Light Years

The first single from the album, Spinning around, returned Kylie to the top of the British charts. It became her fifth UK number one - ten and half years after her previous UK number one and almost six years after her previous UK number two. Suddenly, the public generally (not just Kylie's fans) wanted her music again.

The next two singles (On a night like this, Kids) both made number two in the UK, with the latter being a duet with Robbie Williams. The final single from the album (Please stay) also made the UK top ten. Whether Your disco needs you (apparently the preferred choice by Kylie's fans) would have been a bigger hit than Please stay, nobody will ever know but I rather doubt it - Please stay is a stronger song, more likely to appeal to wider public. There are many other great songs here. I particularly like Bittersweet goodbye, a ballad that provides a contrast with the dance music that dominates this album.

This is an outstanding album from Kylie and it's not difficult to see why the public suddenly got interested in her music again when it was released.


Set sail for Camp Kylie!   January 17, 2005
 3 out of 5 found this review helpful

To be honest I am reviewing this a bit late considering it came out about 5 years ago. But that doesnt mean it still isnt great. I bought Fever & Body Language by Kylie first of all and was converted to the ways of Kylie. And now, after years of ignorance I discovered one of the best pop albums ever.
Light Years is a unique collection of camp classics that still are credible, respectable, and in no way whatsoever cheesy. Here's a track by track break down:
1. Spinning Around - The classic that is Spinning Around. I can't say much cos you should all know how amazing it it! It is only over shadowed by CGYOOMH because it isnt as unique. Still, in it's grouping it is top class. Fun, funky and very danceable. 10/10
2. On A Night Like This - Post Modern Kylie. This is such a great dance anthem that is not full on dance. I can't get enough of this song. So powerful and unique. 11/10
3. So Now Goodbye - One of the weaker tracks on the album in my opinion. It feels sort of like a song written to fit the camp criteria, instead of a song that is camp and fits in so well. Quite funky but is buried under so many better songs. 6/10
4. Disco Down - Same problem but slightly better. A bit more disco-y. 7/10
5. Loveboat - This is so incredibly camp it can't not be great. In fact, it is bordering on non-camp as it is so camp. Very summery it makes you want to be on a cruise in the Med. Excellent. 9/10
6. Koocachoo - Used in tonnes of BBC ads (which I only just discovered) and would be perfect for the next Austin Powers flick. Really funky, 60's/70's weird mix. Great. 8/10
7. Your Disco Needs You - You must have heard about the controversy surrounding this one. The fans wanted it as the next single, the record company thought it was too camp: protests, billboards blah blah blah. Basically, it is one of the best Kylie songs ever and should have been the next single. Lucky Australia and Germany. A great camp classic, beats YMCA with a large glittery stick. 20/10
8. Please Stay - This was the release instead of YDNU. I liked it at first, but it isnt great. Kylie's weakest Parlophone effort as a single. 5/10
9. Bittersweet Goodbye - Acoustic ballad kylie. Kylie can do ballads but they have to be Kylie Ballads. Like Put Yourself In My Place and Chocolate they have to be unique. I'm afraid this isnt unique. Still good though. 6/10
10. Butterfly - The hardest dance anthem Kylie has done. A lot of fans love it but i dont see it. Good song with a good beat. 8/10
11. Under The Influence Of Love - Similar to loveboat but this is better. More sixty's and fun. Happy clappy sorta song. 9/10
12. I'm So High - Wouldnt have been too out of place on "Impossible Princess". Quite Indie and rocky for Light Years but somehow fits perfectly. 9/10
13. Kids - I didnt see the attraction to this at first. Then i woke up. What a great song. You'd think just because Robbie joins her on it, means she can't do it live. Oh no. Even better live. Rock anthem. Great. 10/10
14. Light Years - Weird song choice. It rounds off the album nicely. Makes it seem a complete circle. Better than Butterfly. 9/10 (if you are a big Kylie fan you may notice on most albums there is one track that seems to link to her album. Light Years is a good link to Fever)

Overall, Kylie's second best album. Fever still rocks.


Welcome back Kylie   January 6, 2005
 0 out of 2 found this review helpful

Well after a massive misfire with Impossible Princess (which didn't deserve the negativity it received), Kylie decides to get back to basics and do what she's good at: pop. It's exceptionally good and has Kylie trying out disco among other things (which she will perfect to a T on Fever). Some bumps occur though (especially the rubbish EuroPop-esque So Now Goodbye) but never lets this great album falter.

How many good tracks? 11 out of 14

Best track: Kids
Worst track: So Now Goodbye

1. Spinning Around 4/5
2. On a Night Like This 5/5
3. So Now Goodbye 1/5
4. Disco Down 4/5
5. Loveboat 4/5
6. Koocachoo 5/5
7. Your Disco Needs You 4/5
8. Please Stay 3/5
9. Bittersweet Goodbye 2/5
10. Butterfly 4/5
11. Under the Influence of Love 4/5
12. I'm So High 5/5
13. Kids 5/5
14. Light Years 5/5