Review: “Keep It Turned On” by Rick Astley (CD, 2001)

Today’s Pop Rescue from an uncertain fate is 2001’s Keep It Turned On – the fifth album by British singer, songwriter, musician, producer, and meme-God, Rick Astley. Will this album be one to Keep On, or is it a massive Turn off? Read on…

Rick Astley - Keep It Turned On (2001) album. — Rick Astley – Keep It Turned On (2001) album.

This 11 track CD opens with lead single Sleeping which drifts in before synth pads and a dance beat drops in. Rick’s vocals are unmistakeable here, although it feels initially unusual to hear him on a dance-pop song. The track is catchy, and works a treat as the album’s opener, and you could easily imagine Steps picking the track up. Sadly, with this album not being released in the UK, we missed out.

Next up is Wanna Believe You, and for a moment I thought that we’re about to be treated to White Town’s Your Woman, but it shifts to give us Rick back on the mic. Once again, we’ve got a catchy dance-pop track, laden with synths and funky disco-styled motifs. Rick is subject to auto-tune occasionally, but it’s played obviously, so doesn’t jar. It’s another foot-tapper.

That’s followed by What You See Is What You Don’t Get, and this time this track’s chorus echoes the chorus of his later hit single Beautiful Life. This is by no means a bad thing, as this track once again delivers another catchy tune. Rick’s rich vocals dance effortlessly across this track, delivering a bright pop song.

Then it’s Breathe, complete with tinkling piano, cellos, drum machine and sampled vinyl crackle. This allows Rick to show of the warmth and strength in his vocals in this slower heartfelt mid-tempo song. It’s a wonderfully mellow and gentle song, and gives us a great reminder of Rick’s vocal range.

The vinyl crackle continues as we head into next song One Night Stand. Here, Rick recounts an evening, and his resulting regret. As with the previous song, he’s flanked by a mellow track of soft beats, swollen soft notes, with the focus being on his emotive reflective lyrics and vocals.

Strings and acoustic guitars lead us into next song Don’t Ask. Rick’s voice is soon cutting through as synth pads gurgle in the background. His voice shines here, as he throws his vocal range and power around with great ease as the song builds up.

Next up is titular track and the album’s second and final single Keep It Turned On which bursts into my ears. We’re treated to roaring guitars and piano that sit perfectly alongside Rick’s return to pop-rock vocals. It’s another foot-tapper here, with catchiness throughout.

Romeo Loves Juliet is after that, and as you might expect from a song with a title linked to love, that we’re given a tender set of vocals set against a dreamy track, led through by an acoustic guitar and tinkling piano. The beat is gentle and plodding, and it flows easily as Rick’s vocals leads us from verse to chorus and back again. It’s a nice soft and mellow song.

Then it’s Let’s Go Out Tonight and this track has some wonderful acoustic guitar chords. I’m reminded of the BIR Soundtrack version of Where Has The Love Gone? by Kylie Minogue for a few moments, but then Rick’s vocals drops in and he ushers the song away to a nice mellow track that just oozes warmth. The vocal harmonies from backing vocals are perfectly placed, as the soft beat and breathy synths act as a soft undercurrent. It sounds lovely!

Full Of You is next, with Rick reminiscing alongside a piano. They’re soon joined by strings, finger snaps, and a gentle beat. The track allows for Rick’s vocals to shine – showing off the range and richness in his voice.

The album closes with Miracle, which is loaded with acoustic guitars and backing vocals. The beat is slow and simple, giving us an emphatic ballad to end the album on. A ‘miracle’ sound is a bit distracting, almost like a sweeping bit of microphone feedback – but it’s fleeting, and Rick takes a confident and easy stride through this song – leaving us with a feeling that Mariah Carey could easily have done this track and given us an equally as lovely sound. It’s a great ending to the album – musically, vocally, and lyrically.

Rick’s lead single ‘Sleeping’ (2001).

Verdict

Over all, this album is a wonderfully slick collection of warm mid-tempo tracks and synth-pop foot-tappers.

Having previously been unaware of this album due to not receiving a UK release, it was a surprise and joy to find it. I’m not let down, with singles Sleeping and Keep It Turned On leading the way with the highlights – but they are two of so many great songs here with very few feeling like weak points. The lowest of the moments being not that low, but Don’t Ask and Romeo Loves Juliet feel a little lacking by contrast – even though it’s only slight.

This album is slick, and Rick sounds great throughout. The energy in the earlier part of the album gives him a new sound, whilst the latter part feels more gentle and mellowed. Sadly, the album was seemingly not released in the UK, but was available in many European countries, and it’s sad that we missed out on this.