BIG SCIENCE

3.5 stars. This lady sure paid her dues, playing museums and anywhere she could be heard and seen with her visual and audio performances in the late seventies. She released a single called "O Superman" in 1981 that became a surprise hit in the UK. This certainly motivated her, and allowed her to make a full album which is "Big Science" released in 1982. And yes "O Superman" is on this record.

She started out playing the violin but her focus became the keyboards and in particular electronics. And she speaks the lyrics she writes, at least on this record and the next one from 1984 called "Mister Heartbreak", before starting to sing more on the albums that followed. So yes this is different. Not my thing overall but I do have an appreciation for how inventive she is. There's nine musicians helping her out that I don't know, plus a backing female singer. I like the tags for this one as in art pop, experimental, electronic and spoken word.

The lady has a way with words, and that deadpan delivery is something. I get the appeal. Telling stories to music with a lot of wit. I'm not big on the processed vocals she uses at times, like on "O Superman" and the closer. She does actually sing on one track called "Example #22". My favourite song is "From The Air" with the honking horns and catchy rhythm as she speaks "This is your captain..." as humour and synths follow. The title track has some interesting lyrics as it plods along, bassoon too. At one point she says "Big science, hallelujah!". "Sweaters" is another highlight but "Walking And Falling" disappoints.

It's interesting that she was married to Lou Reed for 5 or 6 years before his passing. I really don't like the cover art, it's so 80's. Good album though, and I agree with her being in Crossover on this site.