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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
This third solo outing from former Spice girl Emma Bunton is, in many significant ways, a direct continuation of the nostalgic direction of previous album, Free Me. The sound so vigorously pursued on that album, which retrospectively harks back to the swinging 60s and the romantic days of bossa nova, not only gave Bunton a much needed niche, but provides a perfect backdrop to her bubblegum-lite vocals. Where Free Me was good, Life In Mono is really good. The same easy-going soul and bossa motifs run through the album, as do the gently sweeping strings and mellifluous brass - but there's a more subtle and production ethic at work that makes the songs feel more sophisticated, more insouciant. The delightfully jaunty "Take Me to Another Town" anchors the album, surrounded by a plethora of happy-go-lucky bliss-pop that includes the Bond-esque title track and the seductive "Undressing You". Things go slightly awry at the end with an unconvincing take on Petula Clark's "Downtown", and perhaps the album wouldn't have suffered from a few more memorable hooks. But all in all, this is some of the freshest and most alluring pop music around right now. --Danny McKenna
Review
We've been crying out for a decent British female pop singer for ages now. So it's a good job that in 2006, Amy Winehouse came back, drawing huge influences from sixties girl groups and surprised us all with a belter of an album. Flip round to the other side of the spectrum, and here comes Emma Bunton checking out those same sixties vibes, but singing nursery rhymes, skipping happily, and handing out muffins to children.
A third solo album from a Spice Girl is no mean feat. Mel C might have managed it through setting up her own label, but Emma joins only Geri in releasing such an album through a major label.
Emma's current high-profile status through Strictly Come Dancing, and Children in Need ensured that her cover of Petula Clark's magnificent 'Downtown' was propelled into the top 5. But there's little on this album that could see Emma bothering it again.
That's not to say little ol' Baby Spice hasn't tried - she's even got Cathy "Toxic" Dennis to work on the winkling "Mischievous". But while she may be continuing the Sixties vibe of Free Me, there's nothing that even flirts with the beehive razzamatazz of "Maybe". Tuneless opener "All I Need to Know" manages to make 4 minutes feel like they last an hour, while the saccharine "He Loves Me Not" is enough to make anyone feel queasy.
In fact, apart from "Mischievous", the saving grace on Life in Mono is the Bond theme-esque title track itself. It's a lush, orchestral cover of a late-90s single by trip-hop ensemble - Mono - presumably plucked from the archives during the sleep-walk Emma was in when recording this album. --Talia Kraines
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is just a stunning album. Her last, Free Me was a wonderful collection of 60's type songs. This is more of the same but with a modern twist, and has come of age, she has made this her territory.
There is a blatantly Bond theme type track (they should ask her, we could do with a decent new Bond song). Some great melodies which, similar to her first album are not immediately catchy, but you find yourself playing them again and again to get the nuances she puts in.
This lady must spend some serious time in the studio getting her songs honed to a fine finish. The production is as smooth as silk, without being over done.
Emma always has at least one fun catchy track, in this case it is track 7 Take Me To Another Town. This track alone is worth the cost of the album.
My copy has the bonus tracks, amongst which are the sixties classics Something Tells Me and Perhaps. Brilliantly done.
All in all a great album and this Spice lady has a great future, no flash in the pan here. Talent will out and it has here. Sexy Sassy and her best yet. Well done Emma, more of the same please!
There is a blatantly Bond theme type track (they should ask her, we could do with a decent new Bond song). Some great melodies which, similar to her first album are not immediately catchy, but you find yourself playing them again and again to get the nuances she puts in.
This lady must spend some serious time in the studio getting her songs honed to a fine finish. The production is as smooth as silk, without being over done.
Emma always has at least one fun catchy track, in this case it is track 7 Take Me To Another Town. This track alone is worth the cost of the album.
My copy has the bonus tracks, amongst which are the sixties classics Something Tells Me and Perhaps. Brilliantly done.
All in all a great album and this Spice lady has a great future, no flash in the pan here. Talent will out and it has here. Sexy Sassy and her best yet. Well done Emma, more of the same please!
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This collection is light, happy, bouncy, and well executed. The songs are semi-retro, there's the hint of bossa nova, and I can see a couple of tracks that feel like they should be played while Ursula comes out of the water from a Bond film. Emma's vocals remain breezy, and that suits this music.
Will it be a classic? Probably not. Have I listened to it repeatedly this week? Yes, I have. It is great everyday music, sing-a-long music, around the house music. If you liked the Free Me CD, then you will probably like this disc. All in all, enjoyable and fun.
NOTE: If you are trying to do an in-depth musical analysis of this album, then I need to remind you that this is an ex-Spice girl. The music was cotton candy with the Spice Girls, and the sweetness continues with this album. Nothing wrong with that, but you just have to admit that you want something fun for now.
Will it be a classic? Probably not. Have I listened to it repeatedly this week? Yes, I have. It is great everyday music, sing-a-long music, around the house music. If you liked the Free Me CD, then you will probably like this disc. All in all, enjoyable and fun.
NOTE: If you are trying to do an in-depth musical analysis of this album, then I need to remind you that this is an ex-Spice girl. The music was cotton candy with the Spice Girls, and the sweetness continues with this album. Nothing wrong with that, but you just have to admit that you want something fun for now.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
....for the bonus tracks especially the shamefull Downtown and Cillas Something - more loose and free than her previous effort and should be said that her best song the title track is one not written by her. Great 60s French style pop though....
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Nicely inconsistent
Emma's done much better before...
This album doesn't seem to get anywhere.
The bossa nova and sixties influence are poor. Read more
This album doesn't seem to get anywhere.
The bossa nova and sixties influence are poor. Read more
Published on 28 April 2010 by Jesse CRAIGNOU
Emma is great!
Emma is truly succeseeded to make a great solo carriere! I love this album! It is almost as good as "Free Me". She is not Baby Spice anymore...great music!
Published on 18 July 2007 by Reijo Piippula
Spice BABE!
The most underrated of the former spice girls! The album is musically ok but the main reason I bought it is for the stunning picture of Emma B on the front cover. Read more
Published on 17 May 2007 by Emma's amazing legs
Cute... But Slightly Dull
After the delightful Free Me I was left reeling that it was Emma Bunton who was to be the only Spice Girl with an actual solo career and flawless album to boot. Read more
Published on 2 April 2007 by Dutch and Red
Another superbly crafted album from Emma!
The Spice Girls unleashed themselves on the pop world way back in 1996 with their catchy, infectious debut single "Wannabe". Read more
Published on 24 Feb 2007 by N. H. Yeung
Great Album
Free Me was great, so is this.
Being a great fan of the seminal "trip-hop (not really)" album "Formica Blues" by the duo Mono (one of my all time favourites), I was... Read more
Being a great fan of the seminal "trip-hop (not really)" album "Formica Blues" by the duo Mono (one of my all time favourites), I was... Read more
Published on 10 Feb 2007 by muso
Info about the song "Life In Mono" and why it sounds like a "Bond...
It should be noted that the title track of Emma's album "Life In Mono" is NOT an Emma Bunton song. And the reason it sounds like a "Bond theme" is that major parts of it was... Read more
Published on 23 Jan 2007 by enoonnoone
Love it!
Life in Mono is fresh, clean and zings with style. Her voice is excellent unlike some of the other ex 'Spice Girls'. Read more
Published on 29 Dec 2006 by Clockspring
Do Not Buy withour reading this
Emmas 3rd Album was always going to be Hard after the 5 star Free Me (of 2004) And to be Honest struggles from the start. Read more
Published on 29 Dec 2006 by S. Bennett
Is anyone else disturbed?
I love love love Ms. Emma- and her last album Free Me was nothing short of TOTALLY AWESOME. But why is no one disturbed by the fact that the title of this album "Life In Mono" and... Read more
Published on 22 Dec 2006 by convertables are the best
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