Osmondmania!

Album Review

The Osmonds were the first family of AM pop in the 1970s. This 28-song compilation collects tracks by the Osmond brothers, as well as Donny's solo work, Marie's solo work, and Donny & Marie together. The Osmond brothers had some really big hits, and their ten tracks here are littered with them. Songs like the joyous Jackson 5-inspired "One Bad Apple," the crazed, hard rocking "Crazy Horses," and the infectious "Down by the Lazy River" show a group with an energy and a strong sense of popcraft. Donny tended to go for the soft, teen idol type of sounds. His 12 entries on Osmondmania! feature cuddly tracks like "Puppy Love," "Young Love," and "The Twelfth of Never," and give a good idea why the little girls went wild for Donny. Marie clocks in with three country-influenced songs, including her smash, "Paper Roses." Her popular teaming with Donny found the pair exploring many styles of music, but they were mostly rooted firmly in AM pop. Three songs by the duo are featured, the cover of "Deep Purple" being a highlight. Osmondmania! is a nice summation of the work of the first family of '70s pop. The tracks are well selected and sequenced and Alan Osmond's liner notes are a nice touch. One has to wonder why Little Jimmy Osmond's ridiculous hit single, "Long Haired Lover from Liverpool," was omitted — but only a little, since mostly one is too busy grooving along with the light and poppy sounds of the Osmonds.