BEFORE:
Cyndi had recently parted ways with Sony after nearly 20 years with them. She was no longer commercially successful, although her diehard fans have been there every step of the way.

AFTER:
Cyndi took this EP on the road with her in 2002 supporting Cher on a small indie label called Oglio. The sales weren't that great, but the reaction she got from critics and Cher fans on the tour was enough to land her back on Epic records after parting ways with them in late 1998.

The 4 new songs on this cd are great. Shine ranks among one of the best songs Cyndi has ever recorded, if she had been on a major when she put this tune out, she would've had a huge comeback hit. It's a very positive song with a great catch to it. Almost a shame that this song wasn't what brought her back to the top 40. She also pays homage to the early 80's with It's Hard To Be Me. Madonna Whore (no, not about Miss Ciccone no matter how many people giggled when she said the title in concert) and Waters Edge were both good too. We also get a dance mix of Shine. Illicit are not among my favorite remixers, would've rather had the Calderone or Tracy Young mixes be on there instead.

I give it 4 stars instead of 5 because Cyndi recorded around 15 songs for this album, and yet only 4? Come on Cyndi, we want them! I have all the tracks on mp3, but I would gladly purchase it.


Hopefully this isn't her farewell pop/rock album   November 24, 2003
John (Louisville, KY)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Shine was a great EP Cyndi cut in 2001, originally intended as a full length album to come out on the dreaded 9-11-01, however Edel America went under.

We get a nice sampler of what was to be Cyndi's comeback album. She toured extensively with Cher in summer/fall 2002 and won a lot of people over with these songs. However, outside of her diehard fanbase and people who saw her open for Cher, nobody knows this EP exists.

Please get this if you can. Cyndi has made a return to major labels with At Last, which is a decent album, but however I dread that if that cd does even 200,000 units for her, THIS 1989-2002 incarnation of Cyndi will be extinct and we'll be stuck with another torch singer (no offense to fans of the genre, but I prefer Cyndi doing original material, and the torch genre is a reason why I never really cared much for Barbra Streisand's material outside of the 70's and early 80's)


Cyndi's back...and it was well worth the wait!   July 3, 2002
Matthew J. Chojnacki (Cleveland, Ohio)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I saw Cyndi's Cleveland, Ohio appearance with Cher on June 18. Cyndi stole the show.

Without props, special effects, or a huge set Cyndi impressed with her strong vocals, multiple instrument playing ability, and, of course, her entertaining personality (even climbing into the audience and running around the arena to shake hands).

The audience gave her a lukewarm response upon her entrance to the stage but roared with cheers and was on its feet by the end of the set. In my many concert experiences, seeing everyone from The B-52's and Duran Duran to Depeche Mode and Garbage, I have never seen a performer whip a crowd into such a frenzy. The audience buzz after her set was amazing. Come back to Cleveland soon, Cyndi!

I purchased the "Shine" EP at the concert in advance of the street date and think it's easily some of her best material since her first two albums, "She's So Unusual" and "True Colors."

My personal favorite is the power pop gem "It's Hard To Be Me." An instant smash that's a stunner live. It's probably her most fun track since "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough."

Both the original version of "Shine" and the "Illicit Mix" (tracks 1 and 5, respectively) are excellent. The original is in the line of "You Don't Know," my favorite from the "Sisters of Avalon" CD (her last studio album). The remix is one of her better mixes and completely transforms the original edit to it's own beast.

"Madonna Whore" is controversial, but it should be noted that it's not about pop star M. Ciccone for those unfamiliar with psychology. It's a mid-tempo track that refers to the "Madonna Whore" complex, woman who act at both ends of the sexual spectrum. Cyndi sings in sexual code once again - remember when "She Bop" glossed over the mainstream as merely a fun and innocent pop tune? ;)

Finally, "Water's Edge" is a strong ballad with great vocals.

Needless to say, if you have ever been a Cyndi fan (even if you got off the train after her debut), make no hesitation in picking this one up.

If this is an indication of what in store for Cyndi's next full-length album, I can't wait. For those lucky enough to catch her in concert recently, let's hope it includes "Still With Me," a new song that's her best ballad since "Time After Time."