CD - Cyndi Lauper - Bring Ya To The Brink

Reviews, By danny corvini, 23rd June, 2008

Part Róisín Murphy, part Madonna, part Nelly Furtado – the new album from 1980s Madonna rival Cyndi Lauper shows not only her amazing ability to keep up with current styles, but her ability to challenge herself as a singer.

There are so many strong tracks, some that warrant special mention just because they show Lauper in such a new light. I must say, these are the ones that impacted on me the most. You will almost certainly find others that rock your world even harder if you give this album a shot, and hopefully you will.

Into The Nightlife, which you would have grooved to in a bar by now, is a great high-energy dance track and one that I’d expect from Kylie or Madonna, not from Cyndi. The Basement Jaxx produced Rocking Chair is where the comparisons with Nelly Furtado surface due to its reggae sound and vocal delivery. Then on Lyfe DJ Emz has produced Lauper into the shape of a soulful hip hop artist, and you just have to nod along and agree that yes, she damn well is!

Same ‘Ol Story is likely to be well received on the gay and lesbian dancefloor with its lyrics about a lover with two different sets of rules, who uses people to suit their needs. The lyrics are great on Raging Storm as well with Lauper protesting about clouding your mind with celebrity. But it’s Lay Me Down that is one the album’s strongest, biggest, throbbiest dance tracks. Produced by Digital Dog, it’s got big room stamped all over it and will send a shiver up the spines of those lucky enough to hear it in that setting.

It’s near to the end of the album that Bring Ya To The Brink starts sounding like the Lauper of old. Grab A Hold soars with the sort of melodies that we knew back when Ferris Bueller was still a boy, with a particular mix of sadness and optimism that you could say is recognisable as Lauper’s own. The Lauper feeling is accentuated on the closing track Rain On Me, which might resonate for Time After Time fans as the album’s strongest track.

There is a heady mix of styles on this album, from high energy dance to hip hop and soul and bumping house/electro to the more emotional tunes – all explored truthfully and with class. It’s an unexpected return from Lauper, but one that should produce some equally stunning video clips if enough songs from the album are successful. Move over, Madonna – this is a comeback.

Cyndi Lauper – Bring Ya To The Brink is out now through Sony BMG.

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