Anything Is Possible is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Debbie Gibson, released on November 20, 1990, by Atlantic Records. The album features a collaboration between Gibson and veteran Motown songwriter Lamont Dozier, who co-wrote four of the album's tracks including the title single. "Stand Your Ground" marked Gibson's final collaboration with longtime producer Fred Zarr.
At the time of the album's release in late 1990, Gibson was 20 years old and the late-1980s teen pop wave was near its end. The album was Gibson's first to not reach the Top 10 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart, peaking at No. 41 in the United States. It made the top 40 of the Cashbox albums chart for one week, peaking at No. 38 on December 22, 1990, before descending down the chart. The album sold fewer copies than her previous two albums, Out of the Blue and Electric Youth, both of which had gone multi-platinum.
Anything Is Possible was certified Gold by the RIAA. In Japan, the album reached No. 5 on the Oricon weekly albums chart and was certified Gold by the RIAJ. The album was released in March 1991 in the United Kingdom but stalled at No. 69. The title single reached the top 30 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Critical reception
Billboard praised the album, stating that "much will be made about Gibson's more adult image and vocal style. What deserves more attention, however, is something that has always been found in her work: a true gift for crafting memorable pop songs."[8]
Cashbox noted that "she's back, and with some pretty powerful ammunition. As if her own, still developing, songwriting skills aren't impressive enough, she has support from the great Lament Dozier. Divided into a ballad side and a dance side so you can enjoy either mood
uninterrupted."[9]
Entertainment Weekly also praised the album, noting that "it shouldn't come as any surprise that Debbie Gibson's third record, Anything Is Possible, is a more polished work than her vibrant debut, Out of the Blue, or her brasher follow-up, Electric Youth. What she's lost in raw teen energy she's gained in musical assurance," however conceding that "clearly Gibson means well; her advice just isn't very meaningful. But if she gets a little more emotional experience, a little more insight about life and how to live it — and a slightly bigger record collection — anything really may be possible."[10]
The Los Angeles Times were more critical of the record, calling it a "redundant, overproduced, 72 minute sprawl," yet also stating that "Gibson does display a good knack with a melodic hook and a credible mastery of contemporary pop craft. When she combines those qualities with some sass and spunk on the deliciously catty, unabashedly adolescent "It Must've Been My Boy," the results are vibrant. Too often, though, Gibson uses her craftsmanship to dress up thin lyrics in overly elaborate garb."[11]
AllMusic were also mixed in their review, commenting that "though some of the material is fairly decent (including "Another Brick Fall" and the Madonna-ish "It Must've Been My Boy"), most of it is pedestrian, homogenized and quite forgettable."[12]
The LP and cassette releases have unique labels on their sides. Side A is labeled "NRG↑" (pronounced "energy up") for its upbeat songs while the ballad-oriented side B is "Mood Swings".
All tracks are written and produced by Deborah Gibson, except where indicated.
^"New Releases: Singles". Music Week. July 20, 1991. p. 21.
^Sure / Stand Your Ground (Philippines 7-inch single sleeve). Debbie Gibson. WEA International. 1991. ATR-0456.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^In His Mind (Japanese mini-CD single liner notes). Debbie Gibson. Atlantic Records. 1992. AMDY-5076.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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