This Time Review from Hello! Canada

With her penchant for tracksuits and sneakers, she was quickly dubbed Sporty Spice in the Spice Girls. But Melanie Chisholm was also widely recognized as the most musically talented member of England’s famous girl group. And her taste for Britpop bands like Blur earned the singer a different nickname among approving music critics: Indie Spice. Her fine debut album, 1999’s Northern Star, featured everything from snarling punk and techno dance to rap-inflected balladry. Two subsequent albums were each poppier and rockier in flavour, but Melanie was eventually dropped by Virgin Music.

Now, in the wake of the Spice Girls’ successful reunion, Melanie is back with a new album on her Red Girl label (a Canadian tour will follow in May). This Time features 12 new songs, a thumping cover of the feel-good classic “I Want Candy” and a sound that Melanie describes as “mature pop.” Her voice is richer, showcased on ballads like “The Moment You Believe” and “May Your Heart” that seem tailor-made for easy-listening radio. And “Understand” is a catchy, upbeat number that fulfils the promise of her debut solo album. The best moments come with more serious subjects. “Carolyna” is an uplifiting, syncopated tale of a young runaway who’s “seen too much at 17.” And “Your Mistake” is a moving account of her parents’ divorce. Confronting pain as well as recalling happier times, Melanie proves again that when it comes to music, she reigns supreme among Spice Girls.