Melody

The complete creative freedom of Sharleen Spiteri

It often happens so that there is no agreement of musical tastes among the members of the band. Sometimes such diversity results in the group's collapse, but more often the band members prefer to play in side projects or go solo. Thus, soloist of the Scottish pop rock command Texas, Sharleen Spiteri, decided to start her own career, without leaving the band, which she founded when she still worked as the hairdresser in Glasgow. It should be said that Sharleen's way to the solo career was a long one. She was a guest vocalist for other rock bands records from late 80's, in 2005; she sang on the Rosenrot album by German industrial command Rammstein, and only in 2008, she was decisive enough to record her personal debut. It should be also noticed that personal creativity by Spiteri is no ways the Texas songs under the new cover! This is an original pop album with stylish vintage elements of jazz and soul. The only thing, reminding of Texas, is the deep Spiteri's vocals. By the way, Sharleen did not only write all the songs for Melody herself - she also self-produced the long-play, giving herself the complete creative freedom. She used that freedom to the maximum. On the surface of such Texas hits like I Don't Want A Lover, Summer Son and In Our Lifetime, Melody will become a surprise for the listeners at least - but it is definitely an extremely pleasant surprise.

The brand new image

The last changes in Spiteri's life - the birth of the daughter, the painful break up with her long-time beloved and the start of new relations - definitely inspired her for more open, intimate songs, which she surely could not perform as part of Texas. Thus, the beginning of solo career became the ideal decision for the singer. However, with the changed thematic of the songs Sharleen changed too - on Melody she is more feminine, touchy and delicate, while the retro style cover gives a right hint on the new sound by Spiteri. The album opener is the spinning melody It Was You, devoted to the former boyfriend. The hit single All The Times I Cried is a total surprise and pleasure for the ear. On this song, which has stylish touch of 60's, one can hear both the emotions of Sharleen, coming from her parting with the father of her daughter, and hesitations about making these feelings public. The main character of some musical could have performed the sorrowful titling composition Melody after an extremely dramatic plot twist. The playful and cunning I'm Going To Haunt You reminds of the creativity by charming Nancy Sinatra with its mood and catchy tune. The track Don't Keep Me Waiting is sure to be appreciated for its winding percussions, while the sad ballad You Let Me Down demonstrated the rich vocals by Sharleen as the soul performer. The track Day Tripping will be remembered by its romantics and emotional charge - the same goes about the tender album closer Francoise.

Soulful music on Melody

Sharleen fronts Texas for more than twenty years and remains in a perfect shape as the vocalist, which she demonstrated on Melody. For the long-time fans of both Texas and Spiteri it is no secret that the singer's musical tastes lie through the songs by Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Prince and other pop idols. The pop music of previous decades inspired Sharleen, when she was writing the songs. Therefore, it is predictable that the artist decided to record her solo debut Melody in the pop slant with the urging retro stylization - especially, taking in consideration the renaissance of interest for this musical genre. However, what distances Spiteri from her colleague Amy Winehouse is the total absence of the aggressive sincerity and cynicism. It does not mean that the singer hides something - just the other way, one of the main characteristics of Melody is its sincerity, but it is of other quality - it does not need coarse words or intimate facts to share the feelings with the listener. Nevertheless, the album has the old-fashioned arrangements with brass and tubas, the vintage tunes and the excellent sound, imitating the standards of the previous century's 50's and 60's. Although the length of the disc is a bit less than the standard one - only thirty-seven minutes, but it has no filling songs among the eleven wonderful pop compositions.