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technicianonline.com / 02.24.2004 / diversions / Music Bin
/TECHNICIAN
Ashley Hink
Staff Reporter
While Kylie Minogue has recently become a dance music poster child and sex symbol, any child of the '80s first knew her as the energetic Aussie in the pop hit, "Locomotion." However, unlike most '80s icons that disappeared after a one-hit wonder, Minogue merely took an American hiatus and continued to churn out dance and pop hits in Australia and Europe.
The actress and dance diva is the reigning pop queen in the U.K. and Australia; with numerous number one hits and awards, Minogue sets the bar for successful female pop stars on the other side of the Atlantic. In Europe and Australia, she had more hits than Madonna in the '90s. While taking an active role in writing her music, the 35-year-old needs no scandalous antics and risque behavior to sell albums, something perhaps her younger American counterparts could learn.
Minogue's 11th album, "Body Language" is a powerful follow-up to her 2001 release "Fever" that finally broke the American charts. "Can't Get You Out of My Head" ruled in dance clubs and on MTV with Minogue's addictive "La, la, la's" and incredible but tasteful sex appeal. "Body Language" contains equally catchy mixes of disco-glam and hip-hop dance beats. Minogue's dream team of great songwriters and master mixers has produced a fun, cool and ultimately good album.
The first single, "Slow," already debuting at number one in the U.K. and Australia, is a sexy dance tune that reveals Minogue's abilities to experiment with her voice. Her breathy vocals appropriately paired with suggestive lyrics will surely bring bodies together - on the dance floor that is.
However, one's mind may wonder and wander with sexual metaphors that run rampant through "Body Language." In "Slow" Minogue sings, "Don't wanna rush it/Let the rhythm pull you in/It's here so touch it/You know what I'm saying and I haven't said a thing." Hmm, the listeners will have to decipher the mixed messages themselves.
In "Sweet Music," simple beats progress into a fun, dance funk while Minogue continues to suggest sexual images with dance-floor lingo. "Let's make this demo right/I might just lose it/When we make sweet music/No feather beds, no exotic affair." Minogue surely has no reservations or reluctance to integrate sexually charged lyrics with otherwise silly motivations to dance or mild themes of girl-power. Among the other powerful tunes are "Red Blooded Woman" and "Obsession." Both embody eclectic dance and hip-hop beats that are unique and original to Minogue.
Since she is a product of the '80s pop and techno era, it's almost innate for Minogue to use seemingly borrowed beats from the decade of neon clothing and crimped hair. "Still Standing," echoes an '80s mix while "I Feel For You" is a fun, disco-pop tune that only could be pulled off by Minogue.
"Body Language" is hitting the shores of America just in time, while most of us are still sobering up from "Can't Get You Out of My Head," Minogue's new album provides refreshing, fun and sexy dance beats for fans looking for some inspiration on the dance floor, or ah, any other places the imagination dares to venture. After a couple decades of experience and musical maturity, Kylie Minogue knows how to do it and does it well.
Kylie Minogue - "Body Language" (Capitol Records)
Posted: 02.24.2004/TECHNICIAN
Ashley Hink
Staff Reporter
While Kylie Minogue has recently become a dance music poster child and sex symbol, any child of the '80s first knew her as the energetic Aussie in the pop hit, "Locomotion." However, unlike most '80s icons that disappeared after a one-hit wonder, Minogue merely took an American hiatus and continued to churn out dance and pop hits in Australia and Europe.
The actress and dance diva is the reigning pop queen in the U.K. and Australia; with numerous number one hits and awards, Minogue sets the bar for successful female pop stars on the other side of the Atlantic. In Europe and Australia, she had more hits than Madonna in the '90s. While taking an active role in writing her music, the 35-year-old needs no scandalous antics and risque behavior to sell albums, something perhaps her younger American counterparts could learn.
Minogue's 11th album, "Body Language" is a powerful follow-up to her 2001 release "Fever" that finally broke the American charts. "Can't Get You Out of My Head" ruled in dance clubs and on MTV with Minogue's addictive "La, la, la's" and incredible but tasteful sex appeal. "Body Language" contains equally catchy mixes of disco-glam and hip-hop dance beats. Minogue's dream team of great songwriters and master mixers has produced a fun, cool and ultimately good album.
The first single, "Slow," already debuting at number one in the U.K. and Australia, is a sexy dance tune that reveals Minogue's abilities to experiment with her voice. Her breathy vocals appropriately paired with suggestive lyrics will surely bring bodies together - on the dance floor that is.
However, one's mind may wonder and wander with sexual metaphors that run rampant through "Body Language." In "Slow" Minogue sings, "Don't wanna rush it/Let the rhythm pull you in/It's here so touch it/You know what I'm saying and I haven't said a thing." Hmm, the listeners will have to decipher the mixed messages themselves.
In "Sweet Music," simple beats progress into a fun, dance funk while Minogue continues to suggest sexual images with dance-floor lingo. "Let's make this demo right/I might just lose it/When we make sweet music/No feather beds, no exotic affair." Minogue surely has no reservations or reluctance to integrate sexually charged lyrics with otherwise silly motivations to dance or mild themes of girl-power. Among the other powerful tunes are "Red Blooded Woman" and "Obsession." Both embody eclectic dance and hip-hop beats that are unique and original to Minogue.
Since she is a product of the '80s pop and techno era, it's almost innate for Minogue to use seemingly borrowed beats from the decade of neon clothing and crimped hair. "Still Standing," echoes an '80s mix while "I Feel For You" is a fun, disco-pop tune that only could be pulled off by Minogue.
"Body Language" is hitting the shores of America just in time, while most of us are still sobering up from "Can't Get You Out of My Head," Minogue's new album provides refreshing, fun and sexy dance beats for fans looking for some inspiration on the dance floor, or ah, any other places the imagination dares to venture. After a couple decades of experience and musical maturity, Kylie Minogue knows how to do it and does it well.
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