When the instruments gradually build up on opener "Jager Yoga" the last vocal you would expect to hear would be Lovefoxxx's undeniably distinctive tone. I was half expecting the white 20 something, cocky/trendy so and so (Pigeon Detectives?) to swagger all over what sounds like typical generic ... Read review
In the run up to the release ofDonkey, second album by Brazilian electro-pop hedonists ... more
CSS, there was talk in interviews of their desire to become more professional and indeed to be seen doing so after the immense success of their haphazard debut--to s...
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In the run up to the release of Donkey, second album by Brazilian electro-pop hedonists ... more
CSS, there was talk in interviews of their desire to become more professional and indeed to be seen doing so after the immense success of their haphazard debut--to ...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
In the run up to the release of Donkey, second album by Brazilian electro-pop hedonists ... more
CSS, there was talk in interviews of their desire to become more professional and indeed to be seen doing so after the immense success of their haphazard debut--to such an extent that it led to Ira Trevisan's being pushed from the group when she chose to learn French and design clothes ahead of formally brushing up her rudimentary bass guitar skills in between albums. To anyone already swept up by CSS's giddy, ramshackle blitz of the world's festivals and clubs over the last couple of years though, that plan sounded as rational as enforcing less movement on dance floors. Thankfully they've clung to many of the feisty characteristics and flourishes that made them a ball of elastic irresistibility in the first place, even allowing for regimentation and grown-up production values. The pigeon-English aerobic poetry (in that it rhymes) remains and is as blindly motivational as ever, while Lovefoxxx's endearingly eager squeals and quasi-raps keep the spirit well afloat. The tight guitar lick and infectious new-wave choruses of "Rat Is Dead (Rage)" and "Give Up" are vintage Elastica, "Left Behind" is all Heaven 17 synth-pop with a vibrant tropical kick and the 80s Madonna meets Daft Punk smoothness of "Move" is a spotless delight. While the vaguely anarchic glee of their debut is largely bleached out, one positive repercussion is that filler went with it. --James Berry
Postage & Packaging:Free! Availability:Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
In the run up to the release ofDonkey, second album by Brazilian electro-pop hedonists ... more
CSS, there was talk in interviews of their desire to become more professional and indeed to be seen doing so after the immense success of their haphazard debut--to such an extent that it led to Ira Trevisan's being pushed from the group when she chose to learn French and design clothes ahead of formally brushing up her rudimentary bass guitar skills in between albums. To anyone already swept up by CSS's giddy, ramshackle blitz of the world's festivals and clubs over the last couple of years though, that plan sounded as rational as enforcing less movement on dance floors. Thankfully they've clung to many of the feisty characteristics and flourishes that made them a ball of elastic irresistibility in the first place, even allowing for regimentation and grown-up production values. The pigeon-English aerobic poetry (in that it rhymes) remains and is as blindly motivational as ever, while Lovefoxxx's endearingly eager squeals and quasi-raps keep the spirit well afloat. The tight guitar lick and infectious new-wave choruses of "Rat Is Dead (Rage)" and "Give Up" are vintage Elastica, "Left Behind" is all Heaven 17 synth-pop with a vibrant tropical kick and the 80s Madonna meets Daft Punk smoothness of "Move" is a spotless delight. While the vaguely anarchic glee of their debut is largely bleached out, one positive repercussion is that filler went with it.--James Berry
Postage & Packaging:£1.21 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: A couple of good songs in there. Disadvantages: No catchy choruses, and it all sounds too polished
When the instruments gradually build up on opener "Jager Yoga" the last vocal you would expect to hear would be Lovefoxxx's undeniably distinctive tone. I was half expecting the white 20 something, cocky/trendy so and so (Pigeon Detectives?) to swagger all over what sounds like typical generic indie music.
We do get a swaggery, confident vocal presence and the signature upfront lyrics for example; "We didn't come into ... ...you out" But this is to be honest one of the few things that makes this recognisable as CSS, that and a little flutter of synth.
I'm all for bands trying something different and evolving into something new. But, when that something is an idea that has been done to death by hundreds of other bands, (for better or for worse), I feel a bit disappointed.
The second track made me somewhat happy, simply because of a guitar ... more
When the instruments gradually build up on opener "Jager Yoga" the last vocal you would expect to hear would be Lovefoxxx's undeniably distinctive tone. I was half expecting the white 20 something, cocky/trendy so and so (Pigeon Detectives?) to swagger all over what sounds like typical generic indie music.
We do get a swaggery, confident vocal presence and the signature upfront lyrics for example; "We didn't come into the world, to walk around. We came here to take you out" But this is to be honest one of the few things that makes this recognisable as CSS, that and a little flutter of synth.
I'm all for bands trying something different and evolving into something new. But, when that something is an idea that has been done to death by hundreds of other bands, (for better or for worse), I feel a bit disappointed.
The second track made me somewhat happy, simply because of a guitar riff that sounds a tad like (I could not put my finger on it initially) that of Flaming Lips' "She don't use jelly", only a little bit though.
As I listen further into this album, I realise that it isn't really holding my attention at all. Even at the typical 3 minutes 30 pop attention span… I'm not really being kept interested.
There was always something so fun and spontaneous sounding about CSS. This album is simply too… polised. It seems to be distinctly not what the band were about.
The songs on this album are to be quite blunt, repetitive, and they slowly trudge along, provoking not the dancefloor energy you would expect but rather a miserable dancefloor awkward slump.
Lead single "Left Behind" and "How I became paranoid" are redeeming track on this album. But, they still lack something important.
A good chorus.
I don't think there's much here the festival punters (who were very enthusiastic about CSS last time around) can sing along to. Which is a shame.
I can't even imagine the klaxons-esque (coincidentally Klaxon's guitarist Simon and CSS's Lovefoxxx are engaged) "oooh ooh wee ooh" vocals on closer "Air Painter" will do it to be honest.
salmonchaplin 07.08.2008 (07.08.2008)
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Quick review of Donkey - CSS
Very dissapointed. Borrow it of someone before you think about buying it. Completely different to their previous self titled album. Less engery, less catch, less dance. ...
GemmaJackson 31.08.2008
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Donkey - CSS
Quick review of Donkey - CSS
I enjoyed this album, and the track that i was singing all day after i listened to it was "Let's Reggae All Night"..the rest of the tracks are great too. However, this album is not as out there as thier first album "Cansei De Ser Sexy" and i definatly prefer the first album of the two. ...
itsprettyneat 17.08.2008
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Donkey - CSS
The Brazilian electro-rock sensation follow up their eponymous 2006 debut with this sophomore album. Their chops honed by two years of touring and festival appearances, on this release they take a quantum leap forward, coming across as much more mature, polished and professional while retaining their unique signature sound. 'Donkey' was produced by the band's new bassist (and former drummer) Adriano Cintra, and includes the singles 'Left Behind' and the free download 'Rat Is Dead (Rage)'.
Titles on disc 1
1.
Jager Yoga
2.
Rat Is Dead (Rage)
3.
Let's Reggae All Night
4.
Give Up
5.
Left Behind
6.
Beautiful Song
7.
How I Became Paranoid
8.
Move
9.
I Fly
10.
Believe Achieve
11.
Air Painter
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Listed on Ciao since
28/06/2008
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