Customer Reviews

Venus in Overdrive

5 star:		(100)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Can't say enough great things about VIO!
This is probably his best work since "Rock Of Life" as the writing is top notch, the songs have a great edge and Rick's voice sounds great for his age.
Although "What's Victoria's Secret" is a terrific single, my personal favorites are "Time Stand Still" (it ROCKS!) as well as "3 Warning Shots" (I hope John Lennon's killer, Mark Chapman, hears this song since it's all about him)and the two songs for Rick's fan who passed away ("I'll Miss That Someday" and "Saint Sahara"). Like my personal favorite Rick Springfield song "My Father's Chair", Rick can certainly take emotional experiences and touch others thorugh his music.
When you listen to the album as a whole, it is extremely cohesive and just a brilliant and contemporary work from someone who's been in the business as long as Rick.
I'm not the typical Rick Sprinfield fan (I'm a guy after all.. hahaha). But I can tell you that anyone who likes good music should check this out. You won't be dissapointed!

To be honest, I wasn't quite sure where Rick Springfield would go next, as far as his musical career was concerned. After the aching darkness of 2004's SHOCK/DENIAL/ANGER/ACCEPTANCE and the unfulfilled promise of 2005's covers album, THE DAY AFTER YESTERDAY, I think it was anyone's guess. That's why VENUS IN OVERDRIVE, Springfield's strongest album in over two decades, is such a pleasant surprise. A lot has been said about how much the opening track, the high energy "What's Victoria's Secret?", sounds like "Jessie's Girl", and it's true, it does. But after repeated listens, the cut really does stand on it's own two feet. Strong vocals, punchy instrumentation and smart lyrics about the push and pull between the sexes all come together to form a strong opening track. Those strengths all continue with "I'll Miss That Someday." Springfield's vocals alternate between a purr and a scream, while the arrangement is whip-smart. Add lyrics that consist of both clever wordplay and sheer poetry ("One season, one reason/Screaming I won't say the words/Bite my tongue/Cause nothing lasts forever") and you have a gutsy song about the ins and outs of a relationship. The disc's title track is another winner. Picture Hall & Oates meets Pink meets 311.....and it works! This is probably as close to headbangin' as Springfield will ever get, but it's legit and it's fun. Toss in some quirky guitar riffs, some great backing vocals and honest lyrics ("I write words about it/But I doubt it"), and you have an abnormal, edgy love song that nevertheless works. "One Passenger" is one of only two tracks off of VENUS IN OVERDRIVE that just doesn't do anything for me. In this case, it's not that it's a bad song...it's just that everything else on the disc is so much stronger. Yes, the song has a nice melody, and Springfield's lead vocal is honest, earnest and even sincere, but the track ultimately feels like it's treading water, giving a "filler" vibe to it. And that's too bad....this disc is too strong to be saddled with any filler whatsoever. Far stronger is "Oblivious", one of two cuts penned about a young fan who has passed on. Part of this track's beauty is that it's a touchingly gorgeous eulogy, but it can also be seen as a powerful break-up song; the death of a relationship can be just as traumatic as the death of a loved one. Delivered with a hushed, delicate lead, aided by a soaring chorus, the words really hit home ("Forever is a long, long time/Forever/We'll be at rest/Until that day I'd rather be/Oblivious"). Gorgeous, simply gorgeous. "3 Warning Shots" is gut-wrenchingly intense. Springfield's anger over John Lennon's death (as well as, maybe, the current state of "stalkarazzi's") is palpable, rising to the top like a bitter cream. A heated lead vocal, an economical, yet precise, arrangement and tight instrumentation all blend together to form a track that hits you like an open palm across the cheek. Definitely one of Springfield's most powerful songs to date (Just an off thought....I would LOVE to see Joan Jett cover this song!). "Time Stand Still" is the other track that just doesn't do anything for me. Oh, sure, everyone can identify with the universal theme of aging ~ I LOVE the lines "MTV and shopping malls/Tell me that I'm growing old" ~ but, overall, this too is filler....in the "old days", this would have been track four on side two of the album. Far better is the Stones-drenched "God Blinked (Swing It Sister)." VENUS' most upbeat track, there isn't a single thing about this cut I don't like (Oh, O.K., the lyrics aren't PARTICULARLY deep.....!). From the spirited lead vocal to the good-time groove of the horn section, this exuberant workout would have been a huge hit twenty years ago....and still should be today! "Mr. PC" is a scathing rocker that nails both the media and talking head politicians to the wall. A frenzied arrangement keeps things moving along at an energetic pace, while Springfield's vocals get in your face with some insightful, spot-on lyrics: "Politician talking/And I know where to find you/Swinging from your branches/With your super careful phrases/Never taking chances." Yet another VIO high point! "She" has a classic vibe to it, sort of a mix of the Beach Boys and the Beatles. This mesmerizing love song just swells and swoops, soars and sizzles. Without a doubt, it's one of the best vocal workouts on VENUS...and Springfield is up to the task! I also love the poetic grace that some of the lyrics exhibit ("Spiritual bandages placed on a wound that will heal/Takes away all of my vanity/Clears up my sanity/Makes me the man I should be"). This is a love song for real, breathing adults. Very nice. "Nothing Is Ever Lost" is really more of a musical interlude than a song, but it works. A nice bridge between "She" and "Saint Sahara", the album's touching closer, this slice of melodic pop could have also easily fit onto a latter-day Beatles release, what with it's slightly airy/trippy groove, and that's saying a lot. Things wrap up with the aforementioned "Saint Sahara", a second (and sweet) ode to his departed fan (and friend). Featuring some gorgeous guitar work, the song is both uplifting and touching. Blessed with a strong lead vocal and thoughtful lyrics ("Come on, close the book and turn out the light/Put your plans aside tonight/Yeah, I know it's not wrong/But it sure isn't right/An angel bids a last "goodnight" to us"), this is a song of loss ~ and love ~ that everyone can identify with. And I think that's part of VENUS IN OVERDRIVE's magic....it's charming, it's fun, it's honest, it's REAL. If he keeps on making records like this one, Rick Springfield will be SO much more than just an 80's afterthought...he'll be an artist who still really matters. (As with all my reviews, I'm docking the disc half a star for not including the lyrics...did we REALLY need sixteen pages of photos of Springfield and his fans?!?!?).

i really didnt know what to expect, but WOW--this is incredible. I can't remember the last album i heard with this much melody and tight, pop hooks.
I love it, and you will too.

I was really suprised at how good (and Dark, if you can believe that) this CD/Album is. However the iTunes Version has a Bonus Track, "Pretty Little Mess", and that track alone is the best song on the CD.

I would suggest Importing the CD from iTunes (song is NOT availble seperately) as it is a GREAT song for a GREAT Comeback Release!!

I have to say Rick has most certainly out done himself with this CD. It covers such a broad range and has a very diverse sound, something for everyone. I absolutely LOVE Victoria's Secret...you will be listening to this song a few times before you go on to the next track...it has that Jesse's Girl sound and takes me back. I'll Miss That Someday is a song i can relate too. Venus In Overdrive and Mr PC have a sound that will have you hitting the repeat button on the CD player. There are so many good songs on here and of course can't forget the love song She...very touching.
If you are a fan this CD is a must!!!!!!!!! You will listen over and over again. I have and just got it less then 24 hours ago.

I've been a Springfield fan since 81' after picking up "Working Class Dog" & i've bought everything he's done ever since . With the exception of the cover album , I've never been dissappointed .

I'm amazed at the different directions he's taken over the years . His music has matured so much since the 80's . I'm sure most of his fans are female , but the guys who turn up their nose because they think he's bubblegum have no idea what they're missing .

While VIO doesn't rock all the way thru like Shock/Denial/Anger/Acceptance (my favorite RS cd) , it does flow very nicely from start to finish . All in all I'd say it's a very balanced collection of songs . The sound is very lush & full . This cd just crackles with energy . Springfield's music is so fresh , unbelievable for a guy in his late 50's who's been around for so long . I've seen him live several times . Most recently this past spring & he just keeps getting better with age .

Today's artists could learn a lot from this guy . There's nothing bland or boring about Rick's music in the least . He has everything todays musicians lack . Energy , soul , passion , feeling , intelligence & talent . No he's not the strongest singer of his generation , but he makes good use of the range he has , & talk about an underrated guitarist & writer . Please !

I've heard this disc is getting some recognition on the charts . It probably won't get as much as it deserves , but it's encouraging all the same .

It's hard to choose a favorite on this album , because I don't consider any of it filler . If I was forced to pick one , it would have to be the title cut . It's just so in your face & aggresive . There isn't one cut on this disc that I skip over when I listen to it , & I listen to it a lot .

Guys spread the word . Pop this cd in when your friends aren't paying attention . Don't tell them who it is until they tell you they like it . Then watch the look on their face . I've already done it a couple of times .

If you like this cd & you're not already an RS fan , start working your way back . Pick up SDAA , Karma & Written In Rock : The Anthology .

Hey, give this 5 stars just because it's Rick and he is still putting out better music than 99% of what's on radio nowadays. Just to address some of the mentioned quabble about bonus tracks (with which I agree). We will (here in the US) still have access to all the bonus tracks. All hard copies of the CDs sold domestically include a link inside whereby you can download, for free, the studio version of "Who Killed Rock N Roll." The Live version is still available on iTunes for .99 cents. If you download the album through iTunes, you get "Pretty Little Mess" as a bonus track, which ticks me off 'cause I got hard copy already, but love the snippet I've heard of this song, but now, I have to pay another $10.00 since it's only available on iTunes with the purchase of entire CD. Lastly, if you purchase your CD from Best Buy, you also get, "My Generation" - WHO Cover, and an Acoustic Version of "Jessie's Girl" as bonus tracks. So bottom line ... good news is, you can get all the bonus tracks here in the US. Bad news is, you'll have to buy the CD three times...

Since I absolutely LOVE What's Victoria's Secret (just a brilliant song --I can't get it out of my head) I pre-ordered the CD. I kept checking the mailbox every half hour and then it arrived! I "liked" the rest of the album my very first play through and couldn't keep my head from bopping to the music. By the second play through I was "IN LOVE" with the WHOLE album and was out of my chair dancing to some of the other infectious songs: One Passenger, Time Stands Still and Mr. PC (note that they are very "current" in sound). If you are a Beatles fan, you'll love "She" and "Nothing is Ever Lost". Every song on this album is great. I haven't played his albums all the way through since the first two, and I'm on round five on this one in just the first day. A MUST BUY even for the casual Rick fan - its awesome music! PS Download "Who Killed Rock and Roll" - his single from 2007 - it's also amazing.

Wow! Rick Springfield has a new CD and the music is amazing! I can't stop listening to it. You won't be disappointed.

My wife took me to a Rick Springfield show and I was not expecting to like it, but he and his band put on a fantastically fun and energetic show. They played several songs from the new album and I was immediately taken with "I'll Miss That Someday." The title track is one of the highlights here, as well. This is not a half-hearted attempt at a "comeback" album. This is songcraft at work. You can tell from listening that a lot of effort went into this album. I would say that if you add up all the great songs here and compare all the great songs on any of his other albums, you end up with more great songs on this collection. Recommend it.