Search - Michael Franks :: Objects of Desire

An Overlooked Gem

Kurt Harding | Boerne TX | 12/18/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've owned this recording in some form or another since it was issued and have always liked it. But somehow, I just never got around to writing about it.
Objects of Desire was recorded toward the merciful end of the disco era. Franks never followed that fad but here takes a couple of cracks at some aspects of disco culture using tunes faintly redolent of that form to press his point. Ladies Night and No Deposit Love are the chief examples of this.
Jealousy and Flirtation are horn-driven tunes that tastefully give off a teasing whiff of disco while remaining firmly rooted in jazz. All-star sidemen Randy Brecker and Lew Soloff provide the brass pyrotechnics that give these two a funky edge.
No Franks album would be complete without some reference to the tropics. Here this is given two places, on the dreamy Tahitian Moon and in the cover art that reproduces a Gaugin painting.
Jealousy, Laughing Gas, and Wonderland are my favorite cuts but the whole CD is testimony to Franks' status as one of the finest composers and wordsmiths in modern music. I highly recommend this overlooked gem which still sounds great nearly 20 years after its release."

Pure Pop Delight

James Fenos | Columbus, OH United States | 11/13/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Objects Of Desire" I feel is one of Michael's breeziest albums. Coming off the disco craze, this recording features upbeat melodies with electronic keyboards and horn arrangements. "No Deposit Love" is a track with Michael doing multi-vocal overdubbing, something he rarely does. Bonnie Raitt was an already established Warner Brothers star when she was featured on the duet "Ladies Night." This style of song is clearly a departure for her, yet here she sounds relaxed; as if she's been doing this kind of material for years. The opening track "Jealousy" in it's lyric, refers to "Othello" interestingly enough. Further proof of Michael's never ending supply of reference for his subject matter. The mastering of this disc, or for that matter the album itself, is a bit quiet. This little bit aside, this is a fun album."

Hugely underated

James Fenos | 03/20/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an excellent album. Superbly arranged and recorded. if you are a MF fan, this album is a must. Put on some headphones and be transported into another world of pure class and style. Gets better and better even after 16 years of listening. I also recommend Passionfruit, Skin Dive and The Camera Never Lies..... Your life will never be the same!"