ELECTRIC SIX - FLASHY

By the time "Flashy" came out, the deed was done.  I was hooked.  Like a junkie trying to score my next fix, I hunted down this disc and listened anxiously for the intergalactic journey to begin.  And although I was preparing for the cosmic, this one hit closer to home.  In fact, it was like gently landing after experiencing the most mind blowing trip you've ever had.

And I realize, with those words, you start to expect a tamer, more subdued Dick Valentine.  Or a less than stellar rock effort by the dukes of disco funk rock. 

But that's not at all what you get.

Instead, you get slight of hand and misdirection...  E6 tells you to look over here and rock out, but in the meantime, they're espousing complex ideas about love, relationships and priorities.

Right from the start, 'Gay Bar Part Two' informs you this is not the type of party you stay at all night.  This is one you listen to and reflect on.  There's a message here for those willing to seek it.  'Formula 409' seems almost like a conflict of interest after that.  It's a pop rocker that gets the blood pressure going and seems to be more of a filler piece they're trying to get out of the way.  I love the track.  In fact, by itself, it's one of my fav numbers.  But I'm not sure I like it here.

'We Were Witchy Witchy White Women' is an incredible tune.  Not just because it seems to have it's own momentum, but because of the ideas Dick flirts with here.  He considers the depth of love if you were reborn.  Could you find the same love?  His tells the story from the point of view of a lesbian who practices witchcraft and her relationship with another woman.  It's a complex thing for someone to consider angles like that.  But Dick Valentine has never been orthodox in his contemplation of the human heart.

And right from the contemplation of being gay for the right woman, he hits us with 'Dirty Ball'...  A song that champions casual and lusty sex as therapy.  The metaphors abound and the rhythm is thumping.  All in all, an excellent track.  To me, 'Lovers Beware' is more than just a song about two people not getting what they want from each other, it's about the dangers of expectation.  It also sheds light on an interesting phenomenon...  People who hate happy couples and try to break them up.

'Your Heat Is Rising' is a song about desire and corruption.  But I also hear a cautionary tale of vulnerability and how that can so easily be manipulated.  'Face Cuts' is a strangely sad song about how even love can be enslaved by superficial standards.  The deadened vocal delivery all blend to create a love that must bow to the whim of social trends.  Although it's a serious song, it is rich with irony.  'Heavy Woman' tells the story of a woman who, because of some childhood trauma, used weight to hold the world at bay.  She uses her weight to keep love out.  He doesn't specifically say this in the song, but that's the impression I have of it.  Genius.

'Flashy Man' seems to go hand in hand with 'Heavy Woman'.  Both tell of individuals who use aspects of themselves to keep other people at arm's length.  No one will ever get close.  But there's nothing wrong with loving a Flashy Man...  'Watching Evil Empires Fall Apart' is the true love song of the album because it's a tale of someone who did surrender to love.  A man who gave up the conquered world for love.  And it's beautiful.  'Graphic Designer' is a complicated tune.  I'm not sure how it fits here, but it's frantic, pile driving and extremely exciting.  'Transatlantic Flight' is an interesting tale of two people who share a moment in passing.  Just enough to make them both wonder, "What if..."...  And then they both die in the same plane crash.  In my opinion, this was the perfect track to end the album with.  It's somehow fitting.  But 'Making Progress' is also a great way to end the disc.  It's the moral of the story.  The "point" if you will.  All of these songs take a look at somewhat specific and yet oddly familiar situations or points of view we see every day in the modern world.  It's true our society influences the way we relate to each other romantically.  From choosing appearance over emotional commitment ('Face Cuts'), to the fleeting momentary glance we might share with someone we never see again ('Transatlantic Flight')...  Socially, we're making progress, but it's made love more difficult and challenging then it's ever been.

I've read other reviews of E6 albums and it seems critics are quick to write them off lyrically as being simple, superficial or shallow...  But I find them extremely nuanced and complex.  I love a band that can make you think, learn more about yourself and get you off your butt to dance around all at the same time.  Electric Six is indeed that band and "Flashy" is another brilliant example of how they can do just about anything.  My final words:  IT'S LIKE GOD HIMSELF APPEARING RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU AND SAYING, "YOU WERE RIGHT TO BELIEVE IN ME THE WHOLE TIME."  HERE'S THE PROOF...  BUY IT UP!

ELECTRIC SIX - FLASHY
01. Gay Bar Part Two
02. Formula 409
03. We Were Witchy Witchy White Women
04. Dirty Ball
05. Lovers Beware
06. Your Heat Is Rising
07. Face Cuts
08. Heavy Woman
09. Flashy Man
10. Watching Evil Empires Fall Apart
11. Graphic Designer
12. Transatlantic Flight
13. Making Progress