I thought that this was a superb followup to their '84 album! Bananarama matured a lot on this one! I liked the dramatic first song that clocks in at 6 minutes, a departure from their mostly dance music. Venus is still a hot song to this day. One other song I like is More Than Physical. The rest of the album contains some very smart and breezy pop songs. They really came through on this album.

I just got this tape. I love it.I have been singing these songs for
days. And I can't get enough of this tape. I like the songs- Do Not Desturb,Trick of the night, Cut above the rest, Venus, and Ready or Not. They don't have dumb lyrics like so many popsingers
do today. They sound smart. I absolutely love the songs Dance with a stranger,True Confessions,Promised Land. These songs are really well done.The songs have feeling.They sure aren't boring!
I like it. I totally recommend getting this tape.Dance with a stranger is such a beautiful song. This doesn't really matter, but, I like the outfits the girls are wearing on the cover! there awsome!

After two albums of rather crunchy bubblegum, the Bananas had the blind luck to hook up with PWL/S.A.W. just as their music machine took off. Though "True Confessions" only includes two Stock, Aitken and Waterman tracks (the undeniably infectious "Venus" cover and the decidedly Chic-sounding "More Than Physical"), the team of producers came to be responsible for the girls' biggest hits. As some of their earliest material documents, the Bananas were heavily dependent on their production team to provide lush, dynamic music tracks as a vehicle for their rather anemic vocals and original lyrics. Thanks to the SAW sythesis of irresistable Pop hooks and the Calrec Soundfield Microphone, the Bananas vocal sound was firmed up and buffed to a blinding sheen.

As for the material on this album, Swain & Jolley provide an adequate range of musical settings: the Euro-beach Pop of "Promised Land" is a bouncy reminder of earlier productions (like "Shy Boy"), but the rest of their tracks have darker, almost ominous settings. "Do Not Disturb" (an outtake from an aborted British album release) is a highlight, as are the sultry "Dance With A Stranger" and the strutting "Cut Above The Rest." Prior to the SAW years, Bananarama had a "big sister" appeal for many young Brits, and also had a tendency to write lyrics that offered advice, if not outright sympathy ("King of the Jungle," "Hotline To Heaven" among others). This album goes a bit too far in this regard, given the abundance of such songs. The title track, "Perfect World" and "Hooked On Love" are all examples of lyrical overkill, though well-intentioned. Some of this is probably due to Siobhan's influence, since she made it plain she was unhappy with the overtly Pop-lite material the group was best known for recording.

Like the material on the Banana's best albums, the girl's unison vocal lines provide strength as well as a charming silliness, even when they're trying to be dead serious. And in modern dance music where bigger voices had bigger hits, Bananarama won over listeners with their "everygirl" averageness...like a mini-Pep Squad. Not coincidentally, they remain a huge favorite in the Gay Community.

"True Confessions" boasts some solid songcraft and fun performances, but it's appeal is spotty, particularly for those who bought it hoping there were more songs like "Venus." Old fans (especially in the group's native Britain) weren't always pleased with the changes brought on by SAW, but this album begins the Banana's short run as Platinuum Album artists.

Though it isn't nearly as even as it's predecessor, "Bananrama," "True Confessions" is a great way to hear the transition between the two major production teams. And since it is one of only three original releases still available on CD, it's an obvious choice as well. If you're unfamiliar with "Wow!" or the Brit-only "Please Yourself," these are two SAW-produced Banana-albums that are well-worth a little searching.

-Mic

This was the 'Rams transformational period, going from the production teams of Swain and Jolley to the Stock, Aitken, Waterman stable. This album contains contributions from both.

Although S.A.W. provide the 'Rams with the hit (Venus, which is the one the girls will always be remembered for), it is Swain and Jolley who inevitabley steal the album, with a collection of songs about life, but with a pop edge.

I have all of the albums the girls have released in Britain and this cerainly stands out as the best. Gone are the girls weeknesses and insecurities. This album brims with confidence. Even though it was recorded in the mid-eighties, it can easily be listened to over and over again with the enjoyment it provided originally.

Bananarama have stolen my heart away with this album.This was the very first album by the Banana's that I happened to buy,and I loved evey song so much!This LP came out way back in the later part of the 80's...in 1986 to be specific.It was in a way a turning-point in their career,as it was a period during which they came into contact with Stock,Aitken and Waterman (SAW).From this album onwards,they had made worldwide success and the hits just kept coming.I mean for an un-trained female vocal trio...this was really a great acomplishment.All their 80's albums are so bright and lively,some songs could get U dancing like crazy.
Stand out tracks are "True Confessions","Ready Or Not","Venus" of course and "Do not Disturb".The other tracks are also strong supporting tracks worth mentioning.I rarely have so many favs. on just one album!
The title track is a real teaser,it has some great keyboard,and superb druming to go with....The initial part of this track has quite a long introduction,before the girls start singing,I find this something special and rare.Most of today's tracks just don't give us these superbly crafted no's....what do u say.The drumming is by A. Linn,he is also good at what he does!
So "true Confessions" track is definitely a rhythmic,dancey number...as usual.
"Ready Or Not" is also so HOT,I love this one too!Really god on a dance floor.They say..."Ready or not,I'm coming,and I'm gonna find U baby so U better stop runing...." mmm!!gets me excited everytime .
A bit more sultry track in here is "A Trick of The Night".This track and the previous two were produced by Swain and Jolley.It takes some time to make an impression though...but is a great one to listen.This song was a big hit for them,is also included on "The Greatest Hits",in a little more stylish version,with alot of keyboards.I loved that version better.
The next two "Dance With A Stranger " & "In A Perfect World" follow on the same note,are quite serious sounding and sultry.They were obviously trying to prove themselves as serious artistes...I love both these tracks,the latter one making use of some heavy computerised drumming and is of a mid-tempo beat.These drums were also something that Madonna had used in her earlier albums.....I love that sound alot.Bananarama really know how to make great sounding dance music..
Now "Venus" is the best song not only for me but,most people,and is a real dance favorite...This song has eventually become their signature tune! I love that heavy drum beat.....fast and bouncy as always."I'm your Venus,I'm your fire,your desire".....nice words too!This song reached the US top 3! Great work!!The re-mixes of Venus are also stunning pieces of work...really!!U can get one re-mix on the Greatest Hits Collection.
Another hot dance dance number follows "Venus",..."Do Not Disturb",this is a high energy one with the usual fast drum beats.It somehow tells us of the need for privacy for lovers...whereever they may be!....They sing it well,as good as any trained female would,who ever said they can't sing?
"A Cut Above The Rest" is again a mid-tempo song and serious sounding again.It's a likeable one,not very spirited enough,especially after the previous two or three hot dance numbers.....
Well "Promised Land" is a Euro-dance style of music which Bananarama are usually great at....I loved this one too so much.Great drumming again,the keyboards just took me to heaven....what a feeling!!!U will dance to this too! So many dance No's!!!
"More Than Physical" I have to say is noy my fav. all that much,although it was a huge hit and most definitely will suit the clubs.I don't like this all that much cos,it get's so monotonous,the vocals in chorus...repeating over and over and the music remaining on the same plateau...."baby I'm waiting,anticipating...This is more than Physical....."
Finally "Hooked On Love" is another mid-tempo,but amazing piece of work,it's got attitude to it,advicing or warning a girl on getting into a steamy love affair......(addicted to it)."So don't use your body better use your brains,generations goin' insane,when your hooked on Love......" Nice advice for me too!haha!!
This is truly pure 80's ecstasy....great music and vocals.The cover picture is also so attractive.It's worth a try...at least.Most people who I've played it before wanted their own copies,but I can see it is already out of stock...so RUSH!!!!!On the back cover you can see the three of them with their backs turned towards us...and On Siobhans half-coat...there is a nice tattoo..."True Confessions",Damn!! Very sexy indeed.