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Schizophonic

 
Album Review: Schizophonic

  • Artist: Geri Halliwell
  • Rating: StarStarStarStar
  • Release Date: June 15, 1999
  • Type: Lyrics are included with the album
  • Genre: Rock

Review

If anyone was going to leave the Spice Girls for a solo career, it would have been Geri Halliwell -- she was the ringleader, the brassy voice for girl power. Ironically, as the Spice Girls regrouped and found a new voice, Halliwell seemed a little lost. She dove head-first into maturity, dressing in sensible suits and becoming, of all things, a Goodwill Ambassador of the U.N. It was as if Robbie Williams had suddenly turned into Gary Barlow. By the time she cut her debut solo album, Halliwell had realized that it was her spunk and character that made her a pop star -- and she explained away the rapid shift in image in the title, Schizophonic, which also is a description of the album's contents. Intent on proving her artistic worth, Halliwell is determined to do it all, from incessantly catchy dance-pop and sweet ballads to Latin-pop and a radio-ready revamp of Madchester psychedelia. Unfortunately, Halliwell doesn't have strong collaborators, who know how to exploit her admittedly limited voice, so much of it falls a little flat musically. There are, however, cuts on Schizophonia sparkle with a gleeful, unabashed love of pop and dance. Invariably, the album soars when it's upbeat -- particularly on the self-conscious, silly "Look at Me," "Let Me Love You" and the closer "You're in a Bubble" -- since Halliwell sounds better when she's surrounded by glittery, flashy dance beats. Once the tempo slows, her limitations become apparent, unless the song gives her a chance to be a diva, such as the jazzy "Goodbye Kiss." If Schizophonia doesn't work on some levels, it does succeed as a statement of purpose from the newly independent Halliwell. If it sounds awkward at times and brash at others, if it veers between the tacky and tasteful, if it is both good and bad, well, that's her - and you either like it or loathe it. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track TitleComposersPerformersTime
Look at Me (Lyrics) Paul Wilson, Geri Halliwell, Andrien Watkins Geri Halliwell (4:32)
Lift Me Up (Lyrics) Tracie Ackerman, Paul Wilson, Geri Halliwell Geri Halliwell (3:52)
Walkaway (Lyrics) Tracie Ackerman, Geri Halliwell, Paul Wilson Geri Halliwell (5:04)
Mi Chico Latino (Lyrics) Tracie Ackerman, Geri Halliwell, Paul Wilson Geri Halliwell (3:14)
Goodnight Kiss (Lyrics) Geri Halliwell, Paul Wilson Geri Halliwell (4:39)
Bag It Up (Lyrics) Geri Halliwell, Paul Wilson Geri Halliwell (3:45)
Sometime (Lyrics) Geri Halliwell, Paul Wilson Geri Halliwell (4:05)
Let Me Love You (Lyrics) Geri Halliwell, Paul Wilson Geri Halliwell (4:00)
Someone's Watching over Me (Lyrics) Tracie Ackerman, Geri Halliwell, Paul Wilson Geri Halliwell (4:15)
You're in a Bubble Geri Halliwell, Paul Wilson Geri Halliwell (3:26)

Credits

Geri Halliwell (Main Performer)
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Wikipedia: Schizophonic (Geri Halliwell album)
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Schizophonic
Studio album by Geri Halliwell
Released June 7, 1999
Recorded 1998-1999
Genre Pop, Dance
Length 40:52
Label EMI, Capitol (US)
Producer Absolute
Professional reviews
Geri Halliwell chronology
Schizophonic
(1999)
Scream if You Wanna Go Faster
(2001)
Alternate cover
Alternate Cover of Schizophonic
Singles from Schizophonic
  1. "Look At Me"
    Released: May 10, 1999
  2. "Mi Chico Latino"
    Released: August 16, 1999
  3. "Lift Me Up"
    Released: November 1, 1999
  4. "Bag It Up"
    Released: March 13, 2000

Schizophonic was the debut solo album by pop singer Geri Halliwell after her split from popular girl group the Spice Girls. The term schizophonic is a portmanteau of the Greek words schizo "split, divide" and phonic "sound" and also seemingly a play on the word "schizophrenic" and the musical term "schizophonia". The word "schizophonic" could be translated as "shattered sound".

Contents

Chart and sales

Three of the four singles from the album went to number one in the United Kingdom, while the debut single made number two. The album was a commercial success and actually sold better than Forever, the Spice Girls album that was released after Halliwell's departure from the group.

The album debuted at no.4 in the United Kingdom, selling 31,274 in its first week, and 483,419 in total, being certified 2x Platinum for shipments of 600,000 copies.

In Canada, the album debuted and peaked at no.15 (her last album with the Spice Girls, Spiceworld debuted at no.2). However, long-term sales were strong and the album was certified Platinum with just over 100,000 copies shipped.

In the United States, the album faced medium success, selling 40,000 copies in its first week debuting and peaking at no.42 on the Billboard Hot 200 (still the strongest Spice Girls solo showing on the chart). Eventually, the album was certified Gold in 2001 with shipments of 500,000 copies.

The album also was certified Gold in Australia, Spain and Mexico with sales over 35,000, 50,000 and 75,000 respectively. However, the album only reached no.85 in Japan, selling 3,190 copies.

Album Covers

Schizophonic was released with 2 different covers, representing an angel (white), and a devil (red); both covers are the same edition of the album. On the first O on Schizophonic there is an angel halo on the white cover and horns on the red cover. On the back cover, the song titles are written on both red and white, relating the theme of the song to one of the personalities. The booklet of the album features both covers on all editions, and the lyrics of the songs are included on the side that they are marked on the back cover.

Track listing

# Title Songwriter(s) Producer (s) Length
1. "Look At Me" Halliwell, Watkins, Wilson Absolute 4:31
2. "Lift Me Up" Halliwell, Watkins, Wilson, Ackerman Absolute 3:52
3. "Walkaway" Halliwell, Watkins, Wilson, Ackerman Absolute 5:03
4. "Mi Chico Latino" Halliwell, Watkins, Wilson Absolute 3:16
5. "Goodnight Kiss" Halliwell, Watkins, Wilson Absolute 4:20
6. "Bag It Up" Halliwell, Watkins, Wilson Absolute 3:46
7. "Sometime" Halliwell, Watkins, Wilson Absolute 4:01
8. "Let Me Love You" Halliwell, Watkins, Wilson Absolute 3:45
9. "Someone's Watching Over Me" Halliwell, Watkins, Wilson, Ackerman Absolute 4:15
10. "You're in a Bubble" Halliwell, Watkins, Wilson Absolute 3:27


Red Songs

  1. Look At Me
  2. Mi Chico Latino
  3. Goodnight Kiss
  4. Bag It Up
  5. You're In A Bubble

White Songs

  1. Lift Me Up
  2. Walkaway
  3. Sometime
  4. Let Me Love You
  5. Someone's Watching Over Me

Personnel

  • Geri Halliwell- Vocals
  • Absolute- All instruments
  • Milton McDonald- Guitar
  • Phil Hudson- Guitar (Track 2)

International charts

Chart (1999) Peaks
position[1]
UK Albums Chart 4
European Albums Chart 10
Finnish Album Chart 11
Mexican Album Chart 11
Mexican Internatioanl Album Chart 6
Canadian Album Chart 15
Italian Album Chart 17
Australian Album Chart 22
Spanish Album Chart 23
World Album Chart 25
U.S. Billboard Top 200 42
French Album Chart 50
German Album Chart 52
Japanese Album Chart 85

References


 
 
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Album Review. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
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