Had I not actually seen Kylie Minogue in concert with my own two eyes, I could very well believe she's an aura of magic that simply floats from one speaker to the next. With each stop on her radio revolution, she touches the lives, hips and souls of those blessed enough to move to her music.
Her eleventh studio album "Aphrodite" is her latest dance comet and releases bits of retro synths, twinkly keyboard pounds and specks of hand-claps into the ether. It's the perfectly crafted summer CD, so let's dive into each track a little closer, shall we?
First up is "All The Lovers" which is very deserving of its spot as the lead single. Filled with melty whispers that are familiar to any card carrying member of Kylie's crew, its chorus demands crowd participation -- in fact, the only negative is that this 3-minute track lacks a bit more time to enjoy it fully.
"Get Outta My Way" is next up, and it will not be ignored. This disco-floor explosion of pure bubble-gum greatness will play on every boat, in every lake and on every pier until the snow starts to fall. Then, if the hand claps resonate long enough, it could return next year to do the exact same thing.
Speaking of hands, the bang-track "Put Your Hands Up" -- with its cog-and-wheel electro beats and Mad Max undertones -- begs for them to go ... um ... up. While its rocky sister-track "Closer" will slowly convince your arms to fall back down to your side, grab someone, and pull them in like a blanket of contentment. Both songs are legendary Kylie and both invoke polar opposite feelings that compliment each other in that weird salty and sweet way.
The only ballad -- using this term loosely -- on the album is the Keane (Tim Rice Oxley) co-penned song "Everything Is Beautiful," which sounds like it was plucked off a Tim Burton movie. The title track "Aphrodite" lives in a silver screen state as well, mixing old school Rhythm Nation vibes with a "Lose my Breathe" Destiny's Child resonance, resulting in an old school 50's film theme-song. It's amazing people. Amazing.
In the middle are songs that paint the world in glitter and hope. The simple "Illusion" is just as magical as it sounds while the ABBA meets Shania Twain ditty "Better Than Today" begs you to snag your boots and head to the club. After your done scootin', grab your sweat bands, and join Kylie as she does her best Olivia Newton-John in "Too Much," one of my faves of the LP. It's a piano-knockin' track you'll find yourself repeating for hours ... and then wonder where the time went.
The guitars and shooting stars living inside the adventure track "Cupid Boy" are paired like fine wine right next to the Euro-layered vocals of "Looking For An Angel." This duo introduce a new side of Kylie, a softer, more vulnerable version of the Diva that was nowhere to be found on her last album "X," but is so nice to have back.
Finally "Can’t Beat The Feeling" brings us back around the planets and stars that lead us through the world of Kylie. The roller-coaster chugs and Vo-Dox vocals pair with long disco-synths, giving us a welcome back to where we started, but not wanting to release our seat-belts. Because you know you're ready for another ride.
http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/popwrap/kylie_aphrodite_album_is_perfect_rIhKNPrOhX7Z8wD6hYNTkM
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