ROBYN - ROBYN IS HERE

I stumbled on this CD by accident. About the same time Robin S released "Show Me Love", Robyn released a single by the same name. So you had two female singers, both with the same title single and the same name with different spelling. To make a long story short, I bought this record thinking it was the other one. Although both artists use electronic music as the medium for their songs, the approach is vastly different. Robin S' producers relied on a new sound they'd created and basically wrote the same song over and over. To some extent you get that same feeling with 'Robyn Is Here'.

This record does have a couple stand out tunes. And they were the obvious choices for singles. Her label didn't miss a beat on this point. The two charting singles in the US were "Do You Know (What It Takes)" and "Show Me Love". They both reflect the album in the sense they feature some smart production work and enjoyable music. There's more enjoyable pop here than on most records. The arrangements are tight, interesting and slick. Robyn has a quality voice and for a Swedish national, she delivers an English performance flawlessly. You wouldn't think English wasn't her native tongue.

Despite the excellent production work, the record loses momentum in two areas... First, lyrically the songs aren't incredibly diverse or deep. They were typical pop fluff for the time. Second, Robyn has a legitimate voice, but it's never challenged or showcased. There's nothing really setting her off other than the proficiency of her English. She employs all of the standard
diva tricks singers use but it gets washed out in the end. There's enough fair stuff here to keep you going, but nothing to push you over the top.

So listening to this record again in order to review it, I've enjoyed myself so it can't be all that bad. I just wish it stood out more. That there was something here that popped out at you. All in all, it's a great freshman effort and from what I've been reading online and hearing from others, she's come back with even stronger material. I guess she's a force to be reckoned with. :-)

My final words: A PLEASANT MISTAKE

ROBYN - ROBYN IS HERE
01. Bumpy Ride
02. In My Heart
03. You've Got That Somethin'
04. Do You Know (What It Takes)
05. The Last Time
06. Show Me Love
07. Just Another Girlfriend
08. Don't Want You Back
09. Do You Really Want Me (Show Respect)
10. How
11. Here We Go
12. Robyn Is Here
13. I Wish (A Cappella)
14. Do You Really Want Me (Show Respect) (Remix)