Customer Reviews

Heavy Nova

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I write this with a heavy heart, as I've just heard of Robert Palmer's death in Paris, aged 54. I wonder if the angels up there are mannequins in black miniskirts who can actually play the instruments instead of miming as they did in his videos. That being said, Heavy Nova was original meant as a confluence of heavy metal and bossa nova. Well, there are songs that resemble those genres but nothing that's a hybrid of those two.

"Simply Irresistible" is just that, an infectious danceable mixture of snarling and chugging rock guitar accompanied by synths and a high-pitched sound resembling metal whiplash.

The funky "More Than Ever" could've been something left over from The Power Station what with the power guitar licks.

Things get amusing and a bit silly with "Change His Ways" and the African/reggae rhythms, with accordion, violin, African harmony singers contributing to the exotic sound. Oh, and he even yodels to boot. A gigolo type keeps trying to regain the favour of a woman he's chasing, and the title reflects what she wants to do.

"Disturbing Behavior" is more in the mold of the heavier style and tells of a woman who doesn't tolerate carefree behaviour, but also maybe the mindset of straight-laced people rattled by those who live it up. He sings "Outrageous behaviour concerns everyone/We want perfect behaviour out of everyone."

With synths resembling a harpsichord providing a dominant rhythm throughout, "Early In The Morning" was the second single, and quite a change for those expecting another "Simply Irresistible"-like single. It's a mid-paced affair that bubbles up and down. There is a bridge instrumental that includes a funky guitar solo, weird sounds, before cutting back to the song.

The languid dreamscape of "It Could Happen To You" has a lush strings and piano in the same manner as "Riptide" or "Get It Through Your Heart."

"She Makes My Day" was the third single from here and it's the closest to bossa nova as his album gets. The strings and trumpet are more pronounced than anything by Stan Getz's mellowed style. There's parallel verses here. While his main vocal's singing "I'll never be lonely, now I know her", a background vocal sings "She trust her intuition" at the same time. Interesting technique there.

The swinging piano, percussion, and guitar of "Between Us" leans again to the bossa nova direction, and it would snugly fit on a various artists bossa nova album.

A voodoo motif begins "Casting A Spell" including a chant likened to that of a witch doctor. It then goes into a number as lively as "Simply Irresistible" only with a host of R&B backup singers. It shows that women don't have the monopoly on the art of bewitching.

The funk of "Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming" rounds out the album. He shares vocals with an unnamed female R&B singer here.

Palmer's styles varied greatly from songs such as "Looking For Clues", "You Are In My System", "Johnny And Mary", "Addicted To Love", "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)", and even "She Makes My Day". Though much of his output arose from the 1970's, his second big album of the 80's carved him as a vital force in pop history. Now that he's gone, maybe the rest of his catalogue will be just as examined.

I'm shocked at the lack of reviews for this cd. I chose to write this because folks, this is the first celeb "passing" that actually has affected me, and deeply. A lot of celebs that have passed recently have either not been my cup of tea, or frankly, they were older and it wasn't a BIG shock. Not so here, Robert Palmer I consider a friend, a dear friend. I got Heavy Nova in an odd way, it was the final selection of one of those wacky record clubs, I just couldn't think of anything else I wanted... what I ended up with was more than expected. Funny to think, probably 90% of the cd's I thought I wanted are probably long forgotten, while Heavy Nova still has more hooks than Ali.

Robert Palmer simply put is an individual. No one will ever be him, and no one will even come close to it. His lyrics contain so much wit and clever hooks it is almost inconcievable he doesn't seem more highly regarded. Heavy Nova carries just about every type of music Robert attempted in his pre-empted life. But the one thing it contains that makes it the most memorable to me is the obvious attempt by Robert to be whatever he wanted to be. And to him I am eternally grateful for the great memories. Thank-you Robert, now get up on that heavenly stage, you deserve it.

Robert Palmer has class and soul. His selections on this disc are excitingly varied from pure pop to rock to R & B. His respective covers of Jermaine Jackson's "Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming" and The Gap Band's "Early in the Morning" are magnificent. "Simply Irresistable," like its predecessor "Addicted to Love" shows the artist can rock with the best of them. Palmer even demonstrates his interpretive skills on standards with the mesmerizing "It Could Happen to You."

Great talent, great album!

a concept album if you will, this is an emotional toure-de-force from start to finish. from lounge, bluegrass, african dance, to classical rock, this possesses everything and the kitchen sink. form follows function and paves new ground for all genres to later walk upon

Don't ask me why, but this is the album that woke me up to music and influenced me to become a songwriter/singer myself. I was about 12 when I first heard "Simply Irresistable" and "Early in the Morining," and for some reason, his image and voice inspired me. I said to myself, "Now here's a guy who has things together!" The saying that a painting tells more of the painter than it does of the subject rings true especially for this album. I dare say that one would have to find Palmer intriguing in order to truly appreciate his craft; If you don't find his image appealing, than you won't find this CD appealing because the music is about as vast and eclectic as a musician dares to venture. The only aspect that seems steady is that he manages to put his sound to all of the genres of music he borrows from: it is difficult to detect any influences Palmer most assuridly had in his development as a musician and singer.

Early In The Morning...Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming. This man was sooo sexy. Taken way to early.

Robbie blew us away with Simply Irrestible, but this WHOLE album is one big WOW!! Every essential library collection of the 80's should have this one. He almost defined the 80's, but I have found many younger people are catching on to Palmer and his one of a kind style.

Have enjoyed everything he had done, but Heavy Nova is the one I play over and over and over!

Early in the Morning is driving and as good as Irresistable.

This album is Palmer's tour de force and a cultural marker. While one may argue about this or that song being better than what's on this album there is no doubt that this work as a whole is one of his best. Sometimes things were popular for a reason, and such is the case here. As has already been pointed out this is not a single themed work, which makes it more suitable for an attentive listening than as dance or background music. Palmer shows a great range of works here. There's everything from pop rock songs such as Simply Irresistible and Early in the Morning, (with its driving Clarkesque bass line) to light jazzy tunes. This is one that definitely belongs in a well-rounded collection.

Get it for "She makes my day", still great in 2003. Thanks...

This CD represents the culmination of his craft, on which Robert Palmer put it all together. Every type of music he'd ever experimented with is present here. Indeed, it's a virtual "world tour" of rhythm. Utterly fantastic in its breadth and scope, the British Palmer wove it all together seamlessly in a way that eluded other worldbeat-dabbling rockers of the day. The only other record I can think of that put forth such a variety of beats and song styles is David Bowie's "Black Tie White Noise", but even that great effort doesn't cohere as perfectly as "Heavy Nova". This is a textbook example of how to do it right, and should be studied by music students in composition classes.

Lyrically, however, Palmer is more limited than Bowie. Though his words are clever, a close look at this album (and his back catalogue) reveals that he only really wrote about one subject - sex, and the related topics of love and relationships. In this regard he could be considered to be the white Barry White. It must be said though that he's very good at being a "love man", perhaps unequalled - so don't let this put you off. If you do, you'll miss out on a lot of great music!

Tina Weymouth of the Talking Heads once opined that Robert Palmer was the hardest working, most innovative musician she'd ever met. Rod Stewart was such a big fan that he'd call up radio stations to request his songs. Though he had the respect of his peers, Palmer today isn't remembered as much as he should be by record buyers (or downloaders - hi kids!).

I think there's a good reason for that. I always felt Palmer would've had a much longer and more successful career if he hadn't worn a suit for so many years. A short phase of that might've been OK, but he looked too straight for too long. Too "legit" for rock 'n' roll. This was hammered home to me when I went to see the "Heavy Nova" tour and the one prop that hung over the stage was a large pink neon-lit outline of a martini glass, complete with a pink outlined olive with a toothpick going through it! It was so un-cool.

At the time I worked at a large company with many secretaries, and that night I saw all of them had dragged their boyfriends to the show. No doubt they were expecting a lively concert of dance music - after all, he'd had a couple of giant hits with "Addicted To Love" and "I Didn't Mean To Turn You On". What they got was a man in a suit crooning too many ballads and Caribbean-flavored numbers. There they sat with their big 1980's hair, staring uncomprehendingly and applauding tepidly - apparently bored stiff. By the time he encored with a couple of upbeat dance numbers, the damage had already been done. The word at work the next day was that the concert was terrible.

In all my years of concert-going, I've never seen an artist misjudge his audience to this extent. We were all still pretty young, and felt like we were watching Bing Crosby on a set designed for Dean Martin (hi grandpop!). Palmer had committed the cardinal sin of making us feel old and un-hip, and paid a heavy price for this transgression. Disagree with me if you must, but I believe that the bad word-of-mouth about this tour is what torpedoed his career. Fans were further alienated by his foray into "big band" music on his next two records. When he finally returned to his old style, no one cared anymore. He never again had a hit, and all album releases following Nova failed to sell or generate any attention.

Regardless of this, "Heavy Nova" stands as a testament to a true genius of songwriting captured at the peak of his career, with unparalleled arranging and interpretive skills. His voice is thrilling - nuanced, yet always exuberant. Robert Palmer sang with infectious joy and truly loved all kinds of music. Soul, r&b, calypso, rock, new wave - nothing was beyond his reach or capability. Not only could he do it all - he could do it well. This comes through on all of his wonderful albums. There's none I wouldn't recommend buying, but none contain as much variety as this one. It really is a masterpiece. Check it out, and pass the word to your friends. Palmer deserves to be remembered.