Kylie Minogue Album: “Hits + [Import]”

Kylie's two albums with Deconstruction may have been a disastrous career move (none of the albums did well in the UK, Kylie's main sales area) but die-hard fans remember them as the two most definitive Kylie albums. Repeated listening proves that the second release, 'Impossible Princess', was the most accomplished of the two, and this Hits collection gathers together the best of those albums along with a few unreleased tracks from the same 1994-1997 Era. To say that this is an essential collection is an understatement. However, for some inexplicable reason, this has remained one of Kylie's most poorly selling records ever, and has never received a US release. Not surprising then, that this album has missed the eye of many an American Kylie fan. Heres a review of every track on the CD :

1. Confide In Me (Radio Version) : This song actually made it to American radio, but this version is the Australian radio edit. Between mixing a psychedelic 60s mood with 90s Europop, this remains one of Kylie's best singles, and perhaps the best thing she did on Deconstruction.

2. Put Yourself In My Place (Radio Version) : This song, from the 1994 album, was the second single from that CD. Not groundbreaking, but a pleasant singalong alternative pop track.

3. Where Is The Feeling? (Dolphin Mix) : The 1994 CD was known for its clubby air, and this song is most evocative of that CD's ambience. One of Kylie's strongest dance songs, its also melodically superior to most of the garbage on the airwaves right now.

4. Some Kind Of Bliss : The first song here from 'Impossible Princess'. It was also the first single release from that album, and is most remembered for being an instant flop on both sides of the Atlantic. British audiences will be suprised to know that this song actually did get US airplay before being discarded into oblivion. A poor video set in a gas station with Kylie not looking her best is what this song is most remembered for.

5. Did It Again : One of the better songs from 'IP', and perhaps Kylie's best ever music video. A blend between Oriental rhythm and percussion, its an instantly catchy little piece, and while its message isn't revolutionary, its an ounce of pop fluff that holds up even today. Pretty remarkable.

6. Breathe (Radio Version) : One of the most spellbinding songs from 'IP' also made for a spectacular video. 'Breathe' has inspired a fansite and web forum, and rightfully so. Weaving effortlessly between pop and glam rock, the track is one of the few that makes 'IP' so unforgettable.

7. Where The Wild Roses Grow : Kylie's collaboration with Nick Cave gained her instant respect in Australia where she is most often thought of as a pop kitten who fled for Britain in pursuit of fortune. Her stunning vocals on this ballad makes it clear that she is a singer of great potential. These days, this track is remembered as one of her landmark career achievements. A combination of the music of Crowded House and The Beautiful South, this song deserves a place on this collection.

9. Tears : So far available only on the Japanese import version of 'Impossible Princess', its great to see it here.

The rest of the songs on here are new productions, which actually mean that they were probably recorded during 1994-1998 and just never made it to any CD pressing. Theres an unnecessary version of 'Where has the love gone?', and an acoustic rendition of 1994's 'Automatic Love' as well.

Hits+ is the definitive Kylie collection of her Deconstruction years, but its also a fine introduction to her music, especially if you're a fan who discovered her through 2000's 'Light Years'. Highly recommended.

Bringing a close to perfect (artistically) awful (sales) period of Kylie's career in the only way Kylie allowed...shame (see my note on the bottom to explain why this collection only gets 4 stars)

The singles (Confide In Me, Put Yourself In My Place, Where Is The Feeling, Some Kind Of Bliss, Did It Again, Breathe, and Where The Wild Roses Grow) sound just like they did when they were played on UK/OZ radio.

Also featured are two b-sides the beautiful "If You Don't Love Me" (Confide In Me b-side) and the weird yet cool "Tears" (Did It Again b-side/Impossible Princess Japenese bouns track)

And then come the unreleased tracks!

Next are two tracks recorded around the time of Impossible Princess, the beautiful gem "This Girl" and the jazzy "Stay This Way". Both of these tracks are unforgetable!

Moving right along we have 2 "unreleased" versions of 2 tracks off of the Kylie Minogue (1994) album. The first is an accoustic version of "Automatic Love". In this version of "Automatic Love" Kylie's vocals come off even better than on the album version, and everyone that I know that isn't a fan of the album version, likes this version (I like both). Then we have the Roach Motel Remix of "Where Has The Love Gone". I don't understand why they say this was unreleased as I have it on the Mushroom records Confide In Me - The Mixes single. I prefer this remix of it to the Fire Island mix of it (which is the album version).

Finally, they close this collection with an EPIC of a song! "Take Me With You" which appeared in edited form on the Wicked Women collection. Kylie then performed it BEAUTIFULLY on her Intimate & Live tour (see the Intimate & Live CD). and here we have an almost 10 minute long version of the song. PURE BLISS. This was originally recorded for Impossible Princess, but for some reason...didn't make the cut.

A small fact about Hits+

"Hits+" is a wonderful collection of Kylie' songs from 1994 to 1998 featuring many rare, unreleased tracks and remixes. "Confide In Me" and "Some Kind Of Bliss", 2 of my all time Kylie's favorites are classics, such as "Where The Wild Roses Grow" and the Farley & Heller "Roach Motel Mix" of "Where Has The Love Gone" shines. The booklet also contains gorgeous photos by Ellen Von Unwerth. But the true gems of this collection are the wonderful acoustic version of "Automatic Love" and the sublime "IF YOU DON'T LOVE ME" with Kylie as you've never heard before. Definitly a must-have.