Kimberley Locke, in a nutshell, is very brilliant indeed. She was my standout contestant from the last proper American Idol season I watched (year 2) and hasn't disappointed me since. So I was delighted to learn that she would be putting some feisty new music out preceeding a no doubt magnificent album from her. Strobelight is a glittering, thrilling disco extravaganza drenched in retro rhythms, a percolating beat and a super chorus that dances like the sunlight on a rippling river. It takes you back to a time when satin shorts and roller skates were the norm at the disco rink - in fact it may be the most 70s infused track since the glorious Step Back In Time by Kylie of Minogue. While to me it sounds completely heavenly in it's original radio mix, you may like something a bit more up to date, and for those people there are a whole plethora of rocking remixes available on iTunes. Kimberley's done well in the past with dance remixes of her songs, so concentrating on the uptempo is no doubt a wise career move - yet when done in such an engaging manner, it doesn't feel like a career move at all. Just lovely aural popcorn...
Best of the past:
8th World Wonder (from One Love) ~ one of the most uplifting pop songs ever to come from an idol alumni. Totally sterling from start to finish, it set out Kimberley's stall as an artist who wanted classic pop tunes rather than bowing to current trends or fads...
Fall (from Based On A True Story) ~ not only a stirring, emotive, deliciously heartbreakingly delivered ballad, but in it's rather good Bimbo Jones mix, a thumping dance anthem as well! Peter Cox of Go West fame has just recorded this for his latest solo album, fact fans...
We Need A Little Christmas (from Christmas) ~ Everything about Kimberley's Christmas project was so timeless and classic that it was perfect listening for just about every holiday season since it's release. This track from Mame was the icing on the christmas cake, the angel on the top of the tree :)
I'm a HUUUUUUGE fan of "Wrong" from her debut album... amazing song, that is! I do need to check out her other albums though, as I stopped with her debut and I'm not sure why as I loooooove her voice!
Adam - you need to go back into her second album and check out some of the gems there. especially the remixes that were available. she is aces.
Larry - i love that you and Adam both love Wrong. There is something so right about that :)
D'Luv - well at least i bet it was service with a smile you cheeky young thing!!
Glosster! - hurrah! I played them back to back on the way to work today (followed by On A Mission) and it was the best 10 minutes ever. Well not ever but it was good :)
The song has really grown on me the past few weeks, loving it now - and loving your use of extravaganza! Very RuPaul's Drag Race (start your engines!!)
Aaron - i believe there is an album coming and if Strobelight is anything to go by it will be magnificent :)
Ben - Ha, nice RuPaul reference! And also yes, I knew i had referenced another discotrashtic modern hit recently but couldn't for the life of me think what it was. It was this!!
I'm a HUUUUUUGE fan of "Wrong" from her debut album... amazing song, that is! I do need to check out her other albums though, as I stopped with her debut and I'm not sure why as I loooooove her voice!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely adore La Locke. That first solo about is golden. I love the song "Wrong" from that set.
ReplyDeleteThat gal and sing her butt off.
Btw, I love your take on "Strobelight" and "Fall."
Kimberley Locke served me two tacos at a truck stop in Barstow recently, I think. At least she's working...
ReplyDeletelove the step back in time comment...so true..kudos.
ReplyDeleteAdam - you need to go back into her second album and check out some of the gems there. especially the remixes that were available. she is aces.
ReplyDeleteLarry - i love that you and Adam both love Wrong. There is something so right about that :)
D'Luv - well at least i bet it was service with a smile you cheeky young thing!!
Glosster! - hurrah! I played them back to back on the way to work today (followed by On A Mission) and it was the best 10 minutes ever. Well not ever but it was good :)
Ooh - Sounds great! Bring on a new album!
ReplyDeleteThe song has really grown on me the past few weeks, loving it now - and loving your use of extravaganza! Very RuPaul's Drag Race (start your engines!!)
ReplyDeletePS - i vaguely remember you proclaiming This Is Disco by Magnus Carlsson on a par with Step Back In Time. Are they all in that pantheon now :)
ReplyDeleteAaron - i believe there is an album coming and if Strobelight is anything to go by it will be magnificent :)
ReplyDeleteBen - Ha, nice RuPaul reference! And also yes, I knew i had referenced another discotrashtic modern hit recently but couldn't for the life of me think what it was. It was this!!