disco revolution

Why do we eat our words eventually? Is it some sort of an inbuilt human genome in us that we shall always say one thing but mean another some other time later? I do believe it is so. Anyway, my tenure with the humble store is up and I am moving on to better things, hopefully.

The drag that is a week is gonna start for me. No more odd hours and irregular weekends. Its five-day work weeks from here on now. I somehow move into this with a little trepidation but with a whole lot of hope. If there is god, please bless me.

Been really listening to Hercules and Love Affair recently. It has been a sort of interesting listening experience having their brand of electronica disco pumped into the ears. They sound distinctively familiar, like the sounds of Oi Va Voi. Their music has this certain kind of Russian sort of rhythm to every song. There is also a distinct sort of morbidity to the way their melodies are being arranged.

They have been building up hype within the underground scene both in the US and the UK. Lets just hope their brand of disco soars. Seeing as to how there is a insurgent in the amount if disco-genre artist popping out like wild rabbits. Maybe its always been there but I have never realized it.

Hercules and Love Affair’s video for You Belong:

Fucking genious.

silent all these years

So, today’s pop nugget comes with courtesy of Antigone whom I’ve decided is worth it for this break of silence. Her debut single, More Man Than Man, is finally up for grabs at all good music online stores.

Along with that she has provided us with the video accompanying her delightfully sinful disco pop single. The video looks cheap and I was imaginning something more polished. It looks like Moloko’s Bring It Back mixed with Roisin Murphy’s sense of style though the two examples are kinda linked.

But I do love me some Anitgone. I can’t wait for her debut to hit the shelves. I do hope More  Man Than Man fairs better chartwise.

The Video:

crowning glory

Been listening to Uh Huh Her. Not to be confused with the PJ Harvey album, Uh Huh Her is a band wholly on its own.

With its brand of electronica rock-pop, they almost remind me of a cross between Blonde Redhead and Goldfrapp. They present this sort of laconic type of groove with their drag melodies and style of singing. Songs on their debut, Common Reaction, are grand electronic melodies.

With their haunting voices, they mesh together to be this really good electronic band. I like them. Another good find for the year ‘08. And with an album cover like that, whats not to like.

mixed senses

A few of my favorite ladies in music has released new videos. One just released her fourth video of her underrated great album, Overpowered. While the other released her third video off her highly successful debut, Rockferry. Both artist fetches a different pail of water from their respective genres. Both videos are very contrasting too.

Let’s start of with our disco diva de jour of the underground, Roisin Murphy. She (or maybe her record label, EMI) has decided to take another stab at getting her music out. After her previous three efforts did not garner enough attention, Roisin has chosen to take Moviestar as a last ditch attempt of a single.

Moviestar, is easily the most accessible song off Overpowered. Its beats and lyrics are easy enough on the ears and gets you grooving easily. On hindsight, Moviestar sounds like something Girls Aloud could have done and come off sounding cheap. But with Roisin, she has made a otherwise ditzy song, sound much more quirky and smart. With a voice and her impeccable sense of quirked-up style.

The video however, is honestly, a mixed bag of emotions. I understand that this video is a tribute to a film of a certain sort and I do appreciate the fact that Roisin has done something out of this world again. That is, merging the world of disco and drag queens which has never been really done in excess, in a video. For that I give kudos to the video.

Other than that, I feel that the random appearance of a lobster raping Roisin was hilarious but abit dubious. One more thing, was that “little pixie” of sorts meant to be Roisin? If that her, she looks totally different! That said, I do feel that Roisin maybe trying abit too hard to get Moviestar out there. With a video like this, I sure hope she does, with moderate success.

The video for your viewing pleasure:

Moviestar

Moving on with Duffy. She releases her third single off Rockferry which is Warwick Avenue. This track I truly enjoyed. Its slow start to the crescendo that is the chorus is one of the more standout tracks on the album. After scoring with Mercy, I do feel that Warwick Avenue is a good way to set the tone for people that tracks on Rockferry does not all sound like Mercy.

The video, I feel is a perfect fit for the song. Its simplicity compliments the song beautifully. The way the camera pans out of a glum looking Warwick Avenue tube station, then focusing on Duffy as she pulls away in a sort of a carriage kinda car. As she sings about her breakup she starts to cry with added eyeliner for good effect.

Whenever I watch this video, I get in a sort of comtemplative mood. This video has that effect. I’m so glad that we have Duffy this year.

Warwick Avenue:

espionage me

Hello there, the intrepid “clothes-folder” says to all. The mornings of malcontent only chooses to further steepen as the day progresses on. Only a good cup of morning cafe latte, my “happy juju”, can perk me up with a shot of perkiness and plastic smile abound.

I think the only reason why I am there, is only because, we all need a reason to get in the mornings. A job provides us that reason, one of the many of course. I need to earn my keep so as to not feel guilty about being a bum about at home and relying on parental support. Okay enough about my sordid life. Back to the more important things at hand.

Bitter:Sweet has returned! Okay they have about a few weeks back and I am now reviewing their latest offering, Drama:

Their brand of interesting pop greets us with open arms. At one time cheeky and haunting, electronica, trip hop and a tad bit of drum and bass. I am just glad that Shana Halligan and Kiran Shahani is back and doing what they do best.

Drama, the followup to the wonderful The Mating Game, is a step up to their previous effort. I must say with Drama they have moved a notch up with the production. Kiran Shahani and Shani Halligan are the most perfect duo both behind and upfront.

Kiran Shahani has provided grand melodies and strong beat percussions on Drama. Compared to Bittersweet Faith, Drama has a more RnB feel at the same time giving of this kind of espionage feel to it. If the James Bond franchise is still looking for a song for their new release they can look into Drama.

This album moves in and out of moody to reflective to cheeky. With songs like The Bomb, A Moment and title-track Drama. While we all know that Bitter:Sweet was born out of the collaboration of both Shana and Kiran. Bitter:Sweet actually has its roots with Supreme Beings of Leisure. But they are two completely different entities now and give of different sounds.

To conclude, I would say that, Drama is a good enough followup to Bittersweet Faith. Keep it up!