Who else digs Vanity's sophomoric effort with Motown?

At one point, I actually leaned more towards Wild Animal --- but after distinguishing how zany Vanity's writing on that LP was (how befitting she'd round off the album with Crazy Maybe ), Skin on Skin immersed me!

A bevy of appropriate songwriters, greater use of synths, mixing of Vanity's vocals, and a more profound shift into commercial appeal make 'SOS' a worthwhile effort over it's predecessor.

Tunes like Confidential, Animals, Ouch are rockin', while the crowning achievement of course if the sensuous groover Under The Influence.
[Edited 3/19/08 9:17am]

I loved the Skin On Skin albmum! Under the Influence was the song that grabbed me. She looked stunningly beautiful on the cover album.

Clevelandgirl said:

Living up to her stage name in every sense of the word.

I loved "Skin on Skin" much better than "Wild Animal". When I listened to "Flippin' Out" on "Wild Animal", I could tell that she was on drugs. She wasn't singing to me at all. But "Under the Influence" from "Skin on Skin" shows a softer more glamourous side of Vanity.

Thank you GoActive for enlarging the album cover for us! You can really appreciate her beauty here! Look at those eyes, her eyebrows perfectly arched as she gazes into the mirror. The waiter, at her beck and call. The picture says a thousand words...doensn't it? I'm having fun with this! Definitely a throw back to the 1940's, high glam, haute couture.

Clevelandgirl said:

Look at all the bejeweled bangles which adore her right wrist! The hair is done up in a vintage fashion as you have pointed out, which is offset by the intricately placed hibiscus towards the bottom. Let's not forget the unlit cigarette and silk robe!

nastygurl76 said:

I don't know if that was meant to be funny or not, but I can't stop chuckling at this line.

The sad reality however is that you're more than likely right.

GoActive said:

'Wild Animal' is a mess.The songwriting on that album is HORRIBLE.At the time,I was so in love with Vanity,so I forced myself to like that album,lol.These days,I listen to it and I'm like "wtf?" Vanity doesn't even try to sing on that album.She just moans and squeals.'Skin On Skin' was a vast improvement.Motown brought in professional songwriters and this time around,Vanity at least makes an effort to sing.The first single "Under The Influence" is great.It's the best solo single she ever released.

My favorite is "Ouch".

vainandy said:

Tell me, are you single!?
Are you with someone!?
Oh Andy, can we mingle
And have some kinky fun!?
OUCH!

@ blue22: I in no means loathe Wild Animal. While the songwriting is all over the place, it's in essence Vanity as you stated. The one advantage I would give it over Skin On Skin is the fact that it wasn't overly produced, so the funk has a much looser sound to it
[Edited 3/20/08 9:42am]

I like both albums for different reasons. "Wild Animal" was so daring for its time that I can't help but applaud it, even if her singing was bad in most of the songs.

I haven't heard all of the songs on "Skin on Skin", but from the ones I've heard, I can tell that she could have become a more mainstream recording artist. A lot of tracks on both albums had really good dance beats on them, and I'm sure they were played in clubs quite a bit. I bet that mysterious 3rd album of hers would have had hits on it, but alas...


Anyway, I've never heard "Confidential", "In the Jungle", "Gun Shy" or "Manhunt", so would someone mind describing them?

blue22 said:

Ya know, it's amazing that with all the crack, alcohol and cigarettes that Vanity did combined with what I'm sure was a poor diet and poor sleep schedule, that she managed to retain her beauty. Her organs may have been really messed up, but from her appearance, one would never know!

"Romantic Voyage"

Snap said:

Talk about a grower. Vanity singing the joys of a meaningful romance just wasn't appeasing to me at first listen --- I wanted the request of 7 inches or more to abound!

Skin on Skin is classic to me...Romantic Voyage was sensual at best would have loved a 12" inch on that one, Under The Influence extended version AWESOME!!! Vanity's vocals were ON POINT.....HELL the whole album was awesome, i just think what IF? If that 3rd CD was coming i felt it would have shut the nay sayers up once and for all because if the album had Jesse Johnson, Jam & Lewis on it NUFF SAID...FUNKY album, i often wonder if they have any finished product from those sessions.....If any one of those guys would be bold as to package and distribute it what would happen....I WOULD BE 1st in line to GET THAT!

Clevelandgirl said:

That album cover always reminded me of Sheila's "The Glam Life" cover.

Vanity performing Under The Influence

I believe Vanity's drug-use was at it's most visible during Skin on Skin.

From her frail stature posted above, incoherent appearance on Merv Griffin, and exhausting performance on American Bandstand...it became clear that things behind the scenes weren't the healthiest (for lack of a better term) for the Purple Princess.

This is a better album than Wild Animal in my opinion. It is well produced and the songs all have good melodies. It sounds like Vanity had been getting singing lessons as her voice is the strongest it has sounded. Interesting fact- Donna De Lory who is Madonnas back-up singer sang background vocals on this record. My favourite tracks are Romantic Voyage and Skin on Skin. Wouldn't it be great if it was re-issued on CD. It is one of my fave albums released in 1986 along with Janet Jacksons Control and Princes Parade.

I actually liked both but Skin on Skin was my favorite.

Also, the photography on this album was FANTASTIC! I thought Vanity was so beautiful on the cover but also the sleever with the Mexican styled clothing in the orange lit room. Stunning!

VelvetJ said:

I think Skin On Skin was a little more grown up . It would be great if it was released on cd, but I doubt it ever will.

Clevelandgirl said:

co-sign. i played this one till the groves were gone. did anyon eles think that she copied the music for 'delirious' for her song 'animals'?

wavesofbliss said:

Definitely, with a tinge of Let's Go Crazy!

nastygurl76 said:

i disagree i like wild animal more. that album is hot but i must say that under the influence is a wicked single. the rest of the album is kind of weak imo.

dancerella said:

Completely agree!!