Kissin Time

iTunes Review

Sometime after recording several excellent but mostly ignored follow-ups to her image-shattering punk-new-wave influenced “comeback” album, 1979’s Broken English, Marianne Faithfull realized that it would be best if she concentrated on albums that introduced something completely new and unexpected. So 1987’s Strange Weather featured ancient blues and torch ballads, and 1995’s A Secret Life was a noir soundscape with Twin Peaks producer Angelo Badalamenti. For 2002’s Kissin’ Time, Faithfull employs a wide range of modern rock talent to compliment her untraditional yet expressive croak of a singing voice and it’s a wild ride through new, unusual terrain. Beck joins in for the electronically manipulated opener “Sex With Strangers.” Brit-pop’s Blur collaborate on the trippy, slow-moving title track. Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan works up a sonically smooth cover of Goffin-King’s “I’m Into Something Good” (known best as a ‘60s hit for Herman’s Hermits) and creates a subdued yet upbeat carnival of sound for “Wherever I Go.” The Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart adds a gentle, chiming touch to the intimate farewell of “Song for Nico.” Over the years, Faithfull’s transformed herself into one of music’s most unpredictable and rewarding recording artists.