Does the world really need another greatest-hits package (this appears to be the thirteenth) from a guy whose output has been fairly sporadic (6 albums) over 21 years? Granted, the Playlist series does an excellent job of giving you a cross section of the artist’s work along with an essay, some pictures and credits. Astley had one ridiculously huge hit “Never Gonna Give You Up” and several other singles that charted, but his output and his career could only be categorized as an underachieving one, suggesting that the Playlist treatment may be unwarranted. The first nine tracks tend to blend together and sound like one soulless ’80s dance number. The man possesses an incredible set of pipes, but so much of his career was spent crooning bland dance songs. The production and music feels sterile; his voice is soulful, but the material and execution of it is not. Only on the balladry of “Hold Me in Your Arms” or “Cry for Help” can you trace some sincerity in Astley’s delivery. That material engages him becasue he isn’t selling the synthesizer dance floor thing. “When I Fall In Love,” the Nat King Cole staple, is another good track from the collection. His future as a balladeer is where he belongs as the end of the disc clearly proves, should he get around to making more music anytime soon. (RCA/Legacy)
