AMG Review of Over My Heart

William Ruhlmann
All Music Guide

Laura Branigan had greater creative participation in the making of her seventh album, earning credits for songwriting, arrangements, and production. Industry vet Phil Ramone was the main producer, however, and the result was a move away from the disco diva approach of Branigan's earlier records and a move toward the pop-rock mainstream. Given that Branigan's albums had shown a downward sales pattern, it was a fair attempt at repositioning, but these undistinguished romantic ballads, whether by Branigan herself, Michael Bolton, Gloria Estefan, or others, failed to offer the singer an opportunity to steady herself in the middle of the road. As a result, Over My Heart came in under the pop radar screen: It didn't reach the charts and disappeared quickly after release.