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Album Review: Kylie Minogue – Aphrodite
Aphrodite (Album Cover)
“Aphrodite” is the eleventh studio album by Kylie Minogue and it’s her first studio album in three years, since her 2007 release, X.
From the official press release on 20 April 2010 along with a short snippet (instrumental) of the lead single “All the Lovers“, everyone assumes this album would be one of (if not) the best in Kylie’s career! Face it, who doesn’t love Kylie?? She’s extremely likeable and her musical chronology is pretty much well known by every music listeners. So does this album justifies the hype??
First Impressions
Indeed, the megamix sampler released prior to the album release serves as an excellent taster of what we can expect from the album. The problem with it is that those tracks are the better ones on the album. The whole LP feels extremely ‘fluffy’ as I listened umpteen times. I’m guessing the bulk of the album is based on the “Love at First Sight” vibe, which is easy-listening dance-pop. This makes the album sound a little monotonous. What seems to be a ‘perfect’ album shows flaws with repeat listens. Wonder why??
Track by Track Review
- All The Lovers
This song was one of the last songs written for the album, and was chosen as the lead single subsequently. As explained on the single review when the song has it’s airplay, Kish Mauve and Kylie are a match made in heaven. An euphoric first single and destined to be a Kylie Classic. The remixes doesn’t do any justice, the original edit is the best. =) - Get Outta My Way
Touted to be the “Love at First Sight” for this album, this song is confirmed to be the 2nd single from the album. The masses and radio adores this song, without doubt that it’ll be successful. There’s reports that Britney’s team wanted this song for her, but I definitely think it’s more suited for Kylie. - Put Your Hands Up (If You Feel Love)
Written and produced by Starsmith and the Nervo sisters, this song’s definitely a club banger! Loving the beats at the chorus especially! - Closer
A filler that which fits quite well with the album. Ain’t really that memorable. - Everything Is Beautiful
Written and produced by Fraser T. Smith and Keane’s Tim Rice-Oxley, it’s the closest thing to a ballad in this album. An uptempo one that is. Passable as a Kylie track. - Aphrodite
The title track of the album. Loads of fans like this track, probably because of the thumping and ‘marchy’ chorus. She’s definitely a golden girl, though she hadn’t hit that age yet. =X - Illusion
An 80’s sounding dance track. Not a bad track, it just feel like it’s an album-only track. - Better Than Today
This track debuted on her US ‘For You, For Me’ tour. Sounds cheesier than “Your Disco Needs You“, I do like the lyrics though. Has a showgirl vibe written all over it. - Too Much
The album gets better from here onwards. Calvin Harris and Jake Shears (from Scissor Sisters) involvement means this song would be epic! Definitely a dancefloor killer! - Cupid Boy
This song has to be a single!!! Loving the synthy robotic bridge. Another one of my favourite tracks from the album. - Looking For An Angel
From my POV, it’s the only lush-worthy track of the album. The chorus goes into an addictive loop! And it’s written by Kylie and Stuart Price! - Can’t Beat The Feeling
Standard Kylie fare, it’s a typical disco-pop track which is expected. =) - Mighty Rivers
The iTunes bonus track. Actually, both bonus tracks are written and produced by Xenomania and they definitely deserves a spot on the album as compared to some tracks. Kylie’s vocals sounds comfortable here. - Heartstrings
The Japanese Edition bonus track. A haunting dance-pop nugget. Again by Xenomania, love the emotional delivery.
Final Verdict
What I’m gonna express now might draw some flak from hardcore Kylie fans but I’m stating some facts and just providing an honest opinion. Vocally, as we all know, Kylie isn’t the kind that does vocal gymnatics. Given her limited vocal range, the right songs has to be chosen well in order to showcase her strength. The first half of the album (sans ATL, GOMY and PYHU) feels rather screechy on the vocals. And it’s not because of her voice, it’s due to the production. As Kylie’s vocals on the rather thin and high, sufficient BASS has to be present in order hide her flaws and support her voice. That’s my only minor complain if I were to nitpick.
I love Kylie to bits! And she’s great live. But this album doesn’t really do her any justice. In fact, it suffers from cliches too. At best, it’s well-suited for pride events. Not that I dislike this album, critically, it just lacks the diversity of ‘X‘, the experimentation of ‘Body Language’, the pure disco vibe of ‘Fever‘ and the energetic ‘Light Years’.
It’s an album that I would only listen to occasionally. I blame on the overproduction of certain tracks which marred the entire album, otherwise the rest of the tracks is good enough to make it up but just isn’t enough to save it. Not bad, but ain’t really good either, this album hits on the above average mark.
Think “Nudity” and “Cherry Bomb“. She should have gone to that direction instead.
Best album of 2010?? Nah. Best Dance album of 2010?? Sophie Ellis-Bextor has a much better chance at that, with Armin on board.
This album scores a 3 out of 5.
Dirrty Peeps, if you would like to express some opinions, feel free to comment and I’ll gladly reply. =)
(And I ain’t posting the album tracks as 99% should have the album by now.) =)
Recommended Tracks
All The Lovers
Too Much
Cupid Boy
Looking For An Angel
Really glad to see that you highlighted, in your opening sentence of the verdict, one very important fact… “Opinion”
Have been on board the Kylie Journey from it’s beginning and watched and listened to review after review state the same weeknesses and flaws in pretty much everything she did. The Australian music Industry has allways had a problem giving credit where it was due and never have really come to terms with how popular she is around the Globe. You are spot on when commenting on focusing on her strengths as it has been that reason she is still at the top of her profession all these years down the track.
I have played the Album through from start to finish half a dozen times and I have the exact opposite view from what you have. I am finding that each time I am getting something new from it. It is almost like watching a movie and seeing one scene move into the next and so on. I am getting that this album is more about it’s entirety and not so much on individual tracks.
I believe there has been allot of time and thought gone into the track order and the small pauses between tracks as to make the next song an extension of the last. Similar to a journey a good D J will take you on at a Dance Party.
This is why there are no real Ballads.
This album has achieved something that I haven’t felt from her previous ones in which I can’t pick a single track that doesn’t have a specific appeal. In the past there have always been 2 or 3 which I could take or leave. But not this one.
The more I play it the more I like it. Each time I get a different Highlight.
Haven’t had an Album make me feel this good for a long time.
Am a huge fan of Fame Monster as an overall piece of work but must say that this Album, although not as complex, surpasses that.
Anyway that’s my Opinion
Regards
Craig
I guess the people who will always try to bring Kylie down are the people who are not real fans of hers. The people who only know the ”Hits”. I still dont understand why after all this time people/critics say she has a limited and weak voice. Her voice is AMAZING. All you have to do is know kylie to relieze that. With each tour her voice gets better & better. She hits such amazing high notes that lets face it, madonna will never even be able to have the capacity to hit in her entire career. Im just sick of kylie never getting the credit she deserves. The main reason (in my opinion) is because shes so NICE and shes so BEAUTIFUL. After all kylie is a bonified sex symbol in europe. Thats why people cant comprehend her being just as equally talented. They assume its all fluff because most serious artits do not look like kylie. They feel comfortable giving someone like madonna credit because madonna has never been sweet or attractive.
The album is AMAZING!!! its full of the heart that X lacked.
X was an experiment gone wrong with too many different directions and no clear theme or feel. Also it just didnt feel like kylie. She didnt look like herself either. I Felt as if i was watching a different person. The only songs on the album that i felt were real kylie songs were WOW and maybe No More Rain. Songs like Cherry Bomb and Do It Again were wrongly left off the album. I think it was a bad choice of songs.
Aphrodite is EVERYTHING kylie is. ITS BEAUTIFUL, FUN, ENERGETIC. YOU CANT NOT MOVE AROUND WHEN YOU HEAR IT. The sounds are unique, they make you smile. It proves why kylie is the sweetheart of dance and pop. She makes the best. She is the queen! EVERYONE NEEDS TO BUY THIS ALBUM!!!!!!
Just to clarify some thoughts. I don’t direct the artist, only on the music. Given the image and all, everything is out of the window when I listen to an album.
Every era is different. I feel that the company is trying to recreate the success of Fever with this album. For fans and radio listeners, this album’s great, no doubt. I am slightly harsh with this review because the mixing process is being screwed up a little. It’s not Kylie’s best for sure. Frankly, I hate the auto-tuned middle section of the album. Yes, she can sing. So its isn’t right to alter her voice into sounding like Alvin and the Chipmunks. The melody is cohesive with most of the tracks, sans some fillers. The album is alright as a whole.
Having Stuart Price ‘controlling’ the whole album has it’s pros and cons. It’s definitely playing it safe, but it’s one dimentional. Im really hoping the remixes of future singles would add deeper bass in them. It’s what the album lacks.
I wouldn’t compare her with Madge, both are queens. But Kylie’s a wholesome sweetheart for sure.
As for X lacking a theme, are you serious!!! Glam-pop is written all over it!
(And where the hell is “White Diamond” !!!)
I think your review was honest and I agreed with most of it. I do like All The Lovers, but I think she should have waited to release that as the 3rd or 4th single. I feel that Get Outta My Way or Put Your Hands Up would have been a better choice for first single since she wants to declare this as a dance album. I feel it also would have helped the album sell in the US like Can’t Get You Out Of My Head helped her in the US.
I also enjoy the song Too Much. I feel if the verses had some more beats in them to accompany the chorus instrumental, she could have a HUGE HIT one her hands with that song.
Closer is really the only song on the album that I feel is very weak. Other than that, I am enjoying the album and taking it for what it is—a great dance feel-good record.
However, I think everyone is entitled to their opinion and I enjoyed reading your review. I am really enjoying this album and Sia’s “We are Born” album as well.
SINGLES TO RELEASE (IN ORDER):
#1 PUT YOUR HANDS UP (IF YOU FEEL LOVE)
#2 GET OUTTA MY WAY
#3 TOO MUCH (REMIXED VERSE INSTRUMENTAL AND KEEP CHORUS INSTRUMENTAL)
#4 LOOKING FOR AN ANGEL -OR- ALL THE LOVERS
#5 CAN’T BEAT THE FEELING -OR- APRHODITE
it’s taken me some time but I’ve posted my full review too now
here’s the link to my Myspace blog if you care :
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=154447635&blogId=536950718
@ rick: r u kidding me with nu-di-ty??? it is so un-kylie!!! I hope she never does this sort of songs anymore!!! n cupid boy?? the only track I can’t stand on this album. but I do agree with some who say that certain tracks are over-produced. Aphrodite ought to be the lead single!!!
@kokachoo—-I agree that Cupid Boy is annoying, but Nu-di-ty is a great song…and she did a great performance of it on her X Tour.
Her performance of nudity on the X tour was the most boring part of the show and i have no idea why it was put into the setlist. and cupid boy is the best song in the album are you crazy? Its so cool kylie. The sounds in it are amazing and the chorus is incredible.
I think the album suffers from corny lyrics and weak vocals. I know Kylie has one of the weakest voices in pop, but I feel that this album just puts emphasis on these flaws. All in all I think the album sounds like something Miley Cyrus or another ‘teen’ star would put out, not someone who has been doing this since the 80’s.
Disappointment.
What are you talking about? If you think there weak & corny lyrics then you must think EVERY kylie album, (or every pop song in general for that matter) is weak. You obviously dont do your research, kylie can hit the highest of beautiful notes, and has been doing so since the 80’s. People who say she cant sing are people who simply dont know anything beyond the greatest hits & what single gets put out.
Weakest voice in pop? ARE YOU INSANE? Kylie has the most beautiful voice in pop. Who exactly are you referring to that you think is better? Because when someone says pop the only 2 other artists that come to mind are Madonna and Britney Spears… and both are SUCH a joke that its embarrassing. First off its a known fact globally around the world that britney is incapable of singing live, never has and never will. You pay good money to hear her mouth along to her album playing while she dances the ENTIRE show like its still 1999. Madonna’s voice is just ugly. Period. She sounds like a man looks like a man acts like one too. Her voice is terrible live and you can see her straining when she sings. Ive done my research and in all of her tours only SOME songs are sung live, maybe every other song. and her album is playing in the background louder than she sings. but since its ”madonna” people refuse to notice and just accept any heaping turd she presents as genius. Also its a fact that her voice goes nowhere, its just flat, monotoned, and has zero range. She is incapable of hitting any beautiful note and i seriously dont think she ever has. Even madonna fans cant argue with that.
I’d like proof that her voice is weak because im more than able to give many many different performances when she shocks the critics by proving her amazing vocal range. Even when kylie is singing a song that needs no high note or real passion her voice is just flawlessly smooth. It sounds like perfection and its 100% LIVE, EVERY TOUR, THE ENTIRE SHOW. NO BREAKS FOR HER. all while she runs around and dances. Her voice also stays beautiful while being spun around and lifted into the air. It never breaks or cracks. She is the real deal.
The album Aphrodite is genius. It is POP/DANCE at perfection and everything it should be. Its euphoric, touching, fun, edgy, full of heart & soul, and the sounds are so good you cant help but start to move. The album is sitting rite up there next to Light Years and Fever, it may even be better. Her voice is purposely in a higher pitch than usual and it sounds gorgeous.
Kylie is a goddess of love.
Jessica said all that needed to be said.
Kylie is a Suprano so of course her voice will come accross with a higher pitch. At the end of the day when have you ever had a reviewer give 100 % positive feedback.
If they did there would be no reason for us to feel compelled to comment. It’s when someone is not talked about that their career is generally on the way out.
Think this one has quite a ways to go.
LOVE the Album..
More today .. but no less yesterday.
Craig
@ Jessica—it’s funny that you get so offended when someone says a comment about your precious Kylie, but then you turn around and bash Madonna. Sounds like you should practice what you preach. I love Kylie and Madonna and respect their individual sounds and I guess Stuart does too considering her produced Madonna and Kylie’s records—and Kylie is a huge Madonna fan herself FYI!!
As for your comment about Nu-di-ty, I guess that is why they have multiple songs on a setlist—-so EVERYONE can enjoy their individual favorites in her catalogue!!
Aphrodite is Kylie Minogue’s best work to date and this is the album that fully encompasses who Kylie is as an artist.
When I first heard the megamix sampler, I could not wipe the smile off my face. I looked to my friend and said, “THIS is Kylie at her best!” Now after playing the album over and over, I still cannot stop smiling. This album has delivered the most cohesive sound filled with glitter, vibrant colors, love, positivity, energy and life! When I think of pop music, Kylie Minogue is the definition and this is the album that fully represents her.
I will say I’m surprised to see so many negative reviews here. There’s a lot criticism we can dish with most other artists, but Kylie Minogue cannot be touched. Her voice IS the epitome of pure pop. She is the only pop artist who puts on extravagant shows filled with choreography and live singing (executed flawlessly). There’s a reason why America hasn’t picked her up outside of the Gay discos, she doesn’t conform to America’s hip hop/r&b infused musical stylings that majorly dominate our charts. She has consistently stayed true to her sound and classy image. Kylie Minogue releases only the best pop and I have to say, Danni, you must know very little about this type of music for this is nowhere close to ANYTHING Miley Cyrus or any other teen star could have ever put out.
They say the iPad is magical? Kylie Minogue’s Aphrodite is pure pop magic! If you cannot hear that, you are simply digging too deep. The euphoria and sweet sweet ear candy is right there in front of you! Enjoy my friends:)
-Djbronzed
All we need is love in this life, it’s true;)
djbronzed said it the BEST!!! Finally! Perfect review.
I brought up madonna because of the previous post where someone was comparing kylie to young stars of today which is absolutely insane. I knew someone was bound to bring up madonna at some point so i got what i wanted to say out of the way to prove a point that when it comes to the real goddess of dance and pop NOONE towers over kylie.
& pleaseeeeee you really think kylie loves madonna for real? The media and the public has constantly compared kylie to madonna and called her 2nd rate since about 1990. 20 years! I’m sure in her head (and in her real personal life) she HATES the woman. but kylie is full of grace and kindness and would never utter a word other than a compliment or something equally as nice about her. The only reason kylie ever covered Vogue on the showgirl homecoming tour was too pay the favor back to madonna when madonna wore a kylie minogue shirt on stage in 2002.
I’ve to stand by @Marcus. It’s just personal perferance, there isn’t a need to be aggressive!
For me, this album will never be Kylie’s best, as she definitely can storm up better. Fever’s still the tour de force album. Even only the album tracks like Fever, Fragile, Dancefloor, Love Affair. Definitely memorable. Unlike some tracks on this album which is purely skippable.
Well, some has higher expectations and some are easily satisfied. So, everyone views it differently and it varies.
This album screams best of 2010! I see some of the reviews on this site talking about Stuart Price’s involvement on the album and I have to say he and Kylie together is a once in a lifetime perfect pairing. Their sounds jolted together is genius! With Price on board, he took Kylie’s candy pop diva sound to a heightened level!
Best tracks in order (Although not a fan of Closer):
Everything Is Beautiful
Aphordite
Get Outta’ My Way
Too Much
Can’t Beat The Feeling
Put Your Hands Up (If You Feel Love)
Better Than Today
All The Lovers
Cupid Boy
Illusion
Looking For An Angel
Closer
I love this album !! I think it was a deliberate effort by Kylie to not go the experimental route like X but she chose to do what she did best – craft a pop album that is distinctively hers in spirit and sound. This is what the entire album achieves – positivity, energy, vibrance, exuberance, angelic, and colorful. While there is something to be said about the lack of different sound like her previous X, i found this album to be thematically and sonically consistent. I really think this is her best album to date because all the songs are just listenable and pure pop – this is what pop albums should do. I could play this CD over and over again without the need to press “STOP” after a few songs.
I attended a Kylie concert and her voice surpassed my expectations. I really never thought that she could hold a note or hit the high notes but she actually did an unplugged version of “your disco needs you” and she went full throttle by showing off her soprano voice. Actually one would be surprised at how good her voice is compared to Madonna, Britney, and all those auto-tuned pop princesses. This was something that i didn’t expect – that Kylie could actually sing live and still put up a good show. She’s definitely a concert performer that you want to watch. I love the 99 percent gay audience in the crowd. it is just an amazing experience listening to and seeing Kylie perform live !
I think people should keep in mind that Kylie is best when she is not edgy !
She sounds best when she is doing POP !! She’s the Queen of Pop !!
In my opinion, the standout tracks in the album are:
Get out of my way
Looking for an Angel
Aphrodite
Put your hands up
Beautiful
Cupid boy
Least favorite track is Closer
Enjoy the album and please give it a try…it is a fun album!!