Rod Stewart - Body Wishes (1983) [Warner Music Japan, WPCR-75105]

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Rod Stewart - Body Wishes (1983) [Warner Music Japan, WPCR-75105]

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Even the man himself has admitted to making some uneven albums. In the end the result is a very divided opinion on Rod Stewart's talents. But much the same as that occurred with the Rolling Stones a few years later on their Dirty Work could easily apply to this. The influx of electronic/synthesizers into music,especially with rock almost guarantee's a lot of negativity from writers,critics and cultural analysts even today. Worse part is,most of them aren't willing to examine the flaws in their own flaws the way Rod himself apparently has. With an album cover an homage to Elvis's infamous 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong,the feeling was that maybe Stewart felt somewhat overwelmed by the changes in music in the early 80's. His previous releases had shown a very welcoming adaption to synth rock/new wave. But still his music possessed something of a harder rocking edge even for that. By the time this came out,the way in which he was making music was beginning to change as well. And no-I'm sure not everybody had an easy time adjusting to this.

Here the only typically guitar-oriented rocker is the opener "Dancin' Alone",and even this is slickly produced. But also right on time in a world where the Walkman was creating an alienated perception of music in some quarters. Aside from this the majority of this album consists of songs such as "Baby Jane","Move Me","What Am I Gonna Do (I'm So In Love With You" and "Ready Now". These songs rock as well. But the guitars are having to blend in with the synthesizers in these productions. Often enough they possess some of the warm electronic production of the boogie funk of the period only the dance/element is always there. While the lyrical subject matter hasn't changed and there's a lot of horns used definitely owe a lot to the production value of the day. "Ghetto Blaster" is basically out and out boogie funk however,with a street level/hip-hop friendly social message with numerous reference to neutron bombs and the latter day cold war era threats. Sort of his take on issues bought up on 1999 you might say.

The ballads are extremely underrated here. "Sweet Surrender" finds Rod pudding in the hands of a lover over a sleek,somewhat twangy country-rock type piece where "Satisfied" goes more for the heavy duty adult contemporary ballad style of the day. One of the strongest tracks is the reflective "Strangers Again",done up in a sleekly grooving poppy soul/lite funk with some wonderful harmonies. Despite it's bad reputation over the years,I can see how a lot of people who listened to this album have themselves seen it as an excellent Rod Stewart release. And that the only significant different intent between this album and it's predecessor Tonight I'm Yours is the full embrace of synthesizers and dance rock over the entire album. As we've seen with people who went the same direction during this time,such as Paul Weller this embrace of a more electronic,soulful and funky sound had different effects on different levels. At the same time the style suits Rod Stewart in many ways to a tee.At least a lot better than his V-collared red satin jumpsuit. Either way,this is more than worth hearing and/or rediscovering from rock and Rod Stewart admirers.

By Andre S. Grindle, amazon

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Rod Stewart - Body Wishes (1983) [Warner Music Japan, WPCR-75105]

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Rod Stewart - Body Wishes (1983) [Warner Music Japan, WPCR-75105]

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Rod Stewart - Body Wishes (1983) [Warner Music Japan, WPCR-75105]

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