Sheena's GUILTY PLEASURES...

[Sheena]

Or 100 Albums I shouldn't own but DO and LOVE

Coming NEXT

[Beverley]

Oooh MOST EXCITING.

[Sheena]

This thread will range from the SPECTACULARLY RUBBISH to the actually quite good but the fans don't like it to the WHAT THE FUCK IS IT THAT ?

Some of it will be stuff Moopy people like, some of it won't. Either way, Im going to HAVE FUN COMPILING

[Sheena]

A nice easy one to begin with...



Madonna- Bedtime Stories

Derided by her fans and almost universally panned by the critics, this is far from Madge's strongest work, but for some reason, in the last few years, it has become de rigeur to slag off "Bedtime Stories" and see it as her worst album. This is also far from the truth. Though its motives were obvious, a blatant attempt to reposition Madonna with a softer, adult orientated image after the cold shock of "Erotica", the music inside is far from being so. A varied bag, leaning heavily on the R&B influences of the day, it misfires only twice, with the dreadful "Don't Stop" (sample lyric- "Let the music shake you, let the rhythm take you, feel it in your body, sing la dee da dee...) proving that she did dance anthems so much better 10 years earlier and the fan-dividing "Inside Of Me" proving that Like A Prayer's "Promise To Try" should have been quite enough songs about her mother.

But scratch beyond the surface and there is some wonderfully inventive (and warm- something she isn't often accused of) pop music inside. The Bjork penned "Bedtime Story" suffers only from being too ahead of its time, the mystic lyrics of "Sanctuary" coax the listener into another world and the heartbreak of "Love Tried To Welcome Me" moves every time. The two Babyface penned tracks, the sensual "Forbidden Love" and the behemoth (in the US at least) that was "Take A Bow", fit perfectly and you can see why she wanted to record a whole album with him.

Far from being a megaflop, it remains one of the best "unloved" albums I own and has dated so well, it should be atop many of your "to do" lists.

[Sheena]

Debbie Gibson- Out Of The Blue

The late 80s were a rum old time. Acid house and stadium rock abounded and SAW were turning the charts into a mockery with their cheap Hi-NRG blueprint. And then from the US came news of two teenage wonders conquering their charts. Tiffany came, conquered the UK but never my heart. Debbie on the other hand, was one of the highlight's of a dismal, Madge-free 1988.

"Out of The Blue" is a great little pop album. Lest we forget, the talented prodigy herself co-wrote the entire thing, and also lent a hand in producing- take THAT, Tiff. The music inside is throwaway enough, yes, but sheer joie de vivre carries it through- its difficult not to smile (or laugh !) at "Shake Your Love" or the title track. But it doesn't stop at the singles- "Fallen Angel", "Red Hot" and "Between The Lines" proving she could cut it for a whole album. And then there was "Foolish Beat". Her biggest single really, this power ballad gave Debbie the record for being the youngest person to produce, write and perform a US #1 completely solo. And its worthwhile- aged badly now, it remains nevertheless a gorgeous little ode to love lost.

And what of her now ? Do you know, I don't care, not someone I want to see return in a Sinitta- Bananarama style fashion and Im sure is best left in the 80s, just the occasional dig in my cd collection to remember what fun she was.

[rural juror]

I often go back to Bedtime stories but it just doesn't work for me, One or teo on there I genuinely LOVE but theres too much bland insipid R&B lite shite for my liking

[rural juror]

Oh and i LOVED the Debbie album, only in my dreams possibly my favourite on the album, though not listened in an age, one of the first CD's I ever bought I think

[Sheena]

Geri Halliwell- Schizophonic

I REALLY hate admitting this. Particularly as the second and third albums were so ABOMINABLY bad, but Geri Halliwell's debut album is perhaps the best Spice Girls solo album. Yes it's true, she has a voice that could grate carrots and at times this album is like being smacked over the head with a "OOOH ISNT IT GAY" mallet, but when she gets it right, this really soars.

"Mi Chico Latino" will always suffer from comparison to "La Isla Bonita", which it obviously apes/ plagiarises/ whatever you want to call it, but its the highlight here but there is also much to be praised in its preceding single. "Look At Me" is a glorious and often RIDICULOUS romp through various musical styles that really shouldn't work (the Shirley Bassey impression ? Oh come on....) but does so magnificently. "Bag It Up" may have been the final single but it could have been the first its that strong a disco romp.

The ballads may sag a little (Oddly, "Lift Me Up" is the one that annoys me most these days) and it is far from being a "great" album, but when in the mood, a quick blast in the car will cure any ill. Now this really IS a guilty pleasure- Im ashamed. So very ashamed...

[Jimmy]

That was a very good album title.

[rural juror]

3/3

I've always had a liking for you're in a bubble and Let me love you is FANTASTIC

[Beverley]

I'm the HUGEST fan EVER of Bedtime Stories, probably third to ROL and LAP for me.- I love it THAT much.

Also, Schizo is a spice favourite for me. The subsequent solo stuff was FAR worse than what she produced on the first album. And bar Northern Star, its probably the best solo spice album.

[Robbie]

Debbie Gibson- Out Of The Blue

The late 80s were a rum old time. Acid house and stadium rock abounded and SAW were turning the charts into a mockery with their cheap Hi-NRG blueprint. And then from the US came news of two teenage wonders conquering their charts. Tiffany came, conquered the UK but never my heart. Debbie on the other hand, was one of the highlight's of a dismal, Madge-free 1988.

"Out of The Blue" is a great little pop album. Lest we forget, the talented prodigy herself co-wrote the entire thing, and also lent a hand in producing- take THAT, Tiff. The music inside is throwaway enough, yes, but sheer joie de vivre carries it through- its difficult not to smile (or laugh !) at "Shake Your Love" or the title track. But it doesn't stop at the singles- "Fallen Angel", "Red Hot" and "Between The Lines" proving she could cut it for a whole album. And then there was "Foolish Beat". Her biggest single really, this power ballad gave Debbie the record for being the youngest person to produce, write and perform a US #1 completely solo. And its worthwhile- aged badly now, it remains nevertheless a gorgeous little ode to love lost.

And what of her now ? Do you know, I don't care, not someone I want to see return in a Sinitta- Bananarama style fashion and Im sure is best left in the 80s, just the occasional dig in my cd collection to remember what fun she was.

It's a good job NM isn't here - he'd tell you how much he had the hots for Debbie Gibson. Mind you, so did I, but I didn't place ALL her singles at #1 on my chart...

And I used to have the "Foolish Beat" single, it was a lovely song...

[funky]

BEDTIME STORIES SHOULD NOT BE IN THIS THREAD

GET OUT

[rural juror]

My favourite Debbie Song overall could well be 'we could be together' though, off Electric youth

[Halli]

Good review of Schizo.

Passion was weak, but having 'Love Never Loved Me' 'Ride It' and 'Let Me Love You More' on saved it for me

[Frozen]

Is Donna going to make an appearance?

[Sheena]

BEDTIME STORIES SHOULD NOT BE IN THIS THREAD

GET OUT

It should and shouldnt. I actually dont feel guilty about it, but you do get MOANED at by the LOONS if you profess LOVING IT

[Sheena]

Is Donna going to make an appearance?

STOP TRYING TO GUESS

But I doubt it- nothing guilty about ANY of her stuff...

[Sheena]

My favourite Debbie Song overall could well be 'we could be together' though, off Electric youth

Its most CERTAINLY mine...

[Apocalypt_flyer]

I'd say the second Daniel Bedingfield album is rather likely to appear

[Frozen]

Speaking of Debbie, I really should get "Electric Youth" on cd. One of my fave albums growing up and my cassette copy is long gone

[rural juror]

Its most CERTAINLY mine...

The campfire mix just ADDING to the appeal

[rural juror]

Speaking of Debbie, I really should get "Electric Youth" on cd. One of my fave albums growing up and my cassette copy is long gone

I see it surprisingly often in charity shops

[Frozen]

But I doubt it- nothing guilty about ANY of her stuff...

Not even this?

[Sheena]

"Electric Youth" is good, but patchy compared to the first album to be honest

AND PLEASE stop guessing. I hate it as it ruins the whole FUN of it

[Frozen]

Sorry!

Hmm secondspin have both OOTB and EY, am well tempted!

[Raucous Bitch]

I love Bedtime Stories!

[Pemel]

Ooooo, I love Debbie, the ORIGINAL Britney, only without the baby scandals (and I'm NOT talking about "Baby, one more time").

[funky]

It should and shouldnt. I actually dont feel guilty about it, but you do get MOANED at by the LOONS if you profess LOVING IT

I know

[Loufoque]

BEDTIME STORIES SHOULD NOT BE IN THIS THREAD

GET OUT

I know - it's fucking SHIT

ROLL ON MIMI

[Pipo]

I know - it's fucking SHIT

ROLL ON MIMI

I thought Glitter was more of a guilty pleasure of yours

[chocolat]

Madonna- Bedtime Stories

Derided by her fans and almost universally panned by the critics, this is far from Madge's strongest work, but for some reason, in the last few years, it has become de rigeur to slag off "Bedtime Stories" and see it as her worst album.

I'm also guilty of doing this, playing it a while ago made me realise it's a decent album bar "Don't Stop" I like or love everything else! How one song can cloud a memory of a good album! I had the same problem with the "American Life" ballads which I used to dislike.

[chocolat]

Also, Schizo is a spice favourite for me. The subsequent solo stuff was FAR worse than what she produced on the first album.

I agree, "Schizophonic" was a complete pop album that hit the right buttons. I like every single song on it and I have a huge soft spot for "Goodnight Kiss". She shouldn't have done *that* long "Look at me I can SING!" note in "Look At Me" though

[octophone]

Geri Halliwell- Schizophonic

Im ashamed. So very ashamed...

So you bastard well should be! Just awful. "You're In A Bubble" is one of the 10 worst recordings ever made by anyone ever.

[VoR]

So you bastard well should be! Just awful. "You're In A Bubble" is one of the 10 worst recordings ever made by anyone ever.

Clearly you've never heard 'Heaven & Hell (Being Geri Halliwell)"

[Loufoque]

You're In A Bubble is HORRIBLE

NARTHITHITIC
NATHITHITIC

[David_5000]

I much preferred 'Scream I You Wanna Go Faster' to 'Schizophonic'.

[octophone]

Clearly you've never heard 'Heaven & Hell (Being Geri Halliwell)"

Correct. Let's KEEP it that way....

[Jimmy]

MORE PLEASE.

[Sheena]

There will be- just a bit BUSY this morning to be able to concentrate QUITE ENOUGH