Newton-John's Kiss burdened by blah lyrics, artificial image
Olivia Newton-John, Soul Kiss, MCA.
I have two questions to ask Olivia Newton-John: “Why do you insist on applying your makeup with a paint roller?” and “Why do you insist on trying to be a 20-year-old in heat on the cover of this album?
Her answer probably would be, “Record sales!”
Sorry Olivia, you’re no longer 20, but in your late 30s.
“Soul Kiss” isn’t totally nauseating It just comes off sounding blah. Every song sounds alike.
Newton-John’s voice never really stands out.
It sounds like Mrs. Newton-John woke up at 11 a.m., sat in a recording studio with curlers in her hair and in 45 minutes completed the album’s lyrics. And those lyrics! Olivia, where did you unearth those lyrics?
A fine example is “Queen of the Publication,” which goes, “Something strange is going on and I’m in the middle/I’ll do anything to solve the riddle/I’ve got a city editor/put me on a deadline/If I don’t come through I’m on the breadline”
One thing that Olivia does have is a remarkable band. Mike Fisher plays the typewriter on “Queen of The Publication, and Mark Napler plays the car on “Driving Music.” What ever happened to guitars? Olivia, you have an excellent voice, don’t do this to it.
On the lighter side, the title track, is a very sensual song, and it is doing very nicely on the charts. “Emotional Triangle” is a beautiful ballad and Newton John does use her voice, a little bit.
“Culture Shock” is a little sexual ditty about Olivia’s problem of liking to sleep with two men.
“I know it’s unconventional, radical, unpractical/why can’t the three of us live together?/It’s a culture shock, but it’s the only chance we’ve got/Tell me, why can’t the three of us live together? Yeahhhhh.” Tramp.
“The Right Moment” is a wonderful ballad, and a great way to end a rather sad album.
But keep in mind, if you want some very sexy photos of Olivia wearing lots and lots of makeup, buy this album. Think of the disc inside as a FRISBEE.
By Randy Schummer, Staff Reporter
More from the Soul Kiss album.