The 1981 Listening Post - Rachel Sweet - ...And The He Kissed Me

 Reviewed by Marie Miele Miller

Released: August 1981 Rachel Sweet …And Then He Kissed Me Genre: Attempt At Rock Thwarted By The Label And Talent Rating: 1.5 out of 5 Highlights: Shadows Of The Night Streetheart Shadows of the Night - co-written by Sweet and covered/improved by Pat Benatar. Always great to learn something about a favorite. Streetheart - a Sweet tune, written in the vein of the 80s tough ballads delivered in a voice that could not have a clue about the topic. I thought I was going to hear some really great music from this artist. This album is a mix of Sweet's own songs and those foisted upon her by the label. I am not a fan of: 1. 50s schlocky music, esp. that from Phil Spector. (Ronnie had grit, to put up with his (insert rhyming word here) 2. That little girl, sing song delivery that continues today. (a la Spears and all the autotuned Lolitas)

The 1980 Listening Post - Rachel Sweet - Protect the Innocent

Rachel Sweet - Protect the Innocent

#46

February 16 1980

Rachel Sweet

Protect the Innocent

Genre: Power Pop

4.25 out of 5

Highlights:

Tonight

Jealous

Fool’s Gold

Take Good Care of Me

Requisite 80s cover:

“New Age” by Velvet Underground. Well…the album is a bunch of songs written by others so it’s difficult to really target them. This is fine. Honest. Since I don’t really love VU, I like it a lot.

“Baby Let’s Play House” by Elvis Presley. Rachel’s just having fun mocking the King. 

“New Rose”. A great song. Should’ve been a hit for her. It’s an unbreakable song. She certainly doesn’t hurt it. 

This record starts off with a palm muted glam rock piece of power pop confection written by Sweet, “Tonight”. It’s right in that Knack wheelhouse and I’m surprised I’d never heard it. China and Chapman could’ve pumped this one out, easy. 

In the late 70s Stiff records was pimping out Rachel pretty hard. Like she was the next Pat Benatar and, you know what? She should’ve been. She’s pretty great, but doesn’t have the heft. She’s more Leather Tuscadero than Suzi Quatro but do YOU know what happened to her? 

Well…from Wikipedia: She worked as a writer and executive producer on the television series Dharma & Greg, Commando Nanny, George Lopez, Hot in Cleveland, 2 Broke Girls and The Goldbergs and has worked in television production since the late 1990s. 

So I’m not worried about her. 

This record is a perfect little version of accessible 1980 New Wave Power Pop. I didn’t want it to end. 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bC2BYXo2kgA&list=PLlvn8uktX5Ls0uLki1Rt94eMzcY-AGPeU