Cyndi Lauper
Shine - Epic 2004
Tracks: 1. Shine / 2. It's Hard To Be Me / 3. Madonna Whore / 4. Wide Open / 5. Rather Be With You / 6. Who Let In The Rain? / 7. Comfort You / 8. Eventually / 9. Valentino / 10. This Kind Of Love / 11. Higher Plane / 12. Water's Edge / 13. I Miss My Baby
Comments:
"Shine" from 2004 is the latest album from Cindy Lauper to date, which primarily contains newly written original songs; well, ok, of course there is the disappointing dancealbum "Bring Ya to the Brink" from 2007, but I don't really count on that - it may be my mistake. “Shine” is a somewhat overlooked album for various reasons, probably mainly because the full version was originally only released in Japan.
Musically, the album is well in line with its predecessor "Sisters of Avalon" (her Christmas album is in a different category). Although Lauper is primarily known as a pop girl, connoisseurs of her many fine albums, though, will know that there is a lot of depth in both her music and her lyrics, and that she has continuously expanded her musical universe throughout her career.
This is also the case with "Shine", where she as usual she comes through many genres and musical arrangements.
The title track is a powerful rock song where Lauper's strong vocals are given free rein - a Lauper classic.
"It's Hard to be Me" is upbeat pop-rock in the Avril Lavigne Skater Boy style; very charming. "Madonna Whore", on the other hand, is very different; more funky and less rocking. The same applies to "Wide Open", both of the two tracks have a noticeable flute.
"Rather Be with You" is a solid pop-soul number with a nice interlude.
"Who Let in the Rain" is a remake of a great song that was originally also on her fourth album "A Hat Full of Stars" - both versions are very nice and I can't say I prefer one rather than the other.
On "Comfort You" Lauper is out in something reminiscent of David Bowie's 1980s sound with funky saxophone. The track was co-written with Jan Pulsford, with whom Lauper previously worked closely; especially on "Sisters of Avalon". The two also wrote "Valentino" together, which is more folkish with violins, congas and bagpipe-sounds.
"Eventually" is a very nice ballad written together with Japanese songwriter Ryuichi Sakamoto. This is followed by two dance/pop tracks, "This Kind of Love" and "Higher Plane".
Another highlight is the beautiful "Waters Edge" which Lauper has written together with Rob Hyman from the Hooters. The two have previously written fine songs together such as "That's What I Think", "Time After Time" and "Product of Misery".
The final song "I Miss My Baby" is mostly acoustic, including Lauper on dulcimer.
All in all, a great album in Lauper's now long streak of fine music.
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