Alright, let’s talk about What A Woman Wants by Chris Thompson. Released in '86, this pop-rock gem from the US has that unmistakable Atlantic Records vibe—smooth, polished, but still packing enough punch to keep things interesting. Produced by John Van Tongeren and Phil Galdston, with mixing handled by Jay Rifkin, it's one of those albums where you can tell they put some serious thought into how it sounds.
Now, I gotta say, two tracks really stuck with me: "She's Dangerous" and the title track, "What A Woman Wants."
"She's Dangerous" feels like cruising down a coastal highway with the windows down—a little rebellious, super catchy, and kinda dangerous in all the right ways. Henry Gaffney's writing gives it this edgy flair, and Chris Thompson's vocals just nail it. You know those songs that make you wanna grab the wheel and pretend you're in an '80s movie montage? Yeah, this is one of them. The guitar riffs are sharp without being overwhelming, and there’s this sneaky bassline that sneaks up on ya. It’s the kind of track that gets stuck in your head for days.
Then there’s "What A Woman Wants," which flips the vibe entirely. It’s smoother, more reflective, almost like someone sitting you down to spill their heart out over a beer or two. The lyrics feel personal, maybe even a bit raw, like it’s coming straight from experience. The production here lets the melody breathe, giving space for Thompson’s voice to shine. There’s something comforting yet intriguing about it—you don’t just listen; you kind of live through it for a few minutes.
One thing I didn’t expect? How well this album holds up today. Like, sure, it’s got that '80s sheen, but it doesn’t feel dated. Instead, it feels nostalgic in the best way possible. Honestly, it makes me wonder why Chris Thompson isn’t talked about more often. Dude had chops, man.
Anyway, wrapping this up—I listened to this album while folding laundry last weekend (exciting life, I know), and halfway through “She’s Dangerous,” my cat jumped off the couch like he’d seen a ghost. Made me laugh so hard I forgot what I was doing. Weird ending to a review? Maybe. But hey, isn’t that what music’s all about? Surprises.
