Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starsThe best introduction to the most lavishly produced golden throat artist in recording history
Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2013
These are all professional recordings: Hasselhoff most likely is the "front" in these recording projects, and someone (many someones, I'd venture) blew a mint several times over floating these singles' projects.
One kicka** song, a great rhythm production, though it's in that vein of synth-pop rockers with a late '80s feel: "Looking for Freedom." EVERYTHING comes together as a hit single, but.... If only he had ANYTHING else like it in place of the other 15 tracks on this album!
All these tracks are slick; they're polished, ...and empty of content, a vampire's empty husk--all hook, all catchy chorus, all calculation. The songs, though, don't work. The songs...don't work. Committee music; that something essential in the recipe is ghastly missing. Unlike Hasselhoff's album tracks, his vocals are well laid down; on "Looking For Freedom," he soars. The cartoonish euro-pop orientation, though, shines loud and clear: a dinner of gallons of vanilla ice cream in ornate surroundings. Abba "got" (understood) the American market, but these tracks miss by a mile. This is a great BAD record, if you're inclined towards Mrs. Miller, Jonathan & Darlene Edwards, Simon Crum, Mike Curb Congregation, etc...; heard straight, it's (im)perfectly calculated narcissism. "Hot Shot City" perfectly captures the sense of perfect people staring in their mirror marveling at themselves, an example why Los Angeles seems an oasis of self-love to the rest of roots-oriented U.S. taste. "Everybody Sunshine" and "Do The Limbo Dance" are children's sing-along records; like "It's A Small, Small World," all chorus on endless painful repeat. #11, "Yesterday's Love," probably one of the WORST insulting fake "country" songs I've ever heard.
The marketing committee that vetted these projects had too many people saying, "nope, too..." sitting at the table, systematically removing all the ingredients. At times I heard Heino's "Carnival In Rio." "After Manana Mi Ciello": worse than Abba in Spanish.
Track #8, "I Believe," is a duet with Laura Branigan (I have the 45 with picture sleeve), uncredited.
A hits comp is usually a chapter closer for a recording artist, a way to recycle a few more bucks off catalog, and the opener on new music, style. After this singles' comp (2001), DAVID HASSELHOFF SINGS AMERICA (2004): cover tunes by B.J. Thomas, Glen Campbell, Neil Diamond, Sinatra, even (ulp) a Madonna song.
Kitsch recommended.
