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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This album leaves me "Spellbound" even now!, December 15, 2003
The title to Paula Abdul's 1991 sophomore couldn't have been better. This album in my opinion is a great artistic quantum leap forward from her excellent 1988 debut "Forever Your Girl" which while great, it has dated very quickly in its sound. "Spellbound" on the other hand has really held up surprisingly well over the years since its release and today it is a stunning classic. I got my first dose of her music when I was a young kid listening to Chicago's B96 and hearing all the barrage of awesome dance music from that period and recall hearing "Opposites Attact" and "Promise Of A New Day" on the radio around that time. I was forever hooked on her music afterwards even though it would be seemingly entire eons before I would discover that these were by Paula Abdul. After finding out who these songs were by, I had to go and get them on CD and "Spellbound" was the album I got containing the latter. For the greatest moments on this album, there's something about them that just really evokes a lot of emotion in me that few other albums do. "Promise Of A New Day" is by far the finest track not only off this album but also among Paula's greatest musical achievements. Just the spine-tingling keyboard chimes at the beginning combined with the electric bass gives this song a very electrifying and powerful feel to it. I've had strange dreams of hearing this song in my dreams for some strange reason. I don't know what it is about this track but WOW! This song has unbelievable power that I can never get enough of listening to it. Perhaps it's because it brings back a lot of excellent memories that I had around late 1991 through 1992 that this song just touches me like few others. It's also interesting to think about it as music radically changed almost overnight after this album came out going from the house techno pop of the previous two years to straight-out grunge rock by the year's end. I enjoyed both styles but techno-house has held up better in my opinion but let's not change the subject of this review. This album isn't perfect though. There are some moments though on this album that it begins to hit some speed bumps so I'll get through them to get them out of the way. "U", "For You" and "Alright Tonight" don't really do much for me. With the song "U", the rock and techno elements clash instead of merging and the result is a less than great track. "For You" while occasionally interesting feels like a reject from the "Forever Your Girl" sessions and is too short in my opinion. "Alright Tonight" kind of stagnates in my opinion with its somewhat unappealing stab at a more tropical style. These three songs are not bad at all by any stretch of the imagination but they don't quite rank up with the others in my opinion. However that is made up though with the ballads on this album. The number one single on this album "Rush Rush" is the greatest ballad that she has ever done in, trashing any other slow song of hers. This has a very haunting and moving tone to it and haunting violins and while her voice isn't necessarily golden, it perfectly fits on this powerful and moving song. I also enjoy this song because it brings up great memories of my life around 1991-through early 1993. It's still amazing that this powerful ballad knocked Michael Jackson's "Black or White" out of the top spot on the charts. That's saying a lot. "Vibeology" is just sheer fun with its rumbling bass lines and heavy dance hooks but the track suffers from relatively insipid and utterly silly lyrics that can be a bit jarring at times. However, if you can bypass the vapid lyrics, this is an absolutely fabulous track and is just loads of fun. However Like a previous reviewer said, it was lyrics like this that would ultimately close her career. "Blowing Kisses In The Wind" is another good song with a slightly orchestral sound to it although not on the powerful level of "Rush Rush". The album comes to an excellent close with the final track "Will You Marry Me". This song is definite beauty with a jazz-piano vibe and a dramatic and dreamy melody. The song is about a girl proposing marriage as opposed to a boy usually proposing the same thing. Yeah it's corny but the musicianship and the unique melodic structure are just excellent and negate the corniness. I've read right and left that some have labeled her as the Britney Spears of the 1980s. Well you know what, I couldn't disagree more. Paula Abdul blows every post-1993 teen pop singer right out of the water and into the trash. Can you imagine Britney doing something as powerful as "Rush Rush" or intoxicating and powerful like "Promise of a New Day"? I didn't think so. Okay, maybe parts of her first album may have some girly-esque elements that bring Abdul close to Britney territory but even then, the slick pop and solid hooks of both FYG and "Spellbound" puts her entire oceans ahead of any of today's teen pop idols. On this album, she did a great job at sounding sexy without crossing the line into vulgarity, something that many of today's younger artists don't seem to know how to. Much of Abdul's music has dated very quickly and has also been sadly been forgotten by many but if there is any album of hers that truly lasts through the ages, it's definitely this one. She has done a marvelous job and I highly recommend that you purchase this unbelievable classic. I haven't been more proud of purchasing an album in years and today, it's now an album that holds a special place in my life. It's just a shame that this underrated lady's career evaporated after this album's time wrapped up but I've heard that she may put out another album in the near future. I hope it's true and perhaps she could put out that album that could rival "Spellbound" with its power but it remains to be seen for now. This CD is one of the relatively uncommon occurrences when a truly excellent and creative album goes platinum and "Spellbound" is one of those instances. It's sad she went right down the toilet both commercially and artistically after this. Until then, just put this CD on and have a swell time. Just be careful not to come down with big nostalgia attacks like I have listening to this marvelous treasure of a classic. Enough said, just go and buy this CD today!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
PAULA IS IT, September 29, 2003
I always loved Paula even when I was very young, I remember hearing COLD HEARTED SNAKE and I would think I love this woman. I own two of her albums now her GREATEST HITS and this album SPELLBOUND. I love this album more than anything...it is a top in my collection...Her ballads are strong her dance cuts are hot, her upbeat R&B sound shines. Paula was the original Britney only she has talent that is put on her albums. This is a great inprovment from her excellent debut FOREVER YOUR GIRL. Paula I will be FOREVER YOUR FAN, just for the greatness you show on your SDOELLBOUND ALBUM.
1. The Promise Of A New Day(10/10)
2. Rock House(9/10)
3. Rush Rush(10/10)
4. Spillbound(10/10)
5. Vibeology(9/10)
6. U(10/10)
7. My Foolish Heart(10/10)
8. Blowing Kisses In The Wind(10/10)
9. To You(10/10)
10. Alright Tonight(9/10)
11. Will You Marry Me(10/10)
OVERALL 107/111 96%A
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Astonishing Album!, July 4, 2002
This is one of the most impressive sophmore albums. It shines from the wonerfully joyous "Promise of a New Day," to the liberating "Will You marry Me?." An effort extremley different from it's predecessor and much more diverse, Paula proved she was more than a mere dance diva. After a huge debut album that consisted of almost all upbeat dance tracks, she followed up with the beautifully creative "Rush Rush." This was a bold move and it paid off. "Blowing Kisses in the Wind" was another great ballad on the album. Paula revealed not only her softer side, but also mixed in funk and rock this time around. "Rock House, Spellbound, Vibeology and U" are unique, and combined with Paulas 'one of a kind' voice are unlike anything I've heard then or since. One of my favorite cuts is "Alright Tonight." Although some may think this song is silly, it's a great cover and shows Paulas versatility. Every track on here sizzles with maybe the exception of "To You." I'll forever treasure "Spellbound," for it is an extraordinary album by one of musics most missed artist. If you love quality pop music that's not like most junk out there "Get this album!"
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by Paula Abdul 
