McAndrew

Viva Forever was such a weird moment. A beautiful, haunting song featuring the now absent Geri. And such an eerie video. And then it takes the UK No.1 spot, after the media-branded 'disappointment' of Stop going to No.2. It seemed like it was over. Then, for a moment, Viva Forever suggested it wasn't... Until it all went quiet and eventually fizzled.

'Confide In Me' was such an exciting release for me. Dramatically unexpected, edgy and fresh. And she pulled it off impeccably. To me, it felt like Kylie had really found her groove with this single. It demonstrated everything she had to offer as an artist, and as her own person. At this point her talent was undeniable. I do love every track on the album though. But I've always felt it needed a proper album title.

Yes Emma! I need that voice in my life again. :heart: I'm not hankering for huge chart success but I think she'll equal Melanie C's recent successes. Her sound has always been less polarising, so if the material is strong... who knows what might happen. If this comes out before Christmas, it will make my year.

'Shocked' and 'Slow' are lower than I'd expected. I'd have predicted top 15 for both of those. 'Every Day's Like Christmas' has to be one of the best original Christmas singles of the last decade. So I feel as though it deserves its position.

I love 'Did It Again' and 'Breathe'. As singles, I think 'Did It Again' is the catchier of the two. Not saying it's the better song. Just the better single choice. 'Some Kind Of Bliss' is one of my least favourite Kylie singles. It sounds too much like the Manic Street Preachers for my tastes. To me, they were a bit of a dad band.

'I Believe In You' got my vote because it has meaningful, uplifting lyrics and yet it's great to dance to as well. It encapsulates everything I love about Kylie. 'Where The Wild Roses Grow' is my second place, and 'Right Here, Right Now' would be third.

An unpopular choice but 'Give Me Just a Little More Time' got my vote. Mainly for the pure joy and purring thing she does at the end. It was a vote for nostalgia. Artistically, I think 'Finer Feelings' is the best single. But it doesn't give me such a fuzzy, happy feeling. I've always found 'If You Were With Me Now' incredibly boring. But Kylie's voice sounds great and it was an intelligent move, boosting her credibility as a singer. 'Word Is Out', I have never really connected with. There's just nothing to grab me. The album, and even the single choices, are mixed bag. But an interesting point in Kylie's career. I'm glad she went on to pursue the direction of 'Finer Feelings', rather than holding on to the more familiar territory of 'Give Me Just a Little More Time'.

I'd hazard a theory that, in general, Kylie's album tracks vastly improved in quality after the first four albums. So we have more choices!

01. Kylie - Love At First Sight 02. Enjoy Yourself - Enjoy Yourself 03. Rhythm of Love - Things Can Only Get Better 04. Let's Get To It - Too much Of A Good Thing 05. Kylie Minogue - Surrender 06. Impossible Princess - Dreams 07. Light Years - Disco Down 08. Fever - Love Affair 09. Body Language - Promises 10. X - Like A Drug 11. Aphrodite - Closer 12. Kiss Me Once - Sleeping With The Enemy 13. Kylie Christmas - Christmas Isn't Christmas Til You Get Here 14. Golden - Shelby '68

According to her twitter, Melanie is DJ-ing in Great Yarmouth in a couple of weeks. Having grown up in the potato fields of Norfolk myself, I'm shocked by the news. Whatever next... Skegness?

'Step Back in Time' is the one I listen to the most. But I had to vote for 'Better The Devil You Know' as it's just so iconic. Agree 'Things Can Only Get Better' would've been a great single. The guitar section 2.34 reminds me of the theme from 'Girl From Tomorrow' (Aussie kids TV at its best). Although I did love all the singles they went with.

It's so nice to see how excited Mel still is by the Spice Girls. I do love her for that. But I think she's very single-minded and a bit too used to getting her own way. I don't think Victoria will back down as easily as she may have in the past. She's got too much to lose now. Also, Mel has been through a LOT recently. So I'm not too sure how well she is at the moment. So I'm choosing to just enjoy her spirit.

I've been streaming the album so much this week. I forgot just how great it is. So many of the tracks are single-worthy. And it's aged so well. And 'Vibe On' still makes me chuckle.

I only discovered 'The Other Boys' last year. The release failed to reach me at all. But then I don't engage much with social media and I was in the US at the time. Something of that quality deserved to be marketed a bit harder. Jake and Kylie are just magic together.

By "Cilla-esque", I meant "in the vein of". I don't want covers either. 'All That You'll Be' is an Emma original, as far as I'm aware. And it's beautiful, in my humble opinion.

'Wouldn't Change a Thing' and 'Je Ne Sais Pas Pourquoi' are lower than I expected too. I have a special affection for '100 degrees', especially the re-worked "It's still disco to me" version. It's an absolute all-year-rounder.

Gosh it sounds like spice fans have made Ryan Louder's life really difficult. Such a shame. He has done some wonderful work for Geri and, by extension, for the fans. I was happy with the little snippets from his website. But this is so kind. I love these songs. Man is a genius!

That would be the dream. Although I'd love a couple of Cilla-esque ballads like we got on 'Life In Mono' too. 'All That You'll Be' might be my all time favourite from Emma :wub:

Whoops, I voted for 'In My Arms' but that wasn't even the last single. D'oh. I should probably have voted for 'Shocked'

Yes Emma! Woohoo!!! I can't wait. Her voice has been sounding stronger than ever.

To me, 'Je Ne Sais Pas Pourquoi' is the most sophisticated. Not that anyone was aiming for sophisticated with this album, but it sets it apart for me. 'I Should Be So Lucky' was my favourite at the time, and 'Got To Be Certain' is up there too. It's too difficult!

In case anyone missed this amazing thing that happened... Melanie C performing at Mighty Hoopla with a drag Spice Girls tribute act. So good! https://twitter.com/borjaswift/status/1003329220066541572

Wow! It's as though no time has passed. And Kylie's voice sounds heavenly.

'Especially For You' was the most romantic thing I'd ever heard as a five-year-old. The words "Forget the loneliness and the sorrow" still give me the feels. Also, 'Flower' is so sincere and touching. Definitely Kylie at her most vulnerable. A real gift to her fans.

I'm worried that a covers album won't get many people excited. As much as I love her 'Do You Really Want To Hurt Me'. VOM was Melanie's highest charting album since 2005. I'd say it's a good indication of where she could develop from musically. I certainly wouldn't say it massively bombed. I'd like to see Melanie find a middle ground between VOM and The Sea, whilst keeping it contemporary and relevant. Also, maybe throw in a Spice Girls sample, to capitalise on the 90's nostalgia moment. But if it has to be a covers album... A Girl Power collaborations cover album would be exciting (a la Tom Jones 'Reload'). Featuring the likes of MØ, Dua Lipa, Charlie XCX, Zara Larsson, Alma, Years & Years, Little Mix and/or some of the other spices... All reworking girl power bangers from yesteryear. But... I'm dreaming.