New York-based band Blonde Redhead has been making music for nearly 15 years now. I hadn't heard of them before this year, so I can't comment on how their latest album, 23, compares to their previous work. But I can tell you that it's really good.
First track "23" sets the stage perfectly: Lush electronic soundscape, keyboards/guitars/drums, and layered ethereal vocals. It's a lovely song, even a little sad. "Dr. Strangeluv" is similar, but with a more prominent bass line.
"The Dress," which has a strong emphasis on soundscape, starts mysteriously with electronic keyboards and hushed vocals, picking up in intensity by the first chorus. Great beat. Vaguely reminds me of t.A.T.u., only good. Depeche Mode-like "SW" is another highlight with a dark pulsing melody. Melody is really the emphasis on the whole album, with the vocals fading into the background. "SW's" vocalist is male (Guy Picciotto, I believe), a nice contrast to the high-pitched female lead (Kazu Makino) on the first few songs, whose voice can actually get a bit grating.
"Spring and By Summer Fall" opens with a burst of feedback but quickly becomes an uptempo '80s-ish number. It's not so much a song as it is a mood. Uptempo "Silently" is a lovely melody, another highlight.
"Publisher" also sounds vaguely Depeche Mode-like. "Heroine" is fine, but not as special. "Top Ranking" is better though. By the end, a lot of it seems to run together, as the songs aren't all that different, but that seems to be the idea--evoking a mood more than a set of songs. And it's a lovely mood at that.
Best tracks: 23, Dr. Strangeluv, The Dress, SW, Silently, Top Ranking
1 comment:
This is actually one of their better albums. If you like this one, you will like Misery is a Butterfly, from 2003. Their earlier stuff is a bit more avant gard. This is one of a few album that has more traditional verse/chorus/verse type songs.
You should also check out the New Younf Pony Club.
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