06th May, 2024
Vinyl Reviews
Home >> Reviews >> Vinyl Reviews >> Break Every Rule - Tina Turner
Break Every Rule - Tina Turner

Out - of – control, reckless, violent, juvenile and brazen are the words you can probably use to describe the tracks on the grandmother of pop’s sixth solo studio album, which was a follow-up to her globally successful comeback album ‘Private Dancer’ (1984).

There is witty rhyme and danceable beats flying all around in Tin Turner’s ‘Break Every Rule’. Focus on the music alone, and this album is awesome. They lyrics however are slightly of a distraction, as there is obscenity and naughtiness in tracks like, Typical Male which was nominated for a Grammy award, What you get is what you see which can all taken in a humorous vein.

But the 11 tracks are enough to keep Turner fans happy, many of whom have been with the lady ever since she came on the scene in the early 80s with her super hit singles like What’s Love Got to Do with It.. The songs here are not very big hitters, but when you have trusty hit makers Graham Lyle and Terry Britten who produced half the set, while luminaries including Rupert Hine, Bryan Adams and Dire Straits' Mark Knopfler helmed the other (additional famous friends like Steve Winwood and Phil Collins lend instrumental support), you can bet there would be good moments that led to platinum sales status.

Turner spins it well on slow and easy Till the right Man comes along shrilling it out loud like her last work, to her mushiness in the rocking What You Get Is What You See, to the Knopfler penned Overnight Sensation with lyrics that go “Well I guess I been a long time/Workin’ in the backline/Tryin’ to make a song fit/You know it never was mine”, Tina even lets in some humor on the song which strikes a chord on the life of Turner as a singer.

Other songs on the disc include Two People that describes a perfect sharing love relationship, with Afterglow showing Tina’s need of love. The much acclaimed rock song Back where you started, brought Tina a Grammy award in the Best Female Rock Vocal Performance category in 1986. Though the title song was impressive, it sadly didn’t make it to the cut for many of her fans, but was a top favorite at her Live tours. Another must hear is Paradise is here which was also covered later by singer Cher in her album ‘It's a man's world (1985). It is a little bit "of its time", with hints of eighties synth-pop but there is certainly some lively and also interesting material here.

‘Break Every Rule’ sold million copies and is considered a classic and has all kinds of styles and lyrics. Turner has never been a major artist in the full sense; perhaps it’s unfair to expect more of her. The depth and quality of Turner’s performances raise expectations as never before.

There’s rock, soft rock, pure, ballads from this aging pop diva, who had a troubled past years ago with her husband Ike. Despite this, Turner is sure to around for another ten to twenty years; her tender voice on her albums will pull you in word by word, creating songs that will always be played the world over. A potential winner here and great music for listening pleasure. Tune in, you can be sure you won’t be disappointed.

The album’s bright red back cover has lyrics to all songs, so you can join Turner on your favorite tracks.

Release: September 1986

Record Label: Capitol Records –Indian pressing

Genre – Pop, pop rock, country

Rating: ****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira

 


HOME | NEWS | INTERVIEWS | FEATURES | PHOTOS | EVENTS | REVIEWS | CONTEST | ABOUT US | CONTACT US
Copyright © Oct 2013 musicunplugged.in All rights reserved.