Audio CD review:
Bananarama - Pop Life

Bananarama - Pop Life

Band: Bananarama Title: Pop Life Rating: Release Date: 1991-06-25 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Preacher Man 2: Long Train Running - Bananarama, Johnston, Tom [2] 3: Only Your Love 4: What Colour R the Skies Where U Live 5: Is Your Love Strong Enough - Bananarama, Dallin, Sarah Eliza 6: Tripping on Your Love 7: Ain't No Cure - Bananarama, Aitken, Matt 8: Outta Sight 9: Megalomaniac 10: I Can't Let You Go 11: Heartless 12: Preacher Man

Why wasn't this a massive HIT? I rabidly bought all of their stuff. I've always been a Bananarama fan, since I first saw the videos for "Really Saying Something" and "It Ain't What You Do" on Mtv. The early years were the best back then. Then they teamed up with Stock, Aiken, Waterman and had even greater success, though some of the originality of their early years was lost in the climb to higher chart positions. Not that I dislike any of it, but rather I wanted them to keep their cutting edge style at the same time. When they released the album POP LIFE, I got my wish! Tracks like "Preacher Man" have both the danceability of the S. A. W. songs, with the cheekiness of their best songs!! Even the PWL production crew finally found the right balance with the oh-so-true "Ain't No Cure", which says it like it is. . . "there ain't no cure for love". And if you get this CD, you'll find there ain't no cure for Bananarama fever either!. No movement in style for the Rams This time, they have Youth producing most songs here, although they get one song with additional production and remix by Shep Pettibone, and one by Stock-Aitken-Waterman. Following their hit album Wow and the departure of Siobhan Fahey, the Rams took on Jacqui O'Sullivan, released a greatest hits album, and then came out with Pop Life in 1991. The overall tempo is the same hi-energy stuff as in Wow, but a different kind of sound. They try some industrial-type drum machines but nothing much has changed. They're treading water with this one. "Preacher Man" is a strong opening track on the title character warning a girl about the wrong kind of man sporting the bouncy bubblegum synths that coloured Wow. The seven and a half Ramabanana Alternative Mix features the usual techno padding, airy synths, thumping drum machines, quick vocal dubs, and miscellaneous keyboards. The cover song of this album is a likeable and bubbly take on The Doobie Brothers' "Long Train Running," complete with accompanying guitar. One of their better cover songs. Another uptempo song is "Only Your Love" featuring an "ooh ooh" chorus reminiscent to that done in "Sympathy For The Devil. " Not bad of its kind. The Rams liltingly ask "What Colour R The Skies Where U Live" in this dub reggae jam featuring piano and industrial style drum programming. It's lower tempo but at least decent. A strong bass beat backs the mid-tempo "Is Your Love Strong Enough" with bubblegum synths like S-A-W. The trip the Rams offer to take one on is that of life, "where the winds of change are bittersweet" and where "good intentions are hard to keep. " A weird sitar like instrument and intense interlocking drum machines colour "Tripping On Your Love", which later briefly features a guest rap vocalist. A trippy cacophony here. "Ain't No Cure" is the S-A-W produced song, meaning it shouldn't miss, and it doesn't. Definitely the best song here, with a kicking tempo and keyboard synths. According to the Rams, "ain't no cure for love, there ain't a remedy, joy and pain was the same as it ever was. " The vicious cycle and addictive nature of love is exemplified here as well: "you'll be back for more, and you'll be hurt just like before" "I Can't Let You Go" has a slower beat, with Stevie Wonder-type keyboards a la "Superstitious", an industrial drum machine beat like Madonna's "Justify My Love," and old style rap scratching. A well-paced multilayered cacophony of sounds. "Heartless" is another uptempo bubblegum tune that rivals the S-A-W sound. Sadly, Jacqui O'Sullivan left after her contribution here, resulting in Keren and Sarah continuing as a duo. As for Pop Life, well, it's rich in continuing Bananarama's reputation as pleasing harmony-singing bubblegum pop damselles, but doesn't represent a step up or down. Maybe a return to songs like "Young At Heart" or "Cheers Again" is in order. Different Hoping for another "I Heard a Rumour" or "Cruel Summer," I found that none of the songs on this album measured up. When I first heard this album, I was disappointed. However, after listening further, I grew to like it more. I don't consider it a masterpiece, but it's not bad either. The biggest drawback to this album is that there's no killer single. If you can get past that, then you might enjoy some of the songs here. The album starts off with "Preacher Man," a percolating dance number. It's pretty good, but lacks the punch of their radio hits--and the lyrics are kind of trite. Next is the spunky, husky remake of "Long Train Running. " This is a good, thumping dance song, but it lacks warmth and personality. The charismatic "Only Your Love" follows, with a great groove and pretty good hook. The next two songs are more subdued. "What Colour R the Skies Where U Live" is an airy, dreamy ballad. Perhaps the best song on the album, though, is the haunting "Is Your Love Strong Enough. " This song features a dark, shuffling groove and layered, hypnotic vocals. "Tripping on Your Love," a "psychedelic" dance song, starts off the second side of the album. It's attractive, but not one of my favorites. Probably the worst song on the album comes next: "Ain't No Cure," produced by Stock, Aitken, and Waterman, is cute at times but on the whole clich?d. The next three songs are less accessible and run longer. They probably could have been shortened a bit. "Outta Sight" is a kind of funky jam, "Megalomaniac" an extended dance excursion, and "I Can't Let You Go" a wistful love song with a chugging, rubbery groove. Unfortunately, I got the cassette version of this album, which includes only ten tracks, so I can't comment on the remaining two tracks. One other drawback about this album is that the women sound rather anonymous most of the time--it would have been nice to hear more emotion and individuality from the singers. Nonetheless, this album is a decent slice of pop that will appeal to certain listeners if not all. Brit-Pop at it's best "Pop Life" reminds me of an Ace of Base album. All the songs on this album are great!!! There are all strong songs with good vocals. Get this album if you don't already have it. Solid Album at last Pop Life is a refreshing change. Bananarama have never been known as an 'albums' band, most of their previous releases consisted of a few singles, with the rest acting as filler. Recognising that the market in the 1990's was moving away from the Stock Aitken Waterman sound, the girls employed Youth (of Killing Joke)and recorded this gem. Stand out tracks, notably Preacher Man, What Colour R The Skies Where U Live, and Long Train Running focus on strong harmonies and melodies. Never known as especially powerful singers, the singing on Pop Life is stronger than previous albums (probably due in part to the addition of Jacquie O'Sulivan). Pop Life is by far their best effort! Highly recommeneded. You can see a complete list of all Bananarama discography, or go back to the Bananarama tabs