Additional information
Now linked with veteran rock producer Richard Perry and signed to his new Planet imprint, the Pointer Sisters rebounded from 1977's mediocre HAVING A PARTY to blister through ENERGY in late 1978. An absolutely dynamic set of rock standards overflowing with interesting surprises, the LP entered the R&B Top Ten--the first time the group had enjoyed that kind of placement in nearly three years. With a scathing guitar intro that charged through the opening "Lay It on the Line," the Pointer Sisters thrust themselves into the spotlight, proving they wouldn't be slotted as just another R&B vocal act. A take on the mid-period Fleetwood Mac classic "Hypnotized" features a wonderfully slow, bluesy groove-- different, but outstanding in its treatment and probably the best song on the album. Elsewhere, "Happiness" is a fine clash of guitar and disco backbeats and "As I Come of Age" (written by Stephen Stills) emerges as one of the album's quieter moments. It was the group's cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Fire," though, which gave them their biggest hit however, reaching Number Two on the pop charts in early 1979.
