In the very spirit American Idol contestants keep a careful eye on the pop star they try to mimick, Martika does a fine job of doing her best Debbie G. on first single “More than You Know,” which broke the seal of her aforementioned debut. Other hits from this album include the aforementioned “Toy Soldiers,” and the cheesy-lined “Water” (Like water/I could not live without you/I want to dive so deep into you I might drown). Tracks from the sophomore disc spice things up, with sexually-pumped lyrics by Prince on “Martika’s Kitchen” (It’s been so long since you’ve been down in the kitchen baby) and “Love…Thy Will be Done,” topped off with a gospel choir, hailing much style again from Prince, the album’s producer.
Despite Columbia’s need to dig up Martika’s fruitful past, the artist herself lacks interest in any ruminations of the past. After the devastating pop crash of the early nineties, Martika kept her nose out of the biz, vowing to come back when the moment was right. She resurfaced momentarily in 1999 to feature on The Conga Club’s “The Happy Song,” a compilation of fine Latin jazz tunes. Now the singer makes up one half of the new Latino sensation Oppera, led by guitarist/producer Michael Mozart. The duo released their debut, Violince, mid-2004.
And where are Debbie G. and Tiffany now? Well, Tiffany has made three failed albums (not including her contributions to the Jetsons movie soundtrack in 1990) since the pop draught she experienced just after the success of her sophomore album, Hold an Old Friend’s Hand, in 1988, before surrending to Hef’s lures in the April 2002 issue of Playboy. Debbie G., or Deborah, insisting “I’m not a teen pop star anymore,” has faired a bit better, with a couple stints in theatre and television, besides her six or so failed albums after the minimal success of 1990’s Anything is Possible. And now, for her latest single “Naked,” she’ll be starring in the March 2005 issue of—you guessed it—Playboy.
Well, Martika did star as Taylor, a lesbian/entrepreneur in the call girl business in a 1994 porn called Sex & Money. But digging up this part of her past could only help, not hurt, her image at this point. Too bad the same can’t be said for the other two.
However inattentive Martika, or anyone else, may be right now concerning the success of her past at this moment in time with Toy Soldiers: The Best of…, at least it’s a vault still worth cracking open.
Article comments
1 - Susan
Having heard "Violence" as well as the "new stuff" that Oppera is currnetly doing I would have to say that the "bubblegum" days are gone. Michael and Martika do a great job performing and I am looking forward to the upcoming release of their work.
2 - Shark
Oppera is her new band, and I love it
3 - Shark
Just for the record, the comment #2 is NOT by yers truly, the original "Shark" -- king of comedy, satire, bad taste, and spleen venting on Blogcritics.
Someone else is using my official moniker.
Thanks,
The Management
4 - Shark
Soory, I'm another SHARK, I didnt know there's one out there!!! :(
5 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
god, two sharks for the price of one! what if we arranged some sort of shark vs shark showdown?
6 - Shark
Shark#2, How 'bout you change yer name? I wouldn't want my death threats going to someone else.
Suggestions: there are many more fish in the sea.
Just tryin' to be helpful.
7 - DrPat
Better late than never, free ASINs: B0000026KH (Martika CD); B00000I9DJ (Welcome to the Conga Club); B0000074HD (Hold an Old Friend's Hand [Tiffany]); B00000FXIU (Anything is Possible [Deborah Gibson])
8 - Jeff Anderson
Toy retailers is a site dedicated to toys and toy retailers. A resource and directory site with tons of information from kids toys to pet toys.
9 - Erik
There's a mistake Martika did not star as Taylor, a lesbian/entrepreneur in the call girl business in a 1994 porn called Sex & Money, The another one is called MARTIKA IBARRA, a porn star.
10 - Uberwezzel
What sound track was Toy Soldiers on?