Search - Barbra Streisand :: Emotion

More than just "Emotion"

Steven Haarala | Mandeville, LA USA | 06/10/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is another of Barbra's adventurous albums, maybe the MOST adventurous. Some were amazed when Barbra became a chart-topper in the Disco era, but the material on this album goes even beyond that. In 1984, Disco had expired, New Wave had already become "establishment", and the world of pop music was being redefined by the likes of Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Prince, Billy Idol, Michael Jackson and Tina Turner. In this developing, uncertain atmosphere, Barbra dared to try to retain, or regain, her status as a pop star.



Although the album did go platinum, it was not considered a big success. I myself, under the influence of those other artists named above, didn't pay it much attention. But years later, I bought it and found it to be delightful - in my opinion, one of Barbra'a best, at least in the top 20%. Let's start with the ballads. For drama, listen to "Make No Mistake, He's Mine", a strong duet with Kim Carnes, and "Left In The Dark". The latter was written by Jim Steinman, who also wrote "Total Eclipse Of The Heart", "Making Love Out Of Nothing At All" and "Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad" - not a bad resume'. In "Left In The Dark", Barbra confronts her unfaithful lover, compulsively asking Who? Where? When? and finally, resignedly, singing, "But don't tell me now...I just need some love, so turn out the light/And I'll be left in the dark again". In 2 other ballads, "Clear Sailing" and "Here We Are At Last" (music written by Barbra), the course of love runs more smoothly, and Barbra's lighter vocals and the fluid arrangements reflect that. "Best I Could" is probably my least favorite track. It was written by the same songwriters who wrote "Comin' In And Out Of Your Life", and it suffers from sounding too much like that song and also from being too traditional among the other more "modern" tracks.



The upbeat numbers are the most interesting ones. The title song is a very lively, almost fevered, synth-pop 80's dance track, with The Pointer Sisters singing backup. It's quite a romp! "Time Machine" and "When I Dream" are reminiscent of Earth Wind & Fire's sound; in fact, Maurice White from EW&F produced both tracks. "You're A Step In The Right Direction" is playful, semi-hard rock, with a Cyndi Lauper vibe. John Mellancamp co-wrote this with Barbra and provides a little bit of vocal input as well. It is one of the most enjoyable upbeat songs I have ever heard Barbra sing. "Heart Don't Change My Mind" is more subdued, with demanding melody and lyrics that Barbra, of course, delivers with great finesse. Another quality of the album in general is that on most tracks, especially the upbeat ones, a slight "reverb" (for lack of a better word) is applied to Barbra's voice. It is very appealing to me, and it fits the material like a glove.



Barbra plays to win, and this album did not achieve the desired result. Her next one, "The Broadway Album", took her in a totally different direction and put her back on top, critically and commercially. Nevetheless, she deserves credit for seeking success in the elusive, ever-changing pop genre, to the limits that she could. And the album itself, despite the obvious 80's effects, still sounds fresh. Barbra's recordings, like those of The Beatles, usually manage to be "timely" when they need to be, and "timeless" later on."