Customer Reviews

E.S.P.

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Seriously, this is really an unusually underrated Bee Gees album. You should buy this album. It's definitely genuine Bee Gees music. Yes, a few songs, the beginnings, are quite explosive, like hard rock. You have to understand that a few songs that are like that usually change into a different mood. It doesn't sound like pure metal--the album is 65% pop and 35% rock. This Is Your Life may be an exception because of the sameness throughout the song. And that's only one downfall. You don't know what your missing out on with this album.

E.S.P., You Win Again, Live or Die, and Angela are my favorites on this album. E.S.P. reminds of urban 1980s music--mid-fast paced, and a song that exudes anxiousness--like a song similar to something you might hear before a fight like in the movie Bloodsport let's say. You Win Again is a great song--great lyrics--this is the Bee Gees, right in this song--of course, it was a big hit. Live or Die and Angela are tremendous mid-paced ballad songs that's pure pop--very relaxing to listen to. Backtafunk is another great funky type fast paced song. That song reminds me of Stayin' Alive. The rest of the songs are great and they are great to listen to if you like 1980s music--and of course, the Bee Gees wouldn't have made this album if they thought it wouldn't be good to listen to.

When making a list of the Top 10 Greatest Pop Artists of the 20th Century, it would be hard to not include The Bee Gees in that Top 10. While the Bee Gees started out as a popular band in the late 1960s, their most successful period was between 1975 and 1979. It was during this period that the Bee Gees rode the way of the phenomenon known simply as "Disco". This period would culminate with the enormous success they had with their contributions to the monster soundtrack for "Saturday Night Fever". Things began to change in the 1980s. As the Disco era began to wind down, the Bee Gees machine suddenly lost some gas. Their 1981 album "Living Eyes" was a commercial disappointment. The songs they contributed to the soundtrack for "Staying Alive", the sequel to "Saturday Night Fever" did as poorly as the movie did commercially. The early 1980s would see the Bee Gees begin to reinvent themselves as songwriters - writing for such artists as Dionne Warwick, Diana Ross, and Barbra Streisand. By the time 1987 rolled around, it was 6 years since The Bee Gees had released a studio album. The result would be the album "E.S.P". While this album did very well in Europe, this album would prove to be another commercial disaster for the Brothers Gibb in the U.S.. However, I think this album gets a bum rap in the United States - this album reinvents the Bee Gees sound and shows The Bee Gees are very much the innovators they were back in the 1970s.

With the Disco era long behind them, The Bee Gees would return to the music scene in 1987 as "adult contemporary artists". It is the adult contemporary sound that really defines "E.S.P.". There are a number of factors why this album failed in the United States. The first reason is that the Disco backlash still was going on. For all practical purposes, Disco morphed into what became 80s Dance Music. However, the stars from the days of Disco polyester still were feeling the backlash from being associated with "Disco". Unfortunately, The Bee Gees are lumped into this category - and it is very unfair that this happens. The Bee Gees had long shed their Disco image - especially when they became songwriters. There isn't much on "E.S.P." that resembles Disco, so this is a bum rap.

The second reason with why "E.S.P." failed is because of the state of the music landscape in 1987. In the early 1980s, the pop scene was dominated by the synthesizer-laden "Synth-Pop" sound. The mid 1980s saw the landscape start to change to a more guitar-laden sound. There were different degrees in which the guitar-laden sound began to penetrate the music landscape. At the most basic level, grass-roots artists such as Bruce Springsteen, John Fogerty, and John Cougar Mellencamp were making a big mark. "Arena" Rock bands such as Bon Jovi, Van Halen, Aerosmith, and Boston were also doing well. Unfortunately, the sound of "E.S.P." is a Synth-Pop sound. While I don't feel this should against the album, it probably is a reason why many people steered clear of "E.S.P." in the United States. Combine this with the Disco backlash and you have the reason for why this album didn't sell well.

However, this album still has good music. This is a very well-written album and also shows innovation - and features some well performances. The most well-known song on this album is the song "You Win Again". This is probably the most catchy song on the collection. This song is heavily laden in the Synth-Pop sound - but this is also the reason for why it is so catchy. It is a wonderful mix of percussion and mantra vocals. It also is the song that is closest to the trademark Bee Gees sound from a vocals standpoint. Barry's vocals sound refreshed from the hiatus. Instead of using the Barry Gibb falsetto, Robin Gibb comes along and provides some terrific background vocals. It is worth noting that this song was also re-released on the Bee Gees' follow-up album "One" (an album that was much more commercially successful in the U.S.).

The Bee Gees also prove they can still innovate. Two songs demonstrate their ability to do things "out of the box". The song "This Is Your Life" is a song that looks back at the Bee Gees career with a modern twist - and with a "light hearted spin" to it. The song starts out with a Synth-Pop feel to it. Barry uses a slight falsetto to it - and Robin contributes vocals as well. Toward the middle of the song - things take a turn. You will hear the lyrics use names of past Bee Gees songs in it ( one example is: 'It's a tragedy, just stayin alive"). This provides a terrific way to look back at their career. The best part is how the Bee Gees implement this twist. They implement this folded in with a rap done by Barry Gibb. This adds a terrific twist to the song and makes it very entertaining. The other song that is innovative is "Crazy for Your Love". This sound almost has a Motown/Retro feel to it. Barry's vocals fit beautifully into this - and The Bee Gees pull this off perfectly. Barry will have some terrific trademark falsetto with this song.

The song has a very good title track - "E.S.P.". This song takes a bit to get into, but eventually I came to enjoy it. I'm puzzled why there is a two line a cappella "reprise" of "E.S.P" at the end of the collection. Also worth checking out are the songs "Angela", "Ghost in the House", and "Overnight".

Overall, this might not be the strongest Bee Gees collection, but this isn't one to be ignored. Bee Gees fans are sure to enjoy it and casual fans should also like it as well. I'd recommend checking it out.

Had the Bee Gees, the butt of so many disco jokes, released this album under an assumed name, it surely would have been a blockbuster in the U.S., as it was in the U.K. It was the hippest, most up-to-date album they've done since the late seventies. Dancefloor thumpers like "ESP" and "Giving Up the Ghost" could have been huge hits, along with the anthemic rocker "You Win Again" and the sultry ballad "The Longest Night." Though the disc starts off with a blast of falsetto vocals, the Gibbs generally stay an octave or two lower than they did a decade before. If you like good pop/Top 40 music, you'll really like this overlooked gem.

This is a great BeeGees album. They're come back single alone shows it. You Win Again is an excellent song. Another song on this cd which I think is one of their greatest ballads of all time, and I also definitely think should've been a single, is Live Or Die. It is a beautiful song and definitely Barry's best of the late 80's-early 90's. Why it's not a single, I don't understand. But anyway, Maurice's song on this cd is also very good; Overnight. The other ear-catcher on this cd is E-S-P. Not so much the hook, but the the verses have really good melodies. The rest of the songs are a little out of place maybe, but they're not all that bad. Overall, it's a pretty good cd. With 2 must hear songs. I mean definitely must hear for a BeeGeee fan.

I was so surprised when I saw the songs on this album. ... I've always been a big Bee Gees fan and was on cloud 9 and still am when I listened to the album. My favorite song on the album is "You Win Again" which is very catchy and different. "ESP" another haunting great song. I always love hearing Maurice sing and "Overnight" shows how diversital his voice is from deep to soft. I love Robin's "The Longest Night" his voice is haunting and soft also diversital. "Crazy For Your Love" another upbeat song. I love the oh, oh, oh's in their songs. That is to me there signature mark. Yes, the song "Angela" is a sad song but it says to me that I haven't listened to your music in awhile and I'm coming back. Yes, your still alive and yes your not a spotlight on an empty stage. I can't say enough about Barry anything he sings is wonderful. That high sexy falsetto still gives me goose bumps. Happy listening.

This is one of the finest works that the Bee Gees have released. I agree with the other reviewers in their comments as to why all of the negative publicity. This is truly a 5 star album! The first 3 cuts are my favorites...E.S.P, You Win Again and Live Or Die. The quality is there in the albums sound and the Bee Gees have one again proved why they are still tops in the music arena; "Long Live the Bee Gees"!

This is the album that fans had been waiting for and it was a true surprise. The Gibb Brothers opened up with the frenzied rock paced "E.S.P." and a video. It is a great song that was not what the American public wanted to hear - it went ignored. The anthemic "You Win Again" fared better, but still languished near the Top 100; reaching #1 in England! Go figure! The rest of the album is a hodgepodge collection. "Giving Up The Ghost" (originally titled "Babysitter") is a great funky, clavinet/synthesizer number and "This Is Your Life" funkifies itself as well, cleverly using dozens of former Bee Gees songs as lyrics! The third single to be released in the U.S. (but never was) was "The Longest Night". Seems the Gibbs had only so much comeback power in the old U.S.A. Highlights are also "Angela", a power ballad like no other and Maurice's "Overnight", a tepid rocker. "Backtafunk" is just too predicable and ordinary and why "Crazy For Your Love" was released as a single on other parts of the world is a wonder. However, it is a great collection if only for "E.S.P." and "You Win Again". Enjoy!

America pretty much threw this album (with the exception of the hit You Win Again) down the toilet!
ESP was jaw dropping for me at first. They started the song A Cappella...Which was strange to be heard on a Rock album. And then it goes into a driving beat with some very creepy lyrics that seem to be about murder...It even shows in the Music Vid.
You Win Again, even though it was the hit single, isn't that great of a song. It's nice to dance to...And I even catch myself singing to it. But it's just not that great. Awesome intro however with some crashing drums!
Live Or Die (Hold Me Like A Child) was Barry's Ballad for this song. Nice voice on the verse with some great falsetto on the chorus. A very lovely song.
Giving Up The Ghost was a funky song delivered by Robin doing some great vocals (as always). This song had me a little shocked when I had first heard it. Very nice bass work done. A perfect song for people who loved 80s music!
The Longest Night was Robin's ballad for this song. Very sad song. Although I don't think that it was supposed to be. Great vocals done by Rob and just an all round great song.
This Is Your Life had me laughing when I was listening to it. Pretty much parodied all of their songs from the Seventies which was just epic!!!
Angela was another great 80s song. The harmonies are just breath-taking.
Overnight was Maurices gem on this album. Although Barry sings the Chorus and Robin sings the Bridge. Very awesome song that has all three Brothers. But still Maurice was the star of this song.
Crazy For Your Love...I can't review this song because I heard it once and never listened to it again. This song doesn't even belong on the album...
Backtafunk is as you can see...A very funky song. So funky that it even got it's own Saxaphone solo! A lot of people say that this is a filler song, but I disagree and hopefully buyers will to!

A great album from the Brothers. And a great Album for the 80s!

Touching newer album styles, many times I listened to it and enjoyed their good singing and arrangements.

Again a great Bee Gees CD that you can't find easliy. I'm glad to have the music back.