition which had the CD and a video for her leadoff single "Look At Me" as well as an interview with her. But of the Spice Girls, Geri Halliwell's epithet Ginger was appropriate, as she was the most vivacious, tied for most assertive along with Scary Spice, and the one with a flare for drama. Schizophonic is a great showcase for Geri's voice apart from her former bandmates, and it's incredible to believe that this eclectic mix was produced by Absolute, one of the co-producers of the Spicey's first two albums.

The brassy and jamming "Look At Me" is basically about how image-obsessed we are and the various masks people put on fitting whatever image they want to present. Per the interview, Geri says she's laughing at herself, especially when she sings "I am a drama queen if that's your thing. Baby I can even do reality." A standout track.

"Lift Me Up" shows Geri equally home with mid-paced ballads, backed as she is by string-synths and soul-style backing vocalists. Even more heartfelt is "Walkaway," underlying the conflict in abandoning loneliness for something else, yet pulled by that feeling that it's okay to be just one. The orchestral arrangements rise in pitch towards the end to match the feeling.

The Spanish guitars and other musical motifs in "Mi Chico Latino" is a nod to Geri's Spanish heritage--she's half Spanish.

"Goodnight Kiss" is a throwback to nighttime cafe jazz, and although Geri's no torch singer, the piano and sax work well to give the atmosphere. Call it above average for the genre.

"Bag It Up" recalls 70's disco and soul, especially with the loud brassy horns, and per the interview, it's a battle between opposites, and genders. However, she makes it clear she's wearing the trousers between the two, and she even tweaks gender roles: "men are from Venus, girls are from Mars." The most vivacious track here. I couldn't help noticing the backup singers listed: Pepsi and Shirley. Is it the Pepsi and Shirley who backed up Wham!, I wonder?

Per the interview, "Sometime" is a reflective track searching for peace of mind featuring a strong bass and piano backing. After the beginning electric sitar and an Indian female vocalist, "Let Me Love You" yields to a post-Spice pop merged with the Beatles' Indian-influenced music in the chorus.

With the spoken "It's important to learn to laugh at yourself Don't take life so seriously," the funky upbeat "You're In A Bubble" is a slap those who don't go by that intro, and for them to "call the police, cause your karma's in trouble."

After the video, where she puts on four personas, the sister, virgin bride, and white collar workaholic, and the vamp, and even her Ginger self in a funeral procession for that persona, she explains her obligations to other causes, such as a cancer benefit and UN spokesperson, that initially entailed her departure as early as October 1997, but whose cancellation made her question her role in a larger scope. She describes her time with the Spices as a whirlwind marriage that ended when she decided to leave the peak of the pop mountain they had climbed, with no rancor shown.

Filled with good-natured brassy pop and soft reflective numbers, Schizophonic indeed belies its etymological meaning, a split sound. More exciting than Emma Bunton's first solo effort and definitely a far cry from Mel C's solo debut. For her second release, she screamed and went a little bit faster, but I've already talked about that. Oh, and the keychain has "Geri Halliwell" on one side, "Look At Me" on the other, and it still holds my keys.

Geri Halliwell was true to her word when she said "I'll be back"....She has returned with a fantastic solo album....which is more mature and is in the same field as her Celeberty Mate Geroge Michael...Schizophonic is a album with 10 songs...and each song has a differnent style...Look At Me has a 50's feel to it...in Mi Chico Latino (which is being looked at as being the second single off of Schizophonic) Geri shows that she also sings Spanish (she also did this when she had a Spanish Rap in the song "If You Can't Dance" on the Spice Girls 1st Album)...Lift Me Up is a sensational love song that lifts up the soul...and Walk Away is an excelent song to play to your ex-lover when you break up with them (Walk Away is actually about what Geri went though when she left the Spice Girls last year...Look At Me is already out on the Radio and MTV...and if you look hard enough on the internet you can find clips of the other three songs I have mentioned...Mi Chico Latino, Lift Me Up, and Walk Away...When the Album comes out here in the states go out and buy it!

I LIKE THE SPICE GIRLS AND IREALLY LIKE GERRI! NOW THAT SHE HAS LEFT, I THINK SHE IS BETTER THAN EVER. GO OUT AND GET THE C.D NOW. THE NEW MI CHICO LATINO VIDEO AND SINGLE IS COOL TOO.

Ok, this is what I think: whether you're a Geri fan or not you've gotta luv this album! It's perfect and couldn't possibly be better. Geri rocks, spice girls (without geri) suck!!!!!!!!! quit the cruel, nasty comments, spices, GERI's better than u, just get used to it. you'll never be even a quarter as cool as her! u can't sing, spices, and she most definitely CAN!!!!!!!!!!!! every song on this album is loveable and rocks. i listen to it at LEAST 1-2 times every single day.

Let's not get carried away. She sings like she's had too many Benson and Hedges for breakfast, and most of the lyrics are pinched from Madonna songs...However the album is a strong and upbeat pop affair, with plenty to commend it. Ms halliwell has stuck her trotters into nearly every style of music going and pulled off nearly all of them, although her attempt at a sexy drawl on Goodnight kiss is frightening to say the least. However Bag it up and the barely hidden attack on Mel B, You're in a Bubble serve as stand out tracks amongst an album of catchy melodies and differing styles. With enough cod psychology to fill a thousand philosophy test papers and some sound production from Absolute, Geri has pulled a pleasantly witty and assertive debut out of the bag, But maybe you should try something else now Gezza, one may well be enough.

geri halliwell on her own is something unimaginable one year ago. she doesn't sing many lines with the spice girls but leaving the girls was the best thing she ever did. and boy, has she emerged. 10 new tracks and just a little touch of spice. but everything new, especially attitude. i certainly hope many people would open their eyes to see the artistry of geri, the new generation julie andrews!

I think geri halliwell is agreat singer ,at the time of the spice girls her voice was the best.I liked the band because of her.Now that she is out with her solo career and came out with such agood album (all the songs=5 stars) i know she is going to make it, in every way.the spice girls will be forgoten eventually.but as i know geri she will be remembered forever because when u say the spice girls u mean geri halliwell:))

I got the CD probally the first or second day it was out & i loved it! I listened to all of the songs with my cousin & we sang along to it & loved every bit of it! So if you liked the Spice Girl phononomen "Ginger Spice" then you will really like Geri Halliwell, now! She is still sassy & has Girl Power but she more of herself now. So go out there & check her CD out!