Search - Olivia Newton-John :: Rumour

Olivia: One Of The Best

Steven Haarala | Mandeville, LA USA | 01/28/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Once Olivia Newton-John became well established in American pop music in the mid-70's, she entered the exclusive circle of the top female singers of our time, right up there with Linda Ronstadt, Diana Ross, Bette Midler and Dionne Warwick. Once you reach these heights, a new album doesn't prompt the question "Is she a good singer?" but rather "Is the material good, and was the vision for the recording successfully realized?" For me, the answer for this collection is "Yes". "The Rumour" is like a slightly subdued sequel to 1985's "Soul Kiss". Both have top-notch 80's pop-rock production, both continue Olivia's sexy image, and both were largely ignored by the American public. There is a new direction, however, on "The Rumour". Sex is still a force, but now it is blended with themes of fidelity, lasting relationships and the future of our planet. In "Get Out", Olivia sends a message of self-reliance, just in case the relationship doesn't work out. "Let's Talk About Tomorrow" manages to sound like both a rock and disco recording, and the lyrics are about environmental concerns. "Tutta La Vita" reminds me of Sheena Easton's "Strut" musically, but the discussion is on the philosophy of life and love. Two other songs about love differ in subject matter and in expression: "Car Games" comes to a slow boil and stays there, while "Walk Through Fire" reaches the peaks of a power ballad. Olivia's versatile voice is excellent, as always, and she continues to seem totally involved in the songs she is singing - there is no cool detachment. So, I find this album to be another example of a very good recording that just doesn't sell, simply because the artist has passed his or her prime period of commercial appeal. Oh, and did I mention that IT ROCKS??"

Olivia's Finest Moment.

erictodd | 02/26/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The most overlooked album during its release and the most overlooked of Olivia Newton-John's career. Critics praised The Rumour, but listeners stayed away. Why? This is a near perfect album and is my favorite Olivia release. It still holds up today. Olivia's voice has never sounded better and the song selection is mature and appropriate. I say this because her previous album tried desperately to be sexy and too MTV. Highlights include the title tune, Let's Talk About Tomorrow and Walk Through Fire. Get it."

Olivia is the bomb

Gyles O. Maddox | 11/10/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The best grouping of new songs on one disc. Great melodies. Great vocals, and songs with meaning. Too bad it didn't sell well in the US. I spent years trying to find it and then.........the internet. I never knew finding great old music could be so easy. Olivia is timeless and her music always sounds great and relavent."