I picked this up on used vinyl for 330 Yen, so it was a low risk shot, but totally on target. Nice and clear, punchy production.
The ’80s was the ’80s, and our man Rick encapsulates its essence beautifully. Lots of songs about girls, and well not much else actually, but who can resist these 12 tracks of incredibly catchy power pop? His earnest vocal style adds a layer of authenticity to these songs and the three singles “Don’t Talk to Strangers”, “What Kind of Fool Am I” and “I Get Excited” are not only great examples of his vocal prowess but also showcases his ability to craft memorable power pop songs.
Elsewhere, “Tonight” and “How Do You Talk to Girls” recall the great Tommy Tutone, and there’s also a nice soul vibe going on in “Black is Black”. “Kristina” is Rick Springfield’s re-working of Bachman-Turner Overdrive’s “Jamaica”.
“Success Hasn’t Spoiled Me Yet” is a delightful trip into an era and genre that is, perhaps, unjustly maligned at times, and remains a celebration of an era when music was vibrant, carefree, and just straight forward utterly enjoyable. So, crank it up, relive the ’80s, and let the good vibes of this album wash over you. It’s a gem that proves success hadn’t spoiled Rick Springfield one bit.
Apparently, the album’s title is a play on “Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?”, which is the name of a 1955 play and a 1957 film directed by Frank Tashlin. I can’t speak for the play, but the film is an absolute riot and one of my favourite comedies of the ’50s (or any period really).