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REASON
Melanie C
(Virgin/EMI)
We could remind you that, in our humble opinion, Melanie Chisholm -- aka Sporty Spice -- always seemed to be the only Spice Girl who was able to carry a tune without the aid of a very large bucket.
Likewise, we could remind you that Mel C is but one of just two Girls -- Geri (Ginger) Halliwell being the other -- who has managed to put out a post-Spice album that could actually be listened to without the aid of copious amounts of alcohol and irony.
Finally, we could inform you that in comparison to that album -- 1999's Northern Star, for those keeping score -- her followup Reason is a slightly more soulful and mature disc, with deeper grooves, smoother vibes, plenty of Alanis-style rock balladry and not much pop fluff. All of which is well and good.
Trouble is, we just can't imagine who's supposed to care. We can't see old Spice fans embracing her new grownup approach. Nor can we see her suddenly winning over folks who have been dismissing her for years.
When you look at it that way, we can't see much reason for Reason to be.
Track Listing
1. Here It Comes Again
2. Reason
3. Lose Myself In You
4. On The Horizon
5. Positively Somewhere
6. Melt
7. Do I
8. Soul Boy
9. Water
10. Home
11. Lets Love
12. Yeh Yeh Yeh