ALBUM REVIEWS
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ALBUM REVIEWS |
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Everybody Was In The French Resistance…Now!
FIXIN’ THE CHARTS, VOLUME ONE COOKING VINYL 01.02.10 @www.vanguard-online.co.uk
Rubbish, nonsensical band name; cover art that resembles a compilation of wartime anthems available mail order only in a Sunday newspaper magazine – what the hell is this? It transpires that the band consist of Art Brut vocalist Eddie Argos (who had a minor indie-hit with the annoyingly self-referential ‘Formed a Band’ in 2004) and his musical and non-musical partner Dyan Valdés from The Blood Arm, who I must confess I know nothing about. Despite the naff band name this is a brilliantly inventive concept for an album. The couple hit on the idea of creating ‘responses’ to famous chart hits, while listening to ‘Jimmy Mack’ by Martha Reeves and The Vandellas on the radio. Eddie asserted that it was cruel for a girl to sing a song proclaiming her infidelity to her boyfriend, and vowed to pen a response from hard done-by Jimmy’s perceptive. They then began to wonder what other popular songs they could ‘fix’ in a similar vein. The variety of songs they chose to respond to is all-embracing, covering a wide ranging selection of genres. From other classic Motown hits – ‘He’s a Rebel’ by The Crystals, traditional folk songs - ‘The Scarborough Affair’, Bob Dylan numbers, right through to droll pun-laden responses to modern pop hits – ‘Coal Digger’ and ‘Billie’s Genes’ The music is a giddy riot of plinky-plonk piano and sprightly rhythms, with backing harmonies and la-la’s from Dyan. Eddie’s vocal style consists of spoken mock-cockney patter; and it’s one that you’ll either find charmingly endearing or tremendously irritating. Unfortunately I was falling into the latter category. The central premise of this album was a great idea, and it’s executed in a fun and throwaway fashion, but to me it feels like a missed opportunity. Overall it has the feel of a sixth form am-dram production rather than a pop album, and I think a lot of this is attributable to Eddie’s irksome ‘singing’ style. This is a shame because as concept for albums go it feels like a cracking idea somewhat wasted. www.myspace.com/fixingthecharts |
