Yet another change of direction for the American singer of Italian origins, which initially puzzled many of her most devoted listeners but over time seems to have proven to be a good choice to refresh her image and showcase her talent and versatility as always in her work. She has chosen to take us to the limit as the title suggests... daring to go beyond her standards.

After decades of excellent rock and pop, with classic songs (from the '40s to the '70s) revisited in a personal and creative way ("At last" 2003) and an incursion into American traditional music and blues by reinterpreting her own hits ("The body acoustic" 2006), Cyndi decided to venture into dance using electronics and the collaboration of outstanding European DJs. The wizards in question are Basement Jaxx, Kleerup, Dragonette, Richard Morel, and Digital Dog, who have already worked and remixed for other international artists. The result is a highly danceable CD, well-arranged with two prominent elements atypical for this genre: a precious voice used wisely and profound lyrics. The first singles have already reached number one on the Billboard dance charts, which is incredible since MTV and the major radio and TV stations have boycotted Cyndi for years. Fortunately, there is the club and dance circuit which partly compensates for the obstructionism of these "mafia" figures in the industry. The best tracks on the CD are "Into the nightlife" which I recommend even to those who are not fans of the genre: the chorus gets into your head immediately and it's impossible not to dance. The track is inspired by the nightlife described by Henry Miller, Ferlinghetti, and other beat writers. "Echo" has a rhythm marked by electronic drums and the singing recreates the same cadence, culminating in a Euro-styled chorus à la Robert Myles. The most original, strange, and downright delirious song "Rocking chair" was born from collaboration with Basement Jaxx. A fantasy story based on the memories of an old woman with a turbulent past, with double voices delivered by a nearly unrecognizable Cyndi with a New Orleans accent. The track is syncopated with many changes, bizarre vocalizations, and the most disparate sampled sounds (instead of keyboards it sounds like telegraphs are being played! In the choruses, it seems like you can hear gunshots, chickens, and dogs). "Same old fucking story" with 1970s funky guitar riffs has a phenomenal vocal performance with Cyndi making a nice tribute to Sylvester, angrily railing against the hypocrisy of those who live by double standards when it suits them (indirectly, it's a continuation of Gloria Gaynor's "I will survive"!). "Lay me down" is the darkest song, its circular Royksopp-like rhythm tells of a furtive encounter in the cold and cutting-edge Stockholm. The singing fits perfectly, exploring the lower tones. In "Give it up" Cyndi seems to mimic hip-hop singers over a pounding base with distorted and almost unrecognizable but effective sampled violins. "Set your heart" is Barry White-style dance music passionately sung as always. The other tracks are good but less incisive, "High and mighty" is vaguely techno trip hop with a classical guitar opening and jazzy final vocalizations, "Lyfe" is a reflection on the meaning of life with a blues flavor, "Raging storm" is between lounge and chill-out with distorted double voices and a middle finger to the aforementioned "mafia" with a direct mention primarily to MTV (music is a product like any other and now we are flooded with garbage). "Grab a hold" has an intro for a few seconds identical to Mazinger's theme (listen to believe!) it is a lively and cheerful electropop song lovingly addressed to her audience. The last track is undoubtedly the most beautiful, a ballad worthy of standing alongside "Time after Time" and "True colors": "Rain on me". On a base of electronic drums that has the pace of a steam train, unfolds a singing line with a haunting melody. The keyboards are "icy" and create an enveloping effect. The melody is so beautiful that in live concerts only the sung part is performed again.

Cyndi herself wanted her dance to be a way to bring fun into daily life, a way to distract oneself outside the everyday routine while still telling true, autobiographical stories. The Lauper is always credible and passionate in her performances because she has always believed that art reflects life... life (hers) quite original as can be seen from the red shoes on the cover or her wild outfits in the kitchen at home among disco balls and ceramic gnomes (the photos can be found inside the CD)!

An excellent CD for enlivening parties and tearing up the dance floor!

Tracklist and Videos

01   High and Mighty (04:44)

02   Into the Nightlife (04:01)

03   Rocking Chair (03:39)

04   Echo (03:56)

05   Lyfe (03:39)

06   Same Ol' Story (05:55)

07   Raging Storm (05:24)

08   Lay Me Down (03:29)

09   Give It Up (03:24)

10   Set Your Heart (03:43)

11   Grab a Hold (03:28)

12   Rain on Me (04:27)

13   Got Candy (03:53)

14   Can't Breathe (03:58)

Loading comments  slowly