Review Summary: 4 Butkuiss
What does it mean to Shine? How does one determine if they do in fact shine? Is it a mental ability used by Danny and Jack? Is it the ability to walk into a room and have everyone stare at you like you radiate like the sun? I do not have this answer I can only speculate. But you can give your life, you can lose your soul, you can bang your head or drown in a hole, but you can shine still. Shine on, like that one Pink Floyd song said.
Vanessa Amorosi is an Australian Pop artist who rocked the airwaves in 2000 with two stunning pop hits. ‘Shine’ and ‘Absolutely Everybody’ were sung by everyone my age at their awkward blue light discos. Looking at the opposite sex and thinking ‘Are we meant to
like them?’ If you are unfamiliar with either of these songs, well I feel for you and the lack of Vanessa in your childhood.
Running through the album today, 24 years later I am filled with nostalgia and a feeling of hope I had not felt since those days. When I was young, music was simple, fun and had a positive outlook. Now, I surround myself with sad boi music cause life does that to you, so it was nice to reminisce on a time when life was easier, and Vanessa’s voice brought that all back.
‘Have a Look’ stands out as another pop classic. It rings of ‘Freedom’ by the legend G Michael and her voice is powerful and positive throughout. Positive is a big theme here, one that can come across as disingenuous, but Vanessa means it. She has credit on all tracks written so she is really putting herself into the music and her vocal talent excels and lifts what could be seen as
generic pop.
‘Every time I Close my Eyes’ will tug on your heart strings, if it does not then your heart strings are out of tune. ‘The Power’ brings the
power with an uplifting beat and Vanessa’s powerful voice carrying across a beautiful message despite the religious undertones.
Pop music of this time was special. It was a rare mix of positivity, dance beats and powerful vocal performances. Pop to me has fallen to the wayside and genuine performers like Vanessa are a thing of the past. Maybe one day, Absolutely Everybody will shine just like Vanessa did here.
