FADED PAPER FIGURES - NEW MEDIUM

Faded Paper Figures are a band I've reviewed before and over the holidays I purchased their entire back catalog and I've been exploring their earlier material ever since.  "New Medium" is their second album and honestly, this group is nothing if not consistent.

Faded Paper Figures combine everything you loved about 80s alternative and new wave sounds in one band.  From the introspective lyrics to the synths...  It's all incorporated here.  

This trio is comprised of John Williams, Heather Alden and Kael Alden.  Williams is the main vocalist, but sometimes Heather Alden takes over and runs the show.  Williams has a soft voice reminiscent of Neil Tennent from the Pet Shop Boys.  He often sounds like he's whispering secrets in your ear.  His form of confiding vocal delivery is extremely effective and mellow.  Check out 'Rewind' to hear his emotive style.  You also get to hear Heather Alden on this one.  She also has a relaxed and laid back vocal style although in her case, the delivery is more sultry and seductive; despite the subject matter.  Listen to 'Invent It All Again' to get the full impact of her when she's running the show.  It's lovely.

One of the things I like about this band is the fact you can put the disc in and let it go without worry.  I usually play FPF while I'm at work designing.  It has the most incredible balance of relaxing sounds to let your mind focus on your work while at the same time adding inspiration to whatever you're doing.  And the lyrics are sung clearly.  It's easy to pick them up and sing along.  Which I often find myself doing as I go along.

Some of my favorite tracks on this CD are 'Small Talk', 'Invent It All Again', 'Rewind', 'The Cold Wars' and 'Limelight'.  Frankly, the entire album is really great, but those 5 tracks are the ones I picked up first and sing along with when they come on.  I'm learning the others as I go, but these are obviously the ones I feel most connected to.  On the last CD I reviewed, there was a track I wasn't completely into.  But on this one, I'm enjoying the entire disc from start to finish.

I'm quite fond of bands who take a sound and somehow make it uniquely their own.  Faded Paper Figures does this and it's both nostalgic and invigorating to hear new music in the vein of material I loved as a kid.  Even though they have that sound, it somehow doesn't feel dated or old.  Instead, it's fresh, new and exciting.  You can't go wrong picking up this CD.

My final words:  WORTH EVERY PENNY AND AVAILABLE NOW ON BANDCAMP!  GO GET IT!

FADED PAPER FIGURES - NEW MEDIUM
01. Invent It All Again
02. Limelight
03. You Know What I Mean
04. Rewind
05. Small Talk
06. One More Crash
07. The Cold Wars
08. When The Book Ends
09. Kodachrome Earth
10. Changed
11. New Medium 

ERASURE - "ERASURE"

This is the self-titled 1995 album by 80's band, Erasure.  For those of you who aren't in the know, Erasure are a duo consisting of Andy Bell and Vince Clarke (of Yazoo and Depeche Mode fame).  They enjoyed a great deal of success with their previous albums but this one was a bit of a dark horse.  

Up to this point, Erasure were most notable for great pop music.  They were the undisputed masters of the 3 minute hit single.  With amazing hooks and catchy lyrics easy to sing along with, they were an established band with a loyal following.  

But something changed with this record.

After this album came out, Vince Clarke started doing side projects like The Clarke/Ware Experiment where he developed soundscapes rather than pop songs and we see the origin of that happening here.  Some of the songs on this album have long synth solos and complicated motifs playing under the main vocals.  To call the record challenging would be a fair assessment.  If I'm not mistaken, this album started a slide in album sales for the band.  This is the first record in a long time that failed to make #1 in the UK.

The disc is obviously experimental and was the band's attempt to break out of the musical confines they found themselves in.  This can either be a good or a bad thing depending on the result.  I love groups who challenge themselves, but like most critics and fans, when it doesn't work out, I can't hide my disappointment.  "Erasure" is a little harder to judge.  It doesn't exactly succeed and it doesn't fail.  I'm not sure it broadened the palate of Erasure fans, but at the same time, it did in many ways expand what they would expect in the future from the band.

One thing is certain, Clarke and Bell are an amazing song writing team and they compose music that is simply joyful.  This album is no exception.  The infectious hooks and sing along melodies are all present.  It's the longer song times that initially hold you back from getting too caught up.  But in even this regard, Clarke seemed prepared.  They would extend the songs with trance-like beats and qualities that make the tracks seem almost religiously zen.  Take 'Sono Luminous' for example...  After the main body of the song ends around 5 minutes you still have a three minute slow fade out that ends with Bell singing acapella in a gospel style.

The very next track, 'Fingers & Thumbs (Cold Summer's Day)' delivers another long fade out.  This one lasts around two minutes and appears in the middle of the song.  'Rock Me Gently' is the most egregious example of these soundscape solos.  Clocking in around 10 minutes, over half this song is a synth trance solo. 

These songs are all mid-tempo with nothing really breaking the dance barrier.  Another reason fans might not like the disc.  

The first time I heard this album, I wasn't sure what to make of it.  I sorta thought it would grow on me the way the Pet Shop Boys album "Bilingual" did, but unfortunately, it hasn't.  I still like the music.  I'm especially partial to the singles from this album.  The edited versions of songs are more enjoyable and some of the b-sides during this time are outstanding.  I love them!

But the truth is, this might be the last Erasure disc I'll pull from my shelf to listen to.  I almost always listen to it only when I'm on an Erasure kick and I work my way through their records.  Still, it's so much better than a lot of the stuff coming out during that period of time.

My final words:  AN EXPERIMENTAL CHOICE FROM A POPULAR GROUP!

ERASURE - "ERASURE"
01. Intro: Guess I'm Into Feeling
02. Rescue Me
03. Sono Luminous
04. Fingers & Thumbs (Cold Summer's Day)
05. Rock Me Gently
06. Grace
07. Stay With Me
08. Love The Way You Do So
09. Angel
10. I Love You
11. A Long Goodbye

PET SHOP BOYS - HOME AND DRY

This is the second disc in the "Home And Dry" single release.  This would be the one normally reserved for mixes and additional music.  Oddly enough, there are only three tracks on this disc.  The first is a mix of 'Home And Dry'.  It's an ambient mix.  Normally, I'd find this type of mix a little boring but I think it suits the song well.  I alternate between this mix and the original version depending on my mood.  But I like it enough to be happy it's on this release.

The next two tracks are versions of 'Break 4 Love'.  This is a collaboration between the Pet Shop Boys and Peter Rauhofer.  Rauhofer was a popular DJ and mixer.  He famously mixed music for artists like Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Elton John, Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Cher and Alicia Keys.  The song was originally recorded by techno pop dance band, Raze.

The first cut is an edit of the song while the second is an actual mix.  The song is OK and they do an excellent job interpreting it.  If I had one complaint, it would be the extreme start and stop of the beat throughout the track.  It feels like they're dropping the bottom out and just leaving you hanging.  The song doesn't have enough substance to maintain a flowing narrative one can listen to without a solid beat happening underneath.  Neil does his best with the vocals, but they're just not strong enough to carry the track all the way through.

Sadly enough, they do the same thing on the mix.  They keep dropping the beat out or strip out all rhythm tracks with the exception of the bass drum.  That just creates a dull throb instead of momentum.  Still, it's nice to have these tracks on the single as they don't appear on any of the Pet Shop Boys albums except as bonus tracks on deluxe editions.

Like its counterpart, CD1, this disc comes in a slim case.  My final words:  A NICE COMPANION PIECE TO CD1 WITH AN EXCELLENT MIX AND MORE B-SIDES!

PET SHOP BOYS - HOME AND DRY
01. Home And Dry (Ambient Mix)
02. Break 4 Love (UK Radio Edit)
03. Break 4 Love (Friburn & Urik Hi Pass Mix)

PET SHOP BOYS - HOME AND DRY

This is another UK 2 part single and this disc is the 1st disc.  'Home And Dry' is a song from the album "Release".  Like most Euro and UK singles, it comes in a slim case with a sticker on the front signifying it's part of a 2 CD set.

I absolutely love this song.  And in the grand tradition of part 1 CD single sets, this disc is all about making sure 'Home And Dry' could compete on the singles chart.  There are three tracks on the disc.  They're both b-sides and they're both incredible.

'Sexy Northerner' has an urgency to the music making you feel the anticipation of flirting and falling in lust with another person.  As genuine and heartfelt as 'Home And Dry' is, 'Sexy Northerner' is superficial and sexy!  My favorite line from the song is, "It's not all - - football and fags!"  

The final track on the single is 'Always' which reminds me of a gospel track.  When you hear it, I'm sure you'll wonder why I think this way, but it's a gospel track because the chorus is all about keeping faith and enduring.  "Always, summer comes".

This entire disc is a win for me.  From start to finish.  My final words:  AN EXCELLENT 1ST DISC IN A SET SHOWCASING SOME MEMORABLE MUSIC!

PET SHOP BOYS - HOME AND DRY
01. Home And Dry
02. Sexy Northerner
03. Always

PET SHOP BOYS - NIGHTLIFE EXTRA

I bought my version of "Nightlife" when it came out and I got the limited edition with the bonus tracks.  If I'm not mistaken, "Very" was the first album they started releasing a limited edition version.  You could buy "Very" by itself or with the bonus disc.  The release with the bonus disc was called "Very Relentless".  My version of "Nightlife" is actually called "Nightlife Extra".  I remember I bought it in Asheville, NC.  It was in a part of town I normally didn't spend a lot of time in and I think that was the only time I went to that CD store.  Otherwise, I didn't do a lot of CD shopping while I lived there.

From what I've learned since this album came out, there was a lot of build up to "Nightlife".  They were writing and producing a play called "Closer To Heaven" and some of that material shows up on this set.  This was a highly anticipated record and yet at the time, I had no clue it even existed before I saw it in the store.  I missed out on the hype.

I love the music PSB did in the 80's.  I think it's great!  And quite honestly, although I didn't always start out liking the music they did in the 90's, but I eventually came around and to this day, some of that music is my favorite by them.  That's kinda how I initially viewed "Nightlife" when I listened to it for the first time.  I remember thinking it would be better after repeated listening.  However, unlike "Bilingual" or "Very", "Nightlife" never grew on me.

On their own, the songs on this album are OK.  I don't consider them strong classics, but they're fine for what they are.  Most of the material sounds to me like a transitional phase the duo were going through.  Like they were trying to distinguish between songs you'd write for theater and songs you'd put on a pop album.  They've always had a knack for writing some off the wall bits here and there like 'Your Funny Uncle', but they've never filled an entire album with it.  I like most of the songs, but I'm not excited about any of them.  

'Vampires' is one song I sometimes come back to.  I like the tune even though I think the lyrics are a bit too sad.  Like they were chasing after a trend, trying to capitalize on the interest in vampires at that moment in time.  That doesn't stop me from singing along and finding the whole thing rather catchy even though I feel foolish about the words I'm vocalizing.  On the other hand, 'Happiness Is An Option' is a song I think is lyrically quite amazing and positive.  I highly subscribe to the philosophy set forth in this small, unorthodox tune.  'Radiophonic' is another track I think is noteworthy.  Of course I have the singles from the album are pretty good and some of the mixes on the singles are great.  But I'll save those for when I review them.

The second disc is actually a better choice for me when it comes to material.  Right off the bat you have 'The Ghost Of Myself' which I absolutely love.  The single b-sides, 'Casting A Shadow', 'Je T'aime...Moi Non Plus', 'Silver Age' and 'Screaming' are all highlights for me and with the exception of 'Silver Age', I think they're stronger than the album tracks they support.

Of the mixes that also appear on the Extra disc, I love the mixes for 'I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Any More' and I like a couple of the 'New York City Boy' mixes.  So the Extra disc is definitely the stronger of the two for me.  I enjoy it quite a bit.

I don't have much more to say for this album.  I wish I was more impressed with the material and I really wanted to like it.  I could say maybe one day I'll pick it up and realize what a masterpiece it is like I did with "Bilingual", but I don't see that happening.

For me, this album sorta broke a fan spree I was on with PSB.  I stopped picking up singles and waited to buy subsequent albums instead of rushing right out.  It's a shame really.  Still, I'm happy this record exists and I think my limited edition packaging is super cool.  It's worth having!

My final words on "Nightlife":  LIMITED EDITION IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO WITH THIS ONE FOLKS.  SKIP THE SINGLE DISC.

PET SHOP BOYS - NIGHTLIFE EXTRA
01. For Your Own Good
02. Closer To Heaven
03. I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Any More
04. Happiness Is An Option
05. You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk
06. Vampires
07. Radiophonic
08. The Only One
09. Boy Strange
10. In Denial
11. New York City Boy
12. Footsteps

BONUS CD
01. The Ghost Of Myself
02. Casting A Shadow
03. Je T'aime... Moi Non Plus
04. Silver Age
05. Screaming
06. I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Any More (The Morales Remix)
07. I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Any More (Thee Maddkatt Courtship 80 Witness Mix)
08. New York City Boy (The Superchumbo Uptown Mix)
09. New York City Boy (The Almighty Definitive Mix)
10. New York City Boy (The Thunderpuss 2000 Club Mix)
11. New York City Boy (The Lange Mix)

LITTLE DRAGON - NABUMA RUBBERBAND

Little Dragon are a Swedish band I discovered through Wendy Melvoin.  She was asked about a group she really wanted to work with and she said, "Little Dragon".  That's some serious high praise in my book and so I decided to check out the band and find out what they were all about.

Initially, I listened to them on Youtube.  There are a couple of streams that play entire records and by the time I found them, they'd released 3.  I listened to the records in order and as each album finished, I found myself wondering at what I'd just heard and what was going on...

Probably the most remarkable thing you notice right off the bat is the minimalist sound of the group.  Studio recordings often feature drum machines even though one of the band members is a drummer.  Their sound could be labeled electronic, but they blend acoustic instruments in as well and they don't follow a typical electronic dance beat in most of their songs.  "Nabuma Rubberband" demonstrates this probably more than any of their previous releases.  It also shows you the focus of the tunes is the lyric.  

The lead singer of Little Dragon is Yukimi.  She's half Japanese and half Swede.  I don't know exactly what it is about her, but I find her extremely beautiful.  She's enchanting.  Her beauty is stunning.  Vocally, she has a rather small voice.  She lacks the projected volume of singers most often celebrated for their brash loudness.  She'd never walk on a reality show like "American Idol" and get past a single judge.  But what she does with her voice is so unique and interesting, there's no comparing it to anyone else.

The way this band composes and performs music, is more like a Jazz quartet to me rather than an electronic group.

But enough with the rambling...  Talk about the album:  So the opening track is 'Mirror' and it starts off slow and haunting.  By the time Yukimi actually begins to sing, you're wondering what's happening.  She refers to passing looks, shocked impressions and you start to think she's looking at herself in a mirror and disappointed or upset with what she's seeing.  As the song progresses, you get the sense she's in the middle of an argument with a lover or someone she's close to emotionally.  There's an acoustic drum fill in the middle of the song and some sound effects that make a brief appearance...  Otherwise, the two chord intro and the spooky drum track are the only ingredients to the song.  She ends the number by saying, "You're gonna make me put my fist through this mirror." finally expressing the tension and anger have built enough she can no longer contain them and she's about to lash out physically.  It's a very powerful expression of strong angry feelings.  

The second song is 'Klapp Klapp' and this is one of my favorite songs on the record.  There's a very simple repeating snare drum introducing us to this track and it sounds like a bass might be playing alongside, but you realize shortly it's a keyboard sound.  Coming off of 'Mirror', this number gallops in and wallops you right across the face.  This is an unusual song.  The lyrics tell a strange story of a dreamscape.  You picture her standing on an old bridge spanning a small river.  And it's winter.  The best part of the song for me is when she sings, "Fallin' apart, apart, apart, apart, apart".  It's such an interesting arrangement.  Next up is 'Pretty Girls'.  The echo is turned up high on the simple drum track and it sounds distant but constant.  The song is advising young girls striking out on their own to be careful and not take unnecessary chances.  It's a very simple song, but very powerful.  "You magnify the universe".  Towards the end, some lovely violin playing comes in and sweetly accentuates the message.  'Underbart' has a great sustained keyboard motif at the beginning that reminds me heavily of the Pet Shop Boys.  But where they would follow it up with a dance drum track, Little Dragon set up a strong but somewhat slower rhythm.  This song is about a couple at the end of the relationship and reaching that moment when you finally don't care anymore and you just want to be free.  "Blow up the bridge and into the morning"...  Cut ties and start a new day.  It's compelling and certainly sets a trend and pace for the album.

'Cat Rider' is a ballad and seems to continue the story from 'Underbart'.  He suddenly realizes certain things now that he's lost her.  She saw through the facade he puts up for the world to see.  She moved past it and loved the real him.  And yet he couldn't accept it.  He pushed her away.  'Paris' is the first single from the album and it's easily the most accessible and radio friendly track on the disc.  It's got a great beat, interesting lyrics, a very smooth vocal delivery and it's infectious. Sometimes, when I'm driving with someone in my truck, I'll put this disc in and cue up 'Paris'.  It never fails to get my passengers moving in their seats.

'Lurad' is a strange 9 second track with a guy yelling over some crashing drums.  'Nabuma Rubberband' starts and you'd swear you were at a waltz.  This entire song seems to describe different ways you can feel outcast and alone.  Probably the most powerful line is "Being born at the wrong place, in the wrong time, with the wrong fate."  A pulsing drawn out keyboard line starts 'Only One'.  It's another ballad.  This time however, there's some interesting progression towards the end of the song.  'Killing Me' takes the beat built up at the end of the previous track and drags it down into a spiraling and dismal number about the pain of being alone after a breakup.  That absence become a death.  "You're Killing Me".  'Pink Cloud' is both mysterious and quirky.  It seems to be about growing old and the world getting away from you.  Everything passes so quickly.  'Let Go' might seem like another sad song at first, but it's more of her convincing herself to go ahead and let herself love.  She knows he'll catch up shortly.  And she's sure it's OK to cast caution to the wind and choose love.

The majority of this record deals with break up, ending relationships, missing someone and pain. You imagine something horrible must have happened to Yukimi or one of the band members for them to write so many sad songs.  If I could, I would hug them all.  

There's no way I can fully describe the simplicity of the music and how effective this minimalist approach to composing songs is in the hands of these unexpectedly mature and intelligent musicians.  I realize most electronic music buffs are never going to life what Little Dragon are doing.  You don't listen to this music and picture the swirling lights, smoke and lasers of the Love Parade.  What you do get, is mature, complicated themed music written to make you think, uncluttered, clean, pure and full of life.  People who do get what this band are doing find themselves intrigued and unwilling to turn their radios off.  If I had one complaint, it's that this is the first album where I feel like they didn't outdo their previous effort.  Each subsequent release has been an improvement upon the last.  Music, lyrics, vocal arrangements...  It all just keeps getting better.  But here, we didn't see the marked improvement.  But the tracks are flawless and strong.  

I recently picked up the Japanese version of the album.  It has a different cover and three additional tracks.  The first is a track called 'Winners' and it's amazing.  The second two are mixes of 'Klapp Klapp' and 'Paris'.  I really like both.  They're unusual and completely in tune with what you'd expect from this amazing group.  My final words: WITHOUT A DOUBT ONE OF THE MOST VITAL AND EXCITING SOUNDS ON THE MODERN MUSIC SCENE.  GET TO KNOW THEM.

LITTLE DRAGON - NABUMA RUBBERBAND
01. Mirror
02. Klapp Klapp
03. Pretty Girls
04. Underbart
05. Cat Rider
06. Paris
07. Lurad
08. Nabuma Rubberband
09. Only One
10. Killing Me
11. Pink Cloud
12. Let Go
JAPANESE BONUS TRACKS
13. Winners
14. Klapp Klapp (Girls Unit Remix)
15. Paris (The Flexican Remix)

PET SHOP BOYS - DISCO 3

"Disco 3" is the third disc in a series of releases the Pet Shop Boys do.  Each one is called Disco and the number after indicates the number of the release.  To date, I think there are 4 Disco albums.  They're a collection of mixes from previous releases and can also include b-sides or unreleased material.  I'm not sure how much of the material on this album is original and how much is re-released from singles.  I wasn't following them as closely during this period.  But I quite love this release.

The first track, 'Time On My Hands', is unique because it features vocals by Chris Lowe who generally doesn't contribute vocally to their music.  It's reminiscent of the track, 'Paninaro' which also features a rap of sorts performed by Lowe.  It's followed by the PSB version of a song they wrote for a musical they wrote and produced for a limited run in London called, "Closer To Heaven".  The song is 'Positive Role Model' and there are versions on other releases.  Most notable being the cast recording of the musical.  I love this song.  Probably because I find the lyrics hilarious and the idea behind the track quite tongue in cheek.

'Try It (I'm In Love With A Married Man)' is a Bobby Orlando cover and anyone who follows this group knows about their fascination with him as a producer and songwriter.  It's a great cover and is far superior to the original version in my opinion.  It's followed by one of the singles from the previous album, "Release".  'London (Thee Radikal Blaklite Edit)' starts out with a stomping beat and pretty much keeps the pace going throughout the entire song.  It's a pretty good mix.  I have it on another CD.  I bought some singles from this album and I think this remix is on one of them.

Next up is a new song called, 'Somebody Else's Business' and it's by far my favorite track on the disc.  I'm not sure why this song does it for me, but when it's on, I sing along at the top of my lungs.  The narrative of the story is tantalizing and it makes me curious about the origin of the song and who it's about.  Which is sorta funny considering the subject matter.  And I'm the type of person who's always judging others for gossip.  Yet here I am, with my ear to the door wondering who this is about.  

Next up is another "Release" track, 'Here'.  This mix is an extended mix by the Pet Shop Boys and it's ok.  It doesn't add much to the original version.  I think this song in general isn't very exciting though I quite love the sentiment.  And I'm afraid the mix doesn't make it any more exciting for me.  'If Looks Could Kill'...  Wasn't there a James Bond film called that?  If there wasn't, there should've been and this would be the song for it.  Hehehe.  I like this number, though it's a bit subdued.  It's followed by another mix.  This time, the track in question is actually a b-side and the mix is from the single.  'Sexy Northerner' gets the Superchumbo treatment.  This track was featured on the single to 'Home And Dry' and is quite fun.  The mix is distracting rather than accentuating the original version.  This is a song the boys would do better leaving alone.  Some of the b-sides are better off not being mixed and this is one of them.

'Home And Dry', another "Release" single makes an appearance with a remix.  This one starts off rather frantic, but eventually settles down once Neil's vocals kick in.  Although it increases the tempo, it doesn't lose the delicate magic of the original track and that makes this probably the second best mix on the album.  The best being the next and final remix.  'London' is up again with a stripped down piano rendition.  This version really allows Neil's vocals to feature in a magnificent way.  We really get to hear his vocal control and how he manipulates his voice to make each word clear and perfect.  This is not only the best track to end the disc on, it's the best mix on the album.

The Disco CDs can be hard to get into sometimes.  But this one, as a whole is enjoyable to listen to and has just the right balance of mixes, b-sides and newly released material to make it unique.  The value is there, the quality is there...  In fact, the whole package is exactly where it needs to be to make this an essential release for fans.

My final words:  THE BEST DISCO OF THE BUNCH!!!

PET SHOP BOYS - DISCO 3
01. Time On My Hands
02. Positive Role Model
03. Try It (I'm In Love With A Married Man)
04. London (Thee Radikal Blaklite Edit)
05. Somebody Else's Business
06. Here (PSB New Extended Mix)
07. If Looks Could Kill
08. Sexy Northerner (Superchumbo Mix)
09. Home And Dry (Blank & Jones Remix)
10. London (Genuine Piano Mix)

ELECTRONIC - "GETTING AWAY WITH IT" WITH "LUCKY BAG"

Electronic is a British New Wave band formed in the 90's by New Order lead singer, Bernard Sumner and Smith's guitarist, Johnny Marr.  My interest in the band is based on the participation of the Pet Shop Boys on their first record.  I picked up this single because Neil Tennant sings background vocals and is the co-writer of 'Getting Away With It'.

The second track on the single, 'Lucky Bag' has no input from either Pet Shop Boy.  It is decidedly more house oriented than the lead track and certainly fits in with the music that was popular at the time.  It's an instrumental but it's still a nifty little tune.

With 7 tracks total, it's a value single for sure.  Although there aren't a huge variation of versions here, there's enough to make it worth checking out.  'Getting Away With It (Nude Mix)' sounds like it could've been mixed by the Pet Shop Boys and features a distant clip of Neil Tennant singing, "I love you more than you love me" over and over.  There's a Vocal Remix of the track that includes Sumner's vocal track.  But I prefer the Nude Mix to the Vocal Remix.

It's a good single and I'll discuss the track in greater detail when I do the actual album.  My final words:  A NIFTY SINGLE FROM AN ICONIC BAND!

ELECTRONIC - "GETTING AWAY WITH IT" WITH "LUCKY BAG"

01. Getting Away With It (Full Length Version)

02. Getting Away With It (Extended Version)

03. Getting Away With It (Instrumental)

04. Lucky Bag

05. Getting Away With It (Nude Mix)

06. Getting Away With It (Vocal Remix)

07. Lucky Bag (Miami Edit)

CAMOUFLAGE - METHODS OF SILENCE

Camouflage is a band I discovered back in the 80's in high school.  They're a interesting German band.  Here's a little history from my point of view.  On the heels of huge English New Wave bands, the demand for synth pop was huge and labels were signing up virtually any band with a solid synth sound.  

Camouflage was one of these bands.  It was snatched up based on the demand for synth pop.  There's a huge amount of generic New Wave acts and when I first bought this album, I thought it might be one of these bands.  My actual reaction is somewhat mixed.

Do I think Camouflage is a generic band?  No.  But I do think the band was formed by guys who admired and wanted to emulate larger synth acts like Depeche Mode, Erasure, Pet Shop Boys and others.  Musicianship is somewhat lacking, but as the group continued over time, they incorporate more acoustic instruments and you can tell their musical proficiency has dramatically improved.

"Methods Of Silence" is the second album by this trio and it had some minor success on the charts.  The band's biggest hit came on their first album.

The first number is 'One Fine Day' and it starts off with an Oriental sound that fades into a mid tempo pop song.  As with many groups from non English speaking countries who sing in English, the lyrics can be slightly unusual and off beat.  The next song is 'Love Is A Shield' and although it's the biggest hit from the record, it's not exactly my favorite song.  I like it, but other tracks on the disc are more interesting.

'Anyone' continues the Oriental feel using orchestral power chords to start the track.  Of the 3 songs so far, this one is the most interesting musically and lyrically.  'Your Skinhead Is The Dream' is a rather strange song with spoken lyrics and flute sounds.  'On Islands' is an album focusing mainly on an acoustic guitar strumming motif.  It's the most organic sound on the whole album.

The next five songs comprise the second side of the cassette; which is the format I bought the album on originally.  And let me tell you, here is where the album really shines.  The second side is the stronger of the two.  It begins with 'Falling Down'.  Another Oriental intro and then a heavy beat kicks in with a strong guitar rif.  The lyrics are somewhat confusing, but the arrangement is extremely exciting and well done.

It's followed by 'Sooner Than We Think'.  The percussive arrangement is interesting and the vocals are surprising.  It all flows out in a deeper key and it's remarkable.  It's highly reminiscent of early Depeche Mode except the subject matter is more complex and adult.  'A Picture Of Life' is another dramatic number.  The music is quite interesting and enjoyable.  The lyrics have potential and seem to tell the story of a young man who dies and no one cares.  They never really give you an indication as to why the youth wasn't cared for so it ends up falling rather hollow and inept.  Still, the song is lovely.

'Les Rues' is an unsettling number.  The music is offbeat, the percussion is strange and the lyrics are spoken whimsically in French.  There's some orchestral bits throughout and they add quite a bit to the texture of the song.  The final track is 'Rue De Moorslede'.  It's more of an outro and has the odd sound of some crazy circus.  It's quite effective all together.

So Camouflage is a group I didn't expect much from initially, but in the end, I quite enjoy the band and love this record.  My final words:  AN UNDER-RATED 80'S CLASSIC!!!!

CAMOUFLAGE - METHODS OF SILENCE

01. One Fine Day

02. Love Is A Shield

03. Anyone

04. Your Skinhead Is The Dream

05. On Islands

06. Feeling Down

07. Sooner Than We Think

08. A Picture Of Life

09. Les Rues

10. Rue De Moorslede

SADE - DIAMOND LIFE

This actually was my first Sade CD.  Well, in those days it was a cassette.  'Smooth Operator' was the song that inspired me to buy the tape and one that I really loved.  Even though I still love the song, it stopped being my favorite once I gained exposure to more of her material.  There are so many great songs by this band.

'Smooth Operator' starts the album off and it's a smash hit of course.  Anyone who was around during the 80s remembers this song.  I don't know how high it went on the charts, but I know it's one of their most well known numbers.

It's followed by the song that might very well be my absolute favorite Sade song of all time.  Knowing what I like instrumentally, you wouldn't consider this song as one I'm partial to.  But it's the lyrics and the sentiment that make this song so important to me.  'Your Love Is King' is the most romantic song ever written.

"Your love is king, crown you in my heart."  Absolute brilliance.

'Hang On To Your Love' is the next number and it maintains the island/reggae sound texture they're known for.  It's also got another amazing message.  When Sade writes about love, it's a strong powerful commitment.  A deep abiding love.  One I think about a lot.  'Frankie's First Affair' fits into another type of Sade song.  It's the storytelling side of the band and reminds me of an older kind of song.  From the 50s.  It has elements of those songs by girl groups like the Shangri-Las.  There are a couple other songs on this CD that fill in the same category.  'Cherry Pie' and 'Sally' are the two I'm thinking of.  I'm not sure I love these songs as much as the others, but they're still enjoyable.

'When Am I Going To Make A Living' is a song about making life better for yourself.  It's quite subdued.  It's followed up by 'Cherry Pie' and 'Sally'.  Of the two, I prefer 'Cherry Pie'.  'I Will Be Your Friend' is the next track.  It's a very sweet sentiment and another song I really love.

'Why Can't We Live Together' is the final track and I remember hearing this one about the same time I heard a song by the Pet Shop Boys with a similar title.  I sometimes confuse the two.  But I do love it.

Although this isn't my favorite Sade album, it has my favorite songs on it.  This is a band that you can't really define from album to album.  Each subsequent release enriches the body of work as a whole.  Unlike an artist like Meshell Ndegeocello who's sound changes with each release, Sade seems to add chapters to an ongoing book.  They continue the story.  My final words:  IF ROMANCE WAS MUSIC, THIS ALBUM WOULD HAVE IT ALL.

SADE - DIAMOND LIFE
01. Smooth Operator
02. Your Love Is King
03. Hang On To Your Love
04. Frankie's First Affair
05. When Am I Going To Make A Living
06. Cherry Pie
07. Sally
08. I Will Be Your Friend
09. Why Can't We Live Together

PET SHOP BOYS - FUNDAMENTAL

The Pet Shop Boys usually release a regular and a bonus edition of their albums.  "Fundamental" was no exception.  I was able to get the double disc edition and I've been pleased to no end with the results of my efforts.  

My focus with PSB is usually the lyrics.  I love groups who write songs that grab you and tell you a story.  PSB is one of those bands for me.  Except you often feel like you're walking into the middle of a story and watching something happening in the moment.  This record is no exception.  

Still, my enjoyment of their music can be hit and miss at times.  And this CD certainly has a few misses in my opinion.  However, the good material is strong enough to bear up under the weight of the filler stuff; so ultimately, you win here.  What you'll find lacking is a cohesive overall theme.  The CD seems to jump around without focusing anywhere.  As a whole, it can be challenging to listen to.  On a song by song basis, the material is much more accessible and pleasing.

Normally, I'd do a song by song breakdown, but in the case of this CD and considering how late it is, I think I'll just write about the impressions I get from the discs.

I like 'Psychological', but I'm more impressed with the mix on the second disc.  I find the build quite exciting and ethereal.  I get excited when I listen to it.  Let's face it, the first few songs are very strong and keep you on the edge of your seat.  'The Sodom And Gomorrah Show' is absolutely astounding and I've had more than a few fantastic moments singing along while listening to my ipod and having someone look at me like I'm smoking crack because of this tune's lyrics.  They're wonderful and bring to mind Armistad Maupin's "Tales Of The City".  All about discovering the world and embracing a less traditional lifestyle.  Seeing through the crap and finding enlightenment free of superstitious inhibitions.

'I Made My Excuses And Left' is a song I quite love, but I'm also uncomfortable when I hear it.  I've actually had moments like that in my life and it's difficult to listen to a lovely ballad describing feelings I'd prefer to forget.  'Minimal' kicks in and lightens the mood with a refreshing beat reminding you PSB are masters of dance floor hits.  This one made the circuit all around the world I'm sure.  If it didn't, it should've.  'Numb' is a rather doleful number.  I think it's a clever tune, but reminds me heavily of sentiments expressed by Nine Inch Nails and other industrial bands rather than a pop duo.  Still, the issue of avoiding one's feelings is a subject I can't expect master song writer's like Neil and Chris to avoid.  

The next notable track is 'I'm With Stupid'.  It's common to think you're mentally superior to others.  I used to think I was smarter than most people.  In fact, I had a superiority complex because of it.  As I've grown older, I've changed my views quite a bit.  It doesn't stop me from feeling superior when I'm hanging around people who haven't devoted time or energy researching politics or paying attention to what's happening in the world.  My critical mind also feels an ego boost when I listen to people spout nonsense they hear on programs like Rush Limbaugh or accept some radical propaganda as reality instead of researching the truth.  My initial reaction is to pity them and view them as weak minded.  Fortunately for me, I work in an industry where I'm not the smartest or most talented individual in the building.  Quite the opposite, I'm usually the one wondering what's going on.  I've grown to realize people are different and smarter in different areas.  I've been able to see past my own bias and find the strengths of others rather than finding a reason to feel superior.  

Whew, that was a long ramble...  And all to say, I can certainly understand the meaning of this song.  I've often found myself in this position.  

'Twentieth Century' is a wonderful number.  The tempo is slower, but the chorus is simply brilliant and lovely to sing.  It's one I belt out at the top of my lungs.  No matter where I am.  It leads into one of the most wonderful ballads ever written, 'Indefinite Leave To Remain'.  Absolutely beautiful.  

The second disc is loaded with some truly memorable tracks.  From exciting mixes, b-sides and new versions of older songs...  There's something for everyone here.  I love 'Fugitive (Richard X Extended Mix)'.  As I mentioned before, I also love the Alter Ego Remix of 'Psychological'.  I think it's stellar.  About the only thing I'm not impressed with is the updated version of the tune PSB wrote and produced for Dusty Springfield, 'In Private'.  It's performed as a duet with Elton John.  I much prefer the original version to the remakes.  But that's just me.  A name like Elton John is sure to draw some interest in the tune.

So to wrap up, "Fundamental" is a strong record with minimal filler tracks.  You can safely purchase this disc knowing you'll have some great songs to look forward to and enjoy.  For fans of PSB, it's heavenly.  For those who are just discovering them or enjoy them in passing, this is a record you will find many of their styles showcased in great form.  It's definitely worth the purchase price.  The bonus disc is also worth the effort to track down.  It's just brilliant.  You won't go wrong there.  My final words: IT'S GOT EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR YOUR COMPLETE ENTERTAINMENT AND INSTRUCTION.

PET SHOP BOYS - FUNDAMENTAL

01. Psychological

02. The Sodom And Gomorrah Show

03. I Made My Excuses And Left

04. Minimal

05. Numb

06. God Willing

07. Luna Park

08. I'm With Stupid

09. Casanova In Hell

10. Twentieth Century

11. Indefinite Leave To Remain

12. Integral

FUNDAMENTALISM

01. Fugitive (Richard X Extended Mix)

02. The Sodom And Gomorrah Show (Trentemoller Remix)

03. Psychological (Alter Ego Remix)

04. Flamboyant (Michael Mayer Kompakt Mix)

05. I'm With Stupid (Melnyk Heavy Petting Mix)

06. In Private (Stuart Chrichton Club Mix)

07. Minimal (Lobe Remix)

08. The Sodom And Gomorrah Show (Dettinger Remix)

PET SHOP BOYS - BEHAVIOR.

This was the very first Pet Shop Boys album I bought and I should like to ramble a little about how I discovered them... Like anyone growing up in the 80's, I knew the huge hit single, 'West End Girls'. I'd seen the video and knew the name of the Pet Shop Boys, but my efforts were geared more towards synth bands with strange hair and leather pants rather than a neatly trimmed duo with sensible shoes. I certainly liked the song and recorded it off the radio many times, but I never bought one of their records. Then, in the mid-90's, I was in a band in SLC and the lead singer was a Pet Shop Boys fanatic. He had everything they'd ever done including singles. Thus, my exposure to the band began. And through this exposure, my appreciation for the group.

After that relationship soured and I moved to Las Vegas, I picked up this little number at a used CD store. I remember having heard the disc before with my ex bandmate, but the only song I could recall with any clarity was 'My October Symphony'. Mainly because I found the title so odd. As I listened to the record the first time through, I was surprised to find my impression was completely different from what I'd thought when I listened to it with him.

'Being Boring' is the opening track and the music features sweeping harp sounds and a confidential vocal delivery from Neil who treats the song like a secret he's telling a close friend. It's a recollection, but one of deep personal meaning. I listen to it and although I don't relate to the lyric entirely, I do get caught up in the nostalgia. I think of my younger days and the crazy things I experienced. Of course for people my age, our movements weren't as political or dramatic as previous generations. Our biggest dilemmas were fashion and nuclear war. Even though 'Being Boring' has a mid-tempo beat, it's still largely on the slow side and it's followed up by a ballad. 'This Must Be The Place I Waited Years To Leave' was written years before the first Harry Potter book was released and yet every time I hear the song I think of Harry leaving Privet Dr. and heading to King's Cross Station. This is the song I imagine going through his mind. 'To Face The Truth' features a light Merengue beat and another emotional song about a couple facing problems because of infidelity and lying.

'How Can You Expect To Be Taken Seriously?' is the first song with a serious beat. It still falls in the mid-tempo range, but it's at least got some momentum. As I mention in the single review, I suspect this song is about a specific person, though I have no idea who it is. It's essentially a song about a famous person who diminishes their own credibility by behaving badly. 'Only The Wind' comes in directly afterward with those punctuating orchestral hits that were so big in the 80's. Like magic, they're only there to serve as misdirection. The real meat of the song is in the lyrics and the soulful vocals by Neil. As a vocalist, Neil doesn't have a huge range or an overwhelming presence. The appeal is in his pronunciation and his ability to emote vulnerability and other emotions through his singing style. 'My October Symphony' picks up the pace a little. Without moving beyond the comfortable sound they've established on the record thus far, the duo embrace a skipping drum beat to embellish with strings and piano. This is the song I remember most from earlier exposure to the record.

After so many relaxed numbers, 'So Hard' moves in like a dance floor tank rumbling across the debris of a shattered smooth surface. The only subdued aspect of the song is the virtual whisper of Neil Tennant. Again, the stabbing orchestra hits make a return appearance and this time not to the benefit of the song. They are distracting and create a tension the song doesn't need at all. As much as I like the lyrics of the song, I can't escape the melodrama in the music. It's too powerful. 'Nervously' is the return to established form as far as the record is concerned. It's also the obligatory gay love song. Just listen to the lyrics. 'Jealousy' ends the album on a quiet sombre note. It deals once again with infidelity. I mention it before 'The End Of The World' because for me, the tracks play better this way. I love the build on this number and in my opinion, this is the only dance number on the entire record. It's a wonderful progression, interesting lyrics with an excellent delivery and a beat that's simply infectious. The Pet Shop Boys have mastered this sound, but back then it was still a hit and miss at times. In the case of this song, they hit the bullseye. And it's a far more positive and powerful way to end the record than 'Jealousy'. Hence my reason for sticking it at the end.

Overall, I found a lot of things to be interested in when I listened to this record. I heard lyrics that were positively brilliant and thought provoking. I also felt myself drawn to the soft spoken quality in Neil Tennant's voice. The music is a nod to period electronica with references to show tunes and motion picture scoring. I liked it enough to buy more and that's all that matters. In this case, they succeeded famously. My final words: POIGNANT AND CLEVER.

PET SHOP BOYS - BEHAVIOR.
01. Being Boring
02. This Must Be The Place I Waited Years To Leave
03. To Face The Truth
04. How Can You Expect To Be Taken Seriously?
05. Only The Wind
06. My October Symphony
07. So Hard
08. Nervously
09. The End Of The World
10. Jealousy