Book of Love Albums (4)
What The Critics Say
The fifth album by the synth quintet Book of Love kicks off with the hypnotic, mostly instrumental "Sunday Morning A.M.," featuring Susan Ottaviano breathily repeating the word "always." It's followed by the bittersweet "Happily Ever After," which includes a cool sample of the Fifth Dimension's "Aquarius." The group injects David Bowie's "Sound and Vision" with perk (and more than a few layers of keyboard noodlings and a throbbing dance beat). "Hunny Hunny" is as sweet as its name implies and "Trouble in a Bubble" has a playful bounce. The simple "Salve My Soul" has a cool, sensual feel (spoiled by a chaotic midsection) and "Woyaya" just doesn't work. While there are some fun moments on Lovebubble (the sprightly pop of "Flower in My Hand"), most fans will find Book of Love's earlier work much more engaging and essential. ~ Tom Demalon, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
With song titles like "Orange Flip," Book of Love's third album is an aural trip to the candy shop. The arrangements, especially on "Turn the World" and "Quiver," sound like some sort of electro-pop Christmas album. These pop confectioners have always used sweetness and innocence in their recipe, but never has it sounded so sugary. ~ Brian Mansfield, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Book of Love's Ted Ottaviano was credited with playing "tubular bells" on the band's self-titled debut album. On their second album, Book of Love opened the proceedings with their own danceable version of the 1973 Mike Oldfield instrumental hit as a way of launching into a somewhat harder-edged album. Producer Flood (of Depeche Mode fame) brought his ominous, beat-heavy approach to the group's already street-smart disco persona, with the result that tracks like "Pretty Boys and Pretty Girls" had an urgency lacking on the more pop-oriented debut. This was not, however, the way to break Book of Love beyond the dance clubs, and Lullaby did little to advance their career. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Book of Love plays synthesizer-based dance-pop with an edge. The music is sweeter and lighter than much of this genre, and vocalist Susan Ottaviano has a matter-of-fact phrasing style that keeps it all from getting too sweet. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide
