Her name might not ring a bell, but Kylie Minogue is one of the most substantial pop stars of this generation. On this side of the globe, Kylie never really hit the big time. She surfaced into the billboard kingdom in 1988 with her rehashing of “The Locomotion,” but then vanished into the land of one-hit-wonders.
However, the rest of the world kept listening and watching the ex-soap star develop from popstrel to international diva.
With hits such as “Spinning Around” and “Better The Devil You Know,” Kylie managed to achieve icon status around the world as one of pop’s entrepreneurs.
The Australian dame also maintained an acting career with movies such as “Bio-Dome” and “Street Fighters” and most recently as the green fairy in “Moulin Rouge.”
Stylists changes
The ’90s were a tumultuous time for her. After many critics deemed her as a shallow manufactured label bunny with no artistic talent, Kylie released a dark alterna-pop album “Impossible Princess” with the help of the Britrock trio Manic Street Preachers.
Kylie confused her mainstream fans resulting in a weak reception of songs such as the dry “Some Kind Of Bliss” and the schizophrenic “Did It Again.”
After taking a well-deserved break, Pop-Kylie was resurrected with arguably one of the best pop releases of the decade ? “Light Years” ? an album that managed to put Kylie back on the top spot with hits such as “On A Night Like This,” “Your Disco Needs You” and the duet with British heartthrob Robbie Williams, “Kids.”
Kylie is a household name on an international scale ? however, she has yet to break into the United States market.
Although Kylie has eight best-selling albums under her belt and many sold-out stadium tours, she is only now resurfacing in the United States charts with her latest release ? mainly due to the fact that the first single off the album “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head” is a catchy club tune that is hard to ignore.
Before the fame of the song, Kylie was only appreciated in gay circuits in the United States.
“Fever” is a dance album from start to finish, with no odd pop balladry or attempts at depth. It starts out with the sexually charged “More More More,” which sets the stomping mood.
What makes Kylie a pioneer is her unashamed approach at making manufactured pop music. While other pop artists work hard at distancing themselves from bubblegum pop, Kylie is proud of her showpony appeal.
This is demonstrated throughout “Fever” with tracks such as “Dancefloor” and the Daft-Punk meets M.O.R. Radio “Love At First Sight.”
Nu-genres
Kylie’s musical genre is basically the nu-disco, dance tunes that have undergone the growth of technology. The clearest indication of that are “Come Into My World” and the stifling “Fragile.”
The second UK single release from “Fever” ? “In Your Eyes” ? A futuristic pre-clubbing number that makes you want to gather a bunch of your buddies and go bar-hopping.
The highlight of the album comes at the end. “Love Affair” is nostalgic of the permed Kylie and “Your Love” has a pleasant pop chorus and Spanish guitar in the background. However, “Burning Up” steals the spotlight with it’s up-and-down-again tempo and the strobe light feel.
The U.S. release also includes two bonus tracks ? “Boy” and “Butterfly” ? a song previously on “Light Years,” but was included mainly because the remix made its way to American clubland last fall.
Whether Kylie survives America’s strict musical boundaries or disappears with the over-gushing of pop is the question. However, regardless of the outcome, Kylie will always be around internationally releasing songs that will keep every booty a-shaking.
Al-Qatami can be reached at nalqatami@campustimes.org.
