974 Cyndi Lauper - She’s So Unusual (1983)

 974 Cyndi Lauper - She’s So Unusual (1983)

Studio Album - New Wave/Pop



About the Act:

Cyndi Lauper is an American singer and songwriter from Brooklyn, New York. Her peak popularity was in the 80s and she was known for having a punk-inspired visual style (including coloured, spiky hair) and a musical style that was a blend of New Wave (effectively softened Punk) and pop. As a result she was influential in bringing punk style into acceptability in the mainstream. Her vocal style was also at times punk-influenced, including a particular ornamentation that comprises the occasional high-register squeak.  Her career started in 1977, but her solo recording career did not start until her solo debut album "She's So Unusual" in 1983. She has had an active career ever since. Physically, she is short and a little chunky, and so, refreshingly, has a career built on talent rather than on looks.


About the Album:

This was Cyndi's first album, and most successful, helped by the success of four singles from the album.


My History with this Album:

I know some of the singles, I have not heard it as an album before.


Review:

A flashback to the 80s, synth-pop laced with New Wave. Of course "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" is a classic, and a go-to for background music for TV shows. "Time After Time" was also huge. I was aware of a couple more of the tracks. before my listens through yesterday. I felt transported to a time of leg-warmers and huge hair, movie soundtracks and colourful pop. The lesser-known songs have more of a leaning towards the New Wave, which was a style that emerged from Punk - fast and energetic but more melodic and publicly accessible. Cyndi has taken this further to bridge the boundaries into pop. Hence the popularity.

I enjoyed it. It didn't bowl me over, but it is a hugely assured first album and a great slice of 80's cake.

6.8/10


Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/1FvdZ1oizXwF9bxogujoF0

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDWnXJX7OJixUFSXb1-OjwYFvn6H9D3kK

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/She%27s_So_Unusual



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