I have been a huge fan of the Bee Gees since the 70's. At the time, they were experiencing their greatest commercial success. When the 80's came, they were pretty much mocked and ridiculed for being a disco act. Although they did ride on the success of the disco craze, they were obviously much more than just a disco act.

While their music was ignored for much of the 80's, they nonetheless provided Top 10 hits for other artists such as Barbra Streisand, Dionne Warwick, Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. They finally reclaimed some chart glory in 1989 when they scored a Top 10 hit for themselves with "One". 1989 was a watershed year for a lot of chart veterans who had not had hits in years to stage comebacks. Besides the Bee Gees, other acts to return to the Top 10 that year included Donny Osmond, Bette Midler, and Donna Summer. Instead of capitalizing on the success of "One", the Brothers Gibb took a few years to release their next album, 1993's "Size Isn't Everything". By that time, the nostalgia of 1989 had passed and they were once again no longer considered cool.

The brothers had signed with Left Bank Management, who had helped Duran Duran return to the top of the charts in early 1993. It was hoped that this management team would be able to work the same magic with the Bee Gees. However, the first single from this CD, "Paying the Price of Love", faltered and stalled at #74 on Billboard's Hot 100. The song is a masterpiece, and certainly deserves to have performed better. But even at the time, when I first heard it, I knew it would have a hard time finding an audience at radio. The second single, "For Whom the Bell Tolls", was a beautiful ballad, but it performed even worse. It failed to make the Hot 100, reaching 109 on the Bubbling Under chart.

The Bee Gees did finally get one last comeback in 1997 with the CD "Still Waters" and the single "Alone". Subsequent releases have had mixed results and now with the passing of Maurice Gibb, it seems the future of the Bee Gees is uncertain.

This CD includes some of the Bee Gees most beautiful ballads as well as lively uptempo numbers. Besides the songs that were released as singles, some of my favorites include "Kiss of Life", "Omega Man", "Heart Like Mine", and "Fallen Angel". Bee Gees fans who have not had the chance to pick this CD up, I suggest you do so. It is truly an overlooked gem.

"For Whom the Bell Tolls" Is the best ballad I have ever heard. This song has to be one of the most beautiful ballads ever recorded simpley because of the perfect singing of robin and barry together. Stunning guitar solos, but with a distant sound adding mystery.

Get this cd just for that song. The other songs are pretty decent as well.

Although this album had been unrecognized by the US Charts, but that doesn't mean it SUCK. Size Isn't Everything is actually (in my opinion) one of the greatest album the Brother Gibbs had composed!

1. Paying the Price of Love - A strong rock song featuring Barry on normal and falsetto voice. The only part where it sounds a little bad is when Barry was sort of like screaming in falsetto voice, but otherwise, absolutely fantastic song.

2. Kiss of Life - During the Bee Gees disco era, other than Love Me, Robin hadn't been a lead singer. In this another super rock or metal song, he took the lead. Great guitar solo in the middle by Alan Kendall, the lead guitarist since the making of Trafalgar.

3. How To Fall in Love, Pt. 1 - A sudden change from heavy rock to blues. Starting with a combination of high-hat and Barry's "with-air" voice. Although this song is pretty long (around 6 mins), but if you can give a try to listen to it, it is very heart-touching. (PS. Where's Pt.2??)

4. Omega Man - A show time for Maurice Gibb. This song is mostly acoustic guitar and drums. But when Maurice comes in with his deep and full voice, the song is born with energy. Absolutely fantastic.

5. Haunted House - Excellent start with a "spooky" sound. But when the real music where Barry starts to sing, it doesn't sound spooky anymore. If you listen closely enough, the main chorus doesn't make sense, but a great song.

6. Heart Like Mine - If this is a second time you listen to this song, and you forgot the main melody, the start with keyboard will tell you what is the main melody. Then a sweet voice by Robin comes over and took the lead. Not a fantastic one, but acceptable on UK Chart.

7. Anything For You - Barry takes the lead and sings the main chorus over and over again at the last one minute of the song. Very boring, but sweet melody.

8. Blue Island - Back to 1960s! This song is using their old-ballad style of songwriting again. Barry sings the lead, and made it a song for relaxation.

9. Above and Beyond - Second try for Maurice Gibb. These kind of thing (two Mo leading songs) only happens in 2 albums - Size Isn't Everything and This Is Where I Came In (Man in the Middle and Walking on Air). Back to the song: during the main chorus, Barry accompanies Maurice with his falsetto voice, which made it sound aboslutely fantastic, and I don't know how the US Chart managed to get away with this song! (angry)

10. For Whom the Bell Tolls - I expect the people who never had this album would recognize this song. A combination of medium rock and the Bee Gees old ballad style. Very touching song, leading with Barry and Robin.

11. Fallen Angel - Maybe a son for their dad. A metal song. Robin takes the lead and it was perfect! DUring the main chorus, he does that sort of sad voice and high, so it brought the song to life. Excellent!

12 Decadence (only available in some editions) - Another version of You Should be Dancing, but with a thought of metal music.

From the reviews above, you can see that this album should at least obtain more than three hits. But it doesn't happen, and we had to accept that. If you belief that this is a great album, then you are right. Absolutely fantastic.

When I can get Maurice singing the leads of more than one song...it is a BONUS deal!
Omega Man and Above and Beyond...
Excellent!

Paying For The Price Of Love leads off this 1993 album and was a solid hit for The Brothers outside of America. It's beat driven tone is akin to the previous album, High Civilization, but it doesn't seem as dark. Paying for the Price of Love raises the bar and sets the tone for the album. It rocks and has a sense of fun about itself. Kiss of Life continues this trend. Robin leads on the somewhat perverse lyrics and Barry expertly handles the chorus. The styles of the boys singing may seem at odds at times, but there is such a vocal hook that this song will get stuck in your head.
How To Fall In Love Part One is another staple in the Barry love song category. To me this song should be the backtrack to every love scene in a movie. The song starts of slow, with almost no music but a beat, then by the end the three part harmony is bringing down the house. The six minute ballad only brings up one question. Where's Part Two?! I
want my Part Two!!

Omega Man is the first Maurice lead of the album. Mo was sober and very happy at the time, and Omega Man showcases his humor, and a bit of his nasty side. This album has an air of bravado. Just look at the title! It's quite ambitious for these old timers to say they are going to do a pop album in the teen driven market. But they are brash enough and
talented enough to do it.
After the joy of Omega Man, the very dark Haunted House will have you reeling in your seat. A great arrangement in lyrics and vocals by Barry and Robin. It is effectively creepy, but in a good way 80)
Heart Like Mine has developed a strong love hate/relationship with Robinites. Some swear by its quavering and heart tugging delivery. Others find it one of the most annoying post disco songs. I think it depends on the mood your in. Along with Haunted House, Heart Like Mine almost brings you down from the high built up during the first four songs. When you want to cry, program the cd player for repeat, when you want to have fun skip it. Now that may seem harsh, but the versatility of The Bee Gees is one of my favorite things. With their impeccable catalogue, you can almost pick and choose which Bee Gees are your favorite. What other artist can you say that about?

Anything For You returns to the fun. It's almost short on words, but the refrains are so skillfully done by the brothers you can't help but sing along. Some dislike the modern emphasis on production, but Blue Island's simplistic guitar arrangement is ingenious. The lyrics are impeccable, and they very much mean something. The underlying spirituality in this song is so subtle but so inspiring I redid my room in a Blue Island theme!
Above and Beyond is the second Maurice track on Size. Again a very fun piece with underlying lyrics that are so personal, yet touch everyone, and without making it obvious. Masterful. Second to last on Size is its monster hit, For Whom The Bell Tolls. Hit everywhere but the U.S. again. One of The Bee Gees power ballad staples. The arrangement
of the broken hearted lyrics, combined with the modern crescendo is tops. Barry's breathy delivery and Robin's powerhouse chorus will knock your socks off. Tolls and the last track, Fallen Angel, are completely opposite styles with one thing in common; Robin sings them both. This alone amazed me for weeks. Angel is very fast and rocking and led very
strongly by Robin, who has somehow tripled the power of the voice coming out of that little body.

Fortunately or unfortunately, Size began the modern system of putting B sides on singles but not putting them on an album. My Destiny and 855-7019 are two of this cream de la rare. Fortunately, I've heard and recommend My Destiny. Unfortunately I haven't heard 855-7019. Despite this inconvience, Size Isn't Everything is regarded by fans as one of the best Gibb albums post Fever. This album strengthens the debate that The Brothers seem to be better since the Fever craze. Size Isn't Everything proves it is time to set aside your disco stigmas and give The Bee Gees another listen. A Must.