What's the general consensus on this record?

Was there any Prince involvement (can't find any in the credits).

I seem to recall some talk about "Pretty Mess".

I picked it up for $5 yesterday.....wondering if it's a bargain or any good?




wrong album title edit
[This message was edited Fri Jul 2 6:31:57 2004 by mrdespues]

mrdespues said:

I was under the impression that prince was involved in this one - I liked the record - but I don't thing any of Prince's girls could really sing - that well. Rosie could.

Bargin - yes I think so - it is fun to listen to IMO.

I Loved That album and the other one Skin On Skin also. Her movies in Action Jackson,52-Pick-Up and The Last Dragon were all Cool. She got Sick Fast but gave up too Soon on the Business cause in my opinion Vanity was a Stunner who was sexy Beyond Compare, Could Sing kinda Cute and had a PRESENCE. I was Shocked when I found out she was a COCaine Addict Big Time so it RUined her Kidneys. I Miss her singing and movies.

You're talking about Vanity's 1984 solo album 'Wild Animal' and no,there was no Prince involvement at all.But Morris Day appears on the track "Mechanical Emotion".I have mixed feelings about this album.The lyrics throughout are messy and silly and most songs are written in story form (as if she's reading pages from an erotic diary) which becomes annoying after awhile.A few tracks ("Crazy Maybe" and "Flippin Out") are simply too bizarre for their own good.And let's face it,Vanity is NOT a singer by any stretch of the imagination.The Vanity 6 album was fun and charming,and Vanity sounds halfway decent on most tracks (the cool production by Prince didn't hurt either).But her vocals on the 'Wild Animal' album are atrocious.She basically just moans and squeals her way through the entire album (if it wasn't for the fierce groove and Morris Day's cameo,"Mechanical Emotion" would be unlistenable).Musically,the songs are cold,robotic and sterile (like many mid-to late-80s projects).


The album isn't a total failure,and there a few great moments here.As previously mentioned,"Mechanical Emotion" boasts a hot,funky groove.It was released as the second single,but never became a huge hit.The mesmerizing "Samuelle" is a standout track.And the first single "Pretty Mess" is so bad that it's good...lol...you gotta smile and give her props just for having the guts to make a song about premature ejaculation Lyrics like "I'm dripping like a hot tea" are ridiculously bad,but there's a certain humor to it all and the sleaze factor makes it one of those delightfully cheesy 80s hits that you pull out and play when nobody else is around ("Sex Shooter" is another example).

DavidEye said:

Thanks, David. You always seem to come up with something interesting.

Yeah, I realised after I created this thread that it was Wild Animal and not self-titled.

Thanks!

I'm sure Mardista will have a different take on this album

Vanity's singing actually isnt half bad on Samuelle. I have loved this album since I bought it whenit was released in the 80s. Pretty Mess was a minor hit and a great 80s tune. Vanity could get enough sexiness over with her limited vocals to make it great for any Prince and/or 80s fan. The material that she was given was fairly strong in my opinion. And you cant lose with Morris Day on backup vocals.

As a vocalist,you know who Vanity sounds like? The lead singer of A Taste Of Honey.The only difference is,Vanity spends way too much time squealing and moaning,instead of just singing.

The only songs I remember from that album are Pretty Mess and Mechanical Emotions. I liked both songs, but yeah, Vanity vocals are paper thin..

I hadn't heard this since it came ouyt.I got a chance to listen to some of it on vuinyl the other night. Yeah,this album isn't that bad. "Mechanical Emotion" is good.That is the Minny sound.I forgot all about that. I need to get this on cd somehow.

I only like "Samuelle", "Pretty Mess", and "Mechanical Emotion".

Her vocals get a bit annoying sometimes on this album, imo. As DavidEye said, a bit tooo much squealing and moaning...

SnowQueen said:

Those are the album's highlights for sure.

I haven't played that album in forever. i might have to dig the vinyl out and give it a play. I do remember trying to switch the Price sticker on it back in the day. I think it was like 9.99 and I was trying to change it to 6.99. I took it to the counter and they figured it out : )

DavidEye said:

Yes and no.

I pretty much agree with what you're saying -- but I personally LOVE it and relish the weaknesses that you cite, and concur it's a great snapshot of that sexy/sleazy 80's pop.

Back in the day I completely loved it for all it was. Now I see its weaknesses, but hold a strong nostalgic spot for it in my heart.

A FOOL THERE WAS AND YOU PLAYED YOUR COIN
TIL DARK EYED DAME FROM THE TENDERLOIN
U TOOK ME IN THE WEST COAST TEL
AND DRESSED ME UP IN A FORM FIT GOWN
FILLED MY EYES WITH BELLA DONNA
AND SAID, "NOW LADY, FORGET YOUR HONOR"
4 HENCEFORTH NOW, U'RE A SCARLET SCAMP
THE GROUND IS RAA-RAH, BLACK SOUL VAMP
SO NOW I LIE AWAKE IN MY TOMB
AWAITING THE NEXT
KISS ME, MY FOOL!

(Those are so not all the right words, but I had only the cassette, not the album, so I never knew what they were!)

MY KING KONG NEVER EVER LOOKS AT ANY OTHER WOMAN...
I LOVE TO PLAY IN HIS HAIR --
SHINY, BLACK, BIG BROWN -- EYES
THAT'S ALL IT TAKES FOR ME TO FANTASIZE
THAT'S ALL IT TAKES FOR ME TO CLIMB MY KING KONG

LOL. So yeah, the songs were pretty flipping stupid.

And MrDespues, I think it's definitely worth $5.00. I can't find my cassette, so I'm on a mission to find a copy of it myself.

I like "Mechanical Emotion", "Pretty Mess", and "Wild Animal".