Rival Empire’s website includes the following disclaimer about this album: “(Rival Empire would like to take a moment here in advance to respectfully thank: Phil Collins, Fleetwood Mac, Michael Jackson, Ronald Reagan, Christie Brinkley and their corresponding Publishers/Rights Owners, for their understanding of Rival Empire's artistic use of repurposed lyrics and minor compositional melodies from: One More Night, Little Lies, Billie Jean, Ronald Reagan's excerpts, and Ms. Brinkley’s namesake, respectively.  All of the above uses were designed carefully to fall under the fair use protection of section 107 of the Copyright Act.  The uses of these works are clearly transformative and parodic, intended to serve as comment and social criticism.  The key factor here being social criticism and commentary, as there is no intention of malice toward the above-mentioned persons.)”

When I read that, I was a little concerned about what this would be. Well, I have to say that it’s far more creative than that disclaimer would lead one to believe. Yes, all those things are nodded to, referenced or otherwise used in some way. Beyond that, though, this is original stuff. I’d have to say, though, that it falls apart in a couple ways. Sometimes there is just too much similarity from song to song to a large degree because the tempo and vocal patterns are too similar. Additionally, when they get too trendy with the dance music, it’s trite and just too generic. Beyond that, though, there is some cool stuff here.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2014  Volume 5 at lulu.com/strangesound.

A mysterious electronic introduction gives way to a cool dance groove. This has some vocal bits that are familiar. It gets some great funk built into it later. This is such a cool soulful tune.

I love this redo of the earlier track. It really has a proggy 1980s vibe to it. It’s arguably the best song here.