Soul Kiss lacks good material
Olivia Newton-John wants to desperately leave behind her unstained girl-next-door image and become the middle-aged Madonna. Her latest album, Soul Kiss, continues her efforts to join the Joan Collins set.
We all remember how deeply shocked we were when we first heard Olivia Newton-John explain on national radio how she needed to get “Physical.” After this, she appeared in the truly unforgettable movie Two of a Kind, proving that she and her co-star John Travolta were the best comedy team since Abbott and Costello. Unfortunately, the movie wasn’t meant to be funny. Her career hasn’t exactly been up-hill since.
Then along comes Soul Kiss, Newton-John’s salvation from pop obscurity. Soul Kiss is without a doubt one of the most boring albums to land in the record stores this year. The album lacks the first word in its own title - soul.
The record is an extended yawn on the part of Newton-John and is sure to make even her most avid fan to do the same. Sex has never sounded so dull.
The blame for the boredom on this record is not all Newton-John’s. There is a lack of good material here. The song selection is limp. Because of this, she sounds lack-luster and unconvincing.
On the title track, Newton-John, after several elicit groans, sings her first words as though she has just rolled out of bed. But to her credit, she manages to save the song from the garbage heap by making it sound somewhat entertaining. However, her heavy, supposedly sexy, pant in the middle of the song has all the subtlety and erotic appeal of a brick.
“Moth to a Flame,” is a pop-rocker that is the highlight of the album. She sounds beautiful in the songs thanks to some electronic reworking. Lee Ritenour’s guitar solo also saves the song from falling into the gutter with the rest of the stupidity on this album.
Newton-John’s duet with Beach Boy Carl Wilson, “You Were Great, How Was I?” wins the award for having the most moronic title of the year. The song sounds like an out-take from Grease and is totally out of place on this record.
How was she? Does she really want to know?
“Publication” and “Overnight” are the dregs of the LP. On “Overnight” Newton-John does her own version of rap music by saying “I may look stupid, but I’ve been around a long time.” I’ll buy the fact that she’s been around a while, but I honestly question her intelligence.
My recommendation on Soul Kiss is to buy the single and be done with it.
I also suggest while you’re at the singles’ section of your favorite record store, pick up a copy of “Sun City” by Artists United Against Apartheid. Besides being a great song, the proceeds go to a good cause. Let’s face it gang, apartheid stinks. Buy one for a friend while you’re at it. They make excellent stocking stuffers. Just don’t stuff someone’s stocking with Soul Kiss because it is the record equivalent of a lump of coal.
On a scale of one to five, with five being the best, Olivia Newton-John gets a very generous TWO. After all, ‘tis the season!
By Frank Battaglia
More from the Soul Kiss album.