ilovepollo

Wannabe – No Rap is probably the biggest mess the Spice Girls have officially released in their entire 30-year career. What even is this edit? Those cuts sound so amateurish and unprofessional. Who approved this? 😭

Am I the only one who finds this Melanie C CD-R a bit suspicious? I'm not saying it's fake, but some things don't quite add up for me. The biggest question mark is "So Many Questions". It could be a genuine Melanie demo, a working title, a song recorded by another artist, or something else entirely. At this point we simply don't know. But what really confuses me is the inclusion of "I Turn To You (Remix)". The CD-R is supposedly dated May 1999, yet Northern Star wasn't released until October 1999, and I Turn To You didn't become a single until August 2000. Are we really expected to believe that a remix of I Turn To You already existed in May 1999, before the album had even been released and more than a year before anyone had decided it would be a single? That seems incredibly unusual. Of course, record companies often commission remixes long before release plans are finalized, so it's not impossible. But the timing feels odd enough that I'd be very cautious before accepting this CD-R as 100% authentic. The item itself may well be genuine, but based on the tracklisting alone, I think there are still a lot of unanswered questions.

This is where the game becomes impossible. I honestly can't choose, every song left deserves to stay.

Exactly the same thing happened to me! I genuinely thought I was the only one. I ordered the black vinyl as well, but when I checked the packaging it turned out to be MELANIECLP2 too. I had seen people on Discogs saying there was a MELANIECLP1 version with the “Melanie C” typo corrected on the spine… so when I checked mine, not only did it still say “Melanine”, but it was actually MELANIECLP2 packaging all along 😂

https://youtube.com/shorts/hxasfIPn6rM?is=irLS42fKZXZK8HtL No, she definitely mentions Geri as well 😅 Here’s the interview. She says she thought it might have been “Geri or Mel B” playing a prank on her. So that’s why I’m saying her memories sometimes seem a bit mixed up

Melanie honestly has a terrible memory sometimes and seems to remember things however she wants She literally talked recently about Madonna inviting her to dinner while the girls were touring the US in 1998, and said she thought the phone call was a prank from Geri. Girl… how could it have been Geri if she had already left the group in May and the tour was during the summer? Impossible. So honestly, just like that memory was clearly mixed up, she could easily be confusing when “Can’t Stay Tonight” was actually written or recorded.

Not bad 😅 https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/melanie-c-spice-girls-record-sweat/

That’s honestly insane I was already feeling slightly unhinged for buying basically every physical and digital version myself… but clearly there are people far more committed (or crazier) than me 😭

Haha I don’t even have social media, I’m basically a vintage relic at this point 😂 But if anyone knows how to organise something like that or where to join in, let me know what I need to do!

Melanie just said at her Manchester show that something new is coming out digitally tomorrow? Did anyone at the concert catch that properly?? Something about a last-minute release?

Alright gays, enough thirst posting… let’s get back to helping Melanie get that #1 😂 Serious question though: is there any way for international fans to contribute to UK digital sales? Like sending money to someone in the UK to buy copies on iTunes or gifting store credit somehow? We should start a trusted little crowdfunding mission for digital sales No stealing the money, bitches xD

Yeah, you’re absolutely right. We’ve spent years seeing Spice solo albums debut much lower in the charts, and now we’re going to be disappointed if she doesn’t get #1? A #3 would’ve been unthinkable not that long ago. It’s already a huge achievement and something to be really proud of. The fact she’s still doing this and getting these results almost 30 years into her career is amazing.

https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/kneecap-fenian-melanie-c-sweat-michael-jackson-the-essential-number-1-album/ Just seen this on Official Charts… she’s #2 in the midweeks and there are less than 3,000 copies between the Top 3 👀 With how everything has been selling this week, she actually has a real shot at #1… this is insane. So proud of her right now

More UK-only exclusives… thanks Mel

The signed orange gatefold vinyl from her official store has now sold out as well… It's crazy how everything is suddenly selling out this week. It really feels like all the editions are disappearing at once

I really wanted the HMV exclusive, so I asked a few people I know in the UK just in case. Turns out one of them had a spare copy and is coming back to Spain tonight, so I’m sorted 😄 Melanie is literally selling out every single edition. I’m shook.

If anyone in Australia wants to grab me one and ship it to Spain, I’d really appreciate it I wasn’t planning on buying any versions at first… and now I want them all 😂

This is insane 😂 they’re literally flying! I’m honestly surprised at how fast everything she puts out sells. Just a few days ago the 1000 Blood Records copies sold out in minutes, and today we’ve literally watched the stock go from 200+ copies of each vinyl (both orange and black) to just 3 black left… it’s crazy. If she doesn’t get that #1, she’s definitely getting very close.

I went for “As the tides, they bring me home”, inspired by The Sea, which is my favourite album 💙 I also wanted to sneak in a little reference so she knows that a lot of us fans still love that era (and would honestly kill for a vinyl release 👀) I still have a bit of a heartbreak about the fact she’s NEVER performed “The Sea” live… so I guess this was my subtle way of reminding her 😂 I already have a few signed CDs and vinyl from her, some with “Love Melanie” or just my name, so this time I wanted something a bit different… having a line from my favourite song written by her felt more special

This is honestly driving me nuts 😅 I’ve been digging a bit more into this and something doesn’t quite add up. The signed vinyl listed on Banquet has the item code MELANIEC26PS, which doesn’t match any of the standard vinyl catalogue numbers (MELANIECLP1, MELANIECLP2, etc.). What’s interesting is that if you check the signed CD, the catalogue number (MELANIECCD1) does match the standard CD version. So now I’m wondering… if the vinyl was just the same standard pressing, shouldn’t it share the same LP code as well? Unless Banquet just made up their own code, which is also possible… but this whole thing is getting confusing 😅 Anyway… I ended up ordering the black vinyl just in case 😉 It’s selling like hot cakes at this point!

Does anyone know if the signed copies at Banquet Records are actually double LP or if that’s just a mistake on their listing? They list both the black and orange vinyl as “Double LP 180g”, but I haven’t seen that clearly specified elsewhere, so I’m not sure if it’s a different edition or just unclear info. Also, the orange one is already sold out and there are only about 150 copies of the black one left… 👀 Is she going for that #1 or what? 😂

What I find really frustrating is how many of these are locked behind UK-only restrictions. The Amazon exclusive vinyl? UK only. The alternate artwork CD? HMV exclusive… UK only. The coloured cassettes and even things like the postcard bundles on the official store? Also UK only. And that’s what makes it worse… the official store (Townsend) does ship internationally for other items, so this isn’t even a shipping limitation. These restrictions feel completely intentional. I get that there are probably exclusivity deals and licensing agreements behind all of this, but as an international fan it’s honestly really frustrating to be locked out of so many versions. At this point it feels like you basically have to live in the UK to fully collect this era… which is a bit disappointing, to be honest.

My track by track review 😉 Sweat – 5/10 It leaves me a bit underwhelmed. It is catchy in places and works as an introduction to the album, but as a lead single it feels pretty weak. Drum Machine – 9/10 This should have been the first single. I love it. There’s something about that drum-driven sound that just makes you want to move. It’s rhythmic, upbeat… such a great track. What Could Possibly Go Wrong? – 8/10 A really strong song overall. I love the verses and the pre-chorus, but when the chorus hits and keeps repeating “what could possibly go wrong” with that rhythm… I don’t know, it feels a bit underwhelming compared to what the rest of the song promises. ’Til It Breaks – 3/10 Well… every Melanie C album seems to have that one track that feels like a leftover. This is it. Quite weak, both in the verses and the chorus. Pressure – 2/10 It’s not that it bores me, but this very DJ-driven, club-style sound just isn’t my thing. It feels like a remix from start to finish. I get why it’s on the album, since it reflects where she is musically now, but it really does nothing for me. Emotional Memory – 9/10 I love melodic Melanie. And the “Angel on My Shoulder” reference made me smile 😄 At times it really reminds me of her older sound. I’d love to see this as an official single with a proper video… let me dream. Attitude – 2/10 Same issue as Pressure. That remix-like, club-heavy style again… it just doesn’t connect with me at all. Good For Nothing – 8/10 Very simple verses, but then that chorus hits hard. GET OUT! 😅 Another one I’d love to see as a single with a video. Undefeated Champion – 7/10 Very catchy and genuinely enjoyable. It just feels like it’s missing something, though I can’t quite put my finger on it. Cashmere – 8/10 A bit of an odd one, but very welcome on the album because it completely shifts the mood and atmosphere. The experimental, slightly autotuned vibe and the way the track flows is almost hypnotic. A great addition. Free to Love – 8/10 Solid track. Catchy chorus, sits comfortably in the middle of the album quality-wise. Really nice. One Track Mind – 10/10 For me, this is the climax of the album. The melody is beautiful, the chorus is incredibly catchy… everything just works. It feels like something from The Sea era, or even her previous album. At times it reminds me of Nowhere to Run or that older Melanie sound. Absolute perfection for me. Flick of the Wrist – 9/10 Another standout. The final stretch of the album is just chef’s kiss. The tracks all feel distinct, and then this chorus comes in and seals the deal. A fantastic closer. Bonus tracks: Healing – 6/10 At the end of the day it’s a demo, but not a bad one at all. It feels like something that could’ve been left off Northern Star. It has its charm. We’re Beautiful – 6/10 Same as above. You can tell they’re demos, and with more production they could really shine. Still, they fit the album’s essence quite well and don’t feel out place. Overall: 7/10 A somewhat inconsistent album, but definitely an enjoyable one. It leans heavily into a more electronic, club-driven sound, which doesn’t always work for me, but when it does, it really hits. The second half of the album is where it truly shines, with some of the strongest and most memorable tracks. Songs like One Track Mind, Emotional Memory and Flick of the Wrist feel like classic Melanie C moments and really elevate the whole project. Not her most cohesive album, but it still has plenty of highlights that make it worth the ride.

At this point nothing surprises me anymore. I’m actually used to these kind of mistakes 😅 In Spain, the This Time CD literally says “Meinale C”, and my Taiwanese Beautiful Intentions CD calls her “Melanic C” 🤣🤣

I’m actually getting really excited about the new album now. I honestly didn’t expect much from it, but I’ve been playing it on repeat all day xD I love it. I’m planning to get the deluxe digital version from her website, the signed orange vinyl, the Spice Boys cover CD, and the 3 coloured cassettes. But since I can’t find the cassettes anywhere, I might wait a bit to see if they show up. I’m going a bit crazy… this might end up being the album I’ve bought the most versions of 🫠