This came out in 1999 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
It isn’t easy being Sporty.
For the last five years or so, next to Posh, Scary, Ginger and even Baby, poor Sporty has always seemed more like Leftover Spice. But now that Geri Halliwell has scarpered and the rest of the bunch are busy getting married and having babies, Sporty — known to her folks as Melanie Chisholm and to more-discerning fans as The Spice Who Can Actually Sing — finally gets to prove she’s her own Girl, er, woman. And to hammer the point home, she’s got a new ’do, scored some new tattoos and put out a solo album on which she confidently asserts a musical identity distinct from Sporty Spice.
Too bad that identity already has a name: Madonna. And too bad she more or less made this album last year — and called it Ray Of Light. Not that I’m accusing Mel of plagiarism, mind you. But with its synth-driven sound, trippy vibe and swirling dance-pop production, Northern Star sure does sound like the sincerest form of flattery.
But then, how could it sound like anything else? Mel teamed up with no less than three Madonna collaborators here — songwriters Marius De Vries and Rock Nowels and, more significantly, producer William Orbit, who was also behind the board for Ray Of Light. With that crew at the controls, it’s a wonder that every part of Northern Star doesn’t sound like the Material Girl.
In fact, it’s the rare moments when Melanie manages to shuck off the Madonna cloak that make Northern Star briefly shine. Moments like the Garbage-y, guitar-based alt-rock of Ga Ga, one of several tunes produced by Rick Rubin. Or the distorto synth-slam of first single Goin’ Down, one of several songs that might have been better produced by Rubin. Or even the vibrating go-go pop of leadoff track Go!
Sure, Mel lives up to her billing as the one Spice who doesn’t need a bucket to carry a tune. Even so, it isn’t enough to make Northern Star appeal to anyone besides the faithful. Looks like it isn’t going to get any easier being Sporty.
