Body Talk

Robyn | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 22, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Cherry Tree
• ASIN: B004856ST0
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,698 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2010 release from the Swedish Pop sensation, the third and final album in Robyn's unique trilogy for 2010. Features five of the best tracks from Body Talk Pts One and Two plus five brand-spanking new songs from the ridiculously prolific pop star. Includes the singles `Hang With Me' and `Dancing on My Own' as well as 'Indestructible'. Island.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 55 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The complete package, sort of... November 22, 2010

By Andrew Ellington VINE™ VOICE

Format:MP3 Music

I've already reviewed the three parts to this album, and so I'm doing a little `cut and paste' action with this review. I wasn't too surprised to see that this album was dropped as a complete disc, since that seems to be the mode (buy them one by one only to have it drop as one album when all is said and done) but this is one of the few occurances where buying them separate was the better way to go. While this album contains most everything that was released on the individual `parts', this album is missing a few of the best tracks (like that `Dancing on My Own' remix).

I'm glad I got the separate discs.

That said, if you shoot for this album instead you won't be missing much, and it is still SOOOO worth owning (thus the A grade).

I'm just going to break this out by the tracks included from the different parts.

Part 1...

`Fembot' is pretty explosive. The structure of this song is light, airy, pop-princess yumminess that totally adds the needed layers of edge that make it signature Robyn. `Dancehall Queen' may be my favorite track from that album (they are all so good though). It has an almost `Police-esque' vibe to it, with an air of Reggae influence until the bouncy chorus catches on and brings a gigantic smile to my face. Robyn has a beautiful way of making HAPPY music that is edgy enough to validate adult enjoyment. `None of Dem' is slinky, seductive and completely engaging. The original version of `Dancing on My Own' (which is the version included here) is heart-tugging in its context yet certainly worthy of dance-floor choreography. You get the idea that Robyn is the sweet and shafted heroine, which is soft and vulnerable in texture. I was never a huge fan of `Don't Tell Me What To Do', but it has grown on me a great deal....

The omissions from the actual singular disc include the remix of `Dancing on My Own', the acoustic version of `Hang With Me' (which is better than the version provided on this disc from `Pt. 2'), `Cry When I Get Older' (which is the least successful track from `Pt. 1', so it's omission is acceptable) and `Jag Vet En Dejlig Rosa', which is a sad omission since it is one of the most beautiful songs she has recorded.

Part 2...

`Hang With Me' and `Love Kills' rely on that tinge of commercial pop-quality that Robyn understands how to layer effectively. Her delivery is smooth and enticing and her songs are incredibly catchy. I got these beautiful glimpses of her 90's work all over these songs, which added a nice splash of nostalgia to the offering. `Hang With Me' has a beautiful beat and a sweet sincerity within the vocal delivery, although I really wish they had swapped this out with the acoustic version from `Pt. 1'. `Love Kills' adds that edginess that sets Robyn apart from her former self. It is brilliantly controlled, with a pulsating beat that will send shivers, and the way that Robyn sinks her teeth into the dark side of love is splendidly realized here. Personally, `In My Eyes' is a tad generic, `We Dance to The Beat' lacks a little heart and `U Should Know Better' is a little uninspired, considering the collaboration with Snoop Dogg (the song is fun, but it just doesn't reach the heights it should have).

The omissions from the actual singular album are UNFORGIVABLE here. `Include Me Out' is stellar and should have been here. It's one of the best tracks from `Pt. 2', as is `Criminal Intent'. They also don't include the version of `Indestructible' here as well. Again, this was a bad decision. They include the version from `Pt. 3', which is far more club savvy, but this orchestral ballad should have been the version included, as it is far better.

Part 3...

Every track from `Pt. 3' is included here (as should be expected) and in the end I would have rather seen them exclude tracks like `Stars 4-Ever' for some of the better tracks omitted from the first two albums, but then again, I own all three `parts' so it doesn't really effect me.

The redone version of `Indestructible' (the closing track to `Body Talk Pt. 2') gets the album (or EP) opened on a great note. I loved the original version (which I still prefer), but this version is totally club ready and more in line with what we expect from Robyn. It's a strong and catchy way to get the album up and going. `Time Machine' is even better. The whole concept of the song is superb. The backing chants are a great touch; the lyrics are a nice look at a common occurrence and the way Robyn delivers everything is spot on. I love the way the chorus almost feels like a different song. It is so bubbly and catchy and the verse structure has a more straightforward and darker tone. They are perfect compliments! `Call Your Girlfriend' is my favorite track on the album. It is mellow for Robyn (despite what you may think, she does mellow VERY well) but it has her signature edge that elevates the track, and her soft vocals are stunningly effective. And then there are the last two tracks. `Get Myself Together', while very good, isn't anything compared to the greatness of `Time Machine' (it also feels a tad too familiar), and `Stars 4-Ever' is just kind of bad.

For those of you interested, here is my ranking of the album as a whole:

1) Call Your Girlfriend
2) Dancehall Queen
3) Fembot
4) Love Kills
5) Dancing on My Own
6) Time Machine
7) None of Dem
8) Hang With Me
9) Indestructible
10) Don't Tell Me What To Do
11) Get Myself Together
12) In My Eyes
13) U Should Know Better
14) We Dance to the Beat
15) Stars 4-Ever

As you can probably guess, I strongly advice spending a little extra money and buying all three parts separately, but if you want to just get this one album know that it is still worth it and certainly contains a worthy admission to the Robyn discography. Read more ›

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This album tops off an amazing year by Robyn November 22, 2010

By Robert

Format:MP3 Music

For those who have not heard Body Talk 1 & 2 this really ties things together well... The 4 new songs ("time machine", "call your gf", "stars" and "get myself together") are 4 out of my favorite 7 or 8 songs out of all the Body Talk songs, which is saying a lot, they are all amazing additions. "Call Your Girlfriend" is the best of the new bunch, beat and melodies are amazing, and the idea of the "mistress" point of view is clever. My only beef is her leaving off "Cry When You Get Older" which imo was the best song she release this year. Either way this album is a must have, if Lady Gaga released this album almost every song would be #1 in the U.S. people need to stop sleeping on Robyn!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Pop/Dance album of 2010 by far. Amazing! November 24, 2010

By nate

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

This album lives up to its hype. Every single song could be released as a single. You will not be disappointed!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Music November 22, 2010

By R. Brinton

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

I lost track of Robyn after her first single over a decade ago. Within the last month, I reconnected with her work and have been blown away. The Body Talk album is amazing from top to bottom. I'm kind of glad I rediscovered her this late into the Body Talk project, because I only waited a couple weeks for this amazing compilation to come out. It's top-notch pop/electronic/dance music with catchy hooks all-around.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars 4-Ever Pop November 22, 2010

By wordtron VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is pure perfect pop. Each song is a primer on pop craft: a great emotive voice tailored to smart, catchy lyrics married to knowing, soaring dance pop built within space--not thrown up front like so much pop today. I.e. there's great musicality in these songs, songs meant to be played LOUD on the dance floor inside your lonely head. The sequencing of the final album is flawless. And the songs don't lose steam after repeated listenings. And Robyn the person is so cute, cool and real. At least that's how I perceive her.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Dance/Pop at Its Finest April 20, 2011

By Brandon J. Smith VINE™ VOICE

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

Robyn's Body Talk is the most interesting pop music I've heard in years. The closest I can come to describe it is to say it's like a combination of the oddness of Bjork, the confidence of Madonna or Lady Gaga, and the pop savviness of Roxette and Kylie Minogue. Much like Janelle Monae in the R&B genre, Robyn has found a way to innovate within the dance/pop genre while making songs with sincere emotions and a clarity of vision that is maintained throughout the entire album. The hooks and melodies are memorable, and there's a wide variety of styles, featuring some excellent, often very clever lyrics. "Call Your Girlfriend," for example, takes the perspective of "the other woman" in a relationship, giving advice on how a boyfriend should break up with his girlfriend in the most considerate way possible. This is a wonderful concept for a song, and everything else in the song backs up the idea perfectly. I consider it one of the best pop singles I've ever heard. Just as good is the first song here, "Dancing On My Own," a beautiful and emotional song.

Much has been said already about how the three-part Body Talk releases came about, so I won't take time discussing that. Suffice it to say, all the releases are worth having, and I think this might just be the best of the bunch. I found the self-titled "Robyn" album to be excellent, if a little manic, and am pleased to say I think Body Talk is even better. It's sharp, focused, fascinating: an outstanding album.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars pop perfection November 24, 2010

By Brian J. Mattes

Format:MP3 Music

it boggles my mind why robyn is not a huge hit in the states...she continually turns out some of the best written/performed pop songs out there. instead we are stuck with crap like kesha.