There must be an angel / Playing with my heart / I walk into an empty room / And suddenly my heart ...
There must be an angel / Playing with my heart / I walk into an empty room / And suddenly my heart goes boom! / It's an orchestra of angels / And they're playing with my heart.
Member since:29.10.2004
Reviews:49
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"Switch me on, turn me up...."
Goldfrapp are back with their third album after the massive hit album "Black Cherry". Forming in 99 Alison Goldfrapp, former fine art student and Will Gregory, composer, after discovering they shared a love of the same music, the same art and basically seemed like two peas in a pod. Their sound has the grittiness of electro, catchy pop vocals and distinct glam rock feel. Sounds rather odd, I know, but works well. "Supernature" could well be the able that makes them more of a household name. But they aren't any strangers to success. Their debut "Felt Mountain" was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize whilst 2003's Black Cherry was a chart success. However "Supernature" has presented them with a challenge, it would be all too easy to go back into the studio and make another 10 tracks like that off "Black Cherry". I was very sceptical about this album. How would they progress with their sound? And would the live performances, I know not strictly to do with the album, but would they be better than the previous bore-fest I have seen the duo present?
Well "Supernature" certainly does start off with a bang. The first three tracks are a real testament to their talents. "Ooh La La" has been featured on a good few adverts. It's just one real sexy slinky song. It's oppulence there for all to hear. "Switch me on, Turn me up, Don't want it Baudelaire, Just glitter lust." The song manages to capture a real pop catchiness with the vocals "I need la la la, i need it ooh la la" whilst keeping a pure electro vein running through it. The synths and distorted effects make this fit to dance to. The uptempo feels runs through into the next track. "Lovely 2 c u" is the perfect track to go after "Ooh La La". The dominating force here is the distorted, messed up guitars. The verses are rather subdued and it ticks along nicely until the chorus kicks in. The whole tune goes up a good few notches. The guitars get louder and more distorted. Alison's voice gets higher as she belts out. "Lovely, Lovely 2 C U". What I really love about this track is the production. It's just great, the track is pretty banging but it keeps the glam rock vibe, flangers and other effects are put to full use. This stops the whole thing from being too one dimensional. "Ride A White Horse" just doesn't stop the funked up dirty vibe. The simple clean full house beat and Alison's vocals provide a more futuristic and modern feel. The electro feel is still there but it's a bit more subtle. The chorus is catchy again and her smoky voice is perfect. The lyrics are pretty obscure but then so are Goldfrapp. "Now take me dancing, At the disco, Where you buy your Winniebago, I wanna ride a white horse, I wanna ride a white horse."
Now this is where I feel the album starts to fall apart a bit. "You Never Know" is more down tempo and quite charming in places. The piano and Alison's high pitched vocals make it seem very decadent and antique like. It's another oppulent track with a string arrangement to match. Whilst it's quite clever, it just lacks soul. "You Never Know" isn't an awful track it just doesn't compare to the previous tracks before it and so leaves you feeling a bit empty. "Let It Take You" suffers the same fate. It's just too minimal and Alison's vocals aren't enough to keep your attention. The lyrics are rather poetic but that's about it. "They sail light, ocean, They sail tonight, ocean, Filling my sleep so gently." Two of the later tracks on the album also bear the brunt of this down-tempo-ness. Don't get me worng, ballads can be great but when they are bad they are very bad. "Time Out From The World" has a real sense of escapism to it, the sonic effects, the strings and heart like beat make it seem like something out of a dream. But I just don't find it very engaging. It's probably the least worst out of the bad tracks. You could picture it in a film but when you know what Goldfrapp are capable of, it's not a great track. However the last track on the album "Number 1" just takes the biscuit though. I seems familiar maybe because it's distinctly unoriginal and a bit naff. Who in the year 2006 sings "you're my number 1". The beats, synths and guitars are good. There's a part where she sings "yeah yeah yeah" and I was just wanting the tune to explode into the energy of the first three tunes on the album. But no, it just proceeds on, rather dull and boring.
Other songs on the album "Slide", "Koko" and "Satin Chic" are entertaining and really quite good. "Slide" is imaginative in it's production and has a strong acid and electro feel to it with it's tight sound effects and little wiggles. Alison's vocals have been distorted to make them seem like at they are literally sliding away at points. "Koko" although down tempo has a lot more to offer than other tracks. It has substance and style. "Koko" is slow but it's loud and so rates highly whereas "Satin Chic" has more up-beat fun feel to it. Her lyrics are almost like something you could hear Dolly Parton singing. "He's my man, Yeah he's my man, You don't understand."
"Supernature" is a real mixed bag. There are some absolutely fabulous songs for example "Lovely 2 C U" and "Ooh La La". There are a bunch of pretty good songs like funky "Satin Chic" and the weird "Slide". But then you come to the down tempo, flat pieces of boring nothingness that are "Time Out From The World" and the naffness of "Number 1". It's really hard to say whether you, the consumer, should buy it. "Supernature" is entertaining in the most part. It can be funky, energetic and catchy but at other times it seems like they are trying to be a bit too clever and it comes across as Goldfrapp being pretentious. I'm glad they experimented and tried a few new things but some things just don't work at all. I was really excited about this album after listening to the first three songs. However "Supernature" left me feeling bitterly disappointed. The ballads are a real sticking point mainly because the lyrics lack strength and depth. The album as a whole may tick the boxes of prententious music critics at The Daily Mail and other daily rags but it doesn't do it for me. Give me Juliet or Les Rythmes Digitales any day!
The album art is pretty nice and very artistic. The cover shows a rather sultry looking Alison Goldfrapp gazing into the potential buyers eyes.....as if saying "please buy me!" Inside there are full lyrics (just what you always wanted!), and a couple more photos of Goldfrapp looking very arty.
If want my honest advice.....go onto iTunes and download "Ooh La La", "Lovely 2 C U" and "Ride A White Horse". If you really want more buy "Slide" and "Satin Chic".
"Supernature" is available from HMV priced £9.99
For further information see www.goldfrapp.co.uk
Pictures of Supernature - Goldfrapp
Alison Goldfrapp
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: Stealthy glamour, the music, Alison Goldfrapp's fabulous voice Disadvantages: The overworking of certain songs, the general tone is surprising
Advantages: Stealthy glamour, the music, Alison Goldfrapp's fabulous voice Disadvantages: The overworking of certain songs, the general tone is surprising
Sep 25th, 2005
very helpful by (100%):
