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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A very spotty, transitional album - though with a few gems, 23 Sep 2006
'Minx' is often criticized for not being a great album. Well, in truth it's not stunning. It's very overproduced and distinctly dated in the 80's, which Toyah even acknowledges in the liner notes. 'Minx' came after Toyah split with indie label Safari records, as well as with her long time songwriting partner Joel Bogen. His loss is apparent on this album, and most that would follow. He was a crucial element of the "Toyah" sound that became famous in the early 80's, though without him to write the music, Toyah was left to rely on a batch of hired hands through her new major record label, CBS/Portrait. The results are quite mixed.
The first single offering was "Don't fall in love (I said)", and was a great and upbeat pop song, though far removed from some of the darker imagery that long time Toyah fans held in high regard. It had a modest chart placing, and it looked as if Toyah could reclaim some of the chart placings she once had in her heyday.
Unfortunately, the follow up single was the absolutely terrible "Soul Passing Through Soul". It contained some of the blandest lyrics Toyah ever sang, and annoying middle-of-the-road music that did not resonate with fans. Though it only had a brief, low chart placing, I was surprised it charted at all. It did have a great, higher budget video but it was wasted on the song selection.
The final single was the slightly better "World in Action", though by this time the public response was in, and the single failed to chart at all.
Some great material did exist on the album. "I'll serve you well" is a classic Toyah song with great music and lyrics that would have fit on any earlier Toyah release.
"Soldier of Fortune" is also a really good song, though very overproduced.
"All in a rage" had great music, though the subject matter is a downer, and the song closes with way too many repetitions of "too many people"
The cover of Alice Cooper's "School's Out" has grown on me in a novelty way. It's great 80's fun.
The most cornball song Toyah has ever recorded is the pain and misery of "Over 21". Though she didn't write it, she did sing it so she gets thumbs down for that.
The bonus material is essential. The single B side "Snow Covers The Kiss" is a fan favorite, and far better than most of what appeared on the album. It's classic Toyah all the way.
"Kiss the devil" is one of those loud, overproduced songs, though it's still fun and enjoyable.
The remixes are decent variation on the original songs, and nice additions for completists.
The booklet is a top notch job. There are great sleeve notes and song lyrics, as well as single sleeves and period photos.
The CD was taken entirely from the original studio master tapes, with the exception of the "World In Action (Action Remix)". This is a vinyl transfer, though fairly well done. I could barely tell so the mastering tech gets credit for that. A very high quality product.
Toyah's big label debut did have a modest chart placing, but her time with CBS was limited to this one release. While the album does have some good material, it's clear there was too much outside influence on the final results. It was too glossy for Toyah's usually rough edge.
The original CD of 'Minx' was out of print before the 80's ended, making it a very rare title indeed. It occasionally commanded well into the triple digits
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
"Minx-Mid '80's Mediocrity", 28 May 2006
1985 saw me visiting John Menzies to snap up my copy of Minx.Yes! Here it was,the latest in a long line of Toyah classics complete with dreamy pic. of Ms.Wilcox on the cover looking simply stunning!
I remember enjoying this album at the time,but then again,Toyah could do no wrong in my eyes whatsoever.
Listening now,some 21 years later,I would say that this is probably her weakest effort,but at the bargain price of a fiver,it's still essential listening ,if only for Sympathy,(big fabulous ballad),America For Beginners(Spine-tingling and so true),and School's Out(Rebellious angst personnified).
All In A Rage isn't half bad either,but the thing about Minx is that it doesn't have the same spark of originality as Toyah's earlier albums,(probably due to the fact that she didn't write the bulk of the material)
Don't listen to me though;buy a copy for yourself and see what I mean! (You can always spend quality time listening to America For Beginners whilst gazing deliriously at the fantastic cover)
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Toyah does Pop...sort of, 19 Aug 2006
Having left Safari records, Toyah signed to Portrait and recorded a pop album. Well, at least she tried to. It's possibly because of the musical climate of the time or maybe the instigation of the people at Portrait but it has to be said, Minx is unlike anything Toyah had recorded before (and arguably, since). You've got to remember (well, you don't have to, but it's advisable) that music in 1985 was very shallow and synth-orientated. This is one of the first things you notice when listening to the album. It starts off fine with the tinkly crash of 'Soldier Of Fortune, Terrorist Of Love', but already the music sounds hollow in comparison to her previous albums. This has nothing to do with the songs - in fact, I'd say that some of Toyah's best songs feature on this album (a statement I can make with this new extended CD issue) 'All In A Rage', Space Between The Sounds' and 'I'll Serve You Well' all have that distinctive Toyah-ness about them mixing spacey ambience, spoken verses and raw aggression mixed with a slight oriental feel at times, but I think what is to blame here is the production. Especially on the vinyl and previous CD editions of Minx, the sound has been hollow and not as vibrant as on, say, Anthem or Sheep Farming. This re-issue has to some extent made the recording sound fuller, but much of the album still fails to ignite. 'Don't Fall In Love (I Said)', the album's first single, should have been a classic, but comes across lacking and follow up 'Soul Passing Through Soul' with it's parping synths is possibly one of Toyah's worst ever singles. The album also features two cover versions - the rather exquisite gem 'Sympathy', all strings and a strong performance from Toyah here, and the less favourable 'School's Out'. Done in this pop style the song just doesn't work, but on the plus side is still tons better than the two covers she was forced to do for the subsequent 'Desire' album. This extended release also features the 12" mixes of the 3 singles plus an unreleased extended version of third single 'World In Action' which was understandably dropped in favour of the superior 9 minute remix. Also here are the b-sides 'Kiss The Devil' and 'Snow Covers The Kiss'. Never understood why the latter was only a b-side and not an album track or single as it's by far the best song Toyah recorded in this period. To be honest, if this hadn't been included I would have rated the album only 3 stars.
All in all, then, a mixed bag. For every 'World In Action' you've got a 'Vigilante' or a 'School's Out'. Worth buying for the tracks I've mentioned, but definitely not her best by a long shot. Let's face it, Toyah has her own style and works best when she sticks to it. A mainstream pop album was never going to work. Thank god she went back to being herself!
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