Search - Donna Summer :: Crayons

Stephen M. (wizardprang) from LOUISVILLE, KY
Reviewed on 1/20/2009...

Donna Summer returns to the fold after what seems like decades in the wilderness.

The album starts of "on the good foot" with "Stamp your feet"; the title says it all; driving percussion, faultless production, and a lyric that sounds like a personal challenge.

Next up is Mr. Music, another hard-driving number - though somewhat lacking in the lyrics department - that just begs to be turned up.

Ziggy Marley shows up on the title track, a funky, bouncy kinda-sorta-reggae number. Highly Enjoyable. The pace slows down for "The Queen is Back", but it is no less relentless.

Fame (the game) has a lyric that sounds autobiographical, but somewhat tongue-in-cheek as she cocks the proverbial snook at the trappings and superficiality of fame. "You're Fabulous! We love you! Fantastic! Now we have all the right property!"

Time for a break; she kicks back, grabs a tall cool one and gets some "Sand on My Feet". Then it's time to hop into the car and take to the streets of Rio with the top down and the radio blaring in "Driving Down Brazil".

The next cut - I'm a Fire - is the album's sole throwback to the Donna Summer of yesteryear, but carefully updated and modernized, though it sounds a little too "synthetic" for my test. A great one for the clubs, though.

"Slide Over Backwards" is the one track that I don't like. A good enough effort, but it sounds like she is trying to an impression of Tina Turner, something she really did not need to do.

"Science of Love" is one of those songs I am not sure if I like or not. She's trying to do a garage-band job; it's "ok", and that's the best I can say.

"Be myself again" is my favorite track. Not because it's slow, but because when you slow the pace down and take away most of the technical flummery and leave only a piano, some light percussion and her voice, and she really shines. The lyrics tell a story of someone who traveled the road to stardom, only to find that they lost their soul on the way; I wonder if it is autobiographical… makes you think.

The album closes out with "Bring down the reign", a song about Darfur. Not the best track on the CD, but not the worst either.
The whole set reeks of hit production values - my only criticism is that some of the cuts sound a little over-produced, but certainly no song fails on that account.

It is hard to believe that her first hit was in 1976 - Thirty-two years ago. Her last major hit - She works hard for the money - is fifteen years in the past. Her last studio album - Mistaken Identity - is seventeen years old. She was 59 years old at the time Crayons was released; she must have had a hell of a makeover for the cover shot…

In the final analysis, however, it is the music that does the talking.

2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Great music

Leonid Konoplev | Tarzana, CA | 04/01/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am in my fourties and an old Donna Summer's fan. The songs in this CD are great and I loved them. I strongly recommend this CD for everyone who loves Donna's music."

Well Worth the Wait!

John E. Temple | Manassas, VA | 07/04/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is such a huge treat after so many years away from the studio. It has a very fresh sound and, moreover, a very confident sound. Rather than rest on her laurels or return to formula in any way, Donna put together a very diverse collection of songs that allowed her to express herself very differently than in the past. The songs seem to be coming from within, rather than her gorgeous voice just mouthing words about someone or something outside her personal world. While I love to hear her belt one out, some of my favorite tracks on here go in the opposite direction. The title cut is a real stand-out, with Donna's intonations mirroring Ziggy Marley. Her voice is virtually unrecognizable on "Slide Over Backwards", but what a great song! "Stamp Your Feet" is a great anthem of empowerment. "Fame (The Game)" is probably the track that I've worn out... I keep hitting the replay button over and over... it's got a great electronic hook, and the lyrics are very smart. "Be Myself Again" is a great ballad and seems once again to be very autobiographical. I could go on about each of the songs, but suffice it to say that they all work as individuals, and together comprise a collection that is one of Donna's very best to date. I've always been a fan, and she's written and performed great material in the past, but this seems like the first time that every aspect of the package is coming from her. Can't wait for the next one!"