Danceteria
(Republic of Music)
The influential English new wave duo, best known here for the iconic top 10 cover of "Tainted Love" from 1982, release their swan song Danceteria digitally on Friday (LP/CD out Oct. 9). Named after the renowned NYC nightclub where Madonna got discovered, it's among Soft Cell's strongest studio albums and was completed shortly before co-founding multi-instrumentalist/producer Dave Ball died last fall.
Singer Marc Almond, always an astute chronicler of life's seedier side, describes the collection as a love letter to early '80s New York. Clocking in at just over an hour, Almond's lyrics are fascinating snapshots of the period. Standouts include the infectious hi-NRG title track that namechecks Madge; a supremely soulful "In Heaven (When I Dance with You)," "Wave to America," and "Times Square"; the stately reminiscence "The Rainbow Room" as Almond recalls the Twin Towers view from high atop the Rockefeller Plaza restaurant; and a flute-accented "Crackland." Bringing everything full circle is a spunky take on 1981 club hit "Out Come the Freaks" by Was (Not Was), where Almond friskily trades vocals with Labelle's Nona Hendrix.
Preorder: amazon.com
The Fuzzy End of the Lollipop
(Atom)
Led by singer/guitarist John Andrew Fredrick, the black watch creates music at a dizzying pace that rivals Guided by Voices. Due Oct. 2, the critically acclaimed LA indie rock band's 27th album since the late '80s adeptly delves into shoegaze, jangle pop, and beyond with alluring results. Frederick sought to make songs which would immediately prompt repeated listens and definitely succeeded. Driven by fuzztone guitar and a piccolo trumpet that nods to Magical Mystery Tour, "Never You Mind" is a blissful standout; so is The Cure-styled "The Merry Kind," with its careening guitars and melodic keyboards.
The Fuzzy End of the Lollipop's warmly inviting title track (whose name is a Marilyn Monroe reference from "Some Like it Hot") adds a little My Bloody Valentine guitar danger at the end. Shimmering wonder "Falter, Splutter, Fall" describes how words can fail us. A chorale evoking Primal Scream's "Come Together" informs "Sorrow's Crown" (co-written by Fredrick's bandmate son Chandler), plus the cool bonus dance mix on CD/digital formats. "In Generalities” - inspired by a Robyn Hitchcock lyric - dips into psychedelia with prodigious use of mellotron. The album's back half features some nice Beach Boys-styled backing harmonies too.
Preorder: bandcamp.com
Check out my reviews of these albums and more on desertlocalnews.com and the print edition of this week's Desert Star Weekly.
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