Kylie Minogue - "Made Of Glass"
So here we are at the beginning of the new year, 2005, in the midst of the annual music release hibernation period. Seems fitting that the first new track I hear is this sleepy little pop/club churner, caught somewhere in limbo between potentially lighting up the charts as a future smash or being lost as a forgotten b-side. You have to wonder how long this one's been sitting in the Xenomania vaults, seeing as that it's much more reminiscent of Brian Higgins' early work with Chicane and Cher rather than their more recent barnstormers. "Made Of Glass" sticks to a proven formula closely, melding Kylie's whispery vocals with expansive, winding synths, subdued cymbal rushes, and a hint of guitar, all while a gentle club beat keeps everything afloat. It's very pretty to say the least and a step up from "Giving You Up" and the overrated "I Believe In You". The only problem I have with the song is with Kylie herself. I'm not convinced that her precious, wide-eyed vocal approach is the right one. I think this song is just begging for a little more stylish pizzaz. Word has already spread that "Made Of Glass" has been given to Rachel Stevens and that this current version will probably never see the light of day as an official release. Rachel isn't necessarily a better singer than Kylie (neither of them are exceptional), but her voice is certainly a bit warmer and more expressive. People always talk about Britney sounding and acting robotic in her performances, which I always find puzzling considering how Kylie seems the better target for such accusations. Now don't get me wrong, I think Kylie's released a fair amount of strong material. I just find her vocals to be somewhat joyless, even distant at times, injected with too much professionalism. I'm hoping that with Rachel at the helm and perhaps some additional reworking, we'll see this return, next time with the flash, vitality, and showmanship it deserves.
