Physical review
Olivia Newton-John. “Physical.” MCA, 2½ stars.
Though she is something of a joke among critics, Olivia Newton-John has sold millions of singles and albums. Can the public be that wrong? Of course not. Despite her overt sweetness and light, just beneath the surface the singer has a layer of dark, driving sensuality. She doesn’t let it out often, but when she does, the results are impressive. Consider her fine album, “Totally Hot,” of a few years back.
Olivia’s darker, but joyous, energies bubble forth on this album’s lively title track. a Steve Kipner-Terry Shaddick tune that celebrates a craving for carnal knowledge. “Landslide,” penned by her longtine producer-writer John Farrar, has a similar dynamism. On both these tunes, the singer unleashes reserves of passion and desire. Other songs with bite are “Love Make Me Strong” and “Make a Move on Me.”
Naturally, there are some sweet and airy ballads among her “Physical” grafitti, but that’s OK.
Farrar has a knack for packaging Newton-John to best advantage, and on this album he has done another good job. But so has she. The two have combined their talents to make a very agreeable pop album, no matter what the critics say.
By Don Mcleese, 1981 Chicago Sun-Times