Tina Turner impresses me. By the time her comeback album Private Dancer was topping the charts, this woman was in her 40s, and even after a very long, successful, and painful journey through the musical world, she still left herself room to grow as an artist and a singer. In the early 80s, when Tina started recording for Private Dancer, she stated that she wanted to do "fun" music. Upbeat music that she was hearing on the radio, and not the bluesy-tunes she was forced to belt out at the reigns of her (unanimously voted asshole) husband Ike. Tina breezed through the 80s, hitting the charts with another pop-rock album Break Every Rule. But in 1989, Tina's sound began changing a little bit. She began to embrace her bluesy past, except this time she was doing it on her own terms. The result is 1989's Foreign Affair, which gave Tina more hits and more incentive to strive harder.

Right off the bat, it's evident that this album has some of the greatest vocals she's ever done. A lot her Ike-era music leaves me feeling a little dry, and her voice wasn't anywhere near as strong as it was in the 1980s and today. Her voice is equipped for a lot of musical stylings, and in this time she proved it. I picked up a used copy of Foreign Affair at a local music store for a few bucks after my turntable's stylus had snapped, meaning that the vinyl copy I bought meant very little to me. The album cover and design of the release is very noticeable and stylized-- in fact, it was so good as to have been nominated for a Grammy. Tina shows off those crazy legs and hair, giving us paranoia, confusion, and still warmth (even through a cooling blue light filter.)

THE GOOD

When you hit play on this album, get ready to be socked in the mouth by Steamy Windows, which was the show opener when I was lucky enough to see Ms. Turner live in 2008. Tina wastes no time on this track, belting out the title and sounding ever so sexy when her voice rasps says: "We was snuggled up in the back seat, making up for lost time." The subdued (yet..blunt?) lyrics come from Tony Joe White, who helped co-write most of the album. If there is a downside to listening to Tina Turner, it's that she doesn't contribute to the songwriter (aside from Nutbush City Limits, which was autobiographical); however, with the material that she is given, she really does sing the hell out of it. This, in turn, is evident on The Best, a song originally sung by Bonnie Tyler. I find this a little funny, because both women have extraordinarily unique voices. That said, Tina's version blows hers away. This pop/rock track, famous for the powerhouse deliver of the line "you're simply the best!" has become iconic of Ms. Turner. At her finest, Tina is powerful and urgent, so this track really just defines everything I love about her style.

Tina experimented with 80s pop, blues, and contemporary sounds throughout her career, which is quite evident on the mature Foreign Affair. Falling Like Rain is pure pop music that sounds ahead of its time (for the context of the late 80s.) That cool rnb sound mixed with a pop sensibility would become a staple for TLC and other girl groups of the mid-90s. Tina's take on this sound, though, is far superior with her crazy delivery and sexy snarls. "I'm fallin' like raaaiiin. Oh, I'm comin' down around ya.." It's sweet, it's pop, ...and it's a little bit naughty! Tina in her 40s is hotter than any other pop star at 20. And when she was 20? Well, she was singin' blues tracks with Ike Turner. By '89, though, she seemed to have embraced it with Undercover Agent for the Blues, an oldie-but-goodie that she recently pulled out for her 2008-09 (sold out) world tour. This track, unlike the bulk of her work with Ike, is actually good. It's got a gritty melody and Tina's voice is pure smoke, baby.

Look Me in the Heart is my favorite track from the album, even if many regard it as a step above filler. The song was a successful single, but became one of those forgotten tracks. Ask Me How I Feel is another classic Tina pop song that's been lost to obscurity, lying on a Side B that the American public would never flip to in a million years. I'm sure it got a little more attention overseas, where one of the more successful singles came from the backside. Speaking of Side B, by the way, I highly recommend not ignoring the title-track, which ties the entire record in very nicely with a mellow and smooth sound.

THE BAD

Tina Turner, as incredible as she is, sometimes just picks really lousy songs to record. To this day, every one she's ever released has some dreadful filler on this that just makes me wants to shake that 80s wig off her head and find out why she chose to sing it. Be Tender With Me Baby is one of the worst Tina songs of all time, as it's dripped in a thick coating of sappy mellow-drama. Thankfully, though, none of the other songs are even remotely as bad; rather, they are a little forgettable. You Know Who (Is Doing You Know What) is fine to listen to, but it's not a song to go seeking out. It's got that typical 80s vibe going on that I usually like, but the melody is too linear to stand out. Not Enough Romance is just so, well, boring. The stupid Casio-keyboard sample is enough to drive me a wall. Tina sounds great, but she's overpowered during the boring chorus.

While I don't hate I Don't Wanna Lose You, I have an issue with it being released a single over some of the other, stronger tracks. It became a hit for her, but I feel like there are better songs that represent her voice and power (Ask Me How I Feel for one).

Overall, if you're looking to check out Tina Turner, I think Foreign Affair does a great job of showcasing where she was in the 60s, where she was in the 80s, and where she went in the 90s. Solid pop music from a legendary icon.

TRACK LIST
Steamy Windows (5 Stars)
The Best (5 Stars)
You Know Who (Is Doing You Know What) (3 Stars)
Undercover Agent for the Blues (5 Stars)
Look Me in the Heart (5 Stars)
Be Tender With Me Baby (1 Star)
You Can't Stop Me Loving You (4 Stars)
Ask Me How I Feel (5 Stars)
Falling Like Rain (5 Stars)
I Don't Wanna Lose You (3.5 Stars)
Not Enough Romance (2 Stars)
Foreign Affair (5 Stars)

OVERALL SCORE: 4 Stars (4.06-)

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Driving