Women of Country - The Internet's #1 Guide to Female Country Music

Album Review

Olivia Newton-John - Back With A Heart
MCA Records

Olivia Newton-John has topped the pop charts with hits like "Physical," had hits on the pop charts, and of course played in the smash hit musical Grease. Then she won the battle over cancer and now is back with a new album titled Back With A Heart. The album is another fairly solid collection, troubled by ocassional poor song selection and overly slick production.

The album opens with "Precious Love," a powerful love song that hints at one of her biggest hits "I Honestly Love You." The song has potential to be a major hit. "Closer To Me," is a fun little tune that is worth a few listens. One of the albums best is found with "Under My Skin," where the production highlights Olivia's one of a kind voice instead of the pretty heavy pop country sounds that dominate a large portion of the album. Don't count out the title track either, a fun up-paced number. I've played it more than a few times.

Unfortuantly there are some slips ups on this disc. "Spinning His Wheels," is missing something and comes off as a fairly boring tune. The slow "Attention," could have been a better song with a little bit more vocal energy thrown into it. Another ballad "Love Is A Gift," isn't as impressive as some of the other ballads found here. You also get a new cut of "I Honestly Love You," but it doesn't equal the original.

Olivia Newton-John is back and that's a good thing. She has one of the most unique, emotional voices ever to hit country music. Back With A Heart could have benifited from a few more high quality tunes but outside of that it's a pretty solid effort.

Album Review by Jeff Krasky

The WOC Rating Scale

The album stands above the rest. This is a record that every country music fan needs to have in their collection.

This album is better than the average release. A strong record with some flaws that keep it from reaching that 5 star level.

This album is an average country release. Doesn't posses qualities that make it stand out among all the other albums out there.

A weak record that lacks solid songs or good vocal performances. Sample before you buy.

This record is a bargin-bin reject that just isn't worth the time or the money. Completely misses the mark.