Runaway Horses - Belinda Carlisle

Belinda Carlisle - Runaway Horses It's October 1989. This is the tail-end of the Eighties; as the economic boom splutters out, the poll tax demands arrive and the national mood finally begins to turn. Sure, in Manchester, the indie kids and students are hanging out at the Hacienda and listening to the Stone Roses. But in the vast swathes of suburban Britain, on a dozen MOR commercial radio stations and on the ITV Chart Show every weekend, they're playing Belinda Carlisle. "Runaway Horses" is the second album from the flame-haired Californian icon who shot to fame with punk shockers the Go-Go's. By 1989, her sun-drenched pop tracks ...  Read the complete review

Every now and then, I dust this album down and give it a play again. The third album of her solo career, Belinda had already enjoyed a hugely successful spurt in 1988 lead off by the classic Heaven Is A Place On Earth. Whilst she's never repeated the success of her only UK number 1, Runaway Horses is a far more solid album. Album opener Leave A Light On sets the mood perfectly. Its a summery rock ballad with an upbeat take on death. "Darling leave a light on for me, I'll be there before you close the door, to give you all the love that you need" growls Belinda in her trademark gravelly voice. Leave A Light On was her first UK single from the ...  Read the complete review

Belinda Carlisle made the unlikely transformation from a punk rocker with a safety pin through her lip to an 80s pop star with ridiculous ease. This album is probably her best solo effort. The quality of track is consisitently good with a couple of outstanding songs - namely the title track. The songs are all very catchy and are pure pop. Don't expect any profound lyrics or hidden grunge rock. Belinda Carlisle has become one of the names associated with reliable pop music. This album shows exactly that. It is well produced and worth a listen if you're prepared just to enjoy some mindless nice melodies. ...  Read the complete review

I think Runaway horses is one of the best albums ever, so I guess I’m a fan. The fact is that this was the follow up to the hit Heaven album and is a real gem and filled with great songs. I think Belinda shines on this album and it’s easily her best music to date. The tracks to look out for is the title track and the chart hit leave a light on, summer rain and (we want) the same thing. The album only contains ten tracks but if they’re all good no one can complain. I have seen it in the budget section recently and is a well worth a look. ...  Read the complete review