Stacey Q was one of the myriad of
Madonna wannabes who saturated the airwaves in the mid-'80s, but, unlike many of the pack, her debut album
Better Than Heaven showed panache and a knowledge that she shouldn't take herself too seriously. The sexy monster hit
"Two of Hearts," synthesized and insistent, benefited greatly from
Q's breathy, little-girl vocals, while
"We Connect," her only other venture into the Top 40;
"Music out of Bounds," which doesn't seem to mean a thing;
"Love or Desire"; and
"Dancing Nowhere" all followed in the same vein, without being a blueprint of the lead single. She does stray from the sex-kitten image on some cuts, and it is a cotton-candy result: lighter than air, but a tasty treat. The title track is a sweet ode to love;
"He Doesn't Understand" is repetitive to the point where she's practically chanting, but the effect is almost lulling; and
"Don't Let Me Down" is so frothy the song practically floats. Her vocals, hardly noteworthy, are perfect for this type of pop, and with a voice so limited, anyone can sing along. Though she became more experimental with successive albums,
Better Than Heaven is
Stacey Q's most accessible and most enjoyable work. ~ Bryan Buss
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