Nothing Matters Without Love

Album review

Seduction certainly wasn't without their detractors in the late '80s and early '90s. As Seduction's critics saw it, the female urban/dance-pop trio was a glaring example of style over substance: three gorgeous New York women who looked great in their videos but were deficient when it came to vocal power and strong material. But Nothing Matters Without You, although uneven and inconsistent, does have its moments. This 1989 release was produced by David Cole and Robert Clivilles, who were big names in urban and dance-pop at the time. Under Cole and Clivilles -- who handle much of the writing on this album -- Seduction doesn't have a lot of great material to work with. Most of the tunes are average and pedestrian. But again, Nothing Matters Without You has its moments. The album's more memorable tracks range from the infectious single "Two to Make It Right" to the rap-minded, attitude-laden "Breakdown," which wouldn't impress hip-hop's hardcore but offers a catchy blend of rap and dance music. Meanwhile, "Give My Love to You" is a pleasant, if unremarkable, R&B/pop ballad. But for the most part, Nothing Matters Without You is disappointing. Seduction didn't have a bad sound; the trio's approach could be described as Madonna meets Exposé and the Cover Girls. But unfortunately, Seduction didn't have enough strong material to hold one's attention for very long.

© Alex Henderson /TiVo