Customer Reviews

X (W/Dvd) (Spec)

5 star:		(46)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I'm an old-fart, stuck-in-the-80's metal head and a jazz nut, but every now and then a pop record comes along that makes me go "WOW! That's good!". "Fever" was one of those for me. Body Language was sensual, but just ok for me. I listened to this on Yahoo and I can't wait to get the CD/DVD. The lyrics are a little risque for my little ones to go around repeating, but I'm quite okay with the idea of my wife giving me a wink and singing one of these songs to me at night:-)

This CD crosses a slew of pop sounds but somehow maintains a very strong continuity.

The opening track saunters across your ears like a stripper walking across the stage ready to seduce you.

The next three songs(Like a drug, In My Arms and my favorite, Speakerphone) and a few other tracks are sexually charged throwbacks to 80's synth bands like Stacey Q (and SSQ) that keep the mood going.

Songs like Sensitized, Nu-Di-Ty, and Heart Beat Rock make sure that there is only one thing on your mind while listening, and it ain't world peace.

In between, there are songs with cool lilting hooks and trademake sweet, soft, sexy vocals like "All I see", which could be a Janet Jackson, Brandy or Tony Braxton song from the mid 90's, and "No More Rain" with a beautiful melody line and a beat that makes me close my eyes think of the days when I used to drive my convertible along the beach at sunset with my beautiful blonde girlfriend (now wife) at my side. Kylie knowns and shows it's good to throw a little love into the lovin'.

The CD closes with the vocally-centric Cosmic, kind of like having a sweet nightcap after all of that energy expended for the first 13 tracks.

Sometimes I like to put on Sade or Basia or even Enya for "night love" music. But every now and then you want something just a little funkier and sweet and smooth and cool and this CD pulls it off perfectly.

I love it.

After 2 Hearts was released, I honestly did not know what to expect. 2 Hearts in my opinion was not the best choice for a lead single, and I feared the rest of the CD would sound similar. Thankfully, I was wrong.

Here is how I rated each song:

1) 2 Hearts (4/5) - Well, I think it's finally starting to grow on me - I kind of dig those high pitched "ooohhhs" in the chorus.
2) Like A Drug (5/5) - I instantly loved this catchy pop song which is very dancefloor friendly - I hope it's the follow-up single.
3) In My Arms (5/5) - This one's also ready for the radio and would be an excellent choice for a single.
4) Speakerphone (4.5/5) - Make sure to turn up the volume on this little funky sounding musical gem. It sounds better after several plays.
5) Sensitized (5/5) - This mid-tempo pop gem is also very catchy and single worthy.
6) Heart Beat Rock (5/5) - Another fun and funky song that makes me wanna keep moving.
7) The One (4/5) - This is a pleasant pop song that has a great beginning; but the rest of the song isn't as strong.
8) No More Rain (10/5) - This in my opinion is the best pop song on the CD, and I sure hope Kylie or Parlophone will consider releasing it as a single.
9) All I see (4/5) - This slightly slower paced song is also pleasant - but nothing extraordinary.
10) Stars (4.5/5) - Here's a fun pop song that's also very radio friendly.
11) WOW (4/5) - I've seen other reviewers give this song rave reviews. Personally, I think there are much stronger offerings on this CD. It's not a bad song - but I find the "WOW WOW WOW WOWs" kinda cheesy. But it's catchy and starting to grow on me (hence the 4 rating).
12) NU-DI-TY (4.5/5) - This little sizzler takes a few listens to get you going; but, it's another funky little ditty that keeps getting better after each listen.
13) Cosmic (4.5/5) - This mid-paced introspective ballad is the slowest song on the CD, and is a nice and suitable way to end off a great CD.

All in all - GREAT POP CD 5/5 - definitely recommended to Kylie fans and other fans of pop music.

After Body Language, I was left a little disenchanted by the direction that Kylie had chosen to take with her music. "Body Language" was a little too "Americanized" for my taste - I live in America and prefer the sound of Europe! Kylie's newest endeavor, "X" is just what I have been waiting for. It's everything I was hoping it would be; more glittery, sugar coated dance pop. The tracks on this album remind me of her "Fever" album, which is my favorite Kylie album (and yes, I live in Oklahoma and I have her entire catalog beginning with her debut "Kylie". ) My love affair with Kylie started back in 87 when I first heard her version of "Locomotion" and I knew I was hooked with "Got to be Certain." For all of you newbies to Kylie's catalog, I strongly suggest starting with "Ultimate Kylie." and "Confide in Me - The Irresistable Kylie Minogue." If you want modern Kylie, go with "X." It's like Kylie's "Fever" meets Madonna's "Confessions on a Dance Floor." It's danceable, listenable and just plain, pure, sugar coated pop-perfection. I can't wait for the release of "White Diamond/Showgirl Homecoming!"

I'm a relatively new fan of Kylie Minogue's music. I didn't know she'd been doing anything since the 80s, or that she was so big in the UK, until her smash hit, "Can't Get You Out Of My Head", hit the airwaves here in the states. I absolutely loved FEVER but was sadly disappointed in her last studio album, BODY LANGUAGE. While her music is steadily progressing into a more commercial sound, her irresistibly hooking electro pop fusion is my type of guilty pleasure. When I feel like listening to something different I usually turn to Kylie Minogue for a quick fix, and X hits the spot just right.

Standout songs for me would have to be "In My Arms", "One", "Stars", and "Nu-Di-Ty".

No other pop artist (including her most obvious rival, Madonna, who I'm a fan of) has made as many great albums in a row as Kylie Minogue. She's often referred to as diminutive, as a less-than-perfect vocalist, and more about her looks than the music. While these descriptions aren't totally inaccurate - the visual aspect is intrinsic to her craft, as can be said about the likes of Madonna, Prince, and Michael Jackson (if you haven't seen any of her live dvds, you've just got to) - there is just no denying how great her albums have been. Ever since the Kylie Minogue album, when she broke from the teeny-bop formula and image and began to create her own voice, she's been absolutely unstoppable. Kylie Minogue, Impossible Princess, Light Years, Fever, Body Language -- even the two songs used to pad the Ultimate Kylie hits collection proved to be two of her best singles.

And now there's X. Following her public break-up and even more public (successful) struggle with cancer, Kylie isn't thrown off for a moment. "2 Hearts" is another in a long run of instant-classic singles and kicks off the album on the right note. And it all flows from there (sequenced well, I'd liken it to Madonna's Confessions on a Dance Floor in that regard). I particularly like "No More Rain," "All I See," and "Stars," around 3/4 of the way through the cd. I'll be interested to see which songs are chosen to be singles, as there are a few that I think would do well.

The beats are modern throughout, the songs melodic, positively sparkling. Whatever system she's got for collaborating with different producers and songwriters, it's working. This album is a cohesive, grooving group of songs that doesn't let up for the full 45 minutes. Another absolute winner.

I absolutely love Kylie's latest effort. But I am dumbfounded as to why it's not going to be released in stores in the US until Feb 2008. Thank goodness I got it last week! The whole album, with an exception of two slower songs, has the best catchy elecro-pop songs I have heard in long while. Almost every song could be a radio/club hit (this is what Madonna's "Confessions On A Dance Floor" wished it could be IMO). If her record company does it right, this could be a huge hit for her in the US. Welcome back Kylie. This a very welcome return!

After 2003's disappointing "Body Language" and her breast cancer battle, I was worried that Kylie's days as pop royalty were numbered. I couldn't have been more wrong.

Ms. Minogue's triumphant return to the music scene, "X," proves that she has her fingers firmly on the pulse of pop culture. Every single track is finely-crafted pop perfection. I dare anyone to listen to "Like a Drug," "In My Arms," or "Speakerphone" just once.

****1/2

After beating cancer, as well as surviving long enough in the youth-obsessed world of pop music to have reached the milestone of 10 albums (hence the title X) Kylie Minogue is clearly in the mood to celebrate. And it's a celebratory mood that permeates this album. Like her mentor/rival Madonna, Kylie has, at this point in her career, clearly resigned herself to being a pop star, and instead of fighting it, vowed instead to take pop music about as far as it can go. So although the songs are all catchy, glittery and fun, and mostly about the standard themes of romantic love and lust, the production is truly cutting edge. Instead of the standard current pop music sound created by producers like the Neptunes or Timbaland, groups like Goldfrapp or Ladytron come to mind when listening to the crisp, percolating retro-futuristic sounds on the album.

Although Kylie coos and sweats and flirts throughout most the album, there are a couple of tunes where Kylie's post-cancer perspective clearly shine through; "No More Rain" and "Stars" are practically dance-floor gospel songs. And although the rest of the album is state-of-the-art fun, they may very well be the album's finest moments.

I have nothing against Kylie, but this CD was not my cup of tea. Over produced and under-sung, all these songs sounded just about the same--and that's not a good thing. I am utterly perplexed as to these 5-star and 4-star ratings. This reminded me somewhat of Stacey Q, but (if you can believe this) not as good.

Not recommended.

After a four year absence, the pop icon from Australia is back with a disco-electronic-pop album that will send you right back to those wild partying days of the eighties. If you're a young `un, ask your parents about it. (They may not remember too much about that decadent decade, but they WILL remember the music)

First single "2 Hearts" is a rework of a song by the British group Kish Mauve, who also produced the single. This track takes you back to your sweater-off-the-shoulder/leg-warmer Flashdance days. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Strictly for dancing:

"Like a Drug" - starts like "You Really Got Me" (originally by The Kinks), which is on the soundtrack for the movie "Doogal", songs from which were performed by Kylie.

"In My Arms" - single-worthy, radio-friendly track sounding like early Madonna. Think "Holiday" and "Borderline"

"Heart Beat Rock" - more early Madonna

"The One" - another remake, another single, and one of the best tracks on the album

"Wow" - name says it all

For tapping your toes and shaking your hair:

"Speakerphone" - electronic pop, sort of like Daft Punk's "One More Time"

"Sensitized" - typical `80s track, nothing special

"No More Rain" - familiar sounding track that I can't place right now (maybe slower Madonna). I really like this one too.

Mellow stuff:

"All I See" - pop/R&B track, sounds like a Janet Jackson song

"Stars" - a little like Simply Red I think

Not so hot:

"Nu-di-ty" - electronic pop filler track

"Cosmic" - sleepy filler track

Recommended for Madonna fans, and anybody old enough to remember and enjoy the music of the eighties.


Amanda Richards, March 24, 2008