The Pivot
5
By Stewyrose
Anyone who follows the Pointer Sisters knows that Energy was their first official album as a trio after Bonnie's departure. Energy turns out to be a first-rate keeper as well containing, quite possibly, their fans two most favorite songs: Fire and Happiness. Happiness is the truly transformative number, an upbeat and joyous dance song that is free of camp or any "retro" qualities. Playing the song Happiness is better for your mood than any anti-depressant! Fire is just a knockout cover of what was at the time a relatively little known Springsteen song. In fact, "side two" (yes, friends, long-playing (LP) records had two sides) from Happiness to Everybody Is A Star is pretty much perfect. Angry Eyes is forceful and tightly harmonized, Echoes of Love has a killer arrangement and hook, and Everybody Is A Star, one of my favorite songs of all time, is sung beautifully, melding a plaintive melody with a 60s-era Aquarian message of universality: we are one. If you like the Pointers and don't have this album, get it!