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Posted |
May 21st, 2010 |
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On The Download: Scissor Sisters'
"Night Work" |
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By Jeremy Blacklow
BURBANK, Calif. --
It’s
been a long four years in the
music world since we’ve had a
new Scissor Sisters album, but
the results are all too worth
the wait.
“Night Work,”
the third full-length studio
album from the New York-based
quintet, is set for release on
June 29, just in time for its
playful summer sound to inspire
romance and fabulousness
throughout the nation. The press
notes explain that the album,
“pays homage to the club scene
of the 1970’s and 80’s,” which
is an apt description. The music
truly feels inspired by another
era – a time when NYC was
frightening and exciting, still
edgy and yet outrageously camp.
For those not yet initiated
into the cult that is the band —
lead by exceptional vocalist
Jake Shears (full disclosure: a
friend from my days living in
the East Village) — the best way
I could explain them is to take
a bit of Bowie, a pinch of
Elton, a splash of Kylie, mix
together with a healthy helping
of Sylvester and Grace Jones and
serve with a dollop of Queen,
then sprinkle a bit of the Bee
Gees and the B-52’s, and serve
warm.
First leaked
single, “Invisible Light,”
sounds similar to the band’s
first breakthrough success,
their re-imagining of Pink
Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb.” The
song is notably the album’s last
track, but has some of the most
distinct sounds, lyrics and
musical experimentation.
Every Scissor Sisters album
seems to have one outwardly
commercial track. On previous
albums, those songs were “Take
Your Mama” and “I Don’t Feel
Like Dancin’” – and on “Night
Work,” that track is the third
on the album (and the first
official single), “Fire With
Fire.” As anthemic and melodious
as any song the band has ever
written, Jake has never sounded
more like his mentor, Sir Elton,
himself. The song is ready to
achieve iconic success on par
with Elton’s “Your Song.” It is,
in a word — stunning.
Opening and lead title track,
“Night Work,” is an ode to
streetwalkers and creatures of
the downtown NYC scene. It’s
this album’s “Filthy/Gorgeous.”
I’ll be excited to see the kids
play this one live.
But
no Scissor Sisters album is just
a collection of tracks. Their
work is better listened to as a
whole. I tend to gravitate
toward their more mainstream
fare, so my additional favorite
tracks on the album (beyond
“Fire With Fire”) are “Running
Out” and “Skin Tight,” (the
former of which features Jake in
full Adam Ant mode… the latter
of which sounds like Rick
Springfield for the 21st
century).
My only desire
left unfulfilled from this album
is that I want more from sole
female band member, Ana
Matronic, who seems to be
featured less prominently
vocally on this album than on
the band’s past works. She has a
nice Deborah Harry-like
spoken-sung interlude on “Any
Which Way,” about her hunt for
the perfect man, but it left me
wanting more from her. She also
sings lead vocals on one track,
“Skin This Cat,” which is a fun
little electro-infused number.
More Ana please! Lord only
knows, she has the talent.
The Scissor Sisters head
back out on the road in the UK
(where they’ve been
significantly more successful
compared to in the U.S.) in
mid-June, set to play through
Scotland, Ireland and London,
and of course, the Glastonbury
Festival, where they’ve been one
of the most popular acts in past
recent years. Their plans on
American shores remain TBD, but
expect to hear much more from
the band in late summer and
fall.
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