Among The Ash Heaps jumps straight in to a furiousl introduction to the style of glam-rock meets neo-swing. The song rapidly jumps all over the place, but somehow the disjointed structure just adds to the thrill-a-minute appeal. So I really enjoy the hooks, the energy and the style which holds it all together. It's the perfect modern implementation of a band rocking out in pinstripe suits.
Shiseido, Room Nineteen and The Heat are more of the same, and the results are also fantastic and unique. Boiled down to its essence, the combination of crunching rock guitars and a swung ride cymbal works a treat. Room Nineteen also features some standout lyrics, thanks to the very vivid (and sometimes disturbing) Tarrantino-esque storytelling.
This is a bit nit-picky, but these heavier songs have some strange quirks in their recording quality: a very synthesised reverb for the vocals and several high-pitched sounds - such as an open hi-hat - feeling "scratchy" rather than sweet. Also, I find the higher frequencies slightly muffled in general.
Mata Hari sees the album slow down for a softer ballad style. But rather than disappointment that they've taken the foot off the pedal (the distortion pedal? sorry, that was a terrible pun...), the wonderfully poetic lyrics and strong mood make this enjoyable in its own way.
Half Way Around The World is also dripping with a more relaxed style, thanks to the piano part. Although I do find the chorus quite forgettable. Sing Baby Swing is more of the same, and this time the chorus is a catchy highlight.
It's time for a dose of insanity with The Mice The Demons And The Piggies. The obscure, madman lyrics are a highlight of the album for me. And the infectious yet oddball jitterbug style is a highlight in its own right, also nicely building in intensity throughout the song. It all adds up to brilliant left-field fun.
Lonely Just Like Me also has a dose of frenetic madness, this time a bit more serious, but again with great storytelling and some beautiful metaphors.
Smoothly crooning vocals and very regimented backing instruments (almost with military uniformity) seems like an awkward combination, but Whisper Something German brings them together. Brilliantly. This strange contrast that results is indeed perfectly summarised by the phrase "whisper something German in my ear"!
To Say You Love Me sees the album briefly return to headbanging glam-rock. Which is another example that rock'n'roll plus swing is indeed a perfect recipe!
Then, on the other hand, Blood Red Water is a beautifully soft and gentle ballad. It never ceases to amaze me how something so humble can be just as powerful.
Mata Hari sees the album slow down for a softer ballad style. But rather than disappointment that they've taken the foot off the pedal (the distortion pedal? sorry, that was a terrible pun...), the wonderfully poetic lyrics and strong mood make this enjoyable in its own way.
Half Way Around The World is also dripping with a more relaxed style, thanks to the piano part. Although I do find the chorus quite forgettable. Sing Baby Swing is more of the same, and this time the chorus is a catchy highlight.
It's time for a dose of insanity with The Mice The Demons And The Piggies. The obscure, madman lyrics are a highlight of the album for me. And the infectious yet oddball jitterbug style is a highlight in its own right, also nicely building in intensity throughout the song. It all adds up to brilliant left-field fun.
Lonely Just Like Me also has a dose of frenetic madness, this time a bit more serious, but again with great storytelling and some beautiful metaphors.
Smoothly crooning vocals and very regimented backing instruments (almost with military uniformity) seems like an awkward combination, but Whisper Something German brings them together. Brilliantly. This strange contrast that results is indeed perfectly summarised by the phrase "whisper something German in my ear"!
To Say You Love Me sees the album briefly return to headbanging glam-rock. Which is another example that rock'n'roll plus swing is indeed a perfect recipe!
Then, on the other hand, Blood Red Water is a beautifully soft and gentle ballad. It never ceases to amaze me how something so humble can be just as powerful.
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