Karma | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 13 April 1999 | |||
Genre | Pop rock | |||
Length | 49:37 | |||
Label | Platinum Recordings | |||
Producer |
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Rick Springfield chronology | ||||
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Singles from Karma | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Karma is the twelfth studio album by Australian singer-songwriter Rick Springfield. Following about a decade without a new album from Springfield, its 1999 release took place amid a resumption of touring as well. [2] [3]
The album peaked at No. 189 spot on the Billboard 200. "It's Always Something" peaked at No. 34 on Canada's RPM Adult Contemporary chart. [1]
The album followed a period of about ten years without a new album. After his last work, the 1988 LP Rock of Life , Springfield ceased with his music (releases as well as touring) to spend more time with his two boys and his wife. He released Karma during a popular resurgence of interest in 1980s society/culture (particularly among Generation X), which Springfield noticed. CNN reported that "There's relatively high interest in Springfield's return. Platinum Entertainment says advance orders for Karma have reached 100,000 copies." [2] Karma was initially released Japan and then an American release took place a few months later. The two versions differ in respect to three songs. [1]
Springfield made the first single, "It's Always Something", as a tribute to his father who died just before his release of Working Class Dog and breakout commercial success. He said that "My dad is a very strong figure in my life and certainly in death he's become even more meaningful" as well as that "there's still a lot of things going on in me that pertain to him and my relationship with him". [2]
After the release of Karma, Springfield resumed his touring. [2] The album hit the No. 189 spot on the Billboard 200, and none of its singles managed to chart. [1]
The album represented a continuation of Springfield's same pop rock style in his 80s albums. Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote a mostly positive review for the All Music Guide, stating that "Karma is certainly the work of a more mature artist... a thinking man's AOR". [1] A CNN reviewer commented that the album has "a vanilla mix of 80s redolent pop tunes." [2]
All songs written by Rick Springfield except where noted.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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1. | "His Last Words" | 1:32 | |
2. | "It's Always Something" | 3:33 | |
3. | "Religion of the Heart" | Silverman, Springfield | 3:34 |
4. | "Beautiful Prize" | 3:56 | |
5. | "Karma" | 4:20 | |
6. | "Shock to My System" | Marlette, Pierce, Springfield | 4:43 |
7. | "Free" | Marlette, Springfield | 4:33 |
8. | "Prayer" | Marlette, Pierce, Springfield | 4:01 |
9. | "White Room" | Springfield, Vallance | 3:22 |
10. | "In Veronica's Head" | 3:52 | |
11. | "Ordinary Girl" | 3:47 | |
12. | "Act of Faith" | Marlette, Pierce, Springfield | 5:27 |
13. | "Hey Maria" | 3:13 |
Chart (1999) | Peak position |
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Billboard 200 [4] | 189 |