Customer Reviews

Hormonally Yours

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

To think that Shakespears Sister could produce an absolute classic is perhaps not something I would have thought when Siobhan Fahey was in Bananarama. (no disprespect to the nanana's - I loved them too). But she has, and this really is an extraordinary cd.

It's packed with hits (Goodbye cruel world, I don't care, My 16th apology, Hello (turn your radio on) and of course the massive No 1 Stay).

Everyone knows 'Stay' which was No1 in the Uk for 8 weeks, but it's important to realise that this is NOT indicative of the rest of the album. The rest is much more fast paced; excellent pop trax, but with a T-rex edge (never more evident than in Catwoman). All the trax have a wicked lyric, and the mix of Siobhans low and croaky vocal, mixed with Marcella's falsetto backing vocal works very well. (Marcella only leads on Stay).

This really is an great album. It's important to note that the US version is different to the UK's; different mixes are used - it's subtle but is JUST as good.

If you like this, look out for the 3rd cd (called #3) which is currently only available on Siobhan Fahey's website - it's without Marcella but rocks beyond belief.

Only a group made in the stars can be as great as Shakespear Sister. Singers Marcella Detroit and Siobhan Fahey (of "Bananarama" fame; she's also married to Dave Stewart of the "Eurythmics") make up this quirky duet, whose dark style yet imaginative songs gave them a loyal following in the U.S. and U.K. When I first saw the video for "Stay," I became hooked on this group. Being still in high school, I enjoyed the fact that this group gave me an escape from the hip-hop blaring out of radios in New York. I finally discovered what real music sounds like.

"I Don't Care," is a great song that includes a short Victorian rhyme. The video for this song was also a video classic as we see Marcella trying to avoid Siobahn's dark tactics. Other songs such as "Black Moon," capture the essence this group provided the rather drab world of popular music in the early 1990's.

Although no longer produced, the video compilation that came after the album's release was and still is one of my all-time favorite video collections. I was also amused on how they came up with the album's title (both Marcella and Siobahn became pregnant during the album's production). I highly recommend this awesome album to anyone wanting to discover a different kind of sound that is unique, hip, and memorable in every sense. I truly miss this band!

Seriously... there's no need for the radio. I'm sure that you have enough taste and sense to know that the best music can never be found on the air. Here is a classic example. Shakespear's Sister debuted on the FFRR label back in 1989 after Siobhan Fahey left Bananarama, had her child and then teamed up with Marcy Detroit. The resulting album was "Sacred Heart". True, while brilliant, the direction of their music was still mired in the late 80s dance-pop sound mixed with the ambition of good old-fashioned guitar work.

In 1991, the group released the biting and dark hued single "Goodbye Cruel World". It was from this that the remaining tracks of "Hormonally Yours" sprang. Even though this first single failed to catch on with those pesky and fickle radio listeners, the label remained undaunted in their efforts to get this group exposure. The result was to release a single nothing like anyone had ever heard on the 'waves. That single was "Stay". In case you haven't heard this song, it begins with a spare arrangement of shimmery synthstrings and Marcy Detroit's achingly beautiful soprano voice. Midway through the song comes the bombast of the full arrangement and Siobhan's sexy gothic growl.

The follow-up single, "I Don't Care" was released in a slightly remixed version, but its album counterpart was equally brilliant. It sported a more jangly guitar feel and a lilting beat akin to the Pretenders "Don't Get Me Wrong". It's middle section comes complete with a Victorian rhyme!

The final single off this disc, "Hello (Turn Your Radio On)" has to be one of my all-time favourite singles. It beautifully paints a picture of solitude, lonliness and the need to feel a part of "something" after losing someone. "Is there anybody out there to help me sing my song?" sing the ladies... we all know what they are feeling in this song whether male or female. Just gorgeous.

The album tracks are just as well written and performed. They range from psychedelic-acid pop (Catwoman, Black Sky) to sexy cool seethers(Moonchild, The Trouble With Andre). There is not one bad track on this album- I ASSURE YOU! This is real music for real people who feel real emotions (both ugly and beautiful). I'm often impressed when someone under the age of 20 gets into this disc, because the offerings here are quite mature. It's just outright REAL!

A CLASSIC!!!

HORMONALLY YOURS is the best album I know.
The voices of Siobhan Fahey and Marcella
Detroit work together very well on this
album. It's an album full of dark pop.
Music and lyrics are brilliant.
My favourite song is "Hello". It interprets
the loneliness, the isolation and individualization
in our society and sounds beautiful and melancholic.
"Stay", "I don't care", "Moonchild" and "The trouble
with Andre" are other highlights. There's no song
on this album that is terrible. Two women go their
way! This is also shown in the video collection.

In Hormonally yours the listener finds themself getting into a number of different stylings. From the great sex grooves of Moonchild to the classic melody of Stay. Marcella Detroit shows what she learned with Clapton and how the student has added to that knowledge. Plus her voice is a wonderful contrast to Siobhan Fahey's.Siobhan Fahey shows that she has matured out of Bananarama and into a voice that gives even married 30 year old men desires.Overall, what appears as somewhat dark msic is often catchy and desirable music.

Weird, frothy but refreshing. Some catchy, some funny, some critical music. Just a nice change of pace from the usual.

I remember hearing about Shakespear's Sister when I was about ten or eleven years old. It was the weekened and Dad was working nights, so I decided to sneak downstairs and watch a little bit of MTV. (Sadly, MTV was still a "forbidden" pleasure.) I was absolutely spellbound with the magic that the sisters were spinning visually as well as musically. And still, at 22 years old, they remain a staple in my music collection - a place they'll stay for many years to come.
(There's not very many good musicians being played on the air, something that is especially revelant in today's world.)
I suggest you pick up this album, it's worth every single red cent!

This is a fantastic work. The lyrics are original, witty, and somewhat on the dark side. Siobhan Fahey has really come to the fore as what I would rate one of the better songwriters that I know of. Add to this some excellent tunes, good production, and of course great vocals, and you have a winner. I recall that only "Stay" and "Hello" made it big in this part of the world, but I was really pleasantly surprised by the strength of the other tracks. Go and get it!

If you are new to this band, then this is definitely a place to start. Otherwise, do check out "Sacred Heart", a slightly less serious album, but still with a number of great tracks. This female band should appeal to lovers of "adult-aimed" pop.

While watching an old episode of Ghost Whisperer I heard this song, Stay. I can say that I have not listened to the entire CD, but hopefully it is as good as Stay.

Back in the early 90's I was walking through Circuit City when this beautiful singing voice caught my attention. I followed that sound over to the video department where I fell in love with Shakespear's Sister "Stay". It sounded amazing. I immediately sought out the cd. I've been a fan all these years. "Stay" is still a really cool song. The video is pretty cool too.

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