Kylie Minogue - Body Language
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Free Music Notes for Body Language
Free Music Review: classydirty funkadelique
Hit: 5 Stars
Many die-hard old-school Kylie fans (both the pre & post deconstruction varieties--for the three people in america that will know what the frick that means!) have been rather critical of this album. I can certainly see that if one is particularly attached to a particular incarnation of Kylie's public persona, that a shift, even as small as this one, could be troubling. But then again she is a pop star, and that's what they do...and she does it better than any I might ad.
This album turned me on to Kylie. I had originally been interested in it after seeing her performance of Slow at the Euro-VMA's back around October of '03 and was blown away...both visually and musically. So I purchased the disc on a whim a few months later, when it was released in america. While listening with a good set of headphones I noticed the brilliant production...which, if you look inside to see who did it it reads like a who's who of Italy, the UK, and other of Europe's finest, makes sense. I typically hate assembled pop music, and so it blew me away as to how exceptionally good it was...not to mention that I had to overcome my own pop prejudice (though i won't be buying britney spears tickets anytime soon!). Then I started really enjoying the music, bought a bunch of CD's, DVD's, Remixes, ETC. and have come to respect her professinally as an artist, performer,incredibly hard worker, & well, muse.
Body Language is certainly a shift from Fever. Both have a certain electronic nostalgia...for disco-pop and early 80's electro, respectively. But Fever was a shift from Light Years, which was a sort of blend of Fever and Impossible Princes...a transition...sorta. Anyway her new style has a heavy R&B influence as well with a nice deep funk feel to it. One of the best examples of this is actually a B-Side not on the album called "Almost a Lover." My favourite track, musically, is "Secret/Take You Home," though the lyrics are kinda stupid. They sound great though, which brings me to another new and different thing she does on this album: there's a lot of whisper over dubs on many tracks...especially "Chocolate." This paired with a generally new, very sensously sexy style of tone and inflection make her singing on this album interesting and enjoyable. Her generally singing style is still there (like the way she makes her "oo" sounds) and this evolution has complimented them.
Where were we...oh yes, now I'll take you through some of the highlights of the tracks, for the American release anyway.
The vocal production of "Slow" is different than on all the other tracks, but it fits with the retroelectrovibe goin' on. The extended mix on the early Japanese single is really good too..so is the B-Side "Soul on Fire." Oh yeah, and the song is just sexy. Classy sexy.
I already covered "Secret" above, but I'll add that the beat really gets you movin'...for some reason especially when you're driving...go figure.
"Sweet Music" is great muscially and lyrically...she even mentions a fairlight...which increases its resonance at that point in the song. Whole song is pretty good, but the 'new sensation part' is a bit cheesy. In all honesty, the best Kylie lyrics are almost always the ones she writes herself...She is given writing credit on about 1/2 the work on this album, including the song in question.
"Red Blooded Women" is quite bitchin' musically. The 'boy...boy' stuff can sometimes be annoying, but easily overlooked if you just think of the words as jibberist and her voice as an instrument...then it sounds great. Its Australian single has a different version of "Cruise Control" than on the american release (it wasn't on the Australian or UK releases).
"Chocolate" is amazing in every respect and worth getting this album for...as well as the single as there is an exceptional trance mix on it, as well as my favourite video she's done :)
"Obsession" is great musically. The lyrics are intelligent and tell an interesting story and the mantra like 'obsession is a dangerous state of mind' will hopefully subconsciously fend of future stalkers for the impossible princess.
"I feel for you" is very sweet lyrically.
"Loving Days" is another one worth buying this album for. Lyrically and Musically it beautifully conveys that overwhelmingly great high when your with someone that you're just falling in love with...and not in a cheesy britney pop way either...it is a truly moving and beautiful song. I always feel sad and lonely after a listen, but its worth if for the art appreciation.
"After Dark" contains the best sex euphemism i've ever heard, 'I wanna make some honey.' It also starts out with this great, slow, funky groove that the early lyrics lay nicely over.
"You make me feel" is supa-nice...VERY deep rolling base...definately recommend a good sub for this.
There's many, many more highlights on this CD (especially the video of the Money Can't Buy performance), but there's enough here to decide if you want the thing. My favourite Kyle CD is Impossible Princess so I have to plug it. Sorry for the length, and thanks for reading.
Free Music Review: An Enjoyable Read Of Kylie's Body Language
Hit: 5 Stars
Kylie Minogue has enjoyed international success in the past four years due to her knack for reinventing herself. She's like Madonna in some respect, except Madonna can do it better than anyone. In 2001 Kylie released her album "Fever," which became a worldwide No.1 best-seller. Fever was the kind of pop album that doesn't come along very often. With its massive hit singles, shiny disco synth pop and saucy suggestive lyrics, the album sold more than 2 million copies in Britain alone and peaked at No.3 in the US. The world had caught the fever, and doctors were not exactly busy trying to cure it! The album's lead single, "Can't Get You Out Of My Head," has now reached anthemic status across the globe, becoming Kylie's biggest hit to date in her 15+ year career.So 2003 came around, and it was time for Kylie to release something new. In November she delivered "Body Language," her latest album filled to the brim with sparkly pop R'n'B stompers that show Kylie going in a somewhat different direction to the album's predecessor, whilst still retaining that credible pop shine that made the public go crazy for her two years ago. I have had since Christmas to base an unbiased opinion on Body Language, and I have come to the conclusion that it is a great effort from Miss Minogue, yet it doesn't quite reach the genius of Fever.
The album's opening track and first single, "Slow," became Kylie's seventh UK No.1 single back in November 2003. The public's reaction to this song was very mixed. Some loved it, most hated it. The saucy and gay-fanbase oriented video complements the sexy tone of the song. This is just pure heat on this record, bubbling away underneath a sea of lava. "Still Standing" raises the tempo somewhat and introduces classic synth pop that Kylie is best know for. The beat is incredibly jittery and funky, whilst Kylie's voice sounds so cute. "Secret (Take You Home)" is a fabulous song that just has to be a single. Written and produced by Ms Dynamite, this song sees Kylie take on rapping, and handle it surprisingly well. The whistling in the background is damn catchy and the chorus is just very anthemic. "Promises" is a very retro dance pop song, with some great lyrics and a fantastic beat. It's not a highlight, though.
"Sweet Music" was not one of my favourites when I first listened to this album, but I have to admit that it has definitely grown on me. The chorus in this song is very forgettable when you're not listening to it, but you just help but sing it out loud when it actually is on! The verses are wonderfully co-ordinated to rise and fall in accordance to Kylie's voice. "Red Blooded Woman" is the second single from the album, and goes head-to-head with Britney's "Toxic" in the UK in March and both will be vying for the No.1 spot! My money's on Britney, but this song is still good. The video is a little disappointing but you can't deny the beat in this song and it's chorus which is very catchy. "Chocolate" slows down the tempo a bit, as Kylie chills. This is the longest song on the album but never gets boring as Kylie's sweet vocals work wonderfully with the dreamy nature of the song. "Obsession" is not one of my favourites on the album, as it seems a little forgettable.
"I Feel For You" is just a very strange song that I can't quite fit into just one category. Kylie's voice on this song is different from usual, the lyrics are very dreamy and there's a man who keeps shouting something in the background every so often which, surprisingly, is rather catchy. "Someday" has some very disoriented chords and some rather brilliant lyrics that make this a complete chill out track. It's sexy and cold at the same time - a very clever song. "Loving Days" starts off a bit like Madonna's "Frozen," though obviously not quiet as good. This is a great ballad that has some interesting beats in the background as Kylie's vocals seem, at times, wonderfully out of breath. "After Dark" closes the album, and is somewhat of a disappointment. Kylie told the world a few months ago she intended on keeping her famous booty covered up in the future - then on this she sings the corny line, "I can see you like it when you get the view. Well come on over here, I'll show it all for you!" Cheeky minx!
OVERALL GRADE: 9/10
I have the UK version of this album, which doesn't include all the decent extra tracks that you Americans will get if you buy this album. Body Language was released in the UK on November 17th 2003 - quite possibly the biggest week for new albums in years. About 15 major international artists all released albums on that same day, and unfortunately for Kylie, Body Language only managed No.6. The competition from Dido and Michael Jackson constantly battling for the No.1 spot was just too strong for Kylie and she had to settle for a lower chart position. However, this album could do better in the States and around Europe. All in all, Body Language is a very good effort from Kylie. A lot of people have criticised this album for not being instantly catchy, but people just have to give it more than one listen. Persist with this album if you don't like it at first - try and get the most out of it, because it really is worth it in the end.
Free Music Review: Body Language Fires on All Cylinders
Hit: 5 Stars
Moving away from the camp sound of the brilliant sugarpop confection that was "Fever", Kylie Minogue has created an album that successfully furthers her artistic evolution without alienating fans of her prior releases.Everything old is new again on 'Body Language' as Minogue successfully pays homage to 80s dance pop in name and spirit. Making mention of everything from INXS' "New Sensation" to Janet Jackson's "Pleasure Principle", this tribute to your favorite rollerskating jams harkens back to a time when you really could hear the fun in the music.
Minimalist opener "Slow" while interesting and effective with its electro blips and Kylie's purring vocals is hardly evocative of the rest of the album.
Track two gets the party started as the Prince meets Paula Abdul "Still Standing" has Minogue rejoicing over recent successes and her return to the collective consciousness. Complete with handclaps and a melting disco beat, this funk confection will make you a believer.
Immediately following is the imminent single "Secret", a Miss Dynamite-penned gem that successfully uses driving fast as a euphemism for sexual conquest and has one of the most memorable lines with Kylie reminding you, "Don't confuse emotions with the pleasure principle." Janet would be proud.
"Promises", one of two Mantronix tracks on the album, while not unlikeable, is not terribly memorable. All is made up for with track five "Sweet Music", Kylie's energetic ode to the recording process. Or are we being euphemistic again? Hmmm... This one will be left up to the listener.
Miss Minogue forays into modern R and B with track six's "Red Blooded Woman", a sort of modern redux of OIivia Newton-John's "Physical" layered over Destiny's Child-esque beats. Not only does it work, it's genius. Referencing Dead or Alive's "You Spin Me Round" and producing one of the album's best lines in "You'll never get to Heaven if you're scared of getting high", it's easy to see why this has been designated the second single from the album: It's fire. Mission accomplished.
As magnificent as track six is, no Kylie track in recent memory holds a candle to the slinky, sultry track seven "Chocolate", quite possibly the best work Minogue has ever created. Atmospheric and evocative, "Chocolate" will put even the hardest of hearts in the mood for love. Truly sounding as though she's melting while singing the catchiest chorus since the ubiquitous "Can't Get You out of My Head", Chocolate would instantaneously give Kylie cred in the R and B world. If you get the album for no other track, it's worth it for "Chocolate".
Track eight "Obsession" is a brilliantly-penned, single-worthy cautionary tale of a lover's vanity. This is the second of the Mantronix tracks on the album, and it certainly carries his touch. Brilliantly hooky and featuring a smoky, huskier vocal by Kylie, "Obsession" easily ranks amongst the top tracks on this album.
Track nine "I Feel For You" brings the funk back, and sounds as though it should be placed behind "Still Standing" for continuity. This track could just as easily appeared on Paula Abdul's 'Vibeology'.
Track ten "Someday" is innocuous enough, but not memorable and seems to slow the pace of the album for track eleven.
Track eleven "Loving Days", the only song on the album written exclusively by Minogue, is a lush ballad replete with string arrangements and soaring vocals. Written after a holiday with her French boyfriend actor Olivier Martinez, a usually private Minogue shouts to the rooftops that she's fallen deeply in love, proclaiming "You're the world I'm living in."
Track twelve "After Dark", is a Cathy Dennis midtempo jam whose vocal arrangement borrows from the highly underrated "Just A Little" by UK group Liberty X. This slinky R and B jam would be best placed elsewhere on the album as it fits in more with other tunes.
The first of the bonus tracks, "Cruise Control" is extremely imaginative in both the vocal and instrumental arrangements and is somewhat reminiscent of Missy E. in its creativity. Why this must be demoted to a bonus track is beyond me as it is not only imminently danceable, but also truly showcases an impressive evolution in her sound.
The second, "You Make Me Feel", while vocally is interesting and in line very much with "After Dark" features an ongoing cricket chirp that not only is annoying, but also may have listeners believing there may be problems with their CD players.
All in all, with this album, Minogue has not only shown she's evolved, but quite honestly thrived. Not only can she hang with the dance divas, but a crossover career in R and B could be hers if she wanted it. Songs like 'Still Standing' and 'Sweet Music' will fill the floors, while 'Red Blooded Woman', 'After Dark', and 'Chocolate' could put Kylie amongst R&B literati. Though diminutive in stature, this album makes it clear that Kylie stands tall above her peers. 'Body Language' is the album 'In the Zone' wanted to be and so much more. Ladies and Gentlemen, it's official: She truly can do it all.
Free Music Review: Kylie Minogue : Body Language
Hit: 5 Stars
When kylie released her two previous albums 'Light Years' and 'Fever' they were smash albums both getting to #1 in the UK, staying on the charts for ages. Body Language, has still proven to shine but only managed a #6 in the UK charts, the weeks on the chart for this album were just as good as her two previous, though, despiting the chart position. Reading the negative reviews on here, I felt that if I bought it I would be smacked right in the face by the 'horrid album' (according to reviews on here). But, when I did buy it I found it to be just-fun music - nothing absolutely horrid. When 'Fever' and 'Light Years' were released Kylie took a more 'pop music and ballad' effect or 'slow songs'. Kylie, however here, took a different root leaving a darker effect to her music on this album. Here, you will find more funky urban beats and street cred to gyrate to. And as for the critics ?... Deal With It. Anyway, the 'Body Language' album begins with 'Slow' (10/10) When it was released many people were shocked. Where was the 'Can't Get You Out Of My Head' ? Well, it wasn't there, but Slow still shines. It was a #1 for Kylie in the UK, managing round about 10 weeks on the UK Top 75. Where ever Slow stands, there was two ways to it : you either loved it, or hated it. The situation here was, some people liked it but most avoided and hated. Then why did it get to #1 ? Who knows ?! 'Still Standing' (10/10) is the first album-track from the album, and no doubt should have been released as a single !!! With it's electronica and poppy beats this song had no problems with me !!! The next two tracks from the album are double-whammy favourites for me !!! Maybe not my ultimate favourites, but definately some of the best. It all begins with 'Secret (Take You Home)' (10/10) Look, Kylie can do Janet Jackson and Madonna too !!! (Well, maybe she doesn't into as much detail as those two do with 'baby-making' songs. (For Janet think 'Would You Mind' from 2001's 'All For You' and Madonna, 'Where Life Begins' from 1992's 'Erotica') But this, I can really relate too. The next of the 'Double-Whammy' songs is 'Promises' (10/10) Again, another great 'Revenge' song from the album. She talks about a boy who betrayed her and stuff like that. Both of these songs should have been released as singles. All four of these songs are short (3.14, 3.39, 3.16, 3.16) but all shine and are great, referring back to somewhere in Kylie's career. So far, So good... Next is the B-Side to the 'Slow' single that is 'Sweet Music' (10/10) How dare she do this as a B-Side, it should have been yet another single, all separate (!!!!!?????) I enjoyed this song in the car the moment I bought the 'Slow' single and was bopping away (Out of my seat and everywhere !!!) My Mam also enjoyed it and we fought on who got to play it (Sweet Music) and we still do !!! Track 6 is 'Red Blooded Woman' (10/10) which says 'Let's take things down and loose the electronica'. This is more urban, a 'slow song'. A Great choice for single as well (Single number 2) Overall, a great song and one of Kylie's best, referring back to 'Secret (Take You Home)' and 'Promises'. Track 7 is another urban chill-out track. 'Chocolate' (10/10) again calls back 'Red Blooded Woman', 'Secret' and 'Promises'. A great chill-out song and is perfect for listening in the car (in my opinion). The best part is 'Just one look boy to melt me down, just one heart here to save me now, candy kisses are sweet I know, hold me tight baby don't let go', that is just so catchy. The next two tracks are another set of 'Double-Whammy's' !! Beginning with 'Obbsession' (10/10) This track is a Paradise yet Beach track. It also reminds me of a few PS2 and PS1 games (Play Station), how many things can you have in three and a half minutes ?! Next up is 'I Feel For You' (10/10) It is my favourite song on the album and SHOULD BE A SINGLE !!! The thunder and rain at the beginning and end of the song is a nice touch and the voice shouting in the background makes it so lively !! Kylie sounds amazing and the Jungle-Feel rhythm is also another classic about the song. 'Someday' (10/10) is track 10 and again, track sounds amazing. A harder track to Describe but overall, a great Urban song. Track 11 is, again one of Kylie's best and is 'Loving Days' (10/10) At the start of this song it sounds like Madonna's 'Frozen' and Kylie again sounds amazing through-out the song, she sounds so sweet. The last track (track 12) is 'After Dark' (8.5/10) I usually skip this track.OVERALL GRADE - 10/10
Kylie is still the best and has many ways of expressing her music !!!
Free Music Review: One of the best albums ever - it's amazing!!!
Hit: 5 Stars
Kylie made a huge step in a new direction with this CD - and I love it! This CD is easily my favorite album ever - replacing In The Zone by Britney, which is now my 2nd favorite ever. I love all of Kylie's past albums, but this album is pure sexy genius. All the songs have an extremely sexy, slightly strange vibe to them. It's funk/RnB/Hip-hop/pop/dance all in one, and believe me, it's hot, and amazing.1. Slow (5/5) - You've all heard this, it's hot, it's slinky, it's sexy - it's Kylie at her best. Great choice for a first single.
2. Still Standing (4/5) - Awesome electro-funk beat, extremely catchy, and great fun, kind of fluffy lyrics. It seriously sounds like the 70's transported to the future - it's great. A lot of people say it's very Prince-like - so true!
3. Secret (Take You Home) (5/5) - One of the several tracks I heard previously to buying the album, this song is seriously addicting, and extremely fun, and HOT - this HAS to be a single. There's 2 awesome raps in this song, and believe me, you'll be rapping along in no time. The beat is really strange, but it grows on you REALLY fast. Amazing song.
4. Promises (5/5) - Awesome retro synthesizers, funky, great vocals! There's a strange asian guitar played throughout that really adds to the song. It's similar to Still Standing in the way that it's mid-tempo and very electro-funky.
5. Sweet Music (5/5) - Very retro, awesomely funky, great chorus, everything in this song is superbly sexy. The bass in this song is extremely funky - it really defines the album. It's very slinky, a la Slow.
6. Red Blooded Woman (5/5) - Also one of the songs I heard prior to buying the album. The beat here sounds A LOT like Survivor by Destiny's Child. This is the 2nd single as I'm sure you all know. It's sexy, fun, campy, and more-so Fever Kylie than a lot of the tracks here. Very, very catchy!
7. Chocolate (5/5) - THE BEST SONG ON THE ALBUM, and officially my favorite song ever - this is the HIGHLIGHT of the album, it's extremely sexy, slinky, playful, sexual, and ambiant. This... wow... this song is undescribably amazing. So sexual and sensual. Simply put: AMAZING!
8. Obsession (5/5) - Follows the style of Still Standing and Promises, but is the best of the three! It's instrumentation is very similar to Promises, but everything about it is better. This song is awesome, it's fun, and the lyrics are so true. Extremely funky.
9. I Feel For You (5/5) - I also heard this before I got the CD. AMAZING SONG - it's SO WEIRD AND STRANGE! This track is truely bizarre. It's hard to describe why this song is so strange, really... it's ultra-funkified, and features some strange vocals in the background. It enters and exits with rain clouds. The bass here is really hot!
10. Someday (5/5) - Also heard this prior to buying this CD. Follows in the vein of I Feel For You, only more downtempo; basically really, really strange. The lyrics here are very mysterious. This song is... just listen to it, you'll see what I mean. It's great! The guy's vocals towards the middle are strange. It has a really trip-hop feel to it.
11. Loving Days (5/5) - The ballad of the album - and let me tell you, it's GORGEOUS. The lush orchestration really makes the song. The lyrics here are great, and Kylie wrote it about her man - you can tell it's really personal to her, but you can relate it to any relationship. The strings sound a lot like the strings from Frozen. Gorgeous!
12. After Dark (4.5/5) - Bow-chik-a-bwow-bwow! The opening to this song sounds like sex in audio-form. This song is extremely sexy. I would've given it a 5, but it's still growing on me. Very sexy and slinky song.
13. Cruise Control (5/5) - Middle-Eastern influenced mid-tempo sexiness here! Why this song wasn't on all versions of Body Language is strange - it's SO HOT! The beat is amazing, and the lyrics are VERY clever. Awesome song.
14. You Make Me Feel (5/5) - Heard this prior to buying the CD. Very sexy RnB song, and a great choice for a closer. The b-section is really catchy, and the chorus is rather sexy. Maybe not as good of a closer as Slo Motion, but great closer none-the-less.
Basically, this album is AMAZING, GENIUS, SEXY, FUN, HOT, and AWESOME - this is seriously my favorite album ever, I love everything about this CD! It gets a 10/10 in my book! Buy it! Have some funky sexy fun! AMAZING ALBUM!!!