Lopez Blogs

After a successful run of singles with PWL, Kylie quite rightly wanted to stretch her artistic muscle and consolidate her position as the UK and Australia’s top pop princess. She took a break after 1992 to prepare the album that would showcase her range and move her into sleek, media savvy Kylie era. And what a comeback it was ~ Confide In Me was one of the most sensual, hypnotic, polished pop tunes I had heard in a while. Even if it did pretty much rip off the music from Opus 3’s It’s A Fine Day. No matter, flashing images, phone numbers, and sultry lips bewitched the video watchers into calling 1-555-Confide and Kylie got her biggest hit in 3 years. Next single Put Yourself In My Place was a slick mid tempo number giving Kylie a chance to show off her range. The album was packed with songs that easily could’ve been singles. If I Were Your Lover had a stunning musical arrangement, while Surrender was a perfect little slice of pop goodness. The dancetastic Where Is The Feeling features a great Kylie vocal as she flits along to the rhythmic grooves contained within. The standout for me is the lovely ballad Dangerous Game where Kylie is at her most vulnerable yet powerful (if that makes any sense). Also released around this era was the duet with Nick Cave that really showed Kylie off in a totally different light. A goth murder tale, it caused scandal in the papers and consolidated Kylie’s ability to dominate the media in whichever way she wanted.

~ Kylie gets twin peaks on our asses ~

~ taking the piss in Did It Again ~

Taking her time to create an album she would be proud of really paid off next for Kylie – creatively if not commercially. Impossible Princess (to grant it’s original title) was released in 1997 when the British nation was still in mourning for Diana and didn’t appreciate the dark lyrics and vision Kylie presented within. Those that persevered found an album of artistic merit (as opposed to say Body Language – clearly produced with the American market in mind). Indie, dance, pop, poetry and eastern influences all make themselves felt on this diverse collection of tunes. From the outset something was different. Too Far had a minimal beat and electro dance feel, but was made darker from inclusion of a piano backing track. Drunk is Kylie at her most daring – it’s pulsating, it’s overwhelming, it’s fast, it’s compulsive. Breathe and Say Hey (the most Bjork song Kylie ever did) continue the hardcore dance vibe with soft vocals. Did It Again was anti-kylie – guitars, indie-ish vibe, off kilter lyrics and a great self deprecating video made it a hit. Overall a really intriguing experimental album that for the most part pays off despite a couple of bum tracks.