Never Trust a Pretty Face
Amanda Lear · 1979
39 min · 9 tracks · disco
Glistening disco beats intertwine with theatrical flair, showcasing a blend of glamour and introspection.
Top tracks — play these first
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Fashion Pack Start here — This opening track introduces the album's glamorous themes with infectious grooves and witty lyrics about the superficiality of fame and fashion.
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Never Trust a Pretty Face — The title track serves as a cautionary tale wrapped in energetic disco beats, illustrating Lear's knack for blending humor with sharp social commentary.
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Lili Marleen — A reinterpretation of the classic World War II song, this track showcases Lear's vocal versatility while blending nostalgic melodies with contemporary disco elements.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends theatricality with disco elements, showcasing solid craftsmanship but not composition.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks establish a consistent mid-tempo disco beat, while the fourth track introduces a more theatrical vocal delivery.
- Several tracks feature layered synths and strings, creating a lush soundscape that contrasts with the driving basslines.
- The album includes both upbeat dance tracks and slower, introspective pieces, allowing for dynamic shifts in mood.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo dance vibes
- theatrical flair for drama
- playful yet provocative energy
- for social gatherings
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced music
- seek minimalist soundscapes
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album contributed significantly to Lear's reputation as a disco innovator.
- Themes
- fashion culture critique· superficiality in romance· nostalgic wartime reinterpretation
- Career context
- Released in January 1979, Never Trust a Pretty Face marks Amanda Lear's third studio album, following her successful sophomore effort, Sweet Revenge. At this point, Lear was establishing herself as a prominent figure in the European disco scene, known for her sultry voice and provocative persona. This album further solidified her status as an artist willing to push boundaries in both music and image.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Giorgio Moroder· Donna Summer· Chic
Tracklist
- 1 Fashion Pack Start here 5:05
- 2 Forget It 4:10
- 3 Lili Marleen 4:40
- 4 Never Trust a Pretty Face 4:45
- 5 The Sphinx 4:20
- 6 Black Holes 5:00
- 7 Intellectually 4:15
- 8 Miroir 2:00
- 9 Dreamer (South Pacific) 5:10
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Bad Girls
Donna Summer
Shares a similar disco energy with bold themes of empowerment and nightlife allure.
C'est Chic
Chic
Combines stylish production and lyrical wit, reflecting on romance and social status in the disco era.
Nightclubbing
Grace Jones
Explores theatricality and provocative themes with a fusion of disco, new wave, and reggae influences.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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