Physical review
Judging by her latest album, pop singer OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN is suffering through an identity crisis. She apparently can’t quite decide whether the image she wants to project most is that of a sex goddess or a “Save the Whales” (or, in this case, dolphins) crusader and environmentalist.
The new release, Physical, has on its double-sleeve jacket several large photos of Olivia posing suggestively in an oceanic tide and frollicking with a pair of dolphins named Kaleo and Mikioi at Sea Life Park in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Music on the new album follows approximately the same theme.
The title cut, which has developed into a hit single, is considered so blatantly sexual that at least one major radio station in conservative Salt Lake City, Utah, reportedly has refused to air it.
Other pop-rock tracks like “Make a Move on Me” and “Strangers Touch” are almost as direct. Her steamy depiction of unleashed sensuality is somehow Peminiscent of her role in “Grease,” the most successful musical film ever made, where with John Travolta’s aid she evolved from an introverted, preppie schoolgirl into a black leather bombshell.
The British-born entertainer, who grew up in Australia and rose to fame after her recording of Bob Dylan’s “If Not For You” attracted international attention, would appear to be undergoing a real-life transition that parallels her screen metamorphosis.
Or maybe the image change is being made simply for the sake of commercialism.
Whatever the reason, it’s bound to pay huge dividends for the lovely lass.
Press releases accompanying the new album admit to an “exciting departure” from the Olivia of old. Changes in her music, reflecting a more rock-oriented style, complete the well-prepared musical package. Longtime producer and friend John Farrar, who produced the album and wrote or co-wrote six of the songs, also does an excellent job on guitars and background vocals.
Miss Newton-John additionally gets more emphatic synthesizer ac-companiment than ever before, particularly on harder rockin’ tunes like “Landslide,” “Love Make Me Strong,” and “Recovery.”
“Silver Rain,” about the detrimental effects of aerial spraying on nature, and “The Promise (The Dolphin Song),” a touching song inspired by Olivia’s great love and concern for the seabound mam-mals, are well done. However, they contrast to some extent with the “physical” theme lyrically outlined in most of the LP’s other cuts.
It’s doubtful that relatively minor flaw will hurt album sales, which are destined to approach or exceed platinum status like many of the talented singer’s past efforts.
By Kim Crompton