Light Years [CD]

1)SPINNING AROUND The single that signaled her return, I'm sure all of you will know this uplifting tune, so I don't think I need to say anything about it.

2)ON A NIGHT LIKE THIS Another single, possibly not one of the exceptional tracks on the album, but nevertheless extremely catchy and easy to dance to.

3)SO NOW GOODBYE In this song Kylie tells her boyfriend that it's over and she's leaving him, and I can't help but love all songs like this. You go girl!

4)DISCO DOWN VERY catchy song. Another dancey one, this time with Kylie starting to use more of her vocal range.

5)LOVEBOAT The first of a few bilingual songs, this song is basically an invite to her boat. I'm not gonna say no. Very happy song, nice catchy tune. Love it.

6)KOOCACHOO The beginning of this is reminiscent of Cher's "The Beat Goes On", but it quickly moves away from that. A complimentary song about the "dream boy of my bedroom poster", a sweet song with a happy tune you can't help but like.

7)YOUR DISCO NEEDS YOU An epic song if ever there was one, this song has it all: a good beat, fabulous lyrics in two languages, strings and even a soaring operatic voice near the end. A true classic if ever there was one, this is one of the highlights of the album.

8)PLEASE STAY Yet another single, this one has lots of guitar in it, and an almost Latino sound sometimes, but is still very dance-orientated. A more melancholy song than most on the album, this is still a fabulous song.

9)BITTERSWEET GOODBYE Another sad song about a couples last night together. Basically just piano and strings in this one, Kylie's fabulous wavering vocals are flawless. A truly beautiful song.

10)BUTTERFLY Very definitely dance, this one has almost a Trance like sound. It's a very uplifting track which you can't help but dance to.

11)UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF LOVE This song reminds me of some of The Supremes songs. Celebrating the feeling of being in love, this is another song with quite a bit of strings, and breathy vocals, it has to be another single.

12)I'M SO HIGH Again, not a highlight, this is nonetheless a nice little song.

13)KIDS Her duet with one of pop's most well known stars Robbie Williams is an extremely good song. Lots of heavy breathing at the beginning and some very high pitched vocals from Robbie, a very enjoyable song. 14)LIGHT YEARS The best song on the album. Easily. It begins with a count down from 10, and the different sounds layered in. The bass line is similar to that of Donna Summers "I Feel Love". The song is about, as far as I can tell, a trip in a space ship to visit "the pop stars on the moon". This is pure genius, it has to be heard to be believed. This song alone makes the album a worthwhile purchase.

Overall, if you like pop, you'll love this, and even if you don't you'll probably find something to your taste.

But that's enough! The two should never be compared anyway: what true similarities are there between them anyway?

With "Light Years", Kylie takes an unashamed look at the pop and disco styles of the 70s and 80s and it's FANTASTIC! "Disco Down", "Loveboat" and "Koocachoo" will get in your brain and will stay lodged there for days, in the most pleasant of ways, of course. Her thin voice is still thin, but is perfectly suited to the material, and she sounds as confident on this entire album as she did on "Confide in Me" (possibly her finest moment ever?). In fact, it is the very thinness of her voice that works so very perfectly on the sensitive ballad "Bittersweet Goodbye".

Miss Minogue has acknowledged on many occasions the regard she has for her gay fans- numerous appearances at G.A.Y. and at Gay Pride and Mardi Gras- and this album is no exception. There is a slice of pure camp excess on "Your Disco Needs You", with clear nods to "I Lost My Heart to a Starship Trooper" and The Village People. And, when the music breaks and Kylie proclaims, "...La disco a besoin de vous", no one but the most cynical wallflower could fail to feel the rush of sheer fun that results. But this is an album for everyone, straight or gay.

This is a fine pop album and one that will leave you feeling good in every way. There is no need to read anything into it, no hidden messages, just great sounding pop. Kylie should be very proud of her "comeback".