Search - Belinda Carlisle :: Belinda

The First Step

K. Roon | 03/14/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Released about a year or so after the Go-Go's broke up (for the first time) Belida's eponymous album was supposed to be a collaboration with former bandmate Charlotte Caffey. Even though Caffey decided at the last minute that she didn't want this album to be released as a duo, it is very much a collaboration. The single "Mad About You" written by Go-Go Jane Wiedlin's replacement Paula Jean Brown would have made the top 10 for Carlisle and Caffey's former band. Instead it became a tribute to Carlisle's new husband Morgan Mason. Songs like "Band of Gold", "I Need a Disguise" and "I Never Wanted a Rich Man" are tributes to the girl groups of the sixties. The highlights of this album are without a doubt "Since You've Gone" a perfect torch and "Stuff and Nonsense". Both songs display not only Carlisle's growing talents and confidence, but also Caffey's return as a major songwriter and arranger. Carlisle is no longer the powerhouse in the US that she was back in the late 80s, but she still retains a strong fan base in the rest of the world. Caffey on the other hand has remained in the background working with other bands/artists including Jewel, Hole, That Dog and Susanna Hoffs."

Belinda's first album is a star!!

Adam | Upstate Ny | 01/10/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The songs on Belinda's first solo album was as good of a success as any of the Gogos albums. It hit #13 on the charts and spawned the number 3 hit 'mad about you' i recommend this cd to anyone who likes Belinda or the gogos, or especially 80's music.Five stars all the way."

Been mad about Belinda from her first album onward

Daniel J. Hamlow | Narita, Japan | 11/05/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Out of the ashes of the Go-Go's, came Belinda Carlisle, fresh from rehab and ready to conquer the pop music world with the opening bass beats in "Mad About You". Result? An unqualified success.When I first saw her in the "Mad About You" video, I'd never even heard of the Go-Go's. Fortunately, I was able to catch up in time. Now there was a woman I found unimaginatively beautiful! Anyway, those opening basslines. And that's Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor doing that guitar solo in the song's middle.The bouncy "I Need A Disguise" is another singleworthy song, co-written by Susanna Hoffs that's got a tight slick beat. "Shot In The Dark" is another song that's an even better candidate for the dance floor.Case of singles chart injustice No. 103039: "I Feel The Magic" is another one of those singles that deserved to enter the Top Ten, much less the Top Forty. As it turns out, it didn't. This despite a familiar and welcome sugary voice on background vocals: Susanna Hoffs. Sheesh!In watching a documentary on the making of this album, bandmate Charlotte Caffey remarked on Belinda's perceptive ability to notice song similarities. According to her, "I Never Wanted A Rich Man" sounded like something Rod Stewart would do. Yes, Belinda, it sure does.She does a tasteful cover of Freda Payne's 60's classic, "Band Of Gold" As for ballads, she does best on "Since You've Gone" and "Stuff And Nonsense".Belinda gets a lot of help from a lot of big names. Much of it comes in songwriting credits. Her ex-bandmates, Charlotte Caffey and Paula Brown (Jane Wiedlin's Go-Go's successor), come to the rescue here, as does Susanna Hoffs. All three help out on backing vocals as does Jane Wiedlin.So, is this CD great? Hey, I ended up not speaking to a then-good friend because he dissed it. That was back in 1986, and this album has survived its potency with age."