Cyndi Lauper - She's So Unusual
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Free Music Notes for She's So Unusual
Free Music Review: A Good 80s record
Hit: 4 Stars
My grandpa was in a movie with her in the eighties called "Vibes", the movie was not great. But every time I hear "Girls Just want to have fun" I remember him, and I like having this happy cheerie memory with me.
So you can say I'm biased, but the truth is that the album holds pretty tightly. There is a lot of 80's classics here such as "Money Changes Everything", "Girls Just Want to have Fun" , "Time After Time", "She Bop", "All through the Night". All the tracks are good with the exception of "When you were mine" which I can't stand its monotone, but since is a Prince song I don't blame her.
Also I love the little section of "He's so Unusual", you can tell she is very unusual by putting that in there. I appreciate those type of things that take you by surprise .
So if you are looking for a good 80's pop album, this is definitely one.
Free Music Review: Great, fun pop songs
Hit: 5 Stars
This is almost a greatest hits album in and of itself. Pretty much all the songs are great pop rock songs, a complete album of good stuff. I've generally gravitated to country/western roots rock music over the years, but I still enjoy this pure fun pop music from Cyndi from when I was a kid. (Shhh don't tell anyone!). Seriously Cyndi does a great job here and it holds up well over time.
Free Music Review: Classic 80s Album
Hit: 5 Stars
Cyndi's first album captures the 1983/84 era perfectly. It combines pop, rock, synth and new wave styles. Her voice is great. She always manages to convey happiness, sadness, and humor in a unique way. I've owned this album for more than 20 years now, and I still play it regularly. I like to listen to it as a trip back to the 80s and my childhood, as well as the fact that it is just a great album.
Money Changes Everything: 10/10-Great opening track with a rock sound. Cyndi's voice is stellar. Ever since I was a kid, I've been amazed by how she holds that note at the end.
Girls Just Want to Have Fun: 10/10-An 80s anthem that everyone knows. She put a feminist twist on this song and it worked great. Of all the versions that have been released, by Cyndi herself too, the original remains the best.
When You Were Mine: 10/10-A Prince song, the lyrics always have you wondering: is Cyndi's boyfriend cheating on her with another man? It's unusual lyrics and great music make it another stand-out track. I like the original, but Cyndi's version is my favorite by far.
Time After Time: 10/10-My personal favorite on the album. I never get tired of this ballad. It has a lush sound to it. It's a very 80s yet timeless song.
She Bop: 7/10-I liked this one a lot more when I was a kid, before I found out the meaning of the song. It's not exactly my type of lyrics, but Cyndi does it in her own humorous way which makes it okay. The music is still good. Male bands have done songs like this, so why not a woman, and Cyndi is the best candidate to pull it off.
All Through the Night: 10/10-Another memorable track. Sometimes people think of this as a love song, but actually it has a sad meaning. Still, it sounds romantic, with it's cascading synth and lush chorus. Always loved the ending.
Witness: 8/10-This is where the album takes a turn from hits you recognize to tracks you may not like so much. Not as good as what was offered so far, but it's a fun little song with offbeat, wacky lyrics.
I'll Kiss You: 7/10-I didn't like this track when I was a kid. I thought it was kind of annoying. I would basically shut off the tape at this point since these last few songs didn't interest me much. A few years ago, I listened to it again and it just caught me in the right mood or something. I really liked it. It's funny and the music is kind of cool, especially near the end.
He's So Unusual: 5/10-A short little reworking of a 20s song. It's funny but not great. The most memorable part for me is that they used a brief part of it at the beginning of the Girls Just Want to Have Fun video.
Yeah Yeah: 5/10-My least favorite song on the album. I've never been crazy about this one and it still isn't one I play much. Something about the lyrics and the way it's done doesn't appeal to me. I don't hate it, it's just not a song I want to hear nearly as much as the rest of the album. I prefer a b-side from the time called "Right Track Wrong Train", that song is better than this one, and probably should've replaced it or been added before it. It's too bad that b-side was not added to this as a bonus track, because it fits in with the weird songs at the end of this album.
Bonus tracks:
Money Changes Everything Live: 8/10-very good but edited version. The extended one is good too and worth finding. That one gets a 9/10.
She Bop Live: 5/10-I usually skip this one. Fans of the song will like it.
All Through the Night Live: 10/10-I love this one. It's my favorite of the bonus songs. It's also my favorite live version of ATTN that I've heard, even more than the Live in Paris one. Something about it just brings me back to the 80s. I feel like I'm actually at the 1984 concert from which it was taken. I also love the way she sings at the end. It's awesome.
The sound quality of this remaster is great even though it's already pretty old. The artwork in this edition is also nice. It has some very cool pictures in it as well as a nice write-up on Cyndi's early career. Lyrics are included too. The only downside is that more bonus tracks were not included, such as the b-side I mentioned or maybe the extended mix of Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.
I hope that another remastered/expanded version of this will be released, which contains Right Track Wrong Train, the extended version of Money Changes Everything Live, and the instrumental and remix versions of GJWTHF. It's unlikely though, because in Japan they have released new versions of Cyndi's 80s albums, but the bonus material is seriously lacking. An album like this and fans of it deserve lots of bonus treats. But this one is a keeper regardless. It's now priced low which is also great. If you are new to Cyndi or 80s music collecting, this is a must have for your collection.
Free Music Review: Just the 6, PLEASE!
Hit: 1 Stars
I can't tell you how difficult it was not to write this review. I can't help myself...anybody, and I mean ANYBODY who came out of adolescence into adulthood with the help of these masterpiece 80's albums will understand, when this music came out there was something so completley liberating about the anti-neo-conservative-reigning, anti-fascist, Anti-Reaganite spirit that was erupting from within, trying to escape certain spiritual death. Cyndi Lauper was a bodhisattva of the 80's sent to liberate sentient pop music listeners. To hear the lesser songs lumped in here sounds like sacrilege of the most heinous variety to my delicate nostalgic ears...Cyndi Lauper, at least on this one rock album, probably has no female vocalist peer living or dead. Yes, Gen Y, the original 6-pack album was THAT good. No other album with the possible exception of Bruce Springsteen has ever instantly become a collection of #1 hits so immediately. Each of the original 6 songs is an impossible gold standard in pop music that hasn't been topped since. Together, they make an album that would make even the most deranged axe murderer break into tears on a dark and lonely night drive. To the producers and decision makers...PLEASE re-release the ORIGINAL She's So Unusual, and DROP these unworthy "extras". You can't pin an ear on a Van Gough self portrait, and you can't pin "extras" on a work of timelessly pristine art that no doubt space aliens have even enshrined in their own rock-n-roll hall of fame just underground on Mars...And now I say to you good DAY, sir!
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Updated April 19, 2009: I just wanted to say a heart-felt thanks to all the people who don't understand classic 80's rock music for giving a negative vote to an honest review about a remastered, reconstructed album that you never even listened to, and which was critiqued against an original 80's classic rock album which you've probably never even owned.
Free Music Review: Metamorpho Just Wants to Poke Fun........
Hit: 5 Stars
As you may or may not recall, I did a review of Cyndi Lauper's effort titled "At Last". Well, to say the least, there were many unhappy campers out there. They accused your beloved Metamorpho of being cruel (who me?), heartless(!) and without remorse. Personally, I think they went a bit too far because I included my classic humour which took the edge of a bit. (Which is akin to someone telling you they'll throw acid on you but they'll water it down first!). In any event, you can imagine my surprise when I came home to find Cyndi sleeping on my front lawn.
I made some tea and invited her in. "Oh Metamorpho", she pined, "how could you do such a thing to me"? I started to apologize when a tear formed on her lamb face and she went on, "don't do me like that, don't do me like that, you know I love you Metamorpho baby, don't do me like that".
I felt like a heel (instead of a beloved sole) and thus, assured her that I will pay full restitution. She beamed. Her eyes opened wide and sparkled. "Oh, thank you Metamorpho! You are the best! Now I can go out and have some fun". And, before I could blink, off she bopped.
Well folks, here it is. A review which honors Cyndi. And, considering my very busy schedule at the moment, you know this is very special. "She's So Unusual" is a definitive classic of the early 80's. As you recall, the early 80's had a sprout of artists who took over the popular music scene. You had the Madonna thing going on, and lest we forget, the Springsteen and Michael Jackson offerings. But, as considerable as those artists are, Cyndi's debut album justifiably deserves to be in this elite group.
With her outrageous New Yawk persona, her wild, offbeat colorful clothing, and her hair looking like it went through a Waring blender, you just knew she was a real live walking event in and unto herself. Talk about impact! "She's So Unusual" was mega. This was no small feat, believe me. A circus-like diva who had the goods to back up her obvious talent. Astounding.
I cannot think of many albums that have the energy, the song smarts, and the rockin' and svelte aura of the first 6 songs here. It creates a estactic beginning with "Money Changes Everything". And, although that fact is a little on the shallow side, it's quite accurate and very true in reality. She moves on to a virtual anthem of young women everywhere with "Girls Just Want to Have Fun". With the organ-synth swirling around, it spirals into a hearty insistence, with a girl group chorus chiming in, which is more than appropriate. Moving on with the smooth, synchopated beat of Prince's "When You Were Mine". Cyndi continues to keep the pressure on with pleasurable pop. I cannot get over the subject matter and the sexual ambiguity on this song. But don't forget, we are talking about a Prince song here. Regardless, Cyndi hits a note here that sounds like a spaceship landing on earth. Really, nothing like it that I've ever heard.
"Time After Time" then fits in perfectly. Moist, delicate are words to describe this song. I especially like the line "suitcase of memories". How true that we tend to bring our luggage along with this as we travel though life. "She Bop" then kicks. It is Cyndi as a panther, out on the prowl, looking for predatory fun. The backing synth and musical runs are so pleasing on this. Everybody bops on this tune (you, they, we, he, she) that, inevitably, you will too. The excellence continues with "All Through the Night", with, yet, another keyboard run with Cyndi providing excellent, vocal yearning and a soft plea towards the light. Marvelous.
The rest of the songs are good and round out the album. But, as I said, not many channel the energy and just plain listenable pleasure as those first 6 songs. On this C.D. remaster, you get 3 live renditions that prove that Cyndi is no fluke. She's got the goods and, yes people, she is that good!
In closing, let's not forget the musicianship here. An excellent band (I think The Hooters) who provide Cyndi the full freedom to fly with these tunes. Never out of place, nothing that's there that doesn't fit, it is a testimony to perfect production. Trust me on this.
Anyway Cyndi, I hope you are happy with this review. Do you forgive me? I hope so. Hold on folks, the phone is ringing. "Hello? Oh yes Cyndi, I'm glad you liked it. What's that? Oh no problem my lamb. Bye now." Folks, she just called to thank me for showing her true colours!
Metamorpho Changes Everything ;)