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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
At first glance, Culture Club’s DJ-ing Don of Drag Queen Pop seems an unlikely candidate for the "unplugged" treatment of U Can Never Be 2 Straight. But no-one ever suggested that Boy George couldn’t carry a tune and--despite the dance beats and glossy synth textures getting replaced here by acoustic and steel guitars, fiddles and gentle horns--the music is essentially no different to the MOR pop that he and Culture Club are famous for. And that, in the end, is the problem. Opening track "Ich Bin Kunst" ("I Am Art") initially leads us down a different path, being a ludicrously camp romp through Brel/Brecht alt-cabaret territory, complete with George self-dramatising his sexuality and shock value to the point of parody. But it’s a red herring: the rest of the set is dominated by love confessionals (much of it aimed, by suggestion at least, at straight men who don’t know what they want) over innocuous new tunes and reworkings of past solo, Culture Club and Jesus Loves You nuggets. If "Fat Cat"’s bitchy metaphors at least ripple the bland surface, then the rest is predictable and samey--apart from a rehash of old Hare Krishna tribute "Bow Down Mister", which many would suggest should’ve been left where it was. --Garry Mulholland
Review
There's good news for everyone here. For Boy George diehards this album represents the closest yet that our hero has ever come to truly baring his soul in music. For the rest of us it represents possibly the most tasteful, tuneful and delightfully low key return to form by an 80s icon that we've yet to see. While many things spring to mind when George O'Dowd's name crops up - assured synth-pop, DJ sets at Ministry Of Sound, flirtation with religious iconography - it's surely not what you're expecting from this venture into public exorcism. For George has turned acoustic singer-songwriter. And it's no bad thing at all.
The first track "Ich Bin Kunst" (stop sniggering at the back) is no indication of what's to come, with its Brechtian Cabaret vibe and self-deprecating humour concerning the childhood days of the Boy himself. Track 2 gives the game away. "St Christopher" gently swings to a jazzy acoustic guitar and resembles nothing less than prime period Joni Mitchell. This theme of spare, unplugged arrangements continues throughout, allowing George's poignant autobiographical tales to shine in much more honest and relaxed settings. "She Was Never A He" tells the tale of a friend coming to terms with his sexuality in a way that seems far more credible than if he had chosen to set it against a track more reminiscent of a dancefloor filler at the Wag Club in 1981. This is the key. George really is moving on, and by doing so seems to be genuinely developing his skills as a songwriter as well as performer.
The stark accompaniment only betrays him once or twice. Most noticeably on "Julian" where his attempts at 'tortured' push his vocal chords into places they were never meant to go. Elsewhere a whole gamut of styles are gently moulded to his purpose, from the flamenco of "She Was Never A He" to the West Coast country twang of "Losing Control" or folky swing of "Same Thing In Reverse". With four of these songs re-workings of tracks from Cheapness And Beauty - his last Virgin album - and also with a new version of Jesus Loves You's "Bow Down Mister", George is obviously not afraid to stick to his guns and say 'I told you' so to previous detractors. What is refreshing is that he's right on every count. These are songs that demonstrate a mature talent at work - both vocally and lyrically. --Chris Jones
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A pleasant surprise,
This review is from: U Can Never B 2 Straight (Audio CD)
I've always been a moderate Boy George fan, thought Cheapness and Beauty was good (if a little pretentious). This album (You Can Never Be Too Straight) is possibly one of the best albums I have bought this year. I was concerned about being ripped off with the older songs being re-used, but after listening to the album, I can say I now understand why. As a collection of work, the album is powerful and solid, tragic and inspiring. LIstening to it, is an experience, one I would highly recommend.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Can u ever be 2 straight ?,
By Miss D T Quinn (England) - See all my reviews
This review is from: U Can Never B 2 Straight (Audio CD)
Well I was apprehensive as I had heard some quibbles about the songs on the CD all being old, previously recorded tracks, but I LOVE IT :) There are new tracks , plus a bonus track of Out Of Fashion from Taboo , which is fabulous, ( you have to have it on loud tho !) There are songs such as Cheapness & Beauty , Same Thing In Reverse that sound new, they are very lively and lift your spirits. On , If I could fly you hear George giggle which is funny but then the emotion in the song is so serious , another definate weepie is Ill Adore , a very moving song indeed , where Georges beautifull, soulfull voice envelopes you in its sound and intensity. You feel like your sat in his front room and hes sat next to you singing. For any George fans , its a must , For anyone who likes ballards , love songs, try it you might just like it
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
From A Boy To A Man,
By justin dunn (Edgbaston , Birmingham) - See all my reviews
This review is from: U Can Never B 2 Straight (Audio CD)
It's hard to belive that it's been seven years since Boy George's last studio album Cheapness & Beauty , but if it takes that long to produce such a good album I don't mind waiting another severn years till the next .Givern his wit and Multi media presence ( Behind a turntable , In front of a TV camera or on a West End stage ) it's not suprising that it is often forgotten that Mr O'Dowd is actuley a very good songwriter . This intimately delivered album , is a change from past efforts and would not be out of place being titled Boy George Unplugged . Adopting a Somthing Old Somthing New Somthing Borrowed and Somthing Blue philosophy , George brings new life to overlooked Gems like Unfinshed Business and Culture Club's Fat Cat , The odd tune from TABOO ( George's West End Show ) and hit's you like a curveball on the smokey St Christopher . The dylanesque You Are The Deal is a timeless piece , instantly affecting you like all his best songs , almost painfully confessional . The album as a whole is an Excellent Piece , and has been written fearlessly in Blood and Tears . If a real fan or just simply intrested , this album comes highly recomended and without any doubt will be the top of any CD Collection .
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