After a long hiatus during which she raised a family, multi-platinum recording artist Donna Lewis finally returns with her first proper studio album in a decade - In The Pink. — Featuring the first single Shout, Lewis' elev... more »en new tracks seem to pick up right where she left off. Her acute pop sensibility remains firmly intact while simultaneously gravitating towards the newer sounds of bands such as Zero 7 and Hooverphonic.
In The Pink is an album built on Lewis' ultra-solid melodic availability, but mixed in seamlessly is a surprising amount of edge and lush size. Lewis' vocals are broad, whispery yet strong, and more than ever filled with those trademark sensual vowel sounds that make her so instantly recognizable. But what really sets In The Pink apart is an unmistakable sense of adventure and freshness - Obsession and Shut The Sun Out pump out hard, textured grooves while You To Me just screams classic and Shout achieves a timeless and supremely undeniable Euro-style catchiness.« less
After a long hiatus during which she raised a family, multi-platinum recording artist Donna Lewis finally returns with her first proper studio album in a decade - In The Pink.
Featuring the first single Shout, Lewis' eleven new tracks seem to pick up right where she left off. Her acute pop sensibility remains firmly intact while simultaneously gravitating towards the newer sounds of bands such as Zero 7 and Hooverphonic.
In The Pink is an album built on Lewis' ultra-solid melodic availability, but mixed in seamlessly is a surprising amount of edge and lush size. Lewis' vocals are broad, whispery yet strong, and more than ever filled with those trademark sensual vowel sounds that make her so instantly recognizable. But what really sets In The Pink apart is an unmistakable sense of adventure and freshness - Obsession and Shut The Sun Out pump out hard, textured grooves while You To Me just screams classic and Shout achieves a timeless and supremely undeniable Euro-style catchiness.
CD Reviews
A worthy successor to Donna Lewis' previous efforts
C. Eberlein | Boston, MA | 04/06/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I was a bit anxious that Donna Lewis (uber-ambient pop goddess from the 1990s) had taken such a long time to release her fourth album; and once "Shout," her new album's lead single, turned up on her MySpace and website in 2007 it sounded like a by-the-numbers pop song that seriously lacked a hook and sounded inferior to her previous singles. Over time, though, the song gets more palatable with each subsequent listen and turns into a genuinely enjoyable pop song, albeit remaining hardly as moving or catchy as "I Love You Always Forever." So there was some skepticism on my part on how In the Pink would turn out in the end, but after its release in 2008 fears over Lewis' material can be put to rest; it is an enticing, smooth follow-up to Now in a Minute and Blue Planet. Dreamy and synth-infused as ever, a style that Donna helped bring into the mainstream format with her 1996 super-smash "I Love You Always Forever," In the Pink packs as much shimmering melodies and softly-sung vocals as it can, beginning with two songs from her acoustic effort in the form of "Ireland" and "Pink Dress" (both of which sound far better here post-remixing in my opinion). First single "Shout" is likable, but not the best song here - "Shut the Sun Out" smashes through the ears and quickly has become a fan staple and iTunes favorite, and justly so. The quiet "You to Me" is catchy and sincere, while "Don't Ever" sums up Lewis' brand of ambient pop into one fine track. Though In the Pink trips here and there, as heard in in the annoying studio-tweaked "Obsession" (this style of music doesn't suit Donna too much) and its poignant closing number, its good parts far outweigh the less than appealing songs. Lyrically, certain tracks sound a bit childish and even confusing, but the music and Lewis' trademark sweet coo make up for less than stellar lyrics. Overall, In the Pink is one of Donna's best records to date and a listen truly deserving of being heard."
My FIRST HEAD RUSH!!!
Brandon K. Rocha | Chicago il USA | 04/01/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I waited this morning outside of Wal-Mart at 6:30 Am.. they did NOT have it! I was so angry and excited that i felt disappointed.. but i went home and bought a copy through Amazon and even bought the MP3 album via iTunes because i just could NOT wait.. i don't think I've ever been this excited about an album!"
Get this now
C. Eberlein | 07/03/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Donna Lewis... I first heard her 90s hit "I Will Always Love You Forever" and rolled my eyes, but... I never turned the station. What a hook, and what a voice.
It was ten years later that I bought the full CD, and while I thought half was just so-so, I still like the other half.
I then bought "Blue Planet." I think this is her best CD as most of the CD is great.
And now she is In the Pink... her best CD. I copied "Shutting Out the sun" in summer 2007 off of myspace, and listened into the fall.
So, Donna Lewis has two best CDs. How many musicians can say that?
"
Evolving music
Brandon S. Williams | Midlothian, IL | 04/08/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Donna Lewis has been my favorite artist since I heard her debut album Now In a Minute. After anticipating this album for several months, I am extremely pleased with the result. In The Pink is by far the best album Donna has released. This is the first time that I have thoroughly enjoyed every song on her album. Each one is a gem. Interestingly, "Ireland" and "Pink Dress" have been taken from their Be Still vocal + accompaniment versions and produced into full-blown songs, and they're better for it. The vocals are the imaginative and colorful melodies that you would expect from Donna Lewis; the music, however, varies between pops and downtempo electro, which is quite different from her previous albums. I think of this album as being the evolution of her music, and one which is definitely worth listening to whether you're a fan of Donna Lewis or simply a music lover."
Hypnotic
R. Schmidt | Newport Beach, CA | 05/23/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Donna Lewis' In the Pink is a wonderful tribute to her fantastic voice and songwriting. Absolutely a beautiful CD full of jems especially 'Ireland'. I definitely recommend this album."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1