Xanadu

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Music reviews of Xanadu

Music Review: Forget the movie - the soundtrack is a definite 'Xana-do'
Rating: 5 Stars

They had a muse.

Please, people, don't even get me started on the Don Bluth animation scene. Its relevance was, what, again?

Curiously enough, for all the film's shortcomings the music itself made up for about ten times over. (And granted, the musical sequences in the film were superb - well filmed and well choreographed, perhaps an indication of the MTV generation about five years before it really erupted?) The album is split into two sides, giving equal credit to both artists whose music was primarily showcased here: Olivia Newton-John, and Electric Light Orchestra.

Olivia takes the helm for side one, with a collection of dreamy pop tunes and forties-inspired swingfests. 'Magic' hints at the more edgy adult market Olivia was aiming for on her past record 'Totally Hot' (and would properly infiltrate with the uber-hit 'Physical' the following year), whilst 'Suspended In Time' remains the best pop ballad in Olivia's catalogue. 'Suddenly' was a colour-by-numbers duet with Cliff Richard which, perhaps due to John Farrar's lyrics or the natural chemistry between Britain's Peter Pan of Pop and Australia's girl-next-door, is turned into a specialty. 'Whenever You're Away From Me' is a catchy duet between Olivia and Gene Kelly paying homage to the swinging sounds of the forties, whilst 'Dancin'' sees Olivia and eighties rockers The Tubes go head-to-head in a Big Bang versus Synth-Rock sing off. The end result sees the two songs being sung over the top of each other ... and it works frighteningly well.

On the flipside of things, Electric Light Orchestra lend their chops to five songs which are equally as appealing as Ms Newton-John's contributions. Although Jeff Lynne shies away from the 'Xanadu' project now (sour grapes, mister?) the songs remain as strong as they were in 1980. 'I'm Alive' is a little lyrically blase, but its shimmering optimism amongst the synthesised bleeps and bloops makes it one of Lynne's best recordings. 'The Fall' is perhaps slightly darker than the rest of the songs on the soundtrack, an ode to lost love with a synthesised heartbeat, characteristically Jeff Lynne 'telephone line' vocals, and a booming chorus. 'Don't Walk Away' is the perfect pop ballad to compliment Olivia's 'Suspended In Time' on side A (as long as you can get that hideous Don Bluth animation sequence out of your mind ... yes, I'm bitter), and 'All Over The World' is The Last Great Disco Song of All-Time. Party sounds in the background, rollicking drums,delicious vocals from Lynne slipping up and down the melody, as well as a little 1980 rap-sequence. Poptastic!

Arguably the piece-de-resistance is the collaboration between Olivia and ELO, the film's title track. Olivia sounds divine (and have you SEEN how she looks at the end of the film?! Enough to melt even the gayest of hearts and send them hurrying back to the closet) and the melody is irritatingly catchy. It gave the musical pair a #1 hit in Britain and a lasting legacy at eighties nights and gay clubs alike.

This soundtrack is close to perfect. Varied enough to work as a soundtrack, but cohesive enough to warrant it being as much a 'concept record' as it was the musical companion to a film. This new 1998 issue from MCA Records US (an almost identical version issued a few months earlier is available from Sony in the UK) faithfully restores the original packaging of the record with album photos, lyrics, and superb sound quality. My only gripe is the ommission of three additional tracks from the movie which are now only available on the original vinyl pressings of the singles lifted from this soundtrack. 'Fool Country' is the fantastic punk-rock/country medley Olivia sings at the end of the film in tigerprint miniskirt and tassled cowboy gear respectively, whilst 'You Made Me Love You' is the forties cover you can hear Olivia singing when Sonny visits Danny's mansion. 'Drum Dreams' is the instrumental which you see Gene Kelly and the dancers skating to before Olivia sings 'Xanadu' at the end of the film.

Still, additional tracks or no additional tracks, 'Xanadu' remains one of the best soundtracks of the past thirty years. Do yourself a favour, set aside your bias against the shonky film, and indulge in a shockingly good album.

Description of Xanadu

Broadway & Vocalists CDs

• Music > Styles
• Classic Rock
• Pop
• Rock
• Soundtracks