I don't want to listen to anymore Elton John right now, so instead, I'm flipping back over to an artist I want to like more than I do, Falco.
Growing up, one of the cassettes which my brother, sister and I played frequently was Falco 3. For me, it was my first introduction to how the radio can play one version, while the album contains another. Still, these versions grew on me, and as a whole, it became one of my favorite albums.
Beyond that, Falco never really came back around for me. I never had an interest in any of his prior, or future albums. You know, kind of like everyone else outside of his native country. That is, until I started curating my massive CD collection. Even then, I didn't dive headlong in. Instead, I picked up his debut, Einzelhaft, for Der Kommissar. As a whole, it didn't resonate with me.
Taking to Youtube, 1988's Wiener Blut also made its way to my collection after hearing a few songs, and these tracks have become part of my steady rotation on my shuffle list. However, his other two 80's albums, Junge Roemer (1984), and Emotional (1986), didn't offer anything that left me chomping at the bit to grab them.
Fast forward several years later, and I would finally return back to the aforementioned missing releases. Mind you, this wasn't out of a sudden desire for the material itself, but rather to check that box I so often like to tick off - Owning every 80's album from the artist in question.
This all leads us to today's Retro Spin.
Emotional is the follow-up to Falco 3, and one which I felt would have to be the best. I mean, it's right at the pique of the singer's popularity, and produced by the same team. It has to be as equally amazing, right?
Well...
The title track launches everything off, and immediately let me unimpressed. You can't start an album with a ballad. I've said this before, and I'll always say it. Your opening track should be high energy, impactful, and grab the listener. You then work through a couple more tracks, gradually drifting into your ballad, if you have to, and then bring it back up to end on a high note. It's a roller coaster ride, and one which should feature the same thrills of up and down.
Things picked up with songs two and three, before getting into a very period locked Cowboyz And Indianz, which was all about Russia and the USA tensions from that time in history. Ironic how it's once again valid.
Coming Home (Jeanny Part II, One Year Later), serves as a sequel to the highly popular, Jeanny, from Falco 3. However, it's inferior as a follow-up, and frankly leaves me wanting to instead just put on the "original".
Letting the album play out, I wouldn't say I necessarily hated it. In fact, that would be too harsh of an assessment. It just kind of disappointed. I was really expecting to hear a hidden gem. The massive follow up to Falco 3 that it was supposed to be. Instead, I got mediocracy. No hits. Nothing that left me saying, "Let me play that again." Hearing it, I can fully understand why Falco quickly faded out of popularity in the USA. What a pity.
To circle back to my opening paragraph, I really want to like Falco more than I do. Mainly, because I really love 3. I know he has the ability to deliver the hits. Emotional just doesn't have them.
Click "HERE" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.
Disclaimer: They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or distribution. |
| THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS June 8, 1985 |
No comments:
Post a Comment