Review Summary: Pop greatness.
The fact this album had no review on Sputnik shows Sputnik’s previous inability to review it. Nonetheless, it deserves a proper review. Perhaps one that compares the album to Michael Jackson’s Thriller, after all, She Works Hard for the Money came out only one year later. We all know that Thriller was considered peak pop of that era, and unfortunately, this beautiful album is hidden under its massive, moonwalking shadow. It’s ironic, because this one brings the dance numbers handily. There’s a comparison to Madonna’s music here too, which is also great. These are not easy comparisons to make considering the heights of both artists, yet Donna Summers definitely does not deserve to be forgotten.
This album is awesome. Donna has a memorable voice, and not just due to the music surrounding it. Her personality completely cuts through the synth barrier as though it’s not there. Her power, and the feeling that she is saying important lyrics are strong. The synthesizers also blaze a trail with a strong scent. MJ and Madonna combined in one album: it’s here and glorious. The beats themselves seem they could be on the soundtracks for Sonic 3 or Ghostbusters respectively, due to purely engaged grooves in constance — funky as Hell.
The great downfall of the album is, ultimately, its similarity to other intensely popular albums/artists. Compared to such classic music moments, almost anything will seem less important. Expectations are a bitch, yet Donna smites them hard with the backhand of catchy dance pop, and soulful singing. This was truly a great era for pop music, and this gem further cements it. It would be a disservice to the era to skip this album.
Donna Summer’s release is a little disco, and a little retro — archaic, and outdated some might say. Such people are negative nancies. In the end, the album can’t [/i]really[i] be compared to the greatest pop albums around that time; there’s not enough memorable tracks, unfortunately. Still, it’s an absurdly charming release, oozing good times energy from better times. The synths are drugs. Once you take a bite of this, you won’t want to spit it out.
