Bananarama - Drama

Bananarama makes an enjoyable return to form with this hypnotic blend of dance floor-friendly hi-NRG and cool electronica. With their ninth studio album (their fourth as a duo with original members Keren Woodward and Sara Dallin), the 'Nana's come back to doing what they do best: moving the body while releasing the mind. The album opens with two international dance floor hits: the Kylie-esque "Move In My Direction" and the brilliant "Look on The Floor." The tracks continue to flow seamlessly from one energetic punch to another from there. Halfway through , the breezy charmer "Middle of Nowhere" surprises before switching back into break-out-the-glow-sticks mode with "I Love The Way." Dallin and Woodward have continued as a duo meeting with mixed success, but Drama marks a very welcome return as the girls seem to have all of the essentials in place: glossy production, breathless harmonies, and infectious hooks, all served with a splash of cheeky fabulousness. --Matt Wold Amazon.com

Outstanding bananas!

I really like the direction the girls have taken since Ultra Violet. There are a lot of driving beats and memorable songs on this CD. It's an absolute must for fans and also should be purchased by anyone who likes club music and remembers Bananarama from probably only Cruel Summer and Venus. It's sad that so many people have not kept up with them because they have REALLY been putting out some quality music over the last 19 years since the pop-ridden WOW days. If you haven't listened to Bananarama since you were in high school, you owe it to yourself to pick this up. Then go back and get the other 4! Keep them coming Sarah and Keren!!!! August 2, 2007

A Solid Comeback..... well, sort-of !?!

I'm proud to say I've been a solid 'Nana fan since taking a chance and purchasing a vinyl 12-inch called Really Saying Something while going through the racks at Rhino, in Los Angeles, way back in '82. And while I'm as thrilled as the next Bananarama-fanatic that 'they're back', I must also be honest. And honestly, the girls still seem to be missing something, and that something is a London-divorcee named Siobhan Fahey.

Siobhan was the critical voice in Bananarama, the one who fought against the overly-slick excesses of Stock-Aitken-Waterman back in the WOW! days, the one whose idea it was to cover Venus, and (I've heard) was also the one whose voice was the 'weakest' of the three. Regardless of any vocal limitations, Siobhan's critical ear is needed on this release. Unfortunately, there's just too much filler - a problem harkening back to the True Confessions album, and a common one among Pop recordings. "Move in My Direction" is excellent, and "Look On the Floor" is actually BRILLIANT! But with the plethora of remixed recordings available for those two (British) chart hits, it seems as though even more scrutiny is brought to the other tracks on the album, and unfortunately, IMHO, they're rather weak. I realize that this assessment of DRAMA may anger some of my fellow Bananarama-diehards, but I would humbly ask them to look at ANY of the three Shakespear's Sister releases and identify ONE SONG that's weak, or 'filler'... it can't be done. And even the 1999 cover of "Waterloo", which reunited the three original girls to the delight of many, had SOME REAL MEAT TO IT, something to stick your teeth into (musically, of course)... To put it plainly, Siobhan is pure musical integrity - and that's precisely what Keren & Sarah are (sadly) still missing as a duo.

So, you might ask, why the 4-stars? The answer comes from the musical heart, not the musical brain, I suppose. I'm just too soft-hearted when it comes to these girls who created a musical dynasty and for a time, held the Guinness-Book world record as most-selling female group in the world, at the time surplanting the Supremes (!) They were so cool because you could tell they just didn't really give a damn or take themselves seriously at all, what with their gimpy dance-moves, 'PC before it was cool to be PC' song topics (Robt DeNiro's, Rough Justice, Hooked on Love) and their antics at the video taping of the Band Aid classic "Do They Know It's Christmas?", where they stood in the back, next to Jody Watley and behind the big blow-hard soloists like LeBon, Bono, etc. That was the essence of Bananarama, and what intially caught the eye of such luminaries of the time as Sex Pistol's Paul Cook and Specials/FB3's Terry Hall. BESIDES, even a (somewhat) weak Bananarama album is still much much stronger than any of the American crap that's out there, including Britney, Christina, whatsisface from N-Sync and every American Idol winner/contestant except for Fantasia!

Anyway, I say: if you're a fan of either Bananarama or the Euro-Disco genre, BUT IT! Otherwise, DEFINITELY get your hands on the "Look On the Floor" 12-inch mixes. And take a chance on the missing third 'Nana-er, and BUY SIOBHAN'S ELECTRONICA RELEASES! She's been causing quite a stir in the UK, DJ-ing and releasing INCREDIBLE stuff like "Bad Blood" (available on Amazon), "Pulsatron" and my fav, "Bitter Pill". TRIVIA NOTE: "Bitter Pill" is a track which Siobhan wrote, recorded, and then later sold to the Pussycat Dolls who spliced in a Donna Summer"Hot Stuff" chorus, changed the track's title, and had a major worldwide hit with it (congrats, Shuv). So, the Pussycat Dolls (vapid talentless mannequins) have ahit with it and la Shuv & Bananarama can't bust upper-echelon of Billboard's Hot 200? America, what the hell is going on? July 22, 2007

Should have been their Shining Moment in the new millennium

I was anxious to hear an astounding modern yet retro dance disc from one of my favorite girl groups of the 80s. Unfortunately, instead of picking up on the latest influence of 80s music in dance music, what we get here is predominantly disco flavored tracks that sound painfully dated, with some Latin tones now and then. The only semi retro/electro tracks on here (and my favorites) are Feel For You, Love Bite, Your Love is Like a Drug, and Marc Almond's remix of Venus. The two lead singles "Move in My Direction" and "Look on the Floor" are not even the strongest tracks! And the remixes on their singles don't make them much better.

I appreciate the commercial direction the girls have taken, but you can still sound mainstream while being more sophisticated than this. Take a listen to the new Madonna or even the Kelly Osbourne(!) to hear some infectious melodies with an 80s flair that don't melt down into total cheese. Unfortunately, I just don't see US radio embracing any of the sounds on this disc.

But of course, fans of Bananarama should still add this one to their collection. It's listenable, if not up to today's standards. March 9, 2007

Brilliant

This is a tremendous effort by Bananarama, perhaps their best yet. Every single track is good, and nearly half the album is outstanding material. This provides a bridge between the old and new Bananarama, and each and every one of these songs could be remixed into a club smash. If DJ's in the US ignore this release they are just stupid...but then again...anyway, if you are tired of the endless parade of mindless hip-hop drivel, then buy this CD and check it out. It is way better than anything on the radio across the United States. In any genre of music, period. People need to open their minds and ears as Bananarama shows the younger musical acts out there what the term FULL-LENGTH ALBUM means. EVERY SONG IS GOOD. Whether you like old Bananarama or dance-pop electronica in general, your collection is basically empty without this CD. That is how good it is. January 13, 2007

THEY'RE BACK, ALIVE AND KICKING!!!

Too many words are poverty, as they say in Greece. This is one of the best come-backs you'll come across. A pop-dance cd that will surely get your spirits high. "Look on the floor" and you'll find yourself dancing with the girls from "Venus". September 27, 2006

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