Cyndi Lauper
Sisters Of Avalon

THE REVIEW

In '97, this CD was released, the fourth following "She's So Unusual" ('83), "True Colors" ('86), "A Night to Remember" ('89), and "Hat full of Stars" ('93). Cyndi insisted on creating more personal work, tired of the stereotype of the crazy multicolored rebel.

The CD focuses on the female world: it is inspired by Zimmer's fantasy novel and co-produced with a woman, keyboardist Jan Pulsford, telling stories of women. The title track speaks of female creative power, with references ranging from the novel "The Mists of Avalon" to more New Age visions. With a very rock sound, Cyndi showcases her incredible vocal range. "Ballad of Cleo and Joe": a dance rhythm with bass, drums, percussion, and violin incursions in the "Appalachian Mountains" style and a gypsy-like singing alternating with nearly funky spoken word, is dedicated to a day laborer who transforms into a beautiful drag queen by night (a dedication Cyndi wanted to make to a part of her supporters for whom she is active in campaigns for their social rights). "Fall into your dreams" is one of the gems of the CD, a slow and intense track dedicated to motherhood, so well written and performed that it becomes moving when you think that Cyndi wrote it when she no longer hoped to become a mother.

You wake up from the lullaby with the single "You don't Know", a rock track reminiscent of R.E.M. The track is a crescendo of electric guitars played by Nigel Pulsford of Bush and the dulcimer (an ancient string instrument) played by Cyndi, sung superbly, effortlessly transitioning from lower to higher tones with great skill and emotion. The lyrics are a critique of the homogenization of thought and tastes of our era. Energy turns into anger in the harsh "Love to Hate", the most furious and "metal" song by Lauper, venting against the vampires of the music industry. The relentless drumming and distorted guitars (again by Bush's guitarist) clash with a vocal style between punk and heavy!!! The atmosphere calms down with the acoustic "Hot gets a Little Cold", which melancholically talks about the end of a relationship. "Unhook the stars" is a Far West waltz! with a slow and rhythmic progression, a great section of horns and brass, ancient instruments, and an "Old America" vocal style. "Searching" is instead an experimental track where drum machines, loops, and samplers create a hypnotic and mysterious atmosphere.

Cyndi sings sensually. "Say a Prayer" is in the cool jazz style and speech-word, dedicated to many friends who were victims of AIDS. "Mother" is the most ethnic song on the CD, and the symbiosis with Mother Earth is founded on beautiful percussion, pan flutes, and a Japanese banjo. The lyrics are pure poetry, recited as if emerging from a shell! The penultimate track is my favorite: "Fearless", it sounds like a historical relic from the Celts, almost like a prayer. The initial rain gives way to a drum, the dulcimer, and the fear of losing the loved one alternates with mutual trust.

The CD ends with "Brimstone & Fire", a cheerful polka with trumpets, violins, and retro choruses that tells the story of the meeting and love between two women.