This Is Serious

Last updated
This Is Serious
Marilyn Martin This is Serious 1988 Album Cover.jpeg
Studio album by
ReleasedMarch 1988
Genre Pop rock, soft rock, synthpop
Length40:04
Label Atlantic
Producer Michael Verdick, Patrick Leonard (track 1)
Jon Astley (tracks 2–9)
Terry Brown (track 10)
Marilyn Martin chronology
Marilyn Martin
(1986)
This Is Serious
(1988)
Through His Eyes
(1994)

This Is Serious is the second solo studio album by American singer Marilyn Martin. [1] Except for two tracks, the album was produced entirely by Jon Astley, who had also produced some of Martin's debut album. Michael Verdick and Patrick Leonard produced "Possessive Love", and Terry Brown produced the album's closing track "Pretender". [2] [3]

Contents

The album's lead single was "Possessive Love", which was co-written by Madonna and Patrick Leonard, but failed to chart. A second single, "Love Takes No Prisoners," written by Bruce Woolley and Jimmy Scott, was released to similar commercial failure.

Background

The Jimmy O'Neill-penned track "This Is Serious" had previously been submitted to other artists and recorded twice before The Silencers' version on their 1991 album Dance to the Holy Man. In 1987 Eric Martin recorded it for his I'm Only Fooling Myself album, and then one year later Martin recorded it for her 1988 album, which took its name from the track. [4] [5]

Around May 1987, Astley, an airplane fanatic, was reported to have been arrested at the Nellis Air Force Base air show in Las Vegas after taking some photographs. After the misunderstanding was sorted out, he returned to Los Angeles where he was in the middle of producing the This Is Serious album. [6] [7]

Release

The album was released via Atlantic Records on vinyl, CD and cassette in the US, Germany and Japan, while WEA Records, S.A. released the album in Spain. [1] In 2006 Wounded Bird Records re-issued the album on CD, following the 2005 re-issue of Martin's debut album. [8] [9]

Today, the album's re-issue remains in print, unlike the 2005 Marilyn Martin re-issue. The album can be purchased as a digital download on sites such as Amazon and iTunes. [10] [11]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [12]
Philadelphia Inquirer Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [13]

The album received a good critical reception, regardless that it did not chart. Alex Henderson of AllMusic noted that Martin wanted a different production style for her second album. While her first album had a very slick, high-tech, synthesizer-driven sound, this album favored a more organic production style. Still, in terms of the songs themselves, this release was not all that radical a departure from her first album. Martin was still aiming to be a commercial, radio-friendly pop/rock vocalist. Her appreciation for R&B showed up on tracks like "Try Me", the title song, and the single "Possessive Love". "This Is Serious had the makings of a hit," Henderson wrote, "Even though 'Marilyn Martin' is the more essential of her two albums, 'This Is Serious' is also quite enjoyable." [12]

In The Philadelphia Inquirer of May 29, 1988, a review of the album stated "Martin has built a career as a backup singer for many artists, including Linda Ronstadt and Stevie Nicks. The usual problem when a good backup singer performs as a lead singer is that she's so used to subsuming her vocal personality to another that the result is technically perfect but bland music. Martin neatly avoids this trap by permitting the rough edges in her voice to surface and by singing in an intimate, conversational tone. It helps, too, that with the exception of a few bombastic ballads, her material is strong pop-rock." [13]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Possessive Love" Patrick Leonard, Madonna, Jai Winding4:17
2."This Is Serious"Jimmy O'Neill4:03
3."The Best Is Yet to Come" Terry Britten, Graham Lyle 3:53
4."Quiet Desperation" Marilyn Martin, Jon Astley, Jay Gruska 5:16
5."Lay Me Down"Sue Shifrin, Bob Marlette 4:00
6."Love Takes No Prisoners" Bruce Woolley, Jimmy Scott 3:54
7."Try Me"Martin, Mark Goldberg3:47
8."The Wait Is Over" Paul Gordon, Gruska3:39
9."Homeless"Martin, Astley, Billy Nichols 3:37
10."Pretender"Bob Mitchell, James Kaleth4:07

Personnel

Related Research Articles

Marilyn Martin is an American singer and songwriter. She is best known for her 1985 hit duet with Phil Collins, "Separate Lives", which went to number one.

<i>Im Your Fan</i> 1991 compilation album by Various artists

I'm Your Fan: The Songs of Leonard Cohen is a tribute album to Leonard Cohen, released in 1991, produced by the French music magazine Les Inrockuptibles. The album features Cohen's songs interpreted by some of the most respected rock acts of the time. Its name is a play on the title of Cohen's album I'm Your Man.

<i>Jody Watley</i> (album) 1987 studio album by Jody Watley

Jody Watley is the debut studio album by American singer Jody Watley, released on February 23, 1987, by MCA Records. Although Watley already found success as a part of the trio Shalamar, the impact of this album made Watley a cultural style icon in contemporary R&B, pop and dance music. Its success culminated in Watley winning a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1988 against fellow artists Breakfast Club, Cutting Crew, Terence Trent D'Arby and Swing Out Sister. The album also produced three top-ten singles on the US Billboard Hot 100: "Looking for a New Love" (#2), "Don't You Want Me" (#6) and "Some Kind of Lover" (#10). The album has sold two million copies in the United States and over four million copies worldwide.

Jon Astley is a British record producer and mastering engineer who has also recorded and released two studio albums as a singer-songwriter in the late 1980s. His most commercially successful song was "Jane's Getting Serious", later popularized by a Heinz ketchup television commercial starring a pre-Friends Matt LeBlanc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When I Fall in Love</span> Song from One Minute to Zero

"When I Fall in Love" is a popular song, written by Victor Young (music) and Edward Heyman (lyrics). It was introduced in Howard Hughes' last film One Minute to Zero as the instrumental titled "Theme from One Minute to Zero". Jeri Southern sang on the first vocal recording released in April 1952 with the song's composer, Victor Young, handling the arranging and conducting duties. The song has become a standard, with many artists recording it; the first hit version was sung by Doris Day released in July 1952.

"Sky Fits Heaven" is a song recorded by American singer Madonna for her seventh studio album, Ray of Light (1998). It was written and produced by Madonna and Patrick Leonard; the song also contained additional production from William Orbit, and lyrical interpretations from British poet Max Blagg's 1992 poem, What Fits?. Uncredited in the album's official liner notes, Blagg's role in the song was the subject of several publications questioning Madonna's inspiration behind the track. A remix was created by Sasha and Victor Calderone, and was released as a promotional single by Maverick and Warner Bros. on October 2, 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Silencers (band)</span> Scottish rock band

The Silencers are a Scottish rock band formed in London in 1986 by Jimme O'Neill and Cha Burns, two ex-members of the post-punk outfit Fingerprintz. Their music is characterised by a melodic blend of pop, folk and traditional Celtic influences. Often compared to Scottish bands with a similar sound like Big Country, Del Amitri and The Proclaimers, The Silencers have distinguished themselves with their eclectic sounds, prolific output and continued career. Their first single, "Painted Moon," was a minor international hit and invited critical comparisons to Simple Minds and U2. In 1987 they released their first album A Letter From St. Paul, which included "Painted Moon" and another minor hit, "I See Red." Buoyed by the huge European hit "Bulletproof Heart", the band's third album Dance to the Holy Man is the band's commercial peak to date. Throughout the 1990s, The Silencers saw a popular taste shift away from their songwriter-based style of music toward grunge and electronic music.

"Connected" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist and lyricist Ayumi Hamasaki for her fourth studio album I Am..., first made available on January 1, 2002. The song was written by Hamasaki herself while it was produced by Dutch disc jockey Ferry Corsten. The song was first conceived when Corsten had developed a track in Europe entitled "The Lots of Love". Despite him playing it at several events and shows throughout Europe, he did not release the track. After this, Hamasaki and Corsten had started to collaborate and the pair had changed and used the finishing result to create "Connected".

"God's Gonna Cut You Down" is a traditional American folk song. The track has been recorded in a variety of genres, including country, folk, alternative rock, electronic and black metal. The lyrics warn evildoers that they cannot avoid God's eventual judgment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pauline Murray</span> Musical artist

Pauline Murray is best known as the lead vocalist of the punk rock band Penetration, originally formed in 1976.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Arms Keep Missing You</span> 1987 single by Rick Astley

"My Arms Keep Missing You" is a song by Rick Astley released in 1987 as the second half of a double A-side single. The first A-side is a cover of the pop standard "When I Fall in Love". "My Arms Keep Missing You" was released as an independent single in Germany and reached number 6. The song's first appearance on an album was the 2002 compilation Greatest Hits, and it later appeared on the 2010 expanded version of Hold Me in Your Arms as a bonus track. The song also appeared on the remastered edition of Whenever You Need Somebody, which was released on 20 May 2022. In addition, a digital EP was released on 13 April 2022, including the single and its remixes. The song was also included on a limited edition 12" double A-side red vinyl issue of the "Love This Christmas" single, along with "When I Fall in Love".

<i>Bounce Back</i> (album) 1990 studio album by Alisha

Bounce Back is the third and final album from American freestyle and dance-pop singer Alisha. It was her first album released by MCA Records after leaving RCA Records.

"You Can't Blame the Train" is a song written by American singer-songwriter Terri Sharp. The original version was recorded by American singer-songwriter Don McLean in 1987 and family country group The Hollanders recorded their own version in 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tonight I Could Fall in Love</span> 1985 single by Suzi Quatro

"Tonight I Could Fall in Love" is a song by American singer-songwriter Suzi Quatro, released by RAK Records as a non-album single in 1985. The song was written by Richard Gower and produced by Mickie Most. The song reached number 140 in the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Possessive Love</span> 1988 song by Marilyn Martin

"Possessive Love" is a song by American singer Marilyn Martin, released by Atlantic in February 1988 as the lead single from her second studio album, This Is Serious. The song was written by Patrick Leonard, Madonna and Jai Winding, and was produced by Leonard and Michael Verdick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Satisfaction (Laura Branigan song)</span> 1984 single by Laura Branigan

"Satisfaction" is a song by American singer Laura Branigan, released as the fourth and final single from her third studio album, Self Control (1984). The song's original music was written by Bernd Dietrich, Gerd Grabowski and Engelbert Simons, whilst the English lyrics were written by Mark Spiro and superstar songwriter Diane Warren. It was produced by Jack White and Robbie Buchanan, who both produced the entire Self Control album together.

<i>Shadows of Love</i> 1988 studio album by Nicolette Larson

Shadows of Love is the seventh studio album by the American pop singer Nicolette Larson. It was released in 1988 in Italy only through CGD Records. The album was produced by Carlo Stretti and Ernesto Tabarelli.

<i>Trust, Love, Pray</i> 2012 studio album by Marilyn Martin

Trust, Love, Pray is the fourth studio album from American singer Marilyn Martin, released independently in 2012. The album is a collection of original songs of trials, temptations, love, and faith.

<i>Marilyn Martin</i> (album) 1986 studio album by Marilyn Martin

Marilyn Martin is the debut studio album by American singer Marilyn Martin, released in January 1986 by Atlantic Records. The album's various producers include Jon Astley, Arif Mardin, Simon Climie, John Parr and Phil Ramone.

"A Little TLC" is a song written by Lynsey de Paul and Terry Britten, about needing tender loving care. The song is registered with the ISWC and has been recorded by a number of artists, starting with Philippine born, Japanese soul singer Marlene, where it was one of the tracks on her jazz/soul/funk album Looking for Love, recorded in Los Angeles and released on CBS/Sony in 1984. The album was re-issued on CD with the song featuring as track 8 on CD on 25 July 1991, and again on 8 November 2017 on Sony Records International.

References

  1. 1 2 "Marilyn Martin – This Is Serious". discogs. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
  2. "Marilyn Martin – This Is Serious (Vinyl, LP, Album)". discogs. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
  3. "Images for Marilyn Martin – This Is Serious". discogs. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
  4. "The Silencers - Dance To The Holy Man (Vinyl, LP, Album)". discogs. Retrieved 2015-09-19.
  5. "Eric Martin (2) - I'm Only Fooling Myself". discogs. Retrieved 2015-09-19.
  6. "The Plane Truth". Bangor Daily News. May 14, 1987. p. 19. Retrieved 2015-09-19.
  7. Beck, Marilyn (May 13, 1987). "Sequel mania affects pre-production". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Retrieved 2015-09-19.
  8. "Marilyn Martin – This Is Serious (CD, Album)". discogs. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
  9. "Marilyn Martin – Marilyn Martin (CD, Album)". discogs. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
  10. "This Is Serious: Marilyn Martin: Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
  11. "Music – This Is Serious by Marilyn Martin". iTunes Store. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
  12. 1 2 Henderson, Alex. "This Is Serious – Marilyn Martin | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
  13. 1 2 "Billy Bragg Sings Songs Of Protest". Philadelphia Daily News . 1988-05-29. Retrieved 2013-07-15.