Impossible Princess With Bonus Disc [Original recording remastered, Special Edition]

After hearing some belated hype about the underrated 1998 Kylie album, "Impossible Princess," I took a chance and bought it as an import. Upon first listen, I was blown away by its power! This is the most interesting album I've come across in a while. One wouldn't even recognize that this was the same artist who was behind the infectious sugary "la, la, la's" of the insanely catchy dance-pop single "Can't Get You Out Of My Head" back in 2001. Believe the reviews and critical acclaim: "Impossible Princess" is everything people describe it as, and more! Maybe it's because the general mainstream public was not ready for quite a drastic change in artistic direction that "Impossible Princess" was overlooked. It's pretty unfortunate that "Impossible Princess" (then changed to "Kylie Minogue") bombed upon its release because here is a hidden gem that's filled with remnants of an extremely brave, adventurous, and experimental female pop artist. Sure, it can get self-indulgent and claustrophobic when it comes to taking in such complex music that's not associated with the pint-sized Aussie beauty, but you better believe that every single note and word in this album is packed with genuinely pure emotion. It's not that amazingly ground breaking and innovative, but "Impossible Princess" is complex, intricately structured, and atmospheric enough to give the artist immediate credibility. I find it strange that the same artist that wrote the dark lyrics for this album turned into a dance-pop diva upon abandoning it and its commercial failure. From the first track, "Too Far," you're in for a treat of sonic textures and you're immediately brought inside Kylie's otherwordly realm. "Too Far" is one of the standout tracks in the album, being part rapid drum 'N' bass and part orchestral dramatics. Kylie "raps" the verses with such emotional distress that one might even feel uncomfortable with the eerieness of the whole song's aggressive delivery. "Cowboy Style" combines world beats and influences with a uniquely complex trip-hop-influenced structure. It's a mellowed out, yet very beat-influenced and heavily orchestrated track. "Some Kind Of Bliss," the lead single off the album, shows Kylie tackling Britpop and alternative pop/rock with a little distancing in her part. Very unfamiliar territory, but still great track. "Did It Again" takes some elements from "Cowboy Style" and "Some Kind Of Bliss" because of its jangly pulsating beats combined with garage-rock acoustics. "Breathe," another of a handful of slow and sassy trip-hop grooves, is filled with atmospheric, yet electronic arrangements that compliment its almost medidative melody and Kylie's breathy vocals. "Say Hey" and "Drunk," the two most dance/club-oriented tracks on the album, glow in a building crescendo of intricate instrumentation, orchestration, and electronica beats: you get soaked in an ornate underground electro-realm. "I Don't Need Anyone" is probably the track that is closest to "Some Kind Of Bliss" because of the Britpop and alternative production. It's probably the most lively pop track in the album, but it's not quite pop because of the garage feel of it. "Jump," a slow medidative drum-induced track, shows how Kylie's weariness truly conveys her emotional hurt and dissatisfaction upon writing it. It's like being in a late-night beat-poetry/jazz club house with a dab of electro. "Limbo" proves that the near-end of the album can still pack one more action. It's a raging, destructive alternative-rock/dance hybrid that shows Kylie at her most aggressive and exasperated. She seems to be having fun making the track while still being enraged with fury and stress. Its hard-rocking pulsating beats can be a sort of release from the stresses around us. "Through The Years" is a jazzy, yet slow trip-hop beatfest. "Dreams" is a orchestrated with such large dramatics. I highly recommend this album is you want to explore a new side of Kylie! It's amazing!

After so much success with SAW, it is only natural that Kylie wanted to try something so different. This album is great because it has almost no boundaries, and it's just Kylie at her most personal and experimental.
Every song is co-written by Kylie herself, and although the album was considered a UK flop (even though it charted at No 10) it was a success in Australia spending much of 1998 in the charts peaking at No 4.
Every track is different on this album, and to date Kylie has not done anything as risky or as personal as this.

Too Far is a song solely written by Kylie, bledning trip hop beats with a frantic lyric.
Some Kind Of Bliss is a groovey pop rock track, and is a collaboration with Manic Street Preachers.
Drunk and Limbo are ballsy indie dance tracks which are full of angst and energy.
Dreams is the ballad moment, but not like any ballad you have heard.

Simply, get this Kylie album. It's a project which took 2 years to complete, and is one of Kylie many career turning points.

I'm in love with this album, it's such a perfect combination of pop, sexy voice and indie rock. the lyrics are perfect for example too far and say hey written by kylie. the sound of songs like drunk and through the years and the lovely ending by the beutiful song DREAMS, in just a few words this album is pure perfection in kylie's career, it's different that other albums but has that special thing that kylie adds to every song she makes!!!
you must have this remastered version