Look at me! (Schizophonic - Geri Halliwell)

Member Name: Christophene

Product:	Schizophonic - Geri Halliwell
Date:	26/03/01 (91 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great album from a great writer

Disadvantages: none

The first thing I ever heard from Geri Halliwell was when she was ‘Ginger’ in that world conquering, all girl group the ‘Spice Girls’.

Over time I became a big fan of the Spice Girls and when Geri ‘Ginger Spice’ Halliwell quit I was hugely disappointed!

I thought she would fade into obscurity, and that we would never hear from her again, how wrong was I?

She became to be one of Britain’s most talked about celebrities! She is the female equivalent of Robbie Williams.

Her much anticipated solo debut album ‘Schizo-Phonic’ is a mix of ‘red’ and ‘white’ songs.

The red songs being sexy dance tracks such as; You're in a Bubble, Bag it Up, Look at Me, Goodnight Kiss, and Mi Chico Latino.

The white songs are innocent slow songs such as; Lift Me Up, Walk Away, Someone’s Watching Over Me, Sometime and Let Me Love You.

‘Schizo-Phonic’ means, ‘split of vocal sounds’ and that’s exactly what you get, none of the tracks on this very diverse album sound at all similar! Each track stands on it’s own, with varying influences over music; "You're in a Bubble" is a rap song, whilst "Goodnight Kiss" reminds me of music from the 30's or 40's, and "Mi Chico Latino" is very much a Latin sounding song.

Here’s my track-by-track review:

TRACK ONE – LOOK AT ME (RED SONG):
Geri's debut solo single from the album, which got to number 2 in the UK charts. This song is upbeat and has got a powerful 50's retro style tune. The song is all about seeing Geri ‘Ginger Spice’ Halliwell in a new light as Geri and not Ginger. There’s a really great 'opera' style outburst near the end of the song.

Featured Lyrics:
Look at me / You can take it all because this face is free / Maybe next time use your eyes a
nd look at me / I'm a drama queen if that's your thing baby / I can even do reality /


TRACK TWO – LIFT ME UP (WHITE SONG):
Geri's third single off the album, this was her second number 1 song! With its summery tune and relaxed beat this song is just a great tune typical ‘Sunday morning’ stuff. This shows Geri's vocal ability more than most of the other tracks on the album. All about going somewhere you have wished for and everything being ok. A chilled track but a superb chorus!

Featured Lyrics:
(Lift Me Up) When the day is over / (Take me up) When the sun is going down / (Show me love) I will be your angel now / (Lift Me Up) When the lights are fading / (Talk me down) When I'm flying way up high / (Show me love) And I'll be your angel for life / Your angel for life /




TRACK THREE – WALKAWAY (WHITE SONG):
The beginning of this song is really dramatic, Geri starts of in a slow voice to quiet wintry music, the song then slowly erupts into a powerful ballad. Although this song has a slow start, Geri's voice is amazing and the lyrics and very sad, all about her leaving the Spice Girls (I think).

Featured Lyrics:
Walk away this time with my head up high / Walk away just me and myself / Walk away with pride / Nothing left to hide / But it just feels right to be one /
And just walk away /


TRACK FOUR – MI CHICO LATINO (RED SONG):
Her second single off the album and her first solo number 1! This is an upbeat Latino track, all about her 'Latino Man' who she is searching for. This is a very relaxed track with a powerful chorus; it has a brilliant beat and vibe. Geri who is half Spanish also offers us her little Spanish Rap near the end of the song, which raps up an excellent track!

Featured Lyrics:
Stolen moments time has broken / My eyes are open to this life-long mystery /
And so I’ll go with w
hat I know / Take my chances and run with destiny /
AND
Now there's fire in my eyes / I'll break away and say goodbye / I’m free to be I’m letting go / I'll find my way so /


TRACK FIVE – GOODNIGHT KISS (RED SONG):
A retro beat with trumpets make this a very mellow song. Geri offers us an almost Blues track, with a great chorus. Geri's voice is so smooth on this track and the music could be a bit better but the chorus makes up for it. All about her and a certain man… A slow song but defiantly a good one!

Featured Lyrics:
So baby tonight, I might, let you in / No need to fight- I'm yours, so lets begin /
But baby I know, when you go you'll touch I'll miss / But starting tonight if you don't do me right / Then it's just gonna end as a goodnight kiss /


TRACK SIX – BAG IT UP (RED SONG):
Geri has gone very upbeat with this number her third number 1 off the album. The verses are spoken but the chorus is sung superbly as Geri belts out the difference between Men and Woman. Bag It Up will most definitely get you dancing; it is a great dance track, the most upbeat on the album.

Featured Lyrics:
Bag It Up / Don't drop the baby / Boot him out / No buts or maybe / Wind him up / And make him crazy / Take him back / Don't drop the baby / Spin him out / No buts or maybe / Do your thing / Come on lady/


TRACK SEVEN – SOMETIME (WHITE SONG):
A gospel choir sing at the start of the song with Geri leading it. The song stats off slow but then goes into a laid back beat with Geri giving her all on this chilled out song. The bridge is loud and breaks out into a chorus where Geri demonstrates she can sing! All about giving people space and time and the lyrics are amazing, as is the song.
Featured Lyrics:
There's somethin' I need to say / Somehow we'll find a way / I wish this was yesterday / Then mayb
e tomorrow I'll remember, sometime / Give me hope, in life I pray / But it's good when I'm bad / I'm sorry to say /


TRACK EIGHT – LET ME LOVE YOU (WHITE SONG):
This song has a weird Indian music sample at the beginning and you don't really know what to expect till the upbeat music breaks out into a little belter. Geri speaks the verses rather than singing but the bridge and chorus are brilliant and the guitar in the background is fantastic. The music and beat enhance the song and with the Asian sample the song is a cracker talking about letting someone love you :)

Featured Lyrics:
Let me love you, I know that I can / If you take me then you'll understand / So let me love you, I'll hold on tight / If not for tomorrow then maybe tonight /


TRACK NINE - SOMEONES WATCHING OVER ME (WHITE SONG):
Geri wrote this for her late father and it is one of the best songs on the album. The lyrics are amazing and the chorus may even bring a tear to your eye. It starts with the sound of children playing. The music is slightly upbeat but Geri demonstrates how she feels with the lyrics, there is a constant beat with Geri's voice.

Featured Lyrics:
Someone's watching over me / Though sometimes I wish that you would look away from me / Always watching over me / Though it's not perfect it can't be any other way for me / You said to me that time would never wait / So I ran a little faster / I was always there but just too late / so fate became a father / At the end of the day / so fate became a father /


TRACK TEN - YOUR IN A BUBBLE (RED SONG):
A mad track which may be a crack at the Spice Girls. Geri raps on here more than she sings and this is definitely a mad song (the kind you would have expected Geri to release before you had heard the album! This is the worst song on the album, but hey I like it!

Featured Lyrics:
Sugar daddies whizz kids city boy
s jet setting go getting with grown-up toys heart-breakin' / Money making earth-quaking, love faking where's your heart
Did you sell that too / paranoid star lover you talk rich and that's your cover /
The more you get the more you chase /


There is something for everyone on Geri Halliwell’s Album Schizo-phonic, and I would recommend that you give it a try. But I would recommend you buy any Spice Girls album because I think they have talent as singers and writers, so give them a whirl!

You may also want to read my review on Melanie C’s solo album ‘Northern Star’

Thank-you for reading my review, please leave a comment! :)

Summary: