While the electroclash duo Fischerspooner hasn't released anything that invigorating since 2001's "Emerge" (from the exhaustingly hyped group's debut, "#1"), there's always hope for the future, right? Well, we'll soon find out; here are my preliminary thoughts on "Entertainment," which will be released next month.
1. "The Best Revenge"
Enjoyable enough — great horns, without a doubt — but probably not the exciting album opener they were hoping for.
2. "We are Electric"
A static-drenched lullaby. If you like North Caroline duo Alt-Ctrl-Sleep but have always wished they liked dance music just a little bit more, this is the FS track for you.
3. "Money Can't Dance"
Commercial suicide in the form of an ode to Tears for Fears' notoriously radio-unfriendly B-sides. Still, it'll grow on you.
4. "In a Modern World"
Moving more toward the "A" side, but not exactly living up to the big, big words of the group's ever-the-optimist publicist: "If experimental pop glaze and brilliant dancefloor production are your thing you can't miss with this one."
5. "Supply & Demand"*
Reminds me of a more-playful Orbital/less-snarky The Orb — this is a track I can get on board with. Finally!
6. "Amuse Bouche"
Oh, hey, time for another quote. This one, the Magnetic Fields' Stephen Merritt describing his "Distortion" album, fits "Amuse Bouche" to a T: "Some audience members may be completely and immediately turned off but, I figure, if you find it too loud, just turn it down and it will sound quite pretty."
7. "Infidels of the World Unite"
Funky, slappy and ... mappy? Someone let the cat out of the bag, and they're chasing it down with a raygun.
8. "Door Train Home"
Akin to a late-period Chemical Brothers collaboration. Appreciated. (Without a doubt I could see this one being used in a wait-a-second-this-is-way-too-cool-for-a-mainstream-film type of project — like the next "Fight Club.")
9. "Danse en France"
"Do they have hot water in France?" Just one of the interesting questions posed in this acid-washed and — going back to that Orb reference — "Little Fluffy Clouds"-evoking dreamscape.
10. "To the Moon"
One of those big, wide-open tracks that, despite what came before it, makes you love whatever album it's on. "Entertainment" isn't perfect, but, remember, these comments are just a reflection of my first run through the album. As this gorgeous closer winds down, it's pretty apparent this album's going to grow on me in time.
*Two free MP3 downloads of "Supply & Demand" (one regular, one remixed) are available at www.fischerspooner.com. If you like what you hear, the group will be in Minnesota May 29 for a show at First Avenue.
Matthew R. Perrine (aka me, the guy wrote this) is a reporter for the Duluth Budgeteer News. Read his regular Arts & Entertainment coverage at www.duluthbudgeteer.com.
1. "The Best Revenge"
Enjoyable enough — great horns, without a doubt — but probably not the exciting album opener they were hoping for.
2. "We are Electric"
A static-drenched lullaby. If you like North Caroline duo Alt-Ctrl-Sleep but have always wished they liked dance music just a little bit more, this is the FS track for you.
3. "Money Can't Dance"
Commercial suicide in the form of an ode to Tears for Fears' notoriously radio-unfriendly B-sides. Still, it'll grow on you.
4. "In a Modern World"
Moving more toward the "A" side, but not exactly living up to the big, big words of the group's ever-the-optimist publicist: "If experimental pop glaze and brilliant dancefloor production are your thing you can't miss with this one."
5. "Supply & Demand"*
Reminds me of a more-playful Orbital/less-snarky The Orb — this is a track I can get on board with. Finally!
6. "Amuse Bouche"
Oh, hey, time for another quote. This one, the Magnetic Fields' Stephen Merritt describing his "Distortion" album, fits "Amuse Bouche" to a T: "Some audience members may be completely and immediately turned off but, I figure, if you find it too loud, just turn it down and it will sound quite pretty."
7. "Infidels of the World Unite"
Funky, slappy and ... mappy? Someone let the cat out of the bag, and they're chasing it down with a raygun.
8. "Door Train Home"
Akin to a late-period Chemical Brothers collaboration. Appreciated. (Without a doubt I could see this one being used in a wait-a-second-this-is-way-too-cool-for-a-mainstream-film type of project — like the next "Fight Club.")
9. "Danse en France"
"Do they have hot water in France?" Just one of the interesting questions posed in this acid-washed and — going back to that Orb reference — "Little Fluffy Clouds"-evoking dreamscape.
10. "To the Moon"
One of those big, wide-open tracks that, despite what came before it, makes you love whatever album it's on. "Entertainment" isn't perfect, but, remember, these comments are just a reflection of my first run through the album. As this gorgeous closer winds down, it's pretty apparent this album's going to grow on me in time.
*Two free MP3 downloads of "Supply & Demand" (one regular, one remixed) are available at www.fischerspooner.com. If you like what you hear, the group will be in Minnesota May 29 for a show at First Avenue.
Matthew R. Perrine (aka me, the guy wrote this) is a reporter for the Duluth Budgeteer News. Read his regular Arts & Entertainment coverage at www.duluthbudgeteer.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment