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Amazon.co.uk Review
Following on from 1999s self-titled album, Lisa Stansfield is back with Face Up, another slice of popped-out soul from the Rochester diva. The opening track "I've Got Something Better" is a mid-tempo frenzy of handbag groove with mechanical piano plinks and pumping synth bass. Continuing in much the same vein is the second track and first single, "Let's Just Call it Love" which to its credit is more upbeat and slightly more contemporary with a catchy chorus that skips along with a sub-garage-style rhythm. In a time when 1980s retro is in vogue, the majority of Face Up still manages to sound hugely dated, be that through tired arrangements or heavy-handed "over" production, but for a fan of Lisa this is no departure from the usual style and should at least satisfy a craving for new material. --Kevin Boone
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It is obvious that all concerned got carried away with the optimistism of this project. The song ideas are all brilliant at their very core, but the lack of a real rhythym section playing live (as well as the absence of an outside production voice) have prevented the vital essence that some honest critique in the production process would have lent to this effort. I felt myself wanting LESS songs , had they been produced with a live rhythm section and "worked up". Also the album lacks those instrumental moments that make an album shine: even a SINGER'S projects should employ and stretch a wider array of musicians. The overall effect of the production here equates to a very slick "demo". Ian Devaney is a crackerjack writer, arranger, and producer, as well a REAL musician himself. One can only assume he was too amongst the trees to notice the growing forest around him.
After some additional listening, I'm softening my stance a bit with this edited review. Of note are the songs "you can do that" (an affirming and sticky light groove that hooks the listener immediately and show's Ian's knack for sparing and effective horn arrangement), "how could you?" (a Bacharach-tribute arrangement with a bold dynamic jolt in the chorus), "face up" (hypnotic and helpful mantra for those timid in love...), and "let's just call it love" (an off-the-cuff techno groove that's undeniably hip and spontaneous and keeps Lisa "in-character" despite new sonic territory). "831" should have been farmed-out to a teen act, where it would have sold lorries-full! Lisa just sounds a little to grown-up to pitch it's bubblegum mania. "Wish on Me" suffers from an under-developed lyric and would have been stunning in a more organic recording; here it sounds too slick and registers as insincere. "candy" would be wickedly delicious if done in "crunch funk" style with a live R&B band.
I can understand Lisa's disappointment at the lack of a great reception for something she'd worked long and hard on. I guess the point here is that a little less indulgence is sometimes a good thing. You will find at least 3 songs here you dig, more if you're a Lisa fan, so I'll not dis-recommend it, I'll just say "DIABETICS BEWARE"....
No matter what, Lisa's THE universal songstress of her Brit generation, watch her space!
After some additional listening, I'm softening my stance a bit with this edited review. Of note are the songs "you can do that" (an affirming and sticky light groove that hooks the listener immediately and show's Ian's knack for sparing and effective horn arrangement), "how could you?" (a Bacharach-tribute arrangement with a bold dynamic jolt in the chorus), "face up" (hypnotic and helpful mantra for those timid in love...), and "let's just call it love" (an off-the-cuff techno groove that's undeniably hip and spontaneous and keeps Lisa "in-character" despite new sonic territory). "831" should have been farmed-out to a teen act, where it would have sold lorries-full! Lisa just sounds a little to grown-up to pitch it's bubblegum mania. "Wish on Me" suffers from an under-developed lyric and would have been stunning in a more organic recording; here it sounds too slick and registers as insincere. "candy" would be wickedly delicious if done in "crunch funk" style with a live R&B band.
I can understand Lisa's disappointment at the lack of a great reception for something she'd worked long and hard on. I guess the point here is that a little less indulgence is sometimes a good thing. You will find at least 3 songs here you dig, more if you're a Lisa fan, so I'll not dis-recommend it, I'll just say "DIABETICS BEWARE"....
No matter what, Lisa's THE universal songstress of her Brit generation, watch her space!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I will never forget my teen days plugging up my walkman earphone and turned on the radio loud when ALL AROUND THE WORLD came into the air of the local stations...
Even I was 15-years old I knew and I could tell Stansfield was going to be the new Best Brit Pop Diva, she will only get better and classier than her peers Dina Carroll, Cathy Dennis and Kylie Minogue. (Check out the scene in her latest video LET'S JUST CALL IT LOVE as she steps out of the dark limo in a scarlet evening lace dress and sashays down the street to meet her "Lover in Crime"!)
FACE UP is the 5th full-length studio record and effort from Stansfield and her long musical companion/love in life/husband/buddy Ian Devaney, together with a few tracks co-written and produced by their musical partner/former school mate Andy Morris.
The Love Duo proves once again at best with their typical upbeat tempo, outrospectively soulful live jazz dance music in the great opener I'VE GOT SOMETHING BETTER. "Open up show me love turn up the music..." Stansfield pronounces in her deep Rochdale slang with a veteran diva vocal that exudes that kind of energy which makes you jump up straight and tap your feet along every beat as she sings...
YOU CAN DO THAT is a pretty funky number in contrast right after the contemporary upbeat exciting sound of the first 2 tracks.
And yes, most probably the biggest smash hit of this album, EIGHT-THREE-ONE, is indeniably the classic Stansfield trademark disco rhythm at best (check out the David Morales mix in the new single), after her self-titled 4th album's single NEVER NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP. Sound as if we haven't got enough of great stuff from Stansfield, the title track FACE UP continues to encho her much Barry-White-defined disco sound.
The European Union edition of this album I owe is a deleted copy which only features up to track 13, WHEN THE LAST SUN GOES DOWN. Ironically, this track is the ultimately sentimental ballad that is rather appropriate to round up the album at last and best in a romantic evening you have shared with your love partner.
You know we lovers or fans love this album and only expect you to do even better, thank you Lady Lisa Stansfield.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Having listened to a lot of her previus work I was not really looking forward to playing this album, you know, using her past reputation etc to push yet another revival album, and boy, what a surprise. This album is excellent, yep, EXCELLENT. The more I listen to it the more I like it with a wicked array of styles and some excellent production this album is worthy of a place at the top of the rack. Personally I like: 8-3-1, a nice ballady track with a gorgeous backing track that all in all creates that happy laid back sound that gets you tapping the fingers. Throughout the album we are reminded of Lisa's past with the occasional 80's sound bunged in to fill the sound spectrum and I have to admit it has all been stitched together very nicely. The only reservation I have is that Lisa tries like hell to exploit her voice to it's full potential and at one point it is exploited just a little to much. Also it would be nice to hear a few remixes of some of these tracks with a direction into a more uptempo beat. Still 10 out of 10, completely original track list, (what a turn up), good production and as already mentioned Lisa Stansfield still remains as the Rochdale Queen. I have no doubt that this album will fall to the back of the ratings charts and receive little if any airplay, which is a real shame because she could teach a few of these "pop" artists a lesson or two in how to be original. Still as far as I am concerned big respect and well done. RIK.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
CLASSY!
A timeless artist, with a timeless voice, delivering a timeless performance - Well deserves he "Diva" status. Read more
Published 7 months ago by gypsyjazz
One trick pony... there in lies the clue
How can I put this delicately?
I suspect Mr. Stansfield may possess equipment approximately the length of the Eiffel Tower. Read more
I suspect Mr. Stansfield may possess equipment approximately the length of the Eiffel Tower. Read more
Published on 10 April 2010 by Blackmale
Same Recipe
Our Lisa has been around a while and never quite managed to reach the heights and success of her first album Affection which was excellent and a hard act to follow. Read more
Published on 27 Sep 2004 by Brian Martin
Disappointed
It's a real shame that Lisa Stansfield hasn't progressed any further with her songs. This album sounds very similar to her 1991 album "Real Love". Read more
Published on 30 Jan 2004
You have to buy this if you love Lisa!
Lisa does not need money or fame; she's done that & been there - which probably explains why the promotion of this new album has been so downbeat, despite the fact that it... Read more
Published on 1 Oct 2001 by stdon@email.com
Excellent! Complimenents her previous work
Im a big fan of Real Love and the self titled album - this album strongly compliments her previous work. Read more
Published on 3 Aug 2001 by Waldemar A Szarmach
IT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER...
BEING A FAN OF THIS LADY, I MUST SAY DAT THIS ALBUM IS NOT WHAT I EXPECTED, I ONLY LIKE 5 OR 6 SONGS, THE REST NEED SOME SOUL MIXES.... Read more
Published on 14 July 2001
The Rochdale queen is back better than ever
Lisa Stansfield is back,looking and sounding betting than ever.Its been a few years since we have heard anything from the Rochdale queen,but its been well worth the wait. Read more
Published on 7 July 2001
The Rochdale queen is back better than ever
Lisa Stansfield is back,looking and sounding betting than ever.Its been a few years since we have heard anything from the Rochdale queen,but its been well worth the wait. Read more
Published on 7 July 2001
Some good songs...
I've Got Something Better- This is probably my favorite after one listen to the whole CD. I think this is the "Real Thing" of Face Up, incredibly catchy and energetic and... Read more
Published on 3 July 2001 by mariahtenor@hotmail.com
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