It's interesting to see that, although there is a divergence of opinion on just where to place this CD in Cyndi Lauper's oeuvre, most of the reviewers below find "A Hat Full of Stars" to be a quality effort. Indeed, there was little reason for Cyndi's '90s work not be better promoted and better known. Tastes change, of course, but Sony really should have found a better marketing strategy to promote Lauper's more mature work. The fact that many people still consider her to be a sort of novelty act is disheartening. She is a singer of considerable range and an artist who takes her work seriously and has seldom, if ever, come up short.

Rock critics, who championed Lauper in '84, pretty much abanoned her by the late 80's. That's a pity, because she was developing as a singer and as a songwriter the whole time. I understand that some fans found this more seriously-themed effort (she addresses such topics as abuse, abortion, and racism) as something of a "downer." But "Feels Like Christmas" is exuberant, and the (mysteriously ignored) single "Who Let In the Rain" is elegant pop. Perhaps the only problem with the song is that it was released shortly after Madonna's similarly themed "Rain"--echoing the whole "True Colors" / "True Blue" synchronicity from the '80s.

One thing Cyndi Lauper does not need is more Madonna comparisons. Yes, they did emerge at the same time and they both were originally exponents of thrift store chic, but the similarities pretty much end there--well, OK, they're both Italian-American Catholics too...but the similarities really DO end there. OK, OK, they both came from homes that were at least at times single-parented, and they both had issues with step-family. But the similarities really do end there!! Here's the key difference: Cyndi Lauper decided, at some point, to focus more on her music than on her persona. She has paid a price for that in terms of commercial viability. But as this CD and her subsequent work demonstrate, she remains a talent to be reckoned with. It's a downright shame that her work has been so ignored.

Being a long time fan of Cyndi Lauper has been hard. First, dealing with the ridicule, then dealing with the lack of promotion, then dealing with a change in musical ambition. In 1993, ten years after She's So Unusual, I believe Cyndi made her landmark recording. No one noticed. Not even a hit. Thanks Sony Records. Because this is a hidden gem that only Cyndi fans will enjoy. Twelve tracks that work so well that the only other cd I can compare it to is She's So Unusual. Great songs abound on this cd like "That's What I Think", "Who Let In The Rain", "Sally's Pigeons", "Feels Like Christmas", "Dear John", "A Part Hate" and "Hat Full Of Stars." I don't believe Cyndi ever sounded better, nor more confident than on this cd. Her 1996 cd, Sisters of Avalon, found Cyndi moving in another direction that was good, but not quite as good as Hat Full of Stars. This is a must have for any rock collector.

Cyndi Lauper's album "She's So Unusual" made her a pop phenomenon in the 1980's. Lauper's commercial success has faded, but she has continued to create good music. "Hat Full of Stars" is a collection of music tinged by darker subjects. This project was critically acclaimed and generated a number of songs that were far more challenging than the light pop music Lauper sang in the 1980's. However, the darker subjects and the lack of promotion seem to have doomed this album to obscurity.

This album begins with "That's What I Think." This song has a dark edge as it speaks of problems that range from small (no rent money) to large (overpopulation and pollution). Yet Cyndi sings that she can forget about all these problems when she thinks about a special person. This catchy song has feels at home on a dance floor. This song was released as a single in 1993 and saw its best success on the U.S. Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, where it reached #14.

The darker edge of this album is in plain sight in the song "Product of Misery." The music is catchy with a solid beat, but the topic is dark. "She's just a product of misery" has personal meaning to Cyndi. Cyndi describes people stuck in drudgery and pain for generations, with no way out. Cyndi says she does not want to live like that. I suspect that these lyrics relate to Cyndi's childhood because of observations she made about her mother and other women like her.

The song "Who Let in the Rain" is a beautiful song that relies on poetic lyrics for its strength. Cyndi dug deep for the feelings in this song. This song was the first song released as a single from this album. The song did poorly in the United States, failing to reach the Hot 100 and only reaching #33 on the Adult Contemporary singles chart.

The subject turns darker in the song "Lies." The song has a very catchy beat that pulls you into the lyrics. The lyrics speak volumes of the abuse that Lauper received as a child. The lyrics are marginally angry, but they are also self-assured and confident. The abuse theme continues in "Broken Glass." Cyndi swears that she will not be abused like her mother, and then she fell into the same kind of relationship. Cyndi claims her revenge in this song when "it sounded like a gun, but it could have been a firecracker." Cyndi did not stick around to see which it was, but she noted that he got back up "like broken glass." Cyndi may have been a victim, but she is also a survivor and she refuses to put up with this sort of nonsense any more.

"Sally's Pigeons" remains my favorite song on this CD. This song is a touching story about a friend of Cyndi's that became pregnant and then died while after having an abortion. Cyndi throws herself into this song emotionally, and if you focus on the song it is difficult to listen to it without getting watery eyes. This song alone makes any CD with it worth purchasing.

This album has a lighter moment with "Feels like Christmas." This love song provides relief from the darker topics covered by earlier songs. The music is bouncy and fun with a catchy beat. The following song is also relatively upbeat. "Dear John" is a song of encouragement for someone who keeps telling him what he can't do. Cyndi sings that he could be anything he put his mind to, including an astronaut. The music is solid and the lyrics are written in a non-traditional format. I am less enthused about Cyndi's vocal style for this song, which is quite unlike any other song on this CD.

"Like I Used To" is about possession and probably abuse. The music is ironic in comparison to the lyrics. There is a bouncy pop beat with catchy hooks. The lyrics reveal that Cyndi has been controlled and treated as a possession, but she is no longer having any of that. As she says at the end of the song, "I'm my own possession."

The beautiful song "Someone like Me" reflects on topics she covered in earlier songs. The line "I can't see what someone like me is doing in a life like this, slipping back into the past" indicates to me that she is talking about the abuse and neglect she thought she escaped. She also recognizes that it must be her decision to make her life different. The music is pop sensible with catchy hooks. I think this song would have had a good chance as a single.

Cyndi speaks her heart on a related subject in "A Part Hate." The music and vocals are excellent as she sings about the ills of modern society. Her commentary on drug dealing, racism, and violence are applicable to most countries of the world. This song is another winner from this CD.

The final song is a song of hope. "Hat Full of Stars" is about things accomplished, dreams, things that became and things yet to be. This song is also about how we have changed as people and how we have remained the same. The hat full of stars is a reminder to Cyndi of who she is, and how she thought others should have seen her. Cyndi beautifully wraps up this wonderful CD.

How well we remember Cyndi Lauper from the 1980's. She seemed so carefree and exuberant. This album tells us different. She is full of pain and anguish. This CD finally gave her the chance to say what she really wanted to say. Cyndi's music is better on this CD than the stuff she did in the 1980's; perhaps because she is more honest with herself, perhaps because she has allowed the artist to speak. Regardless of the reason, this is wonderful music to speak to the hidden places in your heart.

Enjoy!

...and in 1993, when I bought this album by chance (I never knew about it's release, I happen to stumble on it on a cd store and was so happy that I was gonna hear more from my favorite artist ever) I was astonished about how her inner voice matches so much her amazing vocal abilities. Cyndi is not only a wonderful voice, she is also a wonderful writer.

Cyndi proves herself to be one of the best female artists (and also one of the most underrated artist) in American music history. If you chance to join her concert, you'll understand what I say. This album is so brilliant that it conveys her deep emotion and experience so effectively. I donn't believe one would write this kind of songs so beautifully like Cyndi. Her wide range voice is too good too be true.

Minniewit