Kylie still waiting for big break in U.S.
Aussie star hopes to get real foothold in America with new album
By Michael Paoletta
Billboard
NEW YORK - It is judgment day in the U.S. for Kylie Minogue. With her
previous album, the worldwide smash "Fever," and its indefatigable
single "Can't Get You out of My Head," the global superstar made
great strides in America.
Now, two years later, on the eve of the Feb. 10 U.S. release of her
new Capitol album -- the '80s-spackled "Body Language" -- the
Australian singer acknowledges that the pressure is indeed on.
"It's on, but I don't want to admit it to myself," Minogue says of
her ninth studio album (her fourth U.S. release). "In the end, I can
only do what I'm going to do."
Pausing for a moment, she continues, "I'm not even sure if I've
actually broken America. I think I now have a foot in the door. I
haven't completely hypnotized them yet."
True. But Minogue's celebrity factor is rising here, just as it has
internationally. "The paparazzi know who I am. My days of shopping
anonymously in New York are coming to an end," she says with a
chuckle.
In the U.S., the lead single from "Body Language" -- "Slow" -- is
gaining momentum at radio.
The electro-steeped, erotically charged "Slow" is being played on
more than 80 mainstream and rhythmic top 40 stations, including KIIS
Los Angeles and WKTU New York.
WKTU music director Skyy Walker says the station began playing the
song's original version late last year. "But it may have been too
sexy for the room," he says. "After a couple hundred spins, it
remained unfamiliar to our listeners."
But new remixes by the Chemical Brothers and Mike Rizzo are changing
that. Walker says the station recently began playing Rizzo's
energetic restructuring, and listeners are responding.
For some industry observers, among them Lainie Copicotto, president
of dance/electronic marketing firm Aurelia Entertainment, one of the
main reasons why Minogue has yet to break in the U.S. in a more
meaningful way is because she doesn't spend enough time here.
"Kylie's presence in the U.S. hasn't been consistent enough to make
her a household name yet," she says. "With Kylie, it's hit or miss
with each single."
In the U.K., "Slow" debuted in the pole position of the Official U.K.
Charts Co.'s singles chart in November. One month later, "Body
Language" debuted at No. 6 on its album chart.
It is safe to say that Minogue and her U.K. label, Parlophone, were
hoping for a higher album debut -- especially when Minogue's previous
album, "Fever," was her most successful to date.
"Fever" debuted at No. 1 in Germany, Australia and the U.K.; it is
certified platinum or multi-platinum in 18 countries and gold in
another 17.
The album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, selling 115,000
units in its first week, according to Nielsen SoundScan. It has since
amassed U.S. sales of 1.1 million and has sold more than 6 million
copies worldwide, according to the label. The album's lead
single, "Can't Get You out of My Head," sold 3 million copies
globally -- and topped the charts in 21 countries.
Minogue will spend the bulk of February in the U.S., and plans to
attend the Grammy Awards. "Come Into My World" has been nominated in
the best dance recording category.
Minogue, who is an icon in the gay community, will appear on the
first episode of the new season of Bravo/NBC's hit reality
show "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy." This is timed to coincide with
the releases of "Body Language" and "What's That Sound," the "Queer
Eye" soundtrack that Capitol is issuing Feb. 10. The Chemical
Brothers' remix of "Slow" appears on the collection.
In March, Minogue's Nov. 15 one-off concert at London's Hammersmith
Apollo, "Money Can't Buy," will air on Music Choice and DirectTV.
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