Customer Reviews

Teases & Dares

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3 star:		(1)
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Kim Wilde is a very good pop artist. She has good vocals all the way through this album. My favourite tracks are "The Touch", "Janine", "Rage to Lover", "The Second Time", etc. If you enjoy pop music,go and get this album. Since the tracklistings are not present, here they are: 1. The Touch, 2. Is It Over?, 3. Suburbs of Moscow, 4. Fit In, 5. Rage to Love, 6. The Second Time, 7. Bladerunner, 8. Janine, 9. Shangi-La, 10. Thought It Was Goodbye.

The third album from Kim Wilde wasn't exactly a favorite of mine when I first bought it back in 1988, but having rediscovered it on CD in 1994 through the East Coast import company Voice Records, I've come to regard this as one of Ms. Wilde's treasured jewels. Certain songs made her one of pop's queens of betrayed and unrequited love. With such introspective songs, she's one of the rare romantics of our time.

Teases & Dares, an exercise in Mini Moog, Yamaha DX7, and Synclavier synthesizers, was released in 1984 and in a year that saw Prince and the Revolution, Bruce Springsteen, and Tina Turner dominate the charts in the U.S., it's hardly surprising that Kim Wilde went unnoticed. Yet in assessing the releases of 1984 today, I see that it helped boost the use of electronic rhythm and sounds, as evidenced by the first two songs on the album. And comparing this with the power-pop/rock of her breakthrough debut album, it shows how Kim evolved with each new album, just like David Bowie and Prince.

I get a sense of isolation, loneliness, and crisis in self in "Suburbs Of Moscow."

The next song, "Fit In", is a sad lonely song that espouses anything but automatically going with the flow. Yes, loneliness is the cost of free and different, but is it worth it, is what I get from this song. The theme is to a par with Missing Person's "Go Against The Flow."

"Rage To Love" is an upbeat number with pounding bass rhythm and that "doobee doop doop wop wop!" chorus. Not only do I like this but I remember Genesis having a Kim Wilde poster promoting this song on the wall in their "Anything She Does" video back in 1986. The small things I remember from way back then!

"The Second Time" An interesting aside on this song: the cassette lists this song as "Go For It." Okay, whatever. No matter what the title, it still kicks butt with its funky synthesizer beat.

"Bladerunner" is a haunting sci-fi fantasy, with bits of dialogue from the Ridley Scott film in the background.

The most energetic cut here is "Janine" (not the David Bowie song from Space Oddity), and would qualify as a crucial cut in a 1980's revival dance party, along with songs from other Wilde albums like "Kids In America," "Hit Him," and "You Came."

The last two songs, "Shangri-La" and "Thought It Was Goodbye" demonstrate how Kim Wilde is well-suited for slow numbers. The chorus of how we wouldn't know "Shangri-La" if it hit us in the face shows further proof that Kim is an idealist. The goal of idealists are to find themselves, but they may become so deeply engrossed their authentic or perfect self, that they lose sight of what they might have found. "Shangri-La" seems to travel along the same lines.

Kim's next album would have a different sound altogether and would bring her a #1 single here and in the U.K., but that's another review. Stay tuned!

First, since Amazon doesn't give them, here's the timing of all the b-sides, remixes and extra-tracks of this edition : Lovers on a beach single 3:58, 12 inch 7:46, Putty in your hands 3:07, Turn it on 4:38, The second time / Go for it 7 inch 3:46, 12 inch 6:34, extended dance version 7:13, dub version 9:27, u.s. remix 5:26, The touch 7 inch 4:06, 12 inch 6:36, Rage to love 7 inch 3:50, 12 inch 6:00, Shangri-la alternative version 4:44, 12 inch 4:59, special re-mix 4:36.

Now, about this album, I need to say that this is one of the three Kim Wilde albums I had a hard time warming up to when I've first listened to them because like Catch as catch can and even Now and forever ten years later, these aren't compilations of hits like Close, Love moves or Love is have been, they are concept albums, so they are naturally very different sounding and need more than one listen to reveal their true gem songs, not all are hit singles alright, but they all are very good songs none the less (Is it over, Fit it, Shangri-la and Suburbs of Moscow are now my true favorites even though I didn't like them much at first).

Now let's get back to this newly remastered 2 cds edition. Finally we have on CD all single versions (and all the singles have different mixes than the album versions) and it's sad and true but no-other Kim Wilde compilation (and there are loads of them out there : and I know it because I've bought them all ! ) have ever compiled the single versions of this album 7 inches so thank you Cherry red for this treat because especially the Rage to love single version deserve this treatment since it is so much more powerful than the plain original album version.

But that`s not all this amazing edition has to offer, far from it : it has all the b-sides, the extended versions (some never released before like Shangri-la's alternative version) or never released on CD before like Go for it extended dance and dub remixes) and it even has Turn it on ! (the song only recorded for the soundtrack of the movie Weird Science from 1985).

And believe me, some b-sides are almost A-side material like Lovers on a beach : I just love this song, it should have been on the album because it's so much better than some of the weaker tracks of this album (such as Janine or Bladerunner). And like Depeche Mode's Get the balance right from 1983, the extended version of the track sounds almost like Techno music : seriously, it was musically really ahead of its time : okay the sounds were not as powerful back then but the repetitive beat and energy was already there.

Finally the 16-page booklet is nice too : it truly respects the torn design of the original album and you have like always with Cherry red re-editions, all the covers of the 7 inches, 12 inches, picture discs even from the American, European and Japanese records with the lyrics of all the songs, including the b-sides and extra-tracks with also the Steve Thorpe review of this era with again all official release dates, chart scores, and meaningful information like why the album is called that way or why the track The second time was renamed Go for it for the American market : funny and very interesting.

My only two regrets regarding this edition are first with this booklet: it doesn't say which musical instruments have been used in these songs like in the original booklet nor who remixed the extended versions or remixes - I like to know which mixes have been remixed by Ricki Wilde and which ones have been remixed by other engineers or with outside help (sorry, but I am a musician and a Kim Wilde obsessive fan) so these details are important to me and two : like in the Another step new edition (who has two) three tracks here are again taken from old vinyl records as a source (The Shangri-la special re-mix and the Go For It extended dance and dub versions) : I forgive them gladly because I admit that these are just two minor setbacks but it deserves to be said.

And personally I think, like some record companies do, they could print a statement or a sticker at least, saying that since these songs are taken from old tapes and recordings one or two tracks may only appear here in near-CD quality. I understand perfectly that these songs are almost 30 years old, I just think it would be more honest to say that than saying nothing (like they actually do) and letting the fans be disappointed when they discover it just like I did last night, that's all. It's just a matter of honesty and integrity, because of course I'm grateful to them of having unearthed real rarities like that Shangri-la special re-mix because I've never even heard that remix even existed in the first place and I'm glad to have it but since that wouldn't have stopped me from buying these records anyway, so why not be honest about it ?

As for the Go For It official mixes, I find it odd that MCA Records couldn't find other sources more reliable than vinyl records in their vaults. Are the original recordings definitively lost or did the Cherry red lads didn't dig any further than they should have, I think fans should be informed of these things. How did I noticed they were taken from vinyl records ? I use very good headphones as everyone should, and it's pretty obvious when you do (especially in the end of the tracks or sometimes even in the middle when the sound fades a little (when it shouldn't).

But let's be fair too, because the sound of all the other tracks, oh boy, how that sound is great, it's incredible. It's not only much louder, but it's more precise, more incisive, it's like I've never heard this record before, brand new details jump on my ears, talk about a brand new experience, sounds from Yamaha's cult synthesizer DX-7 are crispier than ever.

I hope Cherry Red won't stop there and will re-release all Kim Wilde albums like this (especially Love moves since the original is so weak sounding and poorly mastered) because one thing is for sure, I'll give all my old editions to my sister and will buy them all again, if they are re-released in this way (with 2 cds full of single versions, extra-tracks and remixes completed with respectful 16-page booklets) of course because they really are a true Kim Wilde fan dream come true.

I'm 33 years old now (and Kim's about 40 with children!). When I first heard her voice and - at the tender age of 15 - saw her sing I was captivated. Somehow after all this time I still cannot lose my enthusiasm for her. But is the music any good? And is this album any good? Well yes and no. When I was half as old as I am now she was the absolute last word in pure, quality, sexy, powerful, stylish pop. Today? Well, I'm a bit more sensible.

I still continued to collect her music, (mainly out of loyalty) however and I have to say, some of the tracks on this album really do stand the test of time. Bladerunner has a very clever, well written feel to it with an interesting approach. This is not early eighties mindless pop - even if it is a bit silly at times. Even more raw (and immature but none the worse for that) was an earlier album, "Select" with, in an innocent kind of way, more powerful tracks still. Is this album an improvement? Well it's clearly progression but looking back on it it's still difficult to say it's quality with any kind of credibility. I'm really, really trying to say something significant about Kim's wonderful music but to be honest, this album is really just "nice noise". A lot of these song's lyrics really don't stand up to close scrutiny but then no-one ever said Kim Wilde stood for anything except harmless pop. "Fit In" is a perfect example of a young girl (I think this is the only track she actually wrote herself on this album and in fact probably represents Kim's first attempt at writing) learning to express emotions. It's really a bit weak.

Songwriting aside, "Janine" is altogether a much more polished piece. Quite powerful in a young 'not very confident' kind of way this really does have a very likeable, strong melody and is delivered in an honest, sincere way that is reminiscent of a lot of Kim's early work.

If you don't expect quality to rival Debbie Harry, Aimee Mann, or Cyndi Lauper then Kim Wilde has a whole lot to offer, even today. I still have enormous, sentimental respect for a singer who I know is not first rate but still has enough for me to have bought every one of her albums.

Buy this album simple because she's so gorgeous!

I had pretty much given up hope of "upgrading" my vinyl copies of this album, singles and 12" remixes. But, thanks to Cherry Pop, I've been able to do so!

As indicated, this CD contains not just the original TEASES & DARES album, but also remixes and 12" versions, including that awesome 12" Extended Dance Version of "Go For It". Brings back memories of those college radio days!

As far as the music goes, it's probably not everybody's cup of tea. It may be dated, but, as far as that first wave of essentially totally synthesized pop music goes, this has to be THE gold standard. Can you say "programming?"

While lots of "New Wave" acts from the eighties did the techno-pop, synthesizer thing, I don't think anybody went as fully head-on into it as Kim Wilde did with TEASES & DARES. I loved it then, still get a kick out of it now!

High quality audio transfer puts those vinyl records to shame for sound quality. Flip-fold jewel case is well put together and the liner notes provide some interesting information about both the album and Kim's career at the time of this albums original release. Includes lyrics (as did the original LP). But, of course, they couldn't fit in the 6-panel fold-out poster that came with the original 7" vinyl single, featuring mirror images of a "post-apocalyptic" Kim sitting in a chair on the outside and a jumbo 6-panel poster head-shot of Kim on the other! I guess I'll have to hang on to that!

I give FIVE STARS to the TEASES & DARES reissue from Cherry Pop. Nothing screams "80s" quite like this album!

My original cd version of this superb album, was kinda muddy sounding, but I cherished it because this album has become increasingly harder to find over the years...until now.WOW! I could personally kiss everyone working at Cherry Pop Records for thi reissue. The other Kimmy reissues are also excellent, but this has always been my fave. The first album on which Kim wrote and produced, the terrific songs, "Fit In" (my theme song), "Shangri-La", & "Thought it was Goodbye". Sure I know the production is dated, it was released in 1984 & sounds like it, but I think thats part of its charm, give it a second chance and really listen to the lyrics. Lots of Xtras here, more than I would have thought. An excellent reissue for an underrated album thats long overdue.

Teases & Dares by Kim Wilde quality is amazing while sounding vibrant. Comparing the new sound to my original old album the sounds is so flat. Hope they do something about Kim's remaining releses between 1990-1994 soon to be re-issued because they bore the hell out of me their so FLAT. I regreted buying those 1990-1994 used Cd's 2yrs. ago. I don't listen to them anymore.

Reviewed by Desiree LaVey

Cherry Pop did a tremendous job w/ the Teases & Dares reissue. This was always my favorite Kim Wilde CD. To have the sound all cleaned up and all the extra bonus tracks included make this a no-brainer. It may seem a little dated at times, but then again when you go back and listen a few times it brings back lots of memories from when the recording was new. A must have for any Kim Wilde fan, or anyone looking for some good music from the era. This CD does not all sound the same, it has a good variety, from dance to ballads and in between.