Album Review: Let the Music Play by Shannon

"We started dancing and love put us into a groove, as soon as we started to move." Let the Music Play

What was the first freestyle song to become a mainstream hit? According to many, not only did Shannon's 1983 debut single become the first freestyle hit, but the first freestyle song to ever exist. Those are pretty big claims. Are they true? Maybe. Also, of importance to note, is that it also represented one of the first hit songs to use the Rolan TR-808, which would become instrumental to the development of the acid house scene in the late 1980s. No matter how you cut it, Shannon's debut single clearly made an impact on the state of dance music in the 1980s.

For most, this is where Shannon's story begins and ends, but not here at Brycersonic. Compared to my discussions of most albums, I will spare the minutiae here and ask one question. Does Shannon's debut album live up to the promise of her debut single of the same title? Let's find out.

The following is a track-by-track review:

1. Let the Music Play: Hands down one of the most distinctive and memorable openings to any dance-pop song ever. From the first notes it commands your attention and retains it throughout the entire duration. Just an impeccable piece of music in every way. I could make an entire review of this one song alone, and even then, it wouldn't be enough praise for it. The history of pop music could never be complete without this. 5/5

2. Sweet Somebody: I guess it's a little cute? This feels like the definition of mediocre. It's not bad, but it's pure filler, and I don't know who or what this song is for. Not a terrible song, but a terrible second track. 2.5/5

3. Someone Waiting Home: It started off pretty dull and generic, but I will say that the twist in the middle was cute. There is little else to say about a faceless ballad that offers little in substance. Dull and not at all what was expected, but not particularly bad either. 2.5/5

4. Give Me Tonight: We've finally reached a proper follow-up to Let the Music Play! An extremely strong second single that never got nearly the love it deserved on pop radio. It has more of a story and emotional thread running through it that add an interesting spin on an already strong song. The best follow-up that could have been asked for. 5/5

5. My Heart's Divided: Terrible message in this song. The first half is calling out cheating, but then the second half is talking about how she should cheat on her man because he does the same thing? Maybe it's an ultimatum? Is this a precursor to Creep by TLC? Did Shannon threaten to put black tape over her mouth in the music video? Lyrics aside, it's fun! Kind of repetitive, but this should be the minimum standard that should have been met across the board on the album. 3.5/5

6. It's You: Oh look, another ballad on the album behind one of the most distinctive dance songs off the 1980s... yay. I'd like to reiterate, these ballads are weak, but they're not trainwrecks or anything. The biggest crimes here are being generic and slowing down what really should be a more consistently upbeat album. I don't think I will ever remember this song after this is published. 2/5

7. One Man: Shannon gone Go-Go's? Apparently so-so! Very unexpected, but the energy is a perfect fit here. Nothing super inventive, but upbeat pop-rock done very nicely! 3.5/5

8. Let the Music Play - Remix: Really? Come on now. This is wrong on so many levels. Not only is it extremely lazy and screaming of "out of ideas" to make a remix of the opening track the official last track on the standard version of the album, but some tracks are perfection as they exist, only serving to be harmed by further tampering. I get it, this is Shannon's defining song, but between the sheer gall of making a remix the closing track and butchering an already perfect song, I have to show that same gall in return. 0/5

Conclusion: I would not say that this album is one that lives up to its promise. It has two absolute classics, two pleasant enough upbeat songs, one piece of midtempo filler, two filler ballads, and one insulting remix tacked on at the very end. If you've heard Let the Music Play and Give Me Tonight, you've heard all of this album that you really need to. 3/5

Fun Fact 1: Shannon has at least one more 5/5 song in her oeuvre, but I'm not sharing it yet in case I review the album it was on. It should be an easy guess though for anyone who may care to do a little research.

Less Fun Fact: Too many radio stations insist on playing the remix of Let the Music Play despite it being far inferior to the original version. Truly a tragedy for mankind.

Fun Fact 2: Shannon had an Unsung episode released several years ago. It partially inspired this album review.

Fun Fact 3: Hex Hector remixed Give Me Tonight in 2000 and it became a #3 dance hit, and deservedly so. May it be the only remix of a song on this album to survive this century.