Rick Springfield - Karma

1. His Last Words
2. It's Always Something
3. Religion Of The Heart
4. Beautiful Prize
5. Karma
6. Shock To The System
7. Free
8. Prayer
9. The White Room
10. In Veronica's Head
11. Ordinary Girl
12. Act Of Faith

Album cover:

Total Playing Time: 49:37 m:s

Review date: 30 June 1999

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My initial reaction was bemusement. I just couldn't figure out where all the rave reviews were coming from. I think the main reason was that I was expecting something along the lines of a lightweight rock-pop album, whereas this is a more laid-back affair with a mid-West vibe to it. It actually inspired me to go away and listen to Joey Tempest's "A Place To Call Home" album. Not convinced that I'd given Rick a 'fair go', I returned to "Karma" for enlightenment.

Second time around I began to see what all the fuss is about. Once I had accepted it's lightweight mid-West identity, this became an entertaining album. Another way of describing the whole affair is as mature. Whilst Rick's previous efforts exuded youthful exuberance (Celebrate Youth et al), this is a lot more grownup. Comparisons could be drawn to Kip Winger last album, but the situation here isn't quite so drastic.

The first track is a sound-byte of a spoken nature rather than a proper song. The next 3 songs are uptempo mid-West style numbers that whilst not being acoustic do have that feel to them. The title track, "Karma", does have a slightly 'cosmic' start but doesn't get as 'trippy' as you might expect. "Shock To The System" has a laid back groove, almost Hall & Oates, with a big chorus. The laid back grooves continues with "Free", before "Player" goes for a more uptempo style and again nods it's head in the direction of Hall & Oates. "The White Room" meanders along without grabbing my attention. Not so "In Veronica's Head" which is more the style I remember from Rick Springfield. "Ordinary Girl" begins with some Southern Blues before transforming into a killer acoustic pop song. After listening to this track I always warm to the whole album. The final listed tune, "Act Of Faith", is a mellow tune that once again reminds me of H+O. The unlisted track could well be called "Hey Maria" and like "In Veronica's Head" reminds me of older Rick Springfield material.

The more I listen to this, the more I like it. Rick Springfield mixed with Joey Tempest and Hall & Oates is a great combination, especially if you're into the lighter side of AOR. A good album then, but not quite as rave-worthy as I had been lead to believe.