Features Blog - thebroadroom.net: March 2006

By Tami Yu

Electronica's magical duo from Bath, England is back, dishing up another beautiful confection with their new US release, Supernature. Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory have conjured up a confident explosion of sexy glam-rock. At first, it's somewhat easy to compare it as an extension of Black Cherry (2003), but this is definitely more evolved, glossy and smooth.

Reaching a broader mainstream audience (already wildly successful in Europe), naysayers might complain that the duo’s latest offering is too safe, etc., but I think they are just as talented, if not more. (Let’s be honest, commercial recognition is something any performer would want for themselves anyway). Alison’s gorgeous vocals still convey the beautiful-yet-freakish overtones we've first heard in Felt Mountain (2000). It's definitely not as life-changing as the first two albums, but it is still very solid and balanced.

Nevertheless, this is still a great album to add to your dance-lounge collection. "Ooh La La" is an obvious fave, and it's already popular on Europe's dance floors. With pulsing beats skipping across sheets of bass, the lyrics are boldly seductive and sassy ("Switch me on, turn me up"), albeit simple. That's not a bad thing. This is a fun, catchy song I'd dance to anytime.

“Lovely 2 C U” – The throbby grooves makes this one another disco hit. The funky, upbeat synths set the campy tone of "Ride A White Horse.” I liked Alison’s operatic vocals at the end of "You Never Know." “Let It Take You” was too melancholy for my tastes, after being charged up from the first few tracks.

I like “Fly Me Away”, even though it's not one of the obvious favorites. It’s a fun, airy futuristic romp with Alison’s breathy vocals floating out...."Miles and miles of sun, Endless roads twist on...” Bop to this while you're working, it can transport you to a fantastical space, without needing to hit the narcotics to gain the same effect (wink wink).

I wasn’t really into "Slide In" or "Koko", but it’s still a nice mellow break from the higher-energy tracks. They are good songs, but after the big buildup from “Ooh La La,” it’s rather easy to miss the aural gems in these two tracks.

"Satin Chic" has the sultry cabaret touches combined with pop rock, which I loved. “Time Out From The World" has dreamy cinematic twinges from Felt Mountain, which I like a lot. The strings are a nice touch at the end of the song, a perfect candidate for a Bond soundtrack. "Number 1" is a nice, uplifting finale to complete this stellar collection.

Fans will be very ecstatic to find the bonus track “Beautiful.” Alison’s vocals really stand out here, alternating between breathy, pouty bursts and lazy croons. This song sends shivers up my spine. This is one of my favorites on this album.

For newbies, this is still very worthy of a listen. To truly understand the genius of Goldfrapp, I still highly recommend checking the first two releases. I am very partial to Felt Mountain - it's quite out of this world, leaving you with a crazy-wild feeling...

Supernature is a hit in my book – I’d get it to complete the Goldfrapp collection. While some may say it resembles Black Cherry, it's still worlds away from other generic pop acts. Whatever the harsh critics may say, make your own judgment on this highly talented duo. This album can transform your home into a hipster hangout...your neighbors will be lining up at your door, bringing libations in exchange for entry access.

Available everywhere on March 7, 2006