Greatest Hits

Another of the good things I missed in the late 80's by not following pop music, I acquired this only recently, because I thought this would be something that couldn't go missing from my shelf.

#1 I Should Be So Lucky 9

It seems that every review has to have some "At first I didn't understand..." comments and this one's no exception.

#2 Got to Be Certain 8½

Oh sweet old 80's sound...

#3 Locomotion 10

I was sooo disappointed they didn't teach the "brand-new dance everybody's doing" in the video. Starting your career with a cover hit brings to my mind another Australian artist, also in fact originating from the very same soap as Kylie, Neighbours, Natalie Imbruglia.

#4 Je ne sais pas pourquoi 7

Ha, it's been some time without turning a song's title against itself, now's the time to do that once more :]

#5 Especially for You 9

Sweet duet that would possibly benefit from a dance remix.

#6 Turn It into Love 10

Oh my favourite. Definitely not one of her biggest hits, though. I also find this fun to dance to, although jumping around 180 degrees each time she tells to "turn" can be a bit exhausting in the long dance. Actually I still don't have a clear idea of what she's singing about...

#7 It's No Secret 9½

This suddenly became one of my favourites after seeing the video, in which it's quite clear to see she was an actor before her musical career, and not just some waiter. The spirit of the 80's is strong with this one, especially in the part before the chorus, where there's no real action. That's so typical to that era and couldn't happen nowadays. My favourite example is Modern Talking's You're My Heart, You're My Soul, of which there are versions from two decades, between which the difference is totally clear.

#8 Hand on Your Heart 9

I wonder what the Steps cover of this would've been like, like the rumours said before the release of Buzz. I guess I would've liked this better than the actual Steps track. But then again, two Kylie covers on the same album would've been a bit much. After all, even their Bananarama ones were spread over two albums.

#9 Wouldn't Change a Thing 9

Less known to me, though with a very familiar sound. Quite nice, I think.

#10 It's Never Too Late 8½

Totally in the same category as the previous one. I guess I should listen to these a lot more to get used to this style and that way get inside the whole 80's world.

#11 Tears on My Pillow 8½

Here we have a touch from times long before even the 80's. If I was told this was from a 60's musical, I would gladly believe.

#12 Better the Devil You Know 9

Is this better than the Steps version? This one's more mobile, at least. I seem to have awarded a higher score. But then again, it's long ago been noted that the grades for individual songs are not too comparable between albums.

#13 Step Back in Time 8

Drama and atmosphere but not enough musical material after all.

#14 What Do I Have to Do 6½

No, this one I've never liked very much.

#15 Shocked 5

This is already pretty horrible. There's something same as in those Madonna songs I've never understood, like Vogue and Express Yourself. Misguessed title: "Shut Down the Powers"

#16 Word Is Out 6½

Has she been out of words as well or is it just that the words are out of her? Not very good this either.

#17 If You Were With Me Now 6

Another duet? This one I didn't remember coming. Wake me up when it's over. Or then don't.

#18 Give Me Just a Little More Time 6½

Not very interesting, except for the points where she whirrs her nose like Pippin, lady Orlando's loyal dog, which in turn are almost too interesting...

#19 Finer Feelings 7

Here you can already see the beginning degradation she experienced in the 90's. She apparently thought this new style was "finer" but her listeners thought otherwise.

#20 What Kind of Fool 8

Oh, I already called #17 with this name. I'm sure they said it there somewhere. A step back to the main style. The instrumental section reminds me of some NES game...

#21 Where in the World? 9

Time for some loveboating with a modernised Carpenters sound. She has already asked "where", "why" and twice "what"...

#22 Celebration 6½

I expected this alredy some four tracks ago. And I'll celebrate when it's over.