Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10
It is with celebration that the chance to revel in a re-release of a fan favourite and a classic of its genre should come for those who took instantly to the presence of another Minogue sister in the pop charts.
As Neon Lights, the album that signalled a huge return to the public’s conscious after half a decade away from the dance floors of Britain and the wider pop world, broke records and gave the younger sibling her rightful place in the hearts of the collector and lover once more, it is only fitting that the album is given, not just a polish, but a complete addition, a firework display of procession and parade. This is the proof positive that something considered to be a true delight can be taken on yet another step, it can be given a pedestal all of its own in which to bask in the adoration of even those who were not able to hear it for the first time.
This is a gargantuan of a re-release, bonus tracks, unarchived mixes, new interpretations via the benefit of remix, new artwork, this is a presentation of work that has had belief reinstalled in the process of pushing a legend back to where she should always have been.
Where some remixes mess with the original flavour of the release, leave it feeling sterile instead of buoyant and bubbly, the team behind this reissue have gone all out to set the stars on fire once more, and for the fan, those who see the dance floor as a natural extension of human demonstration and existence, this mammoth undertaking is fuel for the soul and nourishment for the mind.
The album retains its core belief, the original tracks of Put The Needle In, Creep, For The Record, Mighty Fine, and Vibe On retain the zeitgeist that pageantry and cavalcades demand, and yet the sparkle is further ignited as the reissue continues to lead a merry dance that Ms. Minogue is fully in charge of.
Not just for the collectors, or even the fan, this album, whether in its original form or its newly packaged reissue, is one that captured the moment of the form with unbelievable honour. How do you top the seismic, you give it more, you allow it to breathe and turn on more of those Neon Lights for the public to capture its gaze.
Dannii Minogue releases the 20th anniversary edition of Neon Lights on June 16th via London Records.
Ian D. Hall