Snapshots [Import]

Surely releasing a 100% covers album is a bad sign for any artist - does it mean that songwriters don't want you to record their songs anymore so, instead, you re-record everyone else's old tracks...despite saying that, I think this is pretty good collection of tunes.

Of course there is a lack of originality (don't expect an album of covers reminiscent of 'You Keep Me Hangin' On', where Kim made the song her own) as you'll be disappointed. She sticks pretty much too the original scores (she could've been a Sugerbabe on 'About You Now' as her version is so close to the original, and her version of 'Wonderful Life' adds nothing to the song or the classic Black version).

However, her revision of the early 90's East 17 number 'It's Alright' is quite funky (and an unexpected choice of song too) and she was brave to tackle 'Anyone Who Had a Heart', which is a belting ballad more suited to stronger voices than hers (and everyone knows that Dusty Springfield recorded the definitive version in the late 60's anyway) but she gives it her best and there is a great Drifters-esque rift mid-way through, which is a lovely nod to the songs sixties roots.

On the negative side she butchers 'A Little Respect' (I'm quite sure that Erasure fans will be less than pleased with her spin on this classic tune) and sounds flat & expressionless on several of the tracks (gone, it would seem, are the wonderful inflections and note changes heard on past glories such as 'Four Letter Word' and the like) but I think this is possibly down to some weak song choices that don't really suit her voice. As example, the albums stand out track 'To France' is terrific; her cover is fresh and clean, with great vocal over a perfect 80's synth sound. Top marks for what should have been the lead single, as it really does hark to her 80's heyday in terms of song styling and sound.

Overall, a good effort - just a shame that this'll only ever be a fan purchase import, and never released/ promoted commercially in the US or UK. Oh well...maybe a cover of American Idol winner 'classics' next could help put her back in to the US/UK chart limelight?! (it's a thought...!).

I love Kim Wilde. I have since I was a sophomore in high school and first heard "Kids In America" and her debut album. I was aghast when EMI didn't release either "Select" (shoulda coulda made her bigger than The Go Go's or at least a peer to Debbie Harry) or "Catch As Catch Can" in the States (they even went as far as giving "Catch" a catalog number), practically assaulted the MCA rep (I was working in music retail at the time) for all the promo posters for "Teases & Dares", championed her US ascent with the Supremes cover, and lamented its ambivalence when "Close" failed to click. I'm that kind of fan - the kind that knew about (and despite it possibly rankling my cool-cred, loved) the Nena duet, and was totally on board when "Never Say Never" came about in 2006, and the incredibly underrated "Come Out & Play" in 2010. After proving her mettle (besides still looking pretty great and sounding better than in her halcyon days) on the last two outings, I was initially apprehensive on a covers project. I'm happy to report I was wrong.

The choice of material is pretty varied - some of it works better than expected, some of it leaves you scratching your head. But when it works, it's magic - having first thought Tasmin Archer was Kim when I first heard "Sleeping Satellite" 20 years ago, it seemed like a natural fit, and it is - not detracting from the original, a clean, understated arrangement lends itself well to her voice, and by the time the 'whoa whoa whoa' bridge kicks in, you sense she's claiming it as her own, as I thought it was in its original self. "Remember Me" goes back to the Diana Ross songbook for a very Almighty-sounding dancefloor take, her "Anyone Who Had A Heart" will silence most critics, and to me, the real unexpected gem is her take on Suede's "Beautiful Ones" - she's more than up to the task of taking a classic piece of BritPop and making it all her own, and in a way, selling it as if it were hers to begin with.

When you think of artists who have remained surprisingly contemporary and relevant in their latter years, you might not first think of Kim Wilde, mainly due to the fact that she's been relegated to back-burner status in an increasingly youth-driven pop market. But scour the import section and sample her wares - she's accomplished what so many other 80's acts haven't - staying current, hip, and all the while sounding better than ever and looking fabulous.

Kim Wilde just seems to get better with age. She has taken these old pop classics and breathed new life into them. Standout tracks: Sleeping Satellites, Kooks, In Between Days, Beautiful ones, and Anyone who had a heart....honestly there is not a bad track on this cd. I have listened to it non stop about 7 times now. Another jewel to add to an already very stellar body of work.