Rose's Re-Reviews: Morrissey, Killers, St Etienne, Antony & The Johnsons
- Feb 11, 2009
So the bankers are all getting bonuses, it's chucking it down with rain outside, the snow was apparently the worst thing to happen since the last Reverend and the Makers single and (ok, this one's just for me) there has been gunfire outside the flat. Still, there's always some new tracks to brighten the mood, in the shape of The Killers and St Etienne this week. However, wallowing in the gloom can be as good as stamping in puddles from time to time, so Antony & The Johnsons and Morrissey bring a more morose quality to the mix. Cheesy and cheerful or gloriously gloomy â“ take your pick.
Morrissey â“ I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris
In classic Catchphrase lyric writing, Morrissey says what he sees. Yes, isn't Paris lovely â“ where's the tune though? The Guardian valiantly calls it "nothing new, nothing exciting. One for the stage-jumping fanboys". MSN praises it for containing "the usual wit and darkest of dark humour". But Digital Spy is on the mark by suggesting "the fire in Mozza's belly may already be fading" and giving it 6/10/ It is basic and uninspired, though the vocals are warming, which sees it snatch 5/10.
MySpace / iTunes / last.fm / Amazon / Spotify
The Killers â“ Spaceman
Brandon Flowers sparkly clan come back with lots of overlapping vocals and in-sync synths. "It's still really sonically dense, as it packs in a pulsating verse and chorus," observes Unreality Music. The Beat Review has "no negatives" and awards 8/10, claiming "they've quite stepped up their level". Angry Ape praises its "gliding synthesizers, chugging bass and thumping disco drums". Meh. There is a feeling they aimed for Ziggy and then settled on a Pet Shop Boys B-side. 3/10.
MySpace / iTunes / last.fm / Amazon / Spotify
Saint Etienne â“ Method of Modern Love
Taken from a greatest hits, there is a surprising freshness to this. Digital Spy gives 6/10 commenting on the "chiffon-smooth vocals with an old-school dance beat that's just waiting for the Ibiza summer madness to start". "Shimmering disco romps don't come much more shimmeringy than this," croons Popjustice. My Chemical Toilet simply and sweetly suggests that it's "really rather good". It does have a Fever-era Kylie optimistic glow about it, but is a bit disposable and sneaks 7/10.
MySpace / iTunes / last.fm / Amazon / Spotify
Antony & The Johnsons â“ Epilepsy Is Dancing
Mercurial Mercury winner Antony is back on the day job with the Johnsons, singing delicate ballads about dancing and disorders. Contact Music gushes about the "more neo-classical feel" to the track, while The Guardian calls it "pretty brilliant, a twirling wee number that never quite settles in one place". Ohmpark is equally impressed, claiming "you'll find everything you've come to love from the gifted vocalist on this record". It is the single of the week for its lyrical adventurism alone, and gets 7/10.
MySpace / iTunes / last.fm / Amazon / Spotify
