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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Landmark Recording, January 20, 2003
By A Customer
"The Rumour" is the most critically-acclaimed album of Olivia Newton-John's phenomenal career, earning her kudos from the likes of Rolling Stone for "exposing a vein", earning our respect, and leaving us wanting much more. Released in 1988 following her maternity break, this album was a welcome follow-up to the disasterous "Soul Kiss". On "The Rumour", we are treated to a variety of sounds from the versatile ONJ. The title song, written by Elton John (who also supplied backing vocals), is pure, fluffy dance-pop; energetic and appealing. "Love and Let Live", the first pop anthem to AIDS awareness, is haunting, while "Let's Talk About Tomorrow", an awesome ode to conservation, is majestic. The best cut is "Walk Through Fire", a triumphant example of the unlimited talents of ONJ. And the eclecticly giddy "Tutta La Vita" supplies the icing on this well-crafted, decidedly rock-influenced confection.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Olivia: One Of The Best, January 27, 2006
Once Olivia Newton-John became well established in American pop music in the mid-70's, she entered the exclusive circle of the top female singers of our time, right up there with Linda Ronstadt, Diana Ross, Bette Midler and Dionne Warwick. Once you reach these heights, a new album doesn't prompt the question "Is she a good singer?" but rather "Is the material good, and was the vision for the recording successfully realized?" For me, the answer for this collection is "Yes". "The Rumour" is like a slightly subdued sequel to 1985's "Soul Kiss". Both have top-notch 80's pop-rock production, both continue Olivia's sexy image, and both were largely ignored by the American public. There is a new direction, however, on "The Rumour". Sex is still a force, but now it is blended with themes of fidelity, lasting relationships and the future of our planet. In "Get Out", Olivia sends a message of self-reliance, just in case the relationship doesn't work out. "Let's Talk About Tomorrow" manages to sound like both a rock and disco recording, and the lyrics are about environmental concerns. "Tutta La Vita" reminds me of Sheena Easton's "Strut" musically, but the discussion is on the philosophy of life and love. Two other songs about love differ in subject matter and in expression: "Car Games" comes to a slow boil and stays there, while "Walk Through Fire" reaches the peaks of a power ballad. Olivia's versatile voice is excellent, as always, and she continues to seem totally involved in the songs she is singing - there is no cool detachment. So, I find this album to be another example of a very good recording that just doesn't sell, simply because the artist has passed his or her prime period of commercial appeal. Oh, and did I mention that IT ROCKS??
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Olivia's Finest Moment., February 25, 2000
This review is from: Rumour (Audio CD)
The most overlooked album during its release and the most overlooked of Olivia Newton-John's career. Critics praised The Rumour, but listeners stayed away. Why? This is a near perfect album and is my favorite Olivia release. It still holds up today. Olivia's voice has never sounded better and the song selection is mature and appropriate. I say this because her previous album tried desperately to be sexy and too MTV. Highlights include the title tune, Let's Talk About Tomorrow and Walk Through Fire. Get it.
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