Emma Bunton represents a more down to earth vision of the Spice colossus - her and boyfriend Jade (of Damage fame) are more Tom & Barbara to Posh'n'Becks' Margo & Jerry. She hasn't got the most athletic voice, but she's clearly aware of this as there's no hysterical 'going hardcore' shrieking here, just her pleasant radio-friendly coo over 12 slices of pop's multi-layered gateaux.
Spice Girls solo albums having proven not to be entirely essential affairs, 'A Girl Like Me' genuinely suprises, giving Emma the better odds on a future post-Spice. There's no hilarious R&B attempts, no sign of the Truesteppers and nothing, you'd be pleased to hear, near Mel C's unfathomably awful 'I Turn To You'.
The twangsome Shania-for-the-tweens sounding chart topper 'What Took You So Long' kicks off proceedings stylishly enough, and proves to be a birrova standout along with the Texas-esque northern-stomp of 'Better Be Careful'. Both rely on the stroll of the acoustic guitar, pitching Em as the female Ronan - albeit without the hairy neck and horror trousers - resolutely MOR, and better on the ear too.
'A World Without You' has a hint of vintage Spice (ie: '2 Become 1'), and her budget-Madge redo of Zoe's 'Sunshine
On A Rainy Day' has late summer Number One written all over it. Also included is her version of Edie Brickell's 'What I Am', done back in 1999 with Tin Tin Out, which could've previously been the musical template for the entire album.
The not-as-good moments include the 'Forever' out-takes 'Been There Done That' and 'She Was A Friend Of Mine', the Asda-Janetisms of the title track and the tired identikit latin-pop of 'We're Not Gonna Sleep Tonight', which would be thrown into a large hole in the ground if it wasn't already full up with the cod-Espagna filth that pop has thrown at us for the last four years.
Overall, 'A Girl Like Me', is a thoroughly likeable affair, much like Emma herself, and should put an end to her enforced toddlerism Baby years once and for all.
