"I first heard Sweet Revenge in 1980. It was so [un]popular that I couldn't find it anywhere, and, when I tried to order it from the record company, they sent me several copies free, including one in which an employee had taken a razor and cut out one of the pictures inside the album jacket *inside the shrink wrap*. I think the songs and lyrics ("Are you question or answer?..." etc...) have stood up over time. Well worth buying."
EURODISCO MASTERPIECE
Pieter | Johannesburg | 10/04/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a concept album in the Faustian mode, about a girl who sold her soul to the devil and won. She's promised anything she wants (Follow Me), her first wish is for riches (Gold) and also for fame. After turning to her mother for help (Mother Look What They've Done For Me), she runs away (Run Baby Run) and retires into solitude. Renouncing her selfish desires, she offers her love to someone who really needs her, and that becomes her Sweet Revenge over temptation. The first song cycle, (Follow Me to Follow Me Reprise), has always been a classic disco suite, but with the exception of Enigma Give a bit of Mmh) the other tracks don't quite live up to the rest. Follow Me with its swirling synths is a timeless classic however, and showcases her husky voice to the full. In a way, Amanda was the European Donna Summer and it's a pity she didn't achieve greater success in the UK and USA. This album has certainly stood the test of time very well and is a prime example of intelligent dance music."
Lear's smash hit album from 78 - still a marvel!!!!
Pieter | 05/26/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Its incredible that this, Amanda Lear's second major studio album dating from afar back as 1978 still sounds fresh and exciting today. Contained herein are the smash hits Follow Me (with its gloomy Faustian Concept); Enigma (With its sly reverential lyrics: "its all so confusing especially when you start singing") and other gems which highlight the songwriting talent of Ms Lear: Comic; The Stud and Mother Look What they've done to me - which is easily one of the best songs about child abuse or rape. A must have for your collection. Now if only BMG would release ALL her other masterpieces...."
Amanda Is TIMELESS
_tip_for_amanda_ | Owasso, Oklahoma United States | 01/11/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This was actually Amanda's 2nd album, it came after 'I'm A photograph' .
This Truly is A CLASSIC to have, with all wonderfull tracks like only Amanda could write herself, together with her help Anthony Monn.
All by all, It tells the story of a girl, who sold her soul to the Devil and won.
Thanx Amazon, for making this album available, you are having a true Classic here!"
A gem from La Lear - A must Have
blondeguy10 | South Africa | 01/30/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This was Amanda Lear's second album released in 1978, and she delivers fully on the promise expected after her well received debut 'I AM A PHOTOGRAPH' 1977.
It's good for dancing but listen more closely over the eurodisco dance beat are intelligent lyrics. Follow Me is a gloomy Faustian concept of a girl selling her soul to the devil for fame and riches.
Each track starting with the above mentioned Follow Me blends seamlessly into the next. Mother Look What They've Done To Me perfectly captures the despair, anguish and devastation of rape, incest or even child abuse. Gold and Run Baby Run have driving incessant beats, and a slower version of Follow Me with different lyrics round off the suite.
Producer Anthony Monn and Lear slow it down a bit on Comics but only slightly, what a great video this would have been with Linus, Superman, Barbarella, Batman and Robin who are the "life of the party' coming out to party after the lights go out. Enigma is a witty slyly referential track: "it's all so confusing especially when you start sing" while on The Stud Lear proves she can rock with the best of them. Ironically Lear wanted to be a rock singer initially. The gentle closing number Hollywood Flashback is a homage to the stars of the silent screen.
An absolute gem of an album (whilst not her best that honour goes to the following years Never Trust A Pretty Face)and a must have for fans of disco with clever lyrics.