Exposé Albums (3)
What The Critics Say
Exposé had a hard time fitting into the radio trends of the moment with their third album, which came three and a half years after What You Don't Know. The Latin-spiced dance/club sounds that made such an impact on pop radio in the latter half of the '80s had been replaced by grunge and alternative rock, and the "girl group" concept had fizzled. Despite this, the trio managed a Top Ten hit with the Diane Warren-penned ballad "I'll Never Get Over You," a somewhat formulaic AC number. Arista tried to capitalize on this success by releasing two other Wilson Phillips-esque soft rock numbers, "As Long as I Can Dream" and "In Walked Love." This wasn't to much avail, and the cream of the crop was never tasted. Surefire dance numbers like the house-driven "I Think I'm in Trouble," the nostalgic "Angel" and "Give Me All Your Love," a return to the group's freestyle roots, were sorely overlooked. Though the powerful voice of Gioia is missed here (she left the group in 1991), replacement Kelly Moneymaker brings added depth to the group's harmony, and Ann Curless shows her flexibility as a lead singer for the first time. Another first is the use of producers besides Lewis Martinee, which results in a more varied sound that is a bit scattered at times, but ultimately disproves the notion of Exposé as studio puppets. ~ Justin M. Kantor, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Producer Lewis Martinee fashioned Exposé with a poppier sound on their sophomore set. The sturdy dance grooves are still there, but they're not as steeped in the nightclubs as those on Exposure. A healthy variety of strong selections are included. Among the best are the spunky title track (a Top Ten pop hit), replete with snazzy horns, a colorful guitar solo, and a fiery lead vocal by Gioia; "Stop, Listen, Look & Think," a subtler uptempo number with an understated yet memorable lead by Ann Curless; and the sultry, summertime slow-groove "When I Looked at Him" (also a Top Ten hit), on which Jeanette Jurado's laid-back performance brings to mind Belinda Carlisle. Perhaps the strongest cut, though, is the defiant ballad "Didn't It Hurt to Hurt Me." Gioia's assured, powerful delivery here makes the perfect match for the soulful melodies and honest, straightforward lyrics. (Sadly, a vocal cyst would force her to depart the group in 1991, but she would return to singing in 1997 fronting the rock band Wet.) A solid set essential for any fan of '80s pop/dance. ~ Justin M. Kantor, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Exposé's debut album, Exposure, set the stage for one of the hottest female groups of the '80s, with no less than four Top Ten singles, one of which soared all the way to number one. The album was a massive dancefloor sensation, and Exposé was the biggest group in their genre (and one of the biggest of the rock era), which also included acts like Sweet Sensation and the Cover Girls. "Come Go with Me" and "Point of No Return" were massive club hits as well as Top Five pop hits, and typify late-'80s freestyle/pop and Miami-based dance music. Note, however, that the version of "Point of No Return" on this album is different than the hit single -- this version had been released to clubs in 1985 (as was "Exposed to Love"), and featured a different lead singer. The single remix of "Point of No Return," with Jeanette Jurado's vocal, can be found on their 1995 Greatest Hits album. Also on Exposure is the aggressive, soulful Top Ten hit "Let Me Be the One," which featured strong lead vocals from Gioia Bruno, although the single version was considerably beefed up from the version found here. Bruno also lends her powerhouse vocals to the dramatic ballad "December," and exemplifies how this trio differed from the rest -- all three members were talented and effective lead singers, and were just as adept tackling club tunes, R&B songs, and pop ballads. (Ann Curless takes the lead on the club hit "Exposed to Love," among others.) Finally, this set includes their most famous ballad, "Seasons Change," a number one smash from early 1988 which further showcased the group's versatility. This album typifies the essence of '80s pop/dance music, and no accurate '80s collection would be complete without these hits from Exposé, one of the biggest acts of their time. ~ Jose F. Promis, All Music Guide
