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All this harsh/shouty music is all well & good but it's sometimes nice to take it easy &, just for a change, listen to something that puts a smile on your face. If this is what you are looking for then the American trio of Liz Enthusiasm, The Other Sean T Drinkwater & The Duke Of Candied Apples (not their real names, I'll wager!) will surely delight you with this excellent 12 tracker.
The colurful presentation & the band's groovy (baby) fashion sense all add to the band's general kitschness & help set the scene for the opening "Hare Brained Sceme" which has a nice line in understated humour.There's enough here to suggest that the currently trendy "Electroclash" label might benefit the band with the robot voices of Robotron 2000" &the offbeat "T DJ" as well as the Japanese-titled (& styled) fifth track all leaning towards such areas.Where Freeaepop really come up trumps is the fact that they know how to write good old-fashioned excellent songs such as "Science Genius Girl" or the male-fronted "Tracey Gold". The rock parts of "Get Ready To Rokk" fit in suprisingly well but, in all honesty such is the genius of this band they could get away with anything, even the playful "Summer Boy" comes out smiling & that's what you'll be doing after listening to this album.The self celebratory "Freezepop Foever" rounds up the album as each band member makes their introductions & tells you a little bit about themselves although, as throughout the album, it's done with it's tongue firmly in cheek.And as proof of their all-round talent "Plastic Stars" & the superb "Tender Lies" prove that they are also capable of touching the heart strings.Two delicately touching songs where Liz's vocals accentuate the mood of the music, almost seeming to meld themselves to the whistful melodic delivery.
To make music that proves excellent throughout whilst not taking itself seriously is something that not many bands can master. S.P.O.C.K have it in spades, of course & Goteki try their best but Freezepop prove that they have mastered this difficult balancing act, too & it's a safe bet that this was as much fun for the band to do as it is for everyone else to listen to.
RATING: 8
Artist Link: http://www.archenemy.com
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