The Art of Defense

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The Art of Defense
The Art of Defense.jpg
Studio album by
Nona Hendryx
Released1984
GenreR&B, rock, funk
LabelRCA
ProducerNona Hendryx, Material
Nona Hendryx chronology
Nona
(1983) 		The Art of Defense
(1984) 		The Heat
(1985)

The Art of Defense is the third studio album by the American singer Nona Hendryx.[1][2][3] It was released in 1984 by RCA Records.[3][4]

The album peaked at No. 167 on the Billboard 200.[5]

Production[]

The album was produced by Hendryx and Bill Laswell and Material.[6][7] Afrika Bambaataa appears on the album.[8]

Critical reception[]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[7]
Robert ChristgauC+[9]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[10]
MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide[6]
Philadelphia Daily News[11]

Robert Christgau wrote that Hendryx "just isn't as talented as you wish she was, and on this follow-up her undifferentiated melodies come back to haunt her."[9] Trouser Press called the album "technically excellent and funky as hell ... also boring beyond words."[8] The Washington Post thought that "Hendryx has stretched her distinctive sound out over six- and seven-minute arrangements, but the melodies are strangely absent and the material doesn't merit the longer workouts."[12] The Philadelphia Daily News declared: "If this were a just world, Hendryx would have Grace Jones's reputation. After all, she's a better singer, an intelligent writer, her dance grooves have soul, her musicians are among the best in the world and she's relatably sensual, not to mention tougher than Jones ever dreamed."[11]

AllMusic deemed the album "another case of some very talented folks making a very bland record."[7]

Track listing[]

No.TitleLength
1."I Sweat (Going Through the Motions)"6:12
2."Soft Targets"4:21
3."The Life"6:31
4."To the Bone"5:18
5."Electricity"3:52
6."Ghost Love"4:14
7."I Want You"4:21

References[]

  1. ^ "FUNK: HENDRYX AND BAND". August 5, 1984 – via NYTimes.com.
  2. ^ "Hendryx, Nona. The Art Of Defence". Winnipeg Free Press. 7 Apr 1984. p. 20.
  3. ^ a b "Nona Hendryx | Biography & History". AllMusic.
  4. ^ Garrett, Daniel (Oct 2003). "Every Day is a New Day: Art, Biography, Criticism, and the Changing Fortunes of Diana Ross". Offscreen. 7 (10).
  5. ^ "Nona Hendryx Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard.
  6. ^ a b MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 259.
  7. ^ a b c "The Art of Defense - Nona Hendryx | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  8. ^ a b "Nona Hendryx". Trouser Press. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  9. ^ a b "Nona Hendryx". Robert Christgau. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  10. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Volume 4: MUZE. p. 250.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  11. ^ a b Marsh, Dave (2 June 1984). "NONA HENDRYX: THE ART OF DEFENSE (RCA)". Philadelphia Daily News. Features. p. 18.
  12. ^ "Nona Hendryx Dissatisfaction". The Washington Post. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
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