Carlisle’s Spirit Not Go-Gone : BELINDA CARLISLE “Runaway Horses.†MCA ** 1/2:<i> Albums are rated on a scale of one (poor) to five (a classic) stars. </i>
The former lead singer of the Go-Go’s, suffers from Stevie Nicks-itis--a malady whose major symptom is a bleating vibrato. Often on this album, Carlisle comes across as a minor-league Nicks sound-alike, with grating vocals that detract from the sleek pop-craftsmanship of several songs. She’s best when her vocals are low-key or smothered in lush, ABBA-like harmonies.
Carlisle has improved since the Go-Go’s. The group’s early songs worked largely because of a sunny energy that was so contagious it usually didn’t matter what silliness they were singing about. They were girls who just wanted to have fun--resulting in classy pop fluff.
As a solo artist, Carlisle frequently has had that same spirit, sometimes cranking out even classier pop fluff. This album features some effective radio-ready songs, like “Leave the Light On†and the title track--complete with irresistible hooks and hummable melodies.
Serious songs, though, are not Carlisle’s strength, proven on the pretentious “Michaelangelo,†where she wails about “painting a perfect world on the canvas of my soul.†Stick to pop fluff, Belinda.
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