Aphrodite [CD]

Firstly, you will notice that for a few bitter people they will be the first to take shots at Kylie Minogue. No matter what she does it's just not good enough. Which brings me to this incredible album that is "Aphrodite" which celebrates the true essence of Kylie. Unashamed hands in the air dance pop, which revisits the 6 million selling forumla of "Fever", but with more than a nod to her Stock Aitken Waterman days. Despite the few catty comments, they pale in comparison to the dominant force of strong reviews, that clearly see this album for what it is.

Alot of thought and planning went into this track listing to make sure it wasn't the mess that was "X". Tracks were recorded with top producers RedOne, Fernando Garibay, Greg Kurstin which didn't make the cut, however tracks done with Xenomania have made the cut on the digital release ("Mighty Rivers") and Japanese CD ("Heartstrings"). Thankfully Stuart Price came on board at the right time, to choos what he, Kylie and label considered the best tracks and delivered the final result.

And they've done it!!
Here is a breakdown track by track:

All The Lovers
Weird choice for the first single, but after a few listens it's clearly a Kylie classic. Bassline is a little bit Moroder, lush chords and a thumping dance beat when the chorus hits. A No 3 hit in the UK, and Top 10 in several European countries, so it seems people get it.

Get Out Of My Way
Insanely instant unlike "All The Lovers" and the 2nd single. Key change in the chorus hits you like a steam train and you're singing along very quickly. True pop dance Kylie at her best.

Put Your Hands Up (If You Feel Love)
Another instantly infectious signature Kylie song. I would imagine this is a strong contender for a single, another thumping dance anthem for Kylie.

Closer
Not the same "Closer" from 1991 (b side to "Finer Feelings". This song is a masterpiece. It is still a dance track with a very strong European flavour, a touch of Abba, a touch dark, even Pet Shop Boys comes to mind. Only criticism is that it's too short.

Everything Is Beautiful
The album's first mid-tempo song and is so melodic. Another amazingly catchy chorus and the sole collaboration with Tim Rice-Oxley from Keane. Kylie's voice is great on this.

Aphrodite
Get ready for this one. Full of attitude and a powerhouse vocal from Kylie.
A dance track with a slightly rocky edge. A highlight, and can see everyone from handbag housewives to drag queens miming or singing this at the top of their lungs.

Illusion
The first of 3 Kylie co-writes. People have knocked her for not doing much writing on this album, but I would rather 3 songs with her and mimimal co-writers than her name being one of 5 or 6 writers. Then you know the tracks are alot more of Kylie's work. Nobody other than Kylie could write these lyrics, she has her own style and it works on this slower track, a little bit like "Fever", her title track from the album of the same name. So catchy, and 80s bleeps and chor changes everywhere.

Better Than Today
Leo Sayer meets Scissor Sisters, it's like 1978 meets 2010. It's slow funky disco with some great synths in the chorus, and was one of the first tracks recorded for this album. It gets stuck in your head.

Too Much
The BPMs are back at full speed now, on this collaboration with Jake Shears and Calvin Harris. It's frantic, busy and has an early 90s funky house pop influence in a modern day dance track. The 2nd Kylie co-write.

Cupid Boy
Great guitar driven bass, along a dance drum track, and is one of only few songs where Kylie uses her much higher girly voice. Great verses, if I had to choose a least favourite album track this would be it, but it's hard as it's still great.

Looking For An Angel
Kylie's final co-write and 2nd with Stuart Price (the other being "Illusion"). Smooth dance pop with a mild 80s vibe. You can hear early Madonna or even early 80s Michael Jackson in the verse melody.

Can't Beat The Feeling
And the album ends on an energetic uplifting dance anthem that Stock Aitken Waterman would be very proud to have written. Hope this is a single, and a a great way to end a great album.

This album is excellent from start to finish, and I've listened to nothing else for a week. The last Kylie album I did that with was the 1995 debut album with DeConstruction.

Her vocals are alot stronger on this than the girly higher vocals on her last couple of albums (with a 1 or 2 exceptions).

It's nothing more nothing less than great catchy dance pop, which only Kylie does best. If you still think that isn't good enough, maybe find something else to invest your time on, instead of telling the world how much you hate this.

This album is faultless. If pure pop perfection is what you are looking for, then look no further. All the killer singles are here along with some amazing album tracks. Highlights for me include Closer, Aphrodite, Cupid Boy, Too Much and Can't Beat The Feeling. Basically the whole album is amazing! Just buy it! Especially at this price!!!

This is by far the best Kylie album in years and as good as Light Years and Fever. The Calvin Harris and Scissor Sisters co-writeen tracks are amazing and Get Outta My Way will be a fantastic second single. It is a really up tempo album and gels together much better than X. Kylie should never need a come back album but if she does, this is it. I can't wait for the supporting tour!!!