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31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The appeal of this rock gem is no secret, May 11, 2000
Besides boasting one of Carly Simon's sexiest, better-known album covers (probably tying with the negligee-and-boots shot that graced "Playing Possum"), "No Secrets" is a testament to the writing, singing, and innate good taste of one of rock's most talented artists.Of course, the sell of "You're So Vain" is a no-brainer; Simon's only #1 hit is still the topic of debate regarding its subject (Simon herself has been quoted as saying the Trivial Pursuit question that sites Warren Beatty is inaccurate) and, more importantly, it still has a driving groove and intoxicating strings to make for an irresistable listen. "The Right Thing to Do" was another major single, and one of Simon's most gorgeous ballads ever. "We Have No Secrets" should have been a more successful single than it was; besides a killer hook and easy-going flow, the trademark-clever lyric, about a young woman finding out that honesty sometimes tells you more than you want to know, ranks with her finest moments as a writer. "Waited So Long" finds Carly blooming amidst a bluesy backdrop and racy lyrics ("Daddy, I'm no virgin...") and the barroom blues of the James Taylor composition "Night Owl" make for a infectiously rocking experience. Throw in the arty pop of "Embrace Me You Child" and "The Carter Family," the latter of which features a unique lyric dealing with varying degrees of loss, and there's very little to complain about. Carly reportedly resisted working with producer Richard Perry initially, saying that his work with Barbra Streisand and others was "too slick" for her. But apparently Perry was able to add a polish without taking away Simon's shine..."No Secrets" still stands up as one of Carly's most thoroughlly enjoyable records.
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18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
If I had to keep only 10 albums (or CDs)..., April 19, 2003
... this would be one of them. "No Secrets" is one of those classic '70's albums like Carol King's "Tapestry." Every song is perfect and as an emsemble, in their cronological order, compliment and accentuate each other. My two favorite songs besides the classic hits on the album are "His Friends Are More Than Fond of Robin" (due to an unrequited love I had at the time with a girl by the same name) and "When You Close Your Eyes," which has a spiritual side that gives me such a feeling of inner peace and tranquility like no other song can. Of course, to be be politically incorrect for a moment, if I can, this is my all-time favorite album cover. Carly Simon... that pose, those eyes, that hair, those lips! Fortuantely, she is as beautiful on the inside as on the outside. Ms. Simon has an intellect, wit, wisdom, and caring side that no other female artist has ever been able to match in my eyes. She has such a balance, calmness, and sincerity when she speaks (and sings!) that I always come away feeling I have learned something and a better person for the experience. Altrusium is alive and well today because it is imbedded in Carly Simon. The "No Secrets" songs are timeless. Even today they can almost transport me back to the person I was 30 years ago when the album came out with all my wonderful life experiences at that time. How many albums and artists can you really say that about? Of course, Ms. Simon has such an incredible, inspirational, motivating volume of work that we're all the better for by listening to. As I said, however, for all the long time fans and good people just getting to know this incredible talent and person, this would be my first recommendation... and if I could only keep just one of her albums, I would vote for "No Secrets" hands down.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"NO SECRETS": CARLY SIMON'S ROCK CLASSIC, December 8, 2006
This album, Carly Simon's third, with its iconic cover image, is the one that really put her at the top of the heap of lady singer-songwriters. For "No Secrets" is an excellent album showcasing her strong songwriting, musicianship and vocal abilities.
Perhaps at the time, people were wondering what could she do to top "That's The Way I've Always Heard It Should Be" and "Anticipation", both great not only in their singles appeal, but also in their crafting. Then along comes "You're So Vain", her powerhouse diatribe to a smug, conceited ex.
However, "You're So Vain", being as great as it is, is not the only example of greatness on this album, which is another one of Carly's classic, timeless releases. There are several other masterpieces here: "Embrace Me, You Child", her song-memory of her father's illness and death is infused with religious imagery which evokes the god-like power she must have imagined, as a child, her father (Richard Simon, the founder of Simon & Schuster Publishing) to possess; "Waited So Long", a bluesy-rock number (featuring an excellent turn on slide guitar by Lowell George of Little Feat) follows and is another fascinating glimpse into her relationship with her father and its sassiness is interestingly juxtaposed with "Embrace Me, You Child"; "It Was So Easy" is a wonderful sing-along ode to the lost innocence of childhood; "His Friends Are More Than Fond Of Robin" is such a gorgeous ballad in which is expressed a pure, simple, unrequited love; "The Carter Family" is a moral tale of a person who never realizes, until it's too late, how much certain people really mean. Then toss into the mix the bouncy hit "The Right Thing To Do", her rocking take on James Taylor's "Night Owl" and the intoxicating title track and you have an album that flows seamlessly.
Carly Simon's lyrics have always been top-notch musical poetry and on "No Secrets" we have some very special sly nods I particularly enjoy. In "Waited So Long", she references her first big hit, letting us know she's changed her mind about marriage ("I met a boy with eyes of green/The warmest eyes I'd ever seen/He gave his lovin' love to me/The way I've always heard it would be") and the closing track, "When You Close Your Eyes", obviously harkens to James' "You Can Close Your Eyes".
Carly's vocals run the gamut of sweet ("The Right Thing" and "Robin") to ferocious ("You're So Vain" and "Night Owl"). It seems she knows, intuitively, how to properly emote the feelings of each song to the listener.
"No Secrets" is truly a rock classic worthy of space on anyone's shelf.
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