Pat Benatar - Get Nervous

Released in 1982

Get Nervous, Pat Benatar's fourth album, never quite got the credit it deserved. While her third album, Precious Time, managed to reach number one with an inferior set of songs, this follow up didn't come close to reaching the same level of sales, yet the overall quality was much improved. It just goes to show you how fickle and unpredictable the music industry can be.

The major problem with Pat Benatar's previous album was not its lack of competent arena rock, but rather its lack of innovation. Except for a couple crowning jewels, one song led into another and thus none really stood out or possessed its own distinctive sound. This problem was resolved in Get Nervous. Pat Benatar toned down the guitars a bit and infused some light splashes of pop and synthesizers, leading the album away from pure hard rock and more towards melodic AOR. The album still rocked… it just did so with less an emphasis on aggression and more on melody.

Some of the album highlights are:

• Shadows of the Night – The biggest radio hit of the album, and one of the best songs in her career.
• Fight It Out – A great power ballad that really challenges Benatar's vocal skills as she reaches multiple ranges throughout the track.
• Little Too Late – An angry and rocking song about confronting a cheating spouse about his affair.

After the average showing of Precious Time, Pat Benatar went back to the drawing board and made a marked improvement with Get Nervous. Not a whole lot changed from her successful formula… just enough to keep it fresh.

Rating: 7 stars

Track List Shadows of the Night Looking for a Stranger Anxiety (Get Nervous) Fight It Out The Victim Little Too Late I'll Do It I Want Out Tell It To Her Silent Partner

CD

DVD

Additional Resources:

• Crimes of Passion Review
• Precious Time Review
• Live From Earth Review
• Tropico Review
• Seven the Hard Way Review
• Wide Awake in Dreamland Review

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