Book Review: Debbie Gibson – Eternally Electric: The Message in My Music (Gallery Books)

By: Jesse Striewski

I can’t say I was really listening to Debbie Gibson’s music when I was still a kid during her prime throughout the late ’80s, though it was impossible not to at least know of her (especially having three older sisters and several female cousins in their teens during the decade). But I’ll say it again – chances are if it has to do with music or pop culture (especially relating to the ’80s or ’90s), I’m likely there for it either way.

Debbie Gibson’s story is no exception. From growing up in front of audiences on the stage and screen, to becoming the youngest person to ever write, produce, and perform a track that topped the Billboard Hot 100 (one of the many facts I did not recall ever hearing prior to reading Eternally Electric), there’s no shortage of intriguing stories to engage readers.

You never expect to hear that on top of all that fame, Gibson was often experiencing crippling panic attacks behind the scenes (and that timeless smile). But its tidbits like this that make celebrities like her feel all that much more relatable/human, and I’m glad to have taken the journey; give it a try and you just mind come to the same conclusion yourself.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Album Review: Debbie Gibson – The Body Remembers (Stargirl)

By: Jesse Striewski

I wasn’t exactly a Debbie Gibson “fan” during her ’80s hey day. I was certainly aware of her presence thanks to MTV, but in my young mind, she was just something for my older sisters to listen to, not me. But with age comes wisdom, and my appreciation for all genres of music has grown exponentially over the years. Not to mention the moment I first saw Gibson scantly slinking around in her recent video for “One Step Closer,” I knew she had me hooked.

The Body Remembers contains fifteen cutesy pop tracks that often sound comparable to many of the current hits heard on modern radio today. Along the way, there’s contributions from the likes of Sixx: A.M./former Guns N’ Roses guitarist DJ Ashba and Cinderella drummer Fred Coury. There’s even a duet with Joey Mcintyre of New Kids on the Block, appropriately titled “Lost in Your Eyes, the Duet,” though said track is not as strong a ballad as probably hoped for. But the main overall highlights here are definitely the title track, and “Dance 4U,” the latter a seemingly perfect strip club anthem.

Okay, so I probably won’t go out of my way to listen to The Body Remembers on a regular basis any time soon. But you know what? I’d rather have my kid listening to something like this than the garbage that passes for music these days that was on full display at the V.M.A’s the other night. It’s a shame that someone with actual class such as Gibson’s doesn’t get the type of attention that the masses so blindly hand over to far less talented artists; if for no other reason, give her new disc at least one spin.

Rating: 3/5 Stars