Kim Wilde: a triumphal return to form

Kim Wilde is one of the most underestimated world stars. Although the peak of her fame was inb the early-mid 1980s the millions of her fans still listen to her hits. The earliest of them was Kids In America from the eponymous debut album thank to which Kim became known not only in Europe but also across the Atlantics. Kim has tried a number of times to experiment with styles trying her hand at rock music and dance genres, but most of critics and the singer’s fans agreed that her vocation is the pop genre with some rock elements. After a ten year long hiatus Kim Wilde returned to music in 2006 with her tenth album Never Say Never offering both new and already known material after which she performed with concerts actively and took part in music festivals in Great Britain and Australia. Finally this year Wilde releases a full length eleventh album Come Out And Play truly marking her triumphal return to form and becoming a real even to celebrate for her numerous faithful fans.

Danceable hits and several romantic ballads on Come Out And Play

As all Kim Wilde’s previous works Come Out And Play contains danceable hits and several romantic ballads, besides, the album offers two wonderful duets. The record opens with a dedication to Kim Wilde’s late friend, King Of The World, making it clear at once that we are about to hear not a weak or simple work. A powerful beat, synthesizers, electro guitar riffs and the singer’s impressive vocals – all sound as strong and fresh as many years ago. The first single Lights Down Low is a great danceable hit with an 1980s flavor, bold lyrics, a vivid chorus and a memorable tune. The composition Real Life is also built on a house beat and pleases with wise lyrics whose tenseness corresponds to a very successful accompaniment. The first duet is the song Greatest Journey, performed with Glenn Gregory; with a mid-tempo, filled with strong emotions in the conversation of male and female vocals it is most likely to have arrived from past but is definitely one of the album’s highlights. The track I Want What I Want has the same spirit but somewhat more aggressive lyrics, and the second duet Love Conquers All (with Nick Kershaw) is a very beautiful love ode, the first ballad on the record giving you the lightest feelings. Practically rock numbers Suicide and This Paranoia are among the heaviest here contrasting with another marvelous ballad Loving You More. Another hit contender is the song Get Out with a contagious manner of performance and a memorable chorus. The album closes with a piano ballad, Jessica, which is probably the gentlest and most vulnerable in Kim’s entire discography, and the lyrics indirectly tells of her personal feelings and experience.

An unusual hobby and a successful music career

It is very probable that after Come Out And Play the things will change to the better concerning the recognition of Kim Wilde’s talent. The singer has been especially popular in European countries such as Belgium, France and Germany so far – she has signed a contract with a record deal in the latter and recorded a single with the German pop star Nena. She is known in her native country not only as a pop singer but also as a successful gardener. Kim is an author of two books about gardening one being also devoted to children upbringing, she has also won several gardening contests. Due to these facts Wilde has been more than once involved in TV advertisements of ecologically friendly products; she also writes such ads herself. In ten years of her music hiatus she has got married and had two children who have inspired her to write her books. This time has also been enough for her to gather her strength and to release a follow-up to Never Say Never which offered only 8 new tracks an amazing record Come Out And Play which is definitely one of the best in her music career.

Alexandra Zachernovskaya
15.09.2010