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No one has rated this album. You can be the first. | Kylie Minogue - X | Kylie Minogue - X
EMI International
December 4, 2007
The United States’ various media outlets rarely take into account an artist’s success overseas when conjuring up articles speaking of debuts, breakthroughs, and other such monumental moments in a musician’s career. For this reason, many publications and stations alike now tout Kylie Minogue’s X as a comeback effort. Though for the past decade she resided at or near the top of the charts in both Europe and her native Australia, Americans consider this disc an attempted reentry to pop music.
The album leads off with a decelerated beat matched with inviting handclaps. Once Kylie’s seductive croons kick in, the song fully embraces a coy persuasion. Even the more aggressive chorus draws listeners in with a devilish magnetism. The tune boasts mediocre instrumentals and vocal work, but the overall product proves infinitely greater than the sum of its parts. The following track, “Like a Drug,” plays a similar game. Kylie never really commits to the track vocally and she sings over relatively repetitive backing, but for some reason or another the song intrigues.
The two Calvin Harris-produced tracks easily represent the standouts on the album. “In My Arms,” the record’s third effort, boasts an immediate infectiousness upon the departure of Minogue’s introductory whispers. As with many of the tracks on the disc, “In My Arms” uses a set of handclaps, but here they play a minor role by only accessorizing the rest of Harris’s instrumentals. He masterfully employs synths to mold unavoidably dance-inspiring backing and toys with volume to command shifts in momentum. Unlike on most other tunes, here Kylie puts forth a conventional vocal delivery; her voice glows, and thus the song excels. “Heart Beats Rock” features a slower beat sporting only minimal distortion. Again Kylie sings in standard fashion, and again it works beautifully. The song only stalls when she tweaks conventional vocal timing by making unnecessary breaks that leave the listener sans vocals.
“Speakerphone” begins to expose some of X’s flaws. Again she resorts to casual delivery and somewhat seductive tones when singing, but here it fails to engage the listener. Over marginally attractive instrumentals, this approach flops and allows for the subsequent inability of the track to excite its audience. A similar affliction dooms the following track, “Sensitized.” Obnoxious whoops ring in the background throughout the tune, and the listener soon grows weary of the tired antics.
Though a less frequent occurrence, at times Kylie delivers a sparkling set of vocals tainted by unappealing instrumentals. On “No More Rain,” cheesy and cheap backing effectively ruins Minogue’s beautiful singing. Instead of thrilling the listener, the track reminds one of a sub par Hilary Duff effort. In fact, it seems that the vast majority of the slower efforts on X fail to please listeners. Kylie’s voice still carries a youthful sparkle that best shines when paired with equally energetic instrumentals.
Though significantly more mature than when she hit the music scene running in the 80s, Kylie Minogue still creates energetic music for the young. But forget referring to X as a comeback album; though certainly a veteran, Kylie’s omnipresence at the top of both the European and Australian music scenes renders her latest effort simply another exceptional output in a long line of impressive records. |
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Displaying posts 1 - 15 of 32. |
08:51 AM on 12/13/07 | Good review (I wouldn't have scored it quite as high though), but one thing to point out: it's not just American media touting it as a comeback record, it's universal because this is a comeback record. Girl had breast cancer in '05 remember? She had to cancel a bunch of tours and shit (I think she canceled her '08 world tour because of this as well, not sure though) and her future as a recording artist (and, y'know, in general) was totally uncertain, so this is about as comeback as a record could possibly be. | | |
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09:50 AM on 12/13/07 | dude this is fucking absolutepunk.net y would u ever write a kylie minogue review? i didn't even bother reading this, if we wanted to read about an old british pop singer, we wouldn't fucking be on this site dude seriously man | | |
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09:58 AM on 12/13/07 | dude this is fucking absolutepunk.net y would u ever write a kylie minogue review? i didn't even bother reading this, if we wanted to read about an old british pop singer, we wouldn't fucking be on this site dude seriously man |
Blah Blah Blah. Any self respecting reviewer would sack the consequences, regardless of their music taste.
I doubt you'll be the first to complain in this thread either. | | |
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10:17 AM on 12/13/07 | dude this is fucking absolutepunk.net why would you ever write a kylie minogue review? i didn't even bother reading this, if we wanted to read about an old Australian pop singer, we wouldn't fucking be on this site dude seriously man |
First off, I'd like to thank you for pointing out that this is in fact AbsolutePunk.net. I had no idea that I was a staff member here. I thought it was AbsolutePopForAcceptingAudiences.co m. Sorry - these things happen.
Secondly, I'm glad you didn't read it. I would hate to hear that I wasted the time of such a worthy individual.
And why I would ever write a Kylie review? Well, lots of people like her. I enjoy her music. Thus, I write about it. I feel like it's a pretty simply progression. If I were to review punk music, I'd most likely poorly represent it because I prefer other genres to the various categories of punk. Would you prefer that? | | |
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10:23 AM on 12/13/07 | good for you for branching out greg. i like the review | | |
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10:31 AM on 12/13/07 | Good review (I wouldn't have scored it quite as high though), but one thing to point out: it's not just American media touting it as a comeback record, it's universal because this is a comeback record. Girl had breast cancer in '05 remember? She had to cancel a bunch of tours and shit (I think she canceled her '08 world tour because of this as well, not sure though) and her future as a recording artist (and, y'know, in general) was totally uncertain, so this is about as comeback as a record could possibly be. |
I mean, she had releases in '03 and '04. Granted they were all reproductions, but I still consider that enough to not be a comeback. And I quite recently heard about '08 tour dates, so I don't think they've been canceled yet.
Good Weather all over the 'net.
good for you for branching out greg. i like the review |
Thanks man. Much appreciated. | | |
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12:00 PM on 12/13/07 | I really enjoy this record. "Wow" is my favourite song at the moment but I'm quite a big fan of "Heart Beat Rock". It's a shame virtually every track Calvin has a hand in is (almost) identical.
To the twat asking why is the site reviewing a Kylie album - well Absolute(notso)Punk branched out a long time ago.
Maybe you should just listen to the things your ears enjoy and not what you think they should enjoy.
And if you know you don't enjoy Kylie - don't bother commenting.
(P.S. She's Australlian. There's a 24 hour flight difference.) | | |
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12:22 PM on 12/13/07 | down on loving... down on loving dude this is fucking absolutepunk.net y would u ever write a kylie minogue review? i didn't even bother reading this, if we wanted to read about an old british pop singer, we wouldn't fucking be on this site dude seriously man |
Regardless of what any duche bag says, Kyle rocks. Look at her, she's way old and still has a killer body and regarless if you like pop or not, she has a pretty sweet voice. | | |
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01:21 PM on 12/13/07 | dude this is fucking absolutepunk.net y would u ever write a kylie minogue review? i didn't even bother reading this, if we wanted to read about an old british pop singer, we wouldn't fucking be on this site dude seriously man |
whats more punk rock than reviewing a pop artist
i give the dude props | | |
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01:24 PM on 12/13/07 | Blah Blah Blah. Any self respecting reviewer would sack the consequences, regardless of their music taste.
I doubt you'll be the first to complain in this thread either. |
big city dreams rules | | |
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01:29 PM on 12/13/07 | Plus "2 Hearts" is way more "punk rock" than most of the shit spouted forth from the front page of this site these days.
Oh, and she's Australian, douchebag. | | |
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03:51 PM on 12/13/07 | nice review.
and 'hipvee43' whats wrong with reviewing different genres.
dont listen to music you think makes you look cool, and refuse anything else.
kylie has some fucking catchy tunes! | | |
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04:13 PM on 12/13/07 | First off, I'd like to thank you for pointing out that this is in fact AbsolutePunk.net. I had no idea that I was a staff member here. I thought it was AbsolutePopForAcceptingAudiences.co m. Sorry - these things happen.
Secondly, I'm glad you didn't read it. I would hate to hear that I wasted the time of such a worthy individual.
And why I would ever write a Kylie review? Well, lots of people like her. I enjoy her music. Thus, I write about it. I feel like it's a pretty simply progression. If I were to review punk music, I'd most likely poorly represent it because I prefer other genres to the various categories of punk. Would you prefer that? |
i have never said this, and i will never say it again...
pwned. | | |
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05:36 PM on 12/13/07 | People are idiots. I'm glad you cover non-"punk" music, Greg. | | |
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