Customer Reviews

Schizophonic

5 star:		(303)
4 star:		(60)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(21)

 

 

This album, by far, surpassed my expectations of the former Ginger Spice. While she may not have the best singing voice, she makes up for it in the heart and soul she puts into this album (and after just listening to Melanie C's album, this is the big difference between the two, Mel C can sing, but she doesn't have any soul. Geri does). You can tell by listening that she really put her best effort in creating a good album. None of the songs sound like "filler songs", and instead they could all be single material. Honestly, this is one CD that you shouldn't pass up. Schizo-phonic has my vote as being one of the best albums of 1999 easily.

So is Geri's first album is better than all the other solo albums by the other Spice Girls ? Yes it is. But unfortunately, its NOT better than the first two albums by the Spice Girls as a group (`Spice' and `Spice World'), but that's to be expected. Theres not a single song here that will be remembered in the same breath as `Wannabe' or `Say you'll be there' (or even `Stop' or `2 Become 1'), but then again Geri's style is different. The music here is actually very good, the production values are far better than the ones on Melanie C's solo effort (and MUCH better than Melanie B's `Hot'), but theres something missing. However, at the end of the album, you do realize that Geri is no flash in the pan, and that she can actually carve out a successful solo career if she wanted to. Lets go track by track (I've skipped the `fillers') :

1. Look at me : This was the first single release from the album and it did not go to No. 1. It is however, a very good song. The horn and use of trumpet get a bit overwhelming at times, and this is not a slick pop-beat song, but it works, and Geri's thoroughly enjoyable East London accent makes it worth sitting through.

2. Lift Me Up : This went to No. 1 in the UK when it was released as a single. Many of Geri's songs don't have a message at all, but its all good fun. I love the opening verse where she shows us what a good voice she has (`All the colors of the rainbow, going somewhere, baby like you and I'). She almost sounded like Barbra Streisand there !

3. Mi Chico Latino : The only Latin flavored song on the album is also one of the most enjoyable. Geri uses all of the usual Latin clichés the same way Gina G did (`la Vida', `dolce vita', etc.) but who cares as long as the song works? And it does. This was Geri's first UK No. 1.

4. Bag it Up : Also a UK no.1 hit (come to think of it, she HAS had many No. 1s from this album, hasn't she?) this is the most campy and bitchy songs on the CD. Geri advises women to treat their men `like a lady'. Rather novel, I thought. If you ever manage to get the CD single of this, you'll find the video on it. Its unmissable. This song became an instant hit in gay clubs and discos, and deservedly so. Very danceable.

5. Let me love you : The song starts off with an Indian chant, and then lapses into full pop song, with the most infectious chorus. The almost Beatleseque mood is heightened by use of the sitar, an Indian instrument that the Beatles used on their later works. This is one of the best songs on the CD. A very welcome surprise.

6. Somehow : Alternating between rock-chick and pop-virgin, Geri takes on different musical styles in this song, and it works! This is the best song on the album. Pity it wasn't released as a single. Actually, EVERY song on this album could have been a prospective single. The album comes together very nicely. This track has a very hummable chorus and an even more infectious verse. The perfect pop song, I thought.

7. You're in a bubble - This reminded me of one of the last songs on Macy Gray's first album. Its very strong musically, and sung with fervor. I especially liked Geri's spoken opening lines about not taking oneself too seriously. Her accent just cracks me up !! Very engaging.

On the whole, if you at some point have been interested in Geri Halliwell, I would recommend that you get this CD. I never expected much from it, but it gave me so much back ! And any CD that can do that, no matter how cheesy, is certainly worth having! Highly recommended.

I'll admit, when she was Ginger Spice, she was my least favorite Spice Girl. I didn't think she was a very good singer, and I didn't like her clothes at all. But when I first heard "Look At Me," I was so surprised! I loved it! I bought the album as soon as I could, and I love almost every track. Even if you don't like her voice, her songs are all so catchy, like "Bag It Up" or sad and serious, like "Walkaway." A lot of the critics were way too harsh, in my opinion. Schizophonic is a great album-if you haven't bought it yet, you should.

I bought this disc while in the midst of my Geri (Ginger) Halliwell crush back when. Though I don't think "Schizophonic" was anyone's "Album Of the Year" when it came out, it is actually better than I expected. Some of the tracks lack greatness, and her voice was never her strong-point, but between the better half of the album and her delivery, it works. It succeeds in the same way the Spice Girls did, in being just fun and catchy pop, nothing more. My favorite songs are "Look At Me", "Lift Me Up", "Mi Chico Latino", and "Sometime". Overall, I don't think the music is quite as hot as she is herself, but it is rather spicey, and well worth the used price here.

Of all the Spice Girls members, Geri (aka: Ginger Spice) has always been my favourite, whether it be her looks, talent or just personality. When she left the group, I knew she had something up her sleeve. Well, sure enough, out come this wonderful debut album, "Schizophonic." Here is the track-by-track review:-

1) Look At Me: (1st single) With a funky beat and even funkier lyrics, this tune may seem a little awkward at first for some listeners, but after the second or third time, you'll laugh and sing right along with this moderately-fast tempo song.

2) Lift Me Up: (3rd single) My most favourite song from this album... in fact, probably of all time. When the first note is played, you will be automatically transported to a high mountain, watching a beautiful sunrise. The happy feel to this song is guaranteed to, like the title suggests, lift you up!

3) Walkaway: In her autobiography, Geri told that she wrote the first verse while she was hiding from the press during her post-Spice days. The mood and lyrics of this ballad tells of her struggling to walk proudly into her new life.

4) Mi Chico Latino: (2nd single) The latin feel of this club favourite is sure to light up any party or night out! Like a Ricky Martin fast song... only better!

5) Goodnight Kiss: An unusual song with a jazzy beat that speaks take it or leave it. Either you like this song, or you don't.

6) Bag It Up: (4th single) The perfect example of battle of the sexes. This sort-of continuation of "Who Do You Think You Are" has deadpan lyrics that screams "GIRL POWER"!

7) Sometime: Once again, either you like it, or you don't. The church organ and choral arrangements in the beginning of the song might turn some people off. However, it is a pretty good moderately paced ballad.

8) Let Me Love You: A strange little number with a sitar and East-Indian introduction. Sort of like the last track, but with a different beginning. Also, the tempo of this song is a little faster than "Sometime".

9) Someone's Watching Over Me: A feel good song about how a girl wants someone to watch over her. Not the best song, but not bad either.

10) You're In A Bubble: ...If you like the fast songs a la Spice Girls, you'll like this one. Note: The lyrics for this song in the album insert does not include the chorus for some reason, so I still don't quite understand one of the lines!

Altogether, this is a very exciting release from Geri Halliwell, and all music fans should at least find one favourite track in this album. The lyrics are all very insightful on Geri's life. A must-buy for music lovers. Good job, Geri!

Schizophonic is the debut album by former Spice Girl member Geri Halliwell and it sure lives up to it's hype! I'll do a break-down of each song for you. Look At Me (5)- Awesome, upbeat different sounding song unlike any other songs.

Lift Me Up (5)- A bubble gum pop type song with a great, catchey tune.

Walkaway (5)- A song about Geri leaving the Spice; emotional, sad song.

Mi Chico Latino (5)- A Latin influenced track; the best track on the c.d.

Goodnight Kiss(4)- A jazzy type track; really shows off Geri's voice.

Bag It Up(5)- A get-up-and-dance track; great song for a party

Sometime(5)- An almost scary song with a holy influence in it; definitly schizophonic.

Let Me Love You(4)- A Native- American/ Asian influenced track; pretty cool.

Someone's Watching Over Me(4)- Another emotional track. It's about Geri's father.

You're In A Bubble(5)- A cruel and mean pop song supposidly directed towards Melanie G.

Well, there you have it. Go buy Schizophonic today!

I was a huge fan of the Spice Girls and Geri was my favorite so I was sad to see her leave. But when she released Schizophonic in 1999, I was sad no longer. Here are my thoughts on each song:

1.Look at me-the first single and a great song. The only thing I don't like is the part in the middle with the horns. Up-tempo

2.Lift me up- one of my favorites on here.I love the chorus. A very different song from Look at me. Mid-tempo.

3.Walkaway-a very sad song about her time with the Spice Girls. It's a slow song

4.Mi chico latino- a song that I play a lot. It's fantastic and I love the Spanish bit in it. Mid-tempo

5.Goodnight kiss- a great,great song. It reminds me of a song that a lounge singer in the 1940's would have sang. It's a slow song.

6.Bag it up- I love this song. It has a Girl Power attitude. Up-tempo

7. Sometime-an okay song but not one of my favorites. mid to upper tempo

8. Let me love you-the song starts with a Hindi sounding singer. It's a song that has grown on me over the years. Up-tempo

9.Someone's watching over me-another sad slow song. This one is about Geri's father who died before she was successful.

10.You're in a bubble- a great way to end the cd. It's a tongue in cheek kind of song and it has two metions of a swear word so it's not a little kid song. Up-tempo.

If you can still find this cd, you should snatch it up because it's great!

Of course could Geri Halliwell ever really kill 'Ginger'? Naw but for this CD she *reallly* tried (even having her funeral in the 'Look at me' video) yet later gave up and by 2004 has fully reverted back to her Spice sounding days. But for now let's go back to 1999.
Schizophonic overall has a very 'grown up yet not' pop vibe to it which is truly to this CD and this CD only. Perhaps its all in the name Schizo: split Phonic: listening/music.

Schizophonic kicks off with 'Look at me' her very first single so aptly titled. Geri follows this with some 'deeper then the Spice Girls could ever go' tracks: 'Lift me up' a sweet ballad and 'Walkaway' which is about her leaving the group. Yet Geri doesn't want you to forget what makes her great: her sassy kitch pop. Thus 'Mi Chico Latino' a latin flavored quick paced track and 'Bag it up' a sassy jazz inspired pop anthem appear.

From here Geri decides to try something inspired and new again. 'Sometime' is a angel vs devil type of track thats honestly unique. The verses are sweet and church sounding while the bridge is a devil trying to get out sound, while the chorus is a mix. Honestly one of the better pop tracks of ALL TIME! Geri follows this up with 'Let me love you' a hindi inspired innocent and sweet love song. Again its innovational and really a pop masterpiece!

For the final tracks Geri almost reviews what we all just heard: good ol pop, innovational pop, and of course the inspiring pop. 'Someone's watching over me' is a sweet ballad dedicated to her deceased father and the final track 'You're in a bubble' is again in your face innovational kitsch pop...it's also rumored to be inspired by an ex bandmate though that's never been proven.

Overall 'Schizophonic' was a brilliant start out in to the solo pop world...not to mention before it's time in some places.

This, to me, in retrospect, counts as one of the best solo Spice Girls albums.
All of the songs are quirky and quite fun to listen to, and the lyrics are amusingly insightful, with her unusual and likable voice topping the mix like hot fudge on a sundae.
From the camp-vamp-pop of "Look At Me", to dancier cuts like the Latin "Mi Chico Latino" and and the all-out disco of "Bag It Up", Geri carries the fun right through, even dispersing it in the ballads, which is quite rare these days, as most pop ballads tend to become filler and drag on, with groan-inducing kitsch.
Geri is quite keenly aware of kitsch and knows how to use it to its full advantage, so the smile sneaks up on you repeatedly when you listen.
Though her second album has its merits, this is to me, a quintessentially enjoyable pop record.
For the schizo, or the misunderstood, and for anyone, sit down with this album whenever!

Geri hit the nail on the head with this album. Since it was her first endeavor after leaving the Spice Girls, people were expecting some of the same Spice Girl type sounds. This isn't too far from it, yet it is. The songs are full of emotions, and experiences, unlike the SG's earlier material. The best song on here is Someone's Watching Over Me. It's full of pure emotion, and it's light hearted. Excellent work Geri! Looking forward to your next album!!