YOU CAN'T NOT GET NO SATISFACTION

Kylie Minogue

X

  • AMG Review of X

    Amg
    Christopher M. True
    All Music Guide

    By the time of 2004's Body Language, Kylie Minogue was seemingly unassailable, with three hit albums (both critically and commercially), a number of hit singles, and a recharged career that only a few years before had seemed precarious at best. She backed up the new material with a collection (Ultimate Kylie) that boasted excellent new material as well. All things seemed to be destined for further glory. And then, unfortunately, cancer hit. While she did recover fully from her illness and ordeal, there was some speculation on how she would deal with this event, and how her music and choice of collaborators would be affected. Many artists have come back from a potentially life-threatening disease with work that is a flat-out declaration of victory, songs and images that are thinly shrouded metaphors for rebirth or newfound strength. Therefore, it must have surprised many that the leadoff from Kylie's new record would be "2 Hearts," a '70s-style Roxy Music-esque glam jam that clocks in at under three minutes, and is -- seemingly -- devoid of any sort of "I'm back from the brink" anthemizing. Couple this pop gem with the gaudy early-'80s artwork, and the buzz was that Kylie was not only back, but back with a Me Decade swagger and ready to take back the momentum she'd been building since 2000. But to call X an '80s record is really only getting halfway there. Sure, the cover art is vintage 1982, and the majority of the record calls on production tricks and techniques that are of the same time, but much of the record calls on different eras -- not generalized decades as such, but eras in Kylie's own career. Most of the tracks could have fit in on earlier work, answering the question: what does a pop artist do when she's come full circle? She's been influenced as of late by '70s disco and '80s electro, but with X, it feels like Kylie has decided to take inspiration from Kylie herself.

    But there's more here than just that. From a musical standpoint, X is all over the map. If that's due in part or in whole to reassessing one's career, that's all well and good, but after the last three albums, it is not what her fans have really come to expect. To break it all down: after the nod to the days of Roxy and Bowie and Bolan in the aforementioned lead single (and fantastic album opener) -- which has a very warm, organic feel to it, almost conjuring up the heart musically -- the electronics kick in and an icy chill fills the room. From then on the album bounces back and forth from cold, calculated dance-pop that is more indicative of her recent work ("Like a Drug," "In My Arms," "Heart Beat Rock," "The One") and more personal, expansive work ŕ la 1997'sImpossible Princess and 1994's Kylie Minogue ("Sensitized," "Stars," "Cosmic"). While some of it is very very good (Guy Chambers' "Sensitized" is arguably the best track on the album, so much so that it's disappointing that she didn't work with him more on X), most of it lacks -- when all presented as a whole -- what the last few collections really had: consistency. X isn't a "piece" as, say, Light Years was. It feels more like an artist trying to make sure she has all her bases covered. She even touches -- for the most part -- on her recent illness with the admittedly strong "No More Rain." But while tracks like "Nu-di-ty" and "Speakerphone" would have sounded better on the last Robbie Williams record and working with Bloodshy & Avant is questionable from time to time, the majority of X is exactly what it's meant to be: a collection of songs by a pop artist who is aware of her past achievements and doubly aware of her need to stay relevant in the face of unwanted diversion.

Kylie Minogue As Drag Queen For New Video
over 2 years ago
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Stories are leaking about Kylie Minogue dressing in drag - with blood red lips, skin tight latex and big blonde hair-do - for the recent video shoot that she did for her new song, "Two Hearts." Not only did Kylie spend 14 hours filming the video last friday, but she also spent the entire week before training for it. She's been touring the clubs, taking notes and making friends with flamboyant...

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New Cover Art For Kylie Minogue Single - 2 Hearts
over 2 years ago
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The cover art for Kylie Minogue's new "2 Hearts" single has been released today. It's electro and feminine just like the song!Love this image, Kylie is looking as beautiful as ever... I'm still looking for the audio online to share with you. I'll let you know as soon as I find one!

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New Kylie Minogue Video, "2 Hearts"
over 2 years ago

It's nuts that only a few years back Kylie Minogue was being treated for breast cancer only a couple years ago and now the Grammy-winning Down Under pop queen is back delivering sultry videos that probably make Madonna jealous.Minogue is getting ready to release a new album, her first in four years, titled X. X, her tenth studio album, features 13 new tracks and was recorded in London, Stockhol...

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Kylie Minogue Announces Europe 2008 X Tour
about 1 year ago

Kylie Minogue announced a tour of Europe for 2008 in support of her newest album, X. The KYLIEX2008 Tour will hit 20 cities with 24 concerts between 6 May and 27 July, traveling from Paris to London. News of Kylie being in the UK area at that time of year has begun speculations that she might play the notorious Glastonbury Festival as well. The aussie singer told Billboard:"I am putting tog...

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Kylie Minogue- 2 Hearts And Doctor Who's Girl Friday
over 2 years ago
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OOooh! Kylie Minogue will star in the special Christmas edition of Doctor Who this winter, "Voyage of the Damned" alongside the current incarnation of the famous time-traveller, David Tennant. The aussie pop star will be in Cardiff this month, filming the hour-long episode, which is rumoured to be based around the story of the Titanic.This news of Kylie's return to acting comes just moments a...

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More Info On New Kylie Minogue Album And Documentary
over 2 years ago
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I reported earlier about a new Kylie Minogue album, but didn't have a title or tracklist at that time. Well, the press has been released and today we know that the album is titled X and includes 13 tracks. X Tracklist:2 HeartsLike a DrugIn My ArmsSpeakerphoneSensitizedHeart Beat RockThe OneNo More RainAll I SeeStarsWowNu-di-tyCosmicI also learned from Billboard today that Kylie "Minogue is th...

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Xmas Singles Calendar, December 18: Kylie Minogue - Wow
10 months ago

Kylie Minogue - Wow (zshare) Kylie Minogue - Wow (ysi) BONUSES: Kylie Minogue - Wow (MSTRKRFT Remix) (zshare) Kylie Minogue - Wow (MSTRKRFT Remix) (ysi) Kylie Minogue - Wow (CSS Remix) (zshare) Kylie Minogue - Wow (CSS Remix) (ysi) Christmas tip: Give this to that boy (perhaps he'll like MSTRKRFT 's version more) you like that is just WOW! YOWZA! WHOPPEE-DING-DANG-DOO!

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UK TV Declares New Kylie Minogue Video Too Dangerous
about 1 year ago

The new video for Kylie Minogue's "Wow" could increase your heart rate and excite your senses, but television watchdogs are worried it will have a more harmful effect if consumed. The video has been banned from British television due to strobing light levels that exceed the official guidelines. The rainbow colored disco lighting in the retro/futuristic alien bar could put you into a trance yo...

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World Premiere Of Kylie Minogue Video, Now Online
about 1 year ago

I love that Kylie Minogue reinvents herself with every new video. The video for "In My Arms" is no exception, check it out:Kylie Minogue - In My Arms [New]Uploaded by wonderful-life1989

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Kylie Minogue Premieres 2 New Videos This Week - "Wow" & "In My Arms"
about 1 year ago

Wow! Kylie Minogue did it again! Just yesterday I posted a brand new video for the aussie lass' song "In My Arms" and today she premiered another new video, this time for "Wow". Both songs are from her most recent album X. Here are both videos in one place:kylie minogue - Wow [new]Uploaded by cocomoorKylie Minogue In My ArmsUploaded by Kyliefan2008

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For Trev and Em
about 1 year ago

Southtrack for our two lovers as they look upon the cosmos in slumber.

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The Mysterious, yet beautiful, Night Sky
about 1 year ago
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I'm back. Is Mog growing? Seems like some people have left this place. I mean where's Mr. Gibbard? That's what the majority of us is here for right? No?I enjoy laying on a grass a star-gaze. There is something about the blue sky at night - a greater knowledge that no one can grasp. Even though we continue to advance our knowledge about the universe, it's so infinite, that we can never get close...

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KYLIE: 'X' ALBUM TOUR EDITION!
about 1 year ago

Kylie Minogue is set to release a 'tour edition' of her most recent album, X . The package will include an extra disc of remixes - all of which have already been available before this release.1.2 Hearts (Harris & Masterson Extended Mix)2.2 Hearts (Alan Braxe Remix)3.The One (Freemasons Vocal Club Mix)4.Wow (David Guetta Remix)5.Wow (Css Remix)6.In My Arms (Chris Lake Vocal Mix)7.In My A...

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