Melanie C This Time CD

This Time around, Melanie C has decided to abandon any pretense that she either makes sprightly dance-pop or that she was once known as "Indie Spice" and devotes herself entirely to smooth, pseudo-sophisticated adult pop, the kind of stuff that's ideal for background music at dinner parties consisting of nothing but small plates. There are traces of Coldplay and muted Robbie Williams, along with a fair sampling of Texas and Dido, and it's all blended together into something that's sleek but not stylish, atmospheric without being moody, melodic without being hooky. Melanie C does just fine as a vocalist -- her thin voice has gained some character, she's learned how to milk turns of phrases to give them the appearance of emotion -- but the songs are so middle-brow mid-tempo that it's hard to care for such subtle innovations. Only when the failed single "I Want Candy" comes around as a bonus track at the end does the pulse quicken, but by that point it's too late: the album has long since done its job and lulled listeners into a soothing sleep. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Fourth solo album from the former Spice Girl (she was Sporty Spice if you're keeping track). Produced by Stephen Hague (New Order, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Pet Shop Boys, etc), This Time has a heavier feel to it as she moves away from lightweight Dance/Pop into rockier terrain. Includes the first single, her take on The Strangeloves/Bow Wow Wow hit 'I Want Candy'. Red Girl. 2007.

Recording information: Area 21, London, England; Kore Studios, London, England; Olympic Studios, London, England; Real World Studios, Box, Wiltshire, England; Rokstone Studios, London, England; Sleeper Studios, London, England; Strongroom, London, England; The Swamp, London, England.

Photographers: Lorenzo Agius; Ali Kepenek.

Arranger: Steve Mac.

Personnel: Melanie C (vocals, background vocals); Adam Argyle (vocals); Paul Gendler (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Phil Thornalley (guitar, Mellotron, drums, percussion, background vocals); Joel Edwards (guitar, background vocals); Luke Potashnick, Mark Tufty Evans, Paul Grady (guitar); Charlie Grant (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar); Greg Hatwell (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Ian Burdge (cello); Tchad Blake (harmonica); Simon Clarke (saxophone); Roddy Lorimer (trumpet); Guy Chambers (piano, tack piano, keyboards); Steve Mac (piano, synthesizer); Peter-John Vettese (piano, programming); James Bourne (piano); Robin Barter (keyboards, bass guitar); Pete Woodroffe (keyboards, drum programming); David Munday, Nick Nasmyth (keyboards); Trevor Barry, Steve Pearce, Scott Firth (bass guitar); Vinnie Lammi, Mark Richardson, Ralph Salmins, Ian Thomas (drums); Chris Laws (percussion); Paul Stanborough, Richard Flack (programming); Lizzy Pattinson, Gary Nuttall (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Mark Tufty Evans; Chris Chandler ; Paul Grady; Phil Thornalley; Richard Flack; Stephen Hague.