The 1981 Listening Post - Sheena Easton - Sheena Easton

 Sheena Easton- Sheena Easton

#21

By Chris Roberts

January 18 1981

Sheena Easton

Sheena Easton

Genre: Pop

Allen’s Rating: 3 out of 5

Chris’s Rating: 2.75 out of 5

Highlights:

Morning Train (9 to 5)

So Much In Love

Calm Before The Storm

My Sheena Easton overview. I LOVE “U Got The Look,” where she duets—it’s one of Prince’s best hits (thanks to Sheila E and that drum machine). I also blushed at her Sheen-anigans with Alexander Nevermind on the pre-WAP, PMRC labelled “Sugar Walls.” I’m not as big a fan of  “Almost Over You” and “For Your Eyes Only,” but Easton built her career breaking hearts—I appreciate that there’s a market for the BIG LOVESONG, particularly as ships sink and bodies are guarded. 

The engine pulling Sheena Easton (her debut album) is that staple of 80’s radio programming… “Morning Train (9 To 5).” All aboard! Awkward title, catchy, goofy, handclapping fun! I suppose if we want to compare songs with “9 to 5” in the title, Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” is the far-superior product...but “9 to 5” can be two things! 

Next, I recommend you mind the gap, and take the evening train back to London Town. Because there’s not much else onboard the debut that comes close to capturing that same, Broadway sing-along spirit, as the hit. The rest of this album is exactly what you’d expect, considering that Sheena was a music-reality TV star, and this album is the result of her “success” getting a deal with EMI. I was shocked to find out this kind of TV contest-thing pre-dated the American Idol I loathe so much—but now I’m just letting off steam. Aside from “Morning Train (9 To 5),” the album is as slick and heartfelt as a Tab commercial. But not quite as interesting. 

“Don’t Send Me Flowers” and “Cry.” These lyrics aren’t even Tab-worthy. They sound like Sheena’s cup of ambition was filled with saccharine juiced from a superfund site. Do you cry to wash out your heart? Don’t send Sheena flowers, give her hours. Hours? Yes, because the next song is “Take My Time.” It reminds me of “The Touch,” as performed by Dirk Diggler in “Boogie Nights,” which is one of my favorite movies. “Prisoner,” at the end of Side A, is the rock song. 

Side B opens with “Modern Girl,” where Sheena eats a tangerine, reads a magazine… oh, now Sheena is the one taking the morning train (9 to 5)? Good for her! At barely 21 years old, why does Sheena sing so much about commuting? 

There’s four other songs on Side B. If you’re still onboard, there’s light at the end of the tunnel. “So Much In Love” is a slow burn, adult-contemporary track. There’s a ballad too, “Calm Before The Storm,” at the caboose. Neither song really gets chugging, but either  would fit okay on a Slow Jamz/Quiet Storm mixtape. 

Please stand clear of the closing doors!

https://open.spotify.com/album/7bNpYL4bvBMLRyafghBrCs?si=mh8JyaXjSVu-40QE1C9LpA