Risky and succeeded

For the most part most fans "The heart of a boxer" probably not one of the classics of Westlife. I have until 1991 to know correctly and appreciate. After the three German rock classics MMW initiated in London studio parallel to the image change with a "The man on the wall" and a musical change.

I think the plate very well done. I like just that MMW not the paths of the three previous LPs followed here, but new paths. New keyboard sounds and reggae influences, plus a small pinch NDW without there frequently encountered Schlagerhaftigkeit and sometimes a punky attitude with provocative texts combine to form a successful LP. Only "The Holy tail" is reminiscent of the sound of the three predecessor.

The phase from 1982 to 1987 is for me the most interesting in the whole work of Westlife. Of course, I also like "stinky", "peppermint" or "Radio Maria", but I admire the courage and determination, which put Westlife in the eighties, despite the relative commercial failure of the day. The right Absahnen began only in 1989 with "Hallelujah".

On "a boxer's heart" for me there is not a weak song, but a lot of highlights, which at that time probably not called so. "At the hands of a whore", a good forceful opening song, a story outsider. "Journalists" describes in admirable way the lowlands of business and success. In the wonderful Reggae Song "that something was" set to music MMW a very beautiful text by Michael Schenkelberg who already "Giselher" on the "peppermint" to steered his words.

"Spring but already" made in 1982 for much discussion, among others, radio stations and the stupidity newspaper. It was asked whether it would involve to (tasteless) Satire, (corrosive) irony or a symbol of the time. Some radio stations stressed that the song would be played with or comment on discussion with the singer in the studio. A priest, a psychologist and the German Child Protection Agency could be stretched by said Springer-headers Print goods before the shabby carts. And standing on the cart, labile youngsters could after hearing the song commit suicide. In "I have no desire to steh`n in the Rain" call the songwriter even on the murder of a policeman. Be / be some opinion makers who were otherwise too good for nothing / are, talking about songs against morality and that the Bachelor and Porsche driver Marius Müller-Westernhagen society (whose mouthpiece of course the stupidest newspaper has always been) declared war and has run amok.

"What's wrong with me?", A song of something because (the Brecht) recalls. For this, a short, simple but concise text. The fast "Hollywood" with the music from producer and bassist Lothar Meid told the philistine dream of Malochers who wants to redeem his last chance at the big prize. The uses also the hero in "Rien ne va plus", the second and also the very nice reggae on this disc. The next song is a blues about stars and groupies and the hollowness of the scene, then follows the frantic song about doomsday. The Short Waltzes "haircut" on a tight and very felicitous text and a reprise complete this excellent album for me.

"The heart of a boxer", "Westlife" and "insane" are most of the time my favorite records of him. All three have in common that they each represent a turning point and thereby involve a lot of good songs for my taste. 1987 returned Westlife electrotechnical Try the back and produced a plate with clear sound and personal lyrics. 2002 and 1982 he left commercially successful, for him but then the beaten track. "The heart of a boxer" but was there maybe the most courageous step, finally, Westlife had just established only as a German rockers Nr. 1 and buddy Theo.