Olivia Newton-John

Soul Kiss

Olivia's finest album

Review Score:

(10/10)
So much noise was made about the cover of this album, about the lyrical content, about the raunchy image that she was trying to project, that very little has ever been said about the music. Which is a shame, really, because "Soul Kiss" is Olivia's best album, bottom line.

It is an elegant, nervous and sleek collection of pop songs, and it's a little more upbeat that many of her other albums. It is a perfect time capsule of what the mid-80's had to offer, for better or worse. Songs like "Moth to a flame", "Overnight observation" and "Culture shock" were graced by funky arrangements that made them arresting and unique, while the title track and "Toughen Up" were fine contemporary R&B pop songs. The ballads were fantastic too, with "The Right Moment" closing the album on a highly emotional note. And it has to be said that Olivia's vocals were at their most versatile on this album, going from pop and rock to retro-styled ballads and funk.

Yes, of course, the album talks about such touchy topics as love triangles and oral sex. What is seldom said is that it also talks about personal empowerment ("Toughen up"), commitment ("Emotional tangle") and making choices in life ("The right moment"). It also has a couple of interesting narratives ("Queen of the publication", "Overnight observation", "Driving music"). So never mind the prudes and give this fine album the chance it deserves.

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