Celine Dion – Loved Me Back to Life

Celine Dion’s first English-speaking album since 2007’s Taking Chances, Loved Me Back to Life features a series of sophisticated, beautifully polished tracks sung with the incredibly versatility of her voice, that would cater to the broader audience of lovers of adult pop as well as her own fan base.  The only problem is that most of the songs are neither memorable nor appealing enough to really capture one’s attention.

The title track that opens the album is relatively engaging for the moment, containing a melody and tempo that might bring to mind the rhythm of crashing waves, but the text, as always delightfully articulated by way of Dion’s captivating vocals, is unimpressive and flat, and the piece is at once forgotten after it’s over. Somebody Loves Somebody follows along with a vigorous beat, but is little more than a generic, radio-friendly pop song. The album also includes two duets: the paradoxically dull Incredible with Ne-Yo, and the much more entertaining Overjoyed with Stevie Wonder, with its glamorous, 80s style show-tune vibe. In fact, whilst the first five tracks are typically pop, the second – and better – half, has an air of Las Vegas, perhaps a creative remnant from Dion’s two immensely successful and long-running Vegas shows.

Another strong track is Didn’t Know Love, penned by Eg White, who has also written songs for Adele, featuring elegant, intelligent lyrics and a pleasing melody, sung with a soft and dreamy tone by the artist. It would seem that many of the great female voices of popular music – Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Mina – have opted out the power-ballad in favour of safer pop-tunes and r’n’b. The missing element is more often than not great song-writing. Celine Dion’s new album is enjoyable enough, but fails to live up to the standards of Falling in to You, Let’s Talk About Love and D’eux.

Mark Sempill

Loved Me Back to Life is released on 11^th November 2013. For further information or to order the album visit Celine Dion’s website here.

Watch the video for Didn’t Know Love here: