Disco de Bee Gees: “Size Isn't Everything”

This CD contains four hit singles, although the only one to chart in the USA was "Paying The Price Of Love", a fair, but unsuccessful attempt at 'hip-hop'. No matter. The rest of the album is wonderful. "Kiss Of Life" has an upbeat tempo with a killer chorus, while "How To Fall In Love, Part I" contains some of Barry's most soulful singing. Robin matches this soulfulness with his own on "Heart Like Mine". "Blue Island", a beautifully harmonized ballad dedicated to the children of Bosnia, has an amazing harmonica solo; unusual for the Gibbs. The remaining songs are all high tempo, especially "Above And Beyond" and "Fallen Angel", the latter being one of the Gibbs most danceable songs to date. The big sleeper here is, "For Whom The Bell Tolls", a romantic power ballad that should have been a big hit.

If you buy the IMPORT, you'll receive "Decadance", a high-tech remix of "You Should Be Dancing". It's worth the search. If you are very lucky, you may be one of the few to find a 'hidden track' - another version of "Decadance" not listed on the cover notes!

I have been a huge fan of the Bee Gees since the 70's. At the time, they were experiencing their greatest commercial success. When the 80's came, they were pretty much mocked and ridiculed for being a disco act. Although they did ride on the success of the disco craze, they were obviously much more than just a disco act.

While their music was ignored for much of the 80's, they nonetheless provided Top 10 hits for other artists such as Barbra Streisand, Dionne Warwick, Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. They finally reclaimed some chart glory in 1989 when they scored a Top 10 hit for themselves with "One". 1989 was a watershed year for a lot of chart veterans who had not had hits in years to stage comebacks. Besides the Bee Gees, other acts to return to the Top 10 that year included Donny Osmond, Bette Midler, and Donna Summer. Instead of capitalizing on the success of "One", the Brothers Gibb took a few years to release their next album, 1993's "Size Isn't Everything". By that time, the nostalgia of 1989 had passed and they were once again no longer considered cool.

The brothers had signed with Left Bank Management, who had helped Duran Duran return to the top of the charts in early 1993. It was hoped that this management team would be able to work the same magic with the Bee Gees. However, the first single from this CD, "Paying the Price of Love", faltered and stalled at #74 on Billboard's Hot 100. The song is a masterpiece, and certainly deserves to have performed better. But even at the time, when I first heard it, I knew it would have a hard time finding an audience at radio. The second single, "For Whom the Bell Tolls", was a beautiful ballad, but it performed even worse. It failed to make the Hot 100, reaching 109 on the Bubbling Under chart.

The Bee Gees did finally get one last comeback in 1997 with the CD "Still Waters" and the single "Alone". Subsequent releases have had mixed results and now with the passing of Maurice Gibb, it seems the future of the Bee Gees is uncertain.

This CD includes some of the Bee Gees most beautiful ballads as well as lively uptempo numbers. Besides the songs that were released as singles, some of my favorites include "Kiss of Life", "Omega Man", "Heart Like Mine", and "Fallen Angel". Bee Gees fans who have not had the chance to pick this CD up, I suggest you do so. It is truly an overlooked gem.

I stumbled on this CD less than a month ago and it's now in my CD player almost constantly. Some songs I loved from the first listen (Fallen Angel, Paying the Price of Love, Kiss of Life) and some took a bit longer to grow on me (especially Heart Like Mine) for some reason, but I now love every single one of them. The entire collection is so beautiful, I'm almost afraid to listen to other Bee Gee albums for fear that they won't measure up. Especially wonderful are the two songs with Maurice singing lead (Omega Man & Above and Beyond), as he is sometimes lost in the mix of Barry and Robin's leads. Just enough of their incredible, unmatched harmonies and this album is a perfect example of why this trio has stood the test of time. Highly recommended to any lover of great music.

In Bee Gees history, the post-1980 period seems to be regarded as little more than a footnote (check out their last "Greatest Hits" package for evidence of this). That's a shame, because, in my opinion, it is their richest period artistically. This album stands as a testament to that.

Released in 1993, SIZE ISN'T EVERYTHING showcases the Brothers at their best. While other acts that have been around as long as they have are content to rest on their laurels or coast along, the Bee Gees continue to grow and develop as musicians, producers, and, most prominently, as songwriters.

The singles from this album,"Paying the Price of Love" and "For Whom the Bell Tolls", are wonderful, with the latter being a moving epic ballad. However, for me, the real treasure here is "Kiss of Life". The melodic turns and clever hooks show a musical sophistication that is impressive indeed. Add to that the fact that I have never heard better harmony from the Bee Gees (and that is certainly no small statement) and you have pop music of the highest order.

As for the rest of the album, be prepared for a variety of musical styles that never disappoint ("Blue Island" is especially beautiful). This may be the best album the group ever recorded. Take a listen.

Have the Bee Gees ever made a bad album?? I don't think so! This is another cracker from the lads. All the songs are quality. but here are a couple to look out for:

* For Whome The Bell Tolls: This Top 5 UK hit is simply breathtaking. There are three very distinctive and different parts to this song which make it so amazing. I really feel the Gibbs should be given a genre of their own because this track has that unique Bee Gees sound once again.

* Heart Like Mine: Beautiful, haunting..........this is just amazing. You can feel the deep sorrowful emotion coming from robin's amazing voice......it's almost spooky.

Got some money? Do yourself a favour and but this pop masterpiece.