Artist: Cameo Album: Single Life

Year: 1985
Duration: 0:0-1

A Critical Review of the Album: Single Life by Cameo

In the early 80s, Cameo stormed into the music scene with fresh and funky hits that set the stage for what would become one of the most enduring funk acts of all time. Following the success of their previous albums, their 1985 offering, Single Life, continued to cement their legacy in the industry. In this blog post, we'll take a look at this innovative album, explore the history of the artist, dive into the music genre of the album, discuss the best songs of the album, highlight the most innovative parts, and provide a critics' review of the album.

Cameo was formed in 1974 in New York City by Larry Blackmon. They began as a group of 14 members who were interested in blending funk, soul, and rock. They had no success for several years until they were discovered by Casablanca Records in the late 70s. Single Life was released in 1985, five years after their breakthrough album, Cameosis. It's the first album in which Blackmon played all the instruments himself, having fired all the band members prior to its recording.

Single Life's music genre is heavily rooted in funk and R&B, with a touch of rock and new wave. The album showcases Blackmon's unique way of using his voice as an interjection to the instrumentals, a technique that became a staple of funk music. The record's sound is consistent with Cameo's previous work, with longer songs that give the musicians more room to improvise.

The album's best tracks include Attack Me With Your Love, Single Life, and Room 123 (She's Strange). Attack Me With Your Love is the standout song, with a bumping bass line, catchy handclaps, and vocal harmonies that makes it an instant classic. Single Life features nicely constructed instrumental breaks held together by funky bass lines and Blackmon's unique vocal delivery. Room 123 (She's Strange) demonstrates the band doing more with fewer elements is deftly crafted with a catchy vocal hook, understated guitars, and syncopated percussion.

One of the most innovative parts of Single Life is its sound. The album was one of the first to use digital synthesizers prominently, giving it a modern edge while still retaining its funk roots. The record also features more complex drum patterns and interesting sound design, showcasing Blackmon's musical vision and evolution.

Critically speaking, Single Life is not as strong as the band's previous albums. The experimentation with new sounds and techniques may have come at the expense of cohesiveness. The album has a few songs that feel disjointed and underdeveloped, which is a flaw that Cameo's earlier albums didn't exhibit.

Overall, Single Life by Cameo is an album that wonderfully demonstrates the band's ability to blend genres and create their unique identity. The new sounds and approaches incorporated into this album show Blackmon's commitment to innovation and are a testament to his enormous talent. While it might not be the band's strongest album, it's still full of creative and inspiring music that will surely get you grooving. So, get your dancing shoes on and give Single Life a listen!