CAMEO - WORD UP!

Certain artists have sounds they're famous for. In the case of Cameo, it's an interesting situation. In the 80s and 90s, Larry Blackmon became famous for a particular sound. Whereas Prince made his trademark sound based on heavy synth melodies and the Linn Drum Machine, Blackmon did it through a combination of different things. He had unique vocal arrangements using an affected voice, interesting drum programing and trendy drum sounds. Even though nothing was really revolutionary about Cameo's music, it was distinct. To say it was exciting is an understatement. But it was also inconsistent.

On 'Word Up!' for example there are only two tracks that seem to fit this hit making formula of Blackmon. 'Candy' and 'Word Up' itself. Though the rest of the disc has some value as nice little jingles, they end up sounding more like traditional R&B. Massive amounts of this stuff has been released over the years and even though the subject matter struggles to find a unique perspective, it winds up sounding run of the mill.

Given the space age appearance of the band itself, you'd expect something more progressive and cutting edge. It's somewhat misleading. Both 'Word Up' and 'Candy' promise a new age revolution of sorts. But the rest of the disc fails to produce it. It never moves past the opening tracks. Blackmon used his hit making talents previously and since on various tracks. But it's the lack of more interesting material that left Cameo in a one-hit-wonder limbo. It would be nice to see Blackmon and friends come back and do something interesting nowdays. I'm kinda curious what they're up to.

With downloading what it is, if you have an interest in some Cameo tracks, do yourself a solid and skip the filler songs. Focus on the really good stuff. These days, bands need to write good songs all the way through the record if they want to sell more than a single. Back then, you sometimes took your chances. With 'Word Up!', I gambled and lost. My final words: GENERIC WITH A PINCH OF GENIUS.

CAMEO - WORD UP!
01. Word Up
02. Candy
03. Back And Forth
04. Don't Be Lonely
05. She's Mine
06. Fast, Fierce & Funny
07. You Can Have The World