New Dream

RARE reissue of NEW DREAM!!!

NEW DREAM is the previously unavailable album from Boy Meets Girl. Never officially released in 1990, a few promotion copies found their way to the internet, where one actually sold for over $700! Now they are pleased to make a limited run available, complete with the four-page booklet.

The title song "New Dream" is a bright and hope-filled vision, and this album takes a decidedly aggressive musical approach. Featuring producers Phil Ramone, Arif Mardin and Joe Mardin (as well as an arrangement of "I Love This World" by Bootsy Collins), this is an exciting collection. Album Description

Bird In Hand.

"New Dream" is the third of four albums by Boy Meets Girl. It was supposed to be released in 1991 according to Boy Meets Girl's website, but for some reason it was shelved. I know why. This isn't their best work. It's a stop-gap between the excellent "Reel Life" (1988) and even better, "The Wonderground" (2003).

The problem with "New Dream" is that it's over-produced. On the website, Shannon Rubicam admits that they went for an even bigger production than "Reel Life". Well, it's nice, but not quite as good. For me, I was not a big fan of the emerging hip-hop trend during that time period which, I think, groups like Bell, Biv and DeVoe were doing along with Guy, Bobby Brown, etc. There are a couple of tracks in that vein on this album which I did not care for. However, like every Boy Meets Girl album, there are some treasures such as the title track, "Bird In Hand", "If Things Were Different", "Be True/Soul Connection" and "Everybody's Somebody's Baby".

Perhaps the record company wanted another "Reel Life" or "Waiting For A Star To Fall" and when they didn't hear that on "New Dream" they might have wanted to shelve the album. Who knows. You know what, though? Shannon and George ought to be special guest judges on "American Idol", and those contestants ought to try performing a Boy Meets Girl song to shake things up a bit from the boring billionth rendition of a Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin or Marvin Gaye song!

Anyway, if you are just checking into Boy Meets Girl start with "Reel Life" and "The Wonderground", then "New Dream" and finally their debut "Boy Meets Girl". March 11, 2005

Superb!

If you're a fan of Boy Meets Girl and their CD Reel Life (with the single "Waiting for a Star to Fall") then this CD is definitely for you. Even if you've never heard of Boy Meets Girl, the writing/singing duo of George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam, and want to hear top notch production values, infectious melodies, and deep lyrics, then don't hesitate, buy this CD as fast as you can.

When I first heard this CD, I said, why did RCA cancel it back in 1990? They probably didn't even listen to it. They had a Billboard top 5 artist and then proceeded to toss them in the garbage. A couple years ago, a copy of the CD which was only released in Germany and Italy, sold on EBay for over $700.00. The CD was very much out of reach to the average fan.

Now thanks to George and Shannon's hard work and persistence, they've been able to convince RCA/BMG special products to allow them to release New Dream directly to fans.

When you hear this album, you'll immediately recognize at least 3 potential top ten hits: "I Love this World" (possibly originally done for Whitney), "If things were different", and "Bird in Hand". The beautiful layering and harmonies on this CD will have you dancing and singing out loud. There is also a very beautiful ballad sung by Shannon (with George's harmonies) called "Boy on Mind" that could have been massive, if it had seen the light of day back in 1990. The title track, New Dream (Move me in the Way of Love) reminds me of the style of "Waiting", and was originally pegged to the the first single. Overall, I give it a perfect rating.


February 14, 2005

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