Customer Reviews

Neon Nights (Expanded)

5 star:		(72)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

First of all, if you're new to Dannii Minogue, then I would suggest that you start with THIS album, and NOT her Greatest Hits compilation "The Hits and Beyond" from 2006. While the latter does indeed have all her biggest hits, it is packed with many remnants of her early 1990s synth-pop years, which could be a huge turn-off for new listeners. However, this expanded 2-CD version of "Neon Nights" is the DEFINITIVE Dannii Minogue album - I would choose this single album over any of her studio CDs, and yes, even over her greatest hits collection.

"Neon Nights" is a dance-pop record, with a very electronica sensibility that runs through it. Think of Madonna's "Ray of Light" and Kylie Minogue's "Impossible Princess", and this album follows in that William Orbit-soaked tradition. This is a good thing, because it means that there is no `filler'. In fact, every song from this could be a single. The most successful one from this album was "I Begin to Wonder" (which reached UK No.2) and the more addictive "Put the Needle on It" (an addictive chorus that you'll be humming for days). Standout tracks also include my personal favorite "Creep" (which is a homage to both a lover and a drug - at the same time1), and "Vibe On". But Dannii really shines toward the end of the album with the epic "A Piece of Time", an instant pop classic. It's a pity this song isn't better known, as it certainly propels the album into a totally different stratosphere.

"Neon Nights" is an album that you will instantly like. This is not an album you have to play three, four times before you find something worth singing along to. Every song is straightforward verse-corus-verse, and its all frothy and light hearted. The perfect party album? Possibly, but more than that it's a very essential POP album, one that you can pull out five years later and still find a lot to love.

The 2-CD Edition is especially important, because it gives us all the B-Sides, Remixes, and leftover tracks from the "Neon Nights" Era. Prime cuts include the amazing "Nervous", the much discussed "Hide and Seek", and the immensely critically acclaimed (but seldom heard) "Goodbye Song". Some of these tracks are actually better than some cuts on the original CD, so its great we finally get to hear them. As in every 2-CD Edition, there has to be remixes, and all of the primary remixes that featured on the CD-Single releases from the era are included here. "Don't Wanna Loose this Groove", a song that samples Madonna (and even Madonna loved it!) was one of the biggest novelty tracks earlier this decade, and it finally features here. Disc 2 contains all of these remixes, but since I'm not a remix fan, I can appreciate the effort but I won't be listening to much of it. I got this for the bonus tracks alone.

What I really liked is that each CD is almost 80 minutes in length, which means that altogether we get about 160 minutes of music on this 2-CD Edition. That's almost THREE HOURS worth of audio material for "Neon Nights". Incredible! I love it when artists respect their fans and give them what they really want. This is by far the definitive Dannii album, and I would suggest picking this up, alongwith her new 2-CD version of "Girl" (her late `90s album). That album wasn't as revolutionary as this one, but I highly recommend it just for the bonus tracks.

If you're new to Dannii, get this now. Rarely has a re-release been given so much respect and care, and the hard work shows. 3 hours long, and never boring, this is the ultimate Dannii Minogue.

Kylie Minogue's less-successful but ever-so-persistent sister Dannii releases "Neon Nights" in hopes of capitalizing on Kylie's skyrocketing fan base. Mind you, Dannii was a singer back in the days, but never arrived at Kylie status.

"Neon Nights" is frank dance with unashamed flamboyance. There are already three hits on this album. The absolutely fabulous "Put The Needles On It" and the funky club tune "I Begin To Wonder." Plus the techno romp "Who Do You Love Now?" with Riva.

"Push" sounds alertingly similar to Monifah's "Touch It"

The album is very promising with songs like "Creep" and "For The Record" and it never settles for less then stompers, check out "Hey! (So What)."

To fully appreciate this album try to avoid Kylie comparisons - as Kylie is the goddess of dance. But Dannii definitely has something to offer on this album.

Since popular culture is adamant on "keeping it real" and hardcore, whatever that is, "Neon Nights" might have a hard time breaking it stateside. But, whoever said unapologetic glossy dance can't have true emotion. While the media tries to define what is real by awarding and giving props to the likes of the utterly-bland Nora Jones, pick up "Neon Nights" and be prepared to dance for inspiration.

'Neon Nights' is simply fantastic, there isn't one song that fails to grab me. Even the 'weakest' songs score 8 out of 10! AND Dannii co-wrote most of the songs! Honestly, I can't describe how good this album is, you just have to trust me and buy it.

'Put The Needle On It' - A sexy dance number with plenty of nudge, nudge, Wink, Wink references. Oh yeah, it's Dannii's big sister's favourite. 10/10

'Creep' - Dark and sultry this track is best after dark. 10/10

'I Begin To Wonder' - Dannii's highest reaching single (#2 UK) 9/10

'Hey!(So What)' - One of my favourits, you won't be able to keep your feet still with this electric pop track which has 'Hit Single' written all over it. 10/10

'For The Record' - A lighter more flirty number, yet still very danceable. 8/10

'Mighty Fine' - A fantastic fluffy pop number that screams 70's. 9/10

'On The Loop' - This time its back to the 80's and acid pop. 8/10

'Push' - Another naughty dance number which hints (very loudy) at sex. 9/10

'Mystified' - This track is more urban and reminds me of J.Lo, only better. 10/10

'Don't Wanna Lose This Feeling' - Dannii's latest single, a light pop track, perfect for summer. 10/10

'Vibe On' - Dannii has fun with this pop track with urban overbites, that is about music vibes pumping from a speaker, not products from Anne Summers! 9/10

'A piece of Time' - One of Dannii's favourites, this dance track is a bit heavier. 8/10

'Who Do You Love Now?' - The garage/dance song that launched Dannii's comeback, another hit (#2 UK) that will have you up on the dancefloor. 10/10

'It Won't Work Out' - A haunting ballad that shows of Dannii's impressive vocals, yet funked up with dance music. It winds you down perfectly. 10/10

'Come And Get It' - Leave your CD player running after 'It Won't Work Out' to find this little gem of a dance track. 8/10

Then after all this the CD is enhanced so you get the videos for 'I Begin To Wonder', 'Put The Needle On It' and 'Who Do You Love Now?' - Plus a image gallery! Now isn't Dannii good to you?

CD1


'Put The Needle On It' - A sexy dance number with plenty of nudge, nudge, Wink, Wink references. (#7 UK commercial, #1 UK dance).

'Creep' - Dark and sultry this track is best after dark.

'I Begin To Wonder' - Dannii's highest reaching single (#2 c #1 d)

'Hey! (So What)' - A lovely poppy, sing-a-long track, you won't be able to keep your feet still with this!

'For The Record' - A lighter more flirty number, yet still very danceable.

'Mighty Fine' - A fantastically retro, fluffy pop number.

'On The Loop' - Heavy on the synchs, surprising for a `pop' artist. Very well done.

'Push' - Another naughty dance number, again this will get stuck in your head.

'Mystified' - Lyrically urban, but heavy synchs.

'Don't Wanna Lose This Feeling' - Dannii's last NN single (#5 c #1 d), a lighter, more `pop' track.

'Vibe On' - Dannii has fun with this pop track with urban overbites, which, apparently, is about music vibes pumping from a speaker, not products from Anne Summers. Dannii injects her cheeky humour into this. Oh, she even raps!!

'A piece of Time' - One of Dannii's favourites, this dance track is a bit heavier, that sounds somewhat similar to something Paul Oakenfield may release.

'Who Do You Love Now?' - The song that launched Dannii's comeback, another hit (#3 c #1 d) that will have you up on the dance floor.

`Come And Get It' - A remix of this song was hidden at the end of the original NEON NIGHTS. This radio edit is far superior & screams "single!"

`Nervous' - Originally a b-side, this fantastic track was wasted first time round.

`Just Can't Give You Up' - Unreleased anywhere else, this is another dance number, whose chorus will get stuck in your head. "I just can't give you up ohh ooohhhh"

`Hide And Seek' - Again, this more musically experimental track was wasted as a b-side.

`Don't Wanna Lose This Groove' - Madonna herself gave this bootleg the thumbs up!

`Est-Ce Que Tu M'Aimes Encore?' - WHO DO YOU LOVE NOW? With French vocals. To my non-fluent ears it sounds fantastic!

`Goodbye Song' - Dannii has the strongest b-sides. The lyrics are quite random, but very catchy.

`It Won't Work Out' - This is the acoustic version, entirely different to the one released on the original NEON NIGHTS. Everyone who has heard it loves it.



CD 2


`Don't Wanna Lose This Groove' (Extended Version)

`Begin To Spin Me Round' (Extended Version) - This extremely popular bootleg received an impressive amount of airplay.

`Who Do You Love Now?' (Riva's Bora Bora Club Mix) - This mix was only released in the Netherlands.

`Put The Needle On It' (Jason Nevins Freak Club Creation Mix)

Hide And Seek (Thriller Jill Original Extended Mix) - An unreleased mix.

`Come And Get It' (Jerome Isma-Ae Remix) - An unreleased mix.

`Put The Needle On It' (Tiga's Cookies Dub)

`Creep' (Jon Dixon Club Mix) - Unreleased mix of the popular album track.

`I Begin To Wonder' (Almighty Transensual Club Mix) - An unreleased mix.

`Put The Needle On It' (Cicada Vocal Mix)

`Come And Get It' (Sharam Jey Remix) - An unreleased mix.

`Don't Wanna Lose This Feeling' (Jupiter Ace Speared Thru The Heart Mix) - Yet another unreleased mix!


Girl

for those of you who dont know who dannii minogue is... well that doesnt come as much of a surprise. dannii(danielle) is the kid sister of kylie and this is her 1st stab at the american market. neon nights is a non-stop album that features dannii's hits put the needle on it, i begin to wonder(one of the best dance songs to come out this year), and who do you love now. i hope that american audiences will give dannii a chance and that this cd finds it way onto dance floors and radio stations across the country. i promise these songs will have you singing along after a couple of listens and you will not be able to supress the urge to "shake your groove thang".

ALL EDITS "compliments of CD NOW"
As we all know Dannii and Kylie are sisters, Kylie who has been around for many years FINALLY took over the USA's mainstream straight and not so straight music scene, with "Can't Get U Outta My Head". Thanks to the openly no so straight team of remixers, she chose slammed it into the #1 spot for weeks. However her sister Dannii is finally making her way to follow in her sisters heels. I own this CD and, I have to say it is excellent. Every song, has a great beat, some tech. (not techno) but more on a robotic Kraftwerk with crisp, haunting vocals, and electronic acitvated voice enhancers (ala Cher, to a small degree). There are numerous singles and club remixes that are released out there from this CD such as "I begin to Wonder" (remix, has the Dannii singing over Dead or Alive's You Spin Me Round)EXCELLENT. "Don't Wanna Loose This feeling" (remix called Don't wanna loose this GROOVE is Dannii Singing vocals over the instrumental version of Madonna's HUGE hit Into The Groove)"Put the Needle on it" has remixes out there that are fairly good, and in addition, the first single remixed from Neon Nights" is "Who Do you Love Now" originally released 2001 has 3 tracks and the video it is excellent. This CD is really great. The bonus Videos with Remixes (not all are the same, you will need to by them seperatly to get the "Groove, Spin or Who Do You Love Now" full length mixes)but gives you "JUST ENOUGH" to tickle your taste buds, and you will eventually buy the CD Maxi Mixes. So. If you are a fan of Kylie, you will be very pleased and surprised with this purchase, there voices are so similiar, if they EVER, did a duet, I do not know if I could even tell them apart. Good Choice of CD BUT it does NOT CONTAIN her latest crowd pleaser "You Won't Forget About Me" (see my review). Dannii has quite a history in the music world that you may not know of, search for "Dannii/the Remixes 1998 released on Mushroom records, with 13 tracks total on a double CD disc set, it really great, she has many of her most popular released singles remixes by some of todays (and 1998) remixers, such as Junior Vasquez/Murk Boys from Miami/Xenomania and Trouser Enthusiasts (these last 2 are the hottest)the mixes range from 6min - 12;07. The remix of Everything I wanted 7:09 is excellent mixed by Xenomania (who also remixed "Believe" by Cher)The 11;06 mix of "All I wanna Do" by T.Enth. and topping the CD is the ouutstanding mix of my FAVORITE "Disremembrance" remixed by T. Enth. also... it clocks in at 12:07 min of PURE POWER. So that is another suggestion along with "Neon Nights" I have worked professionally and, for my own business as a DJ now, and I always go for the remixes, I sometimes may NOT know the artist, but if it is remixed by a familiar name (such as all the above) I will normally buy it. Thanks and hope these suggestions are of help. Jason Prof. DJ

Yes I bought this because it was in the Kylie Minogue bin at the store. I was curious to see if Dannii was a Kylie clone. Of course, this would be a good thing because Kylie is AWESOME! But I quickly learned to love this CD based on Dannii's own merits.

All the songs are energy-infused and fun. There is only one slow song on the entire CD. Plus the hidden track is fantastic. "I Begin To Wonder" is the absolutely best song! But of course you will also have to buy the import version with "Begin To Spin Me Åround" because this has become a tremendous dance hit.

So don't buy this just because it is Kylie's sister. Buy it because Dannii deserves to be listened to and enjoyed! It's groovy!

I have been a big fan of Dannii Minogue and her sister Kylie for a very long time now and I must say that I am very happy that Dannii has finally decided to release her Neon Nights album in the US. I have been tracking it down since I heard about it back in May. Neon Nights is filled with funky SEXY dance grooves that is sure to please anyone. Although it's flavour is 80's rooted, it's still a GREAT record. The tracks are very unique. The first song "Put The Needle On It" is probably my most favorite track on the album. I keep playing it over and over again. I may have to end up buying a new album or even a new CD player because I play this CD so much lol. I give Neon Nights 5 Stars because it deserves nothing less. I am sure that Dannii has high hopes for this US release so let's all give in to Neon Nights. Your music collection shouldn't be without this album. Trust me, it's definitely worth your money and your time to listen to it. WAY TO GO DANNII!!!

Oh my gawd...wot can I say??? This album rox. A perfekt blend of pop sensibility with cool dance innovation and with a techno twist Dannii really raises the bar as far as pop albums go to the point that Madonna, Britney, Kylie and the likes should start quaking. There is not one bad trak on here and Dannii's vocals are simply stunning. I'd love to give a run down of each track but I'd gush all day about their brilliance. My fave toon is a saucy little track called Vibe On, which uses every innuendo in the book...but it has the most killer groove it's unreal. Creep is an ultra-hip xperimental dance track which fares well in the clubs. Mighty Fine is a Disney' type song gone cool (serious....zippity days, the whole works....klassik) and then Hey...So What....sublime pop all the way. Add to that the 4 Top 10 singles.....altho Don't Wanna Lose This Feeling isn't the Madonna Into The Groove sampled one (you gotta buy the single for that). At times the singles are more lacking than the album trax. Its a veritable testimony to the credibility and consistency of this album. The final toon, It Won't Work Oout is the only ballad on the cd....but what a song! Enuff already, I'll stop....all I can say is......a pure pop record which is fun, original and brilliantly produced and performed...there's more talent in the Minogue family than just big sis Kylie....she could learn a thing or two from this collection of songs....definitely in my Top 5 cds of the year

Dannii Minogue is on fire with NEON NIGHTS, a funky set of dance songs that will have you running to the dancefloor. Or at least you will get up off your chair and dance and sing along. NEON NIGHTS is filled with dancefloor ready club hits that are destined to become club hits in their own right, some of which have already! "Put The Needle On It" and "I Begin To Wonder" have already become mega hits, I hear them quite a bit when I go out clubbing in fact. Her new single from the album is "Don't Wanna Lose This Feeling", which has an old school feel to it.

My favorite track on the album is "Mystified", if there is any justice this will be a future single. The song is catchy and infectuous. The album also features "Who Do You Love Now", Dannii's past collaboration with Riva, a great song all in all. "Vibe On" is catchy, and funny with its subject content about a vibrator. Other highlights include "Creep", "Push", "It Won't Work Out", "A Piece of Time" and more. There's a few songs on the weaker song in my opinion, like "On The Loop" and "Mighty Fine", but the good songs more than make up for the filler tracks.

I hope this album gives Dannii the recognition and attention she deserves.