Customer Reviews

Rumour

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"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.

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??

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.

This album was released in 1988 at a time when the singer was at a personal crossroads. She previously was coming off a series of "failed" projects...her album "Soul Kiss" trying to be too MTV started out as a hit but went dead upon arrival...her movie career faltered with "Two Of A Kind" as she unsuccessfully reunited with John Travolta...she even had a very moderate hit with producer and record mogul David Foster called "The Best Of Me," that stalled at #80 on the charts!

On a personal front, Newton-John was more focused on motherhood and in the process began becoming more personally aware of her environment and her surroundings. This resulted in what was to become her comeback album called "The Rumour." She penned 4 of the 10 songs on this album, that reflects her new found awareness and for the first time her art reflected a social substance first and foremost, over the imaging and packaging that seemed to be evident in her professional singing career of the 1970's and early 1980's.

The album's title track was a bouncy, uplifting track written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. It's fun, livvy, most reminiscent of her early 80's hits like "Physical" and "Twist of Fate." The album and the title track stalled in the 60's on the charts mainly because the pop culture was embracing a new formula of dance music (Janet Jackson, Jody Watley, Paula Abdul). New teenage superstars like (Tiffany and Debbie Gibson) were beginning to flourish and Olivia was simply placed in the bargin bin because pop culture labeled her as "too old."

This is not to say that this is not an excellent album. It is a thoroughly enjoyable listening experience throughout. (It just didn't coincide with where popular music was at during this time.)

The songs on the collection address many social issues: AIDS ("Love And Let Live") in which Newton-John espouses the importance of getting to know your partner longer before having sex. It is almost the antithesis to her megahit "Physical." It has a great beat with a hard rock edge.

She also embraces the joy of approaching middle age (She turned 40 years old that year), with "Tutta La Vita." This sense of optimism is a wonderful way for the diva to close the album.

"It's Not Heaven," is a poignant ballad concerning children's attitudes concerning divorce and the challenges of becoming a single parent. This song is highly reminiscent of "Changes" which appeared on her 1974 album ("If You Love Me...Let Me Know.")

"Let's Talk About Tomorrow" is an upbeat tune reflecting social conscience and a foreshadowing of Olivia's responsiblity to make this planet a better place for herself and her newborn daughter, Chloe. There is a significant sense of urgency in her vocal intonation as she addresses her plea to combat pollution and social corruption.

"Can't We Talk It Over In Bed" is a saccharine ballad in which she is more vocally expressive involving the importance of communication with her partner.

"Car Games" is a fun jazzy romp, very different from other Olivia tunes from the past.

"Get Out" is a newfound personal expression of freedom and marked the first time Olivia had recorded a folk/country tinged song. It works well with the diversity within this collection.

"Walk Thru Fire" is the best ballad on the album. Written by hitmakers David and David and showcases Olivia's pristine voice quite well.

"Big And Strong" finds Olivia belting out some of the highest and longest notes in her 17 year career at that time. It is apparent that her voice (along with her songwritting abilities) are beginning to evolve.

At the time of release, Olivia made a videotape of the album titled "Down Under," which tied into Austrlia's bicentenial celebration. The video was extremely entertaining and contained bonus tracks that never made it to the album, ("Winter Angel"/"Old Fashioned Man/"Click Go The Shears.") The special was aired on HBO and the videotape was released.

Overall, this is a very strong album that marked a crossroads in which Olivia began to move from the pop culture market towards experimenting with different styles and different producers with excellent results. Buy this album and you will find yourself singing and humming along with many of the tracks.

When I first listened to this album, I wasn't sure what to think quite honestly. After a few more times, it has now become one of the most important albums I own. It out shines "Physical" which I think is truly wonderful, too, but "The Rumour" takes you to a new level of maturity - not just in lyrics, but in vocals. To this day, I can't believe that it wasn't her biggest success!
My favorite tracks include "Walk Through Fire", "Big and Strong", "Love and Let Live", "Let's Talk About Tomarrow", "The Rumour", and "Car Games". Just sit back and listen to some of the most incredible vocals you will ever hear by Olivia - delivered with conviction and confidence. Listen even closer to the words - the messages are sometimes fun, but more often beautiful and contemplative. Olivia actually co-wrote many of the songs, too.
This is an "album" that deserves more - even by Olivia herself. I have seen her in concert 3 times, and not once has she ever sang anything from "The Rumour".
I have been a fan of Olivia for 26 years - this to me represents her best, most incredible work.

The best grouping of new songs on one disc. Great melodies. Great vocals, and songs with meaning. Too bad it didn't sell well in the US. I spent years trying to find it and then.........the internet. I never knew finding great old music could be so easy. Olivia is timeless and her music always sounds great and relavent.

I couldn't agree more with the reviewer DP from Pompano Beach, FL USA. Read that review if you are interested in this album.

I have been following Olivia's singing career for 30 years. I own many albums of hers, vinyl records and CDs. In Olivia's recording career, there are 6 albums I consider "THE IRRESISTIBLE TWINS". They are:

"If You Love Me, Let Me Know (1974)"and "Have You Never Been Mellow (1975)";
"Totally Hot (1978)" and "Physical (1981)";
"The Rumour (1988)" and "Gaia - One Woman's Journey (1994)".

True ONJ fans won't miss any of them. Those who stopped at "Physical" (or "Soul Kiss") lingering, sorry, "The Rumour" is not for you. There are no suggestive songs here. Those who love "Gaia", you will love "The Rumour". Olivia's vocal performances in "The Rumour" are superb. Notably the very high pitched song "Big And Strong", just listen to Olivia belting out from C major all the way up to A minor in one breath for 20 seconds. Few divas can do that.

Get "The Rumour" if you've already got "Gaia". They are twins only that "The Rumour" is not as personal as "Gaia".

A very strong release - a fan must have. Great production....all the songs are great and there is much variety in mood and content. She sounds awesome as always. Plus it's a bargain - you can't lose!

The Rumour is a strong release from Olivia, the first single the catchy 'The Rumour' is a fun song written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin, this cd has great production and solid vocals from Olivia, if you're building a Olivia collection make sure this one is included.

When I first listened to this album, I wasn't sure what to think quite honestly. After a few more times, it has now become one of the most important albums I own. It out shines "Physical" which I think is truly wonderful, too, but "The Rumour" takes you to a new level of maturity - not just in lyrics, but in vocals. To this day, I can't believe that it wasn't her biggest success!
My favorite tracks include "Walk Through Fire", "Big and Strong", "Love and Let Live", "Let's Talk About Tomarrow", "The Rumour", and "Car Games". Just sit back and listen to some of the most incredible vocals you will ever hear by Olivia - delivered with conviction and confidence. Listen even closer to the words - the messages are sometimes fun, but more often beautiful and contemplative. Olivia actually co-wrote many of the songs, too.
This is an "album" that deserves more - even by Olivia herself. I have seen her in concert 3 times, and not once has she ever sang anything from "The Rumour".
I have been a fan of Olivia for 26 years - this to me represents her best, most incredible work.