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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