Pop Culture Buzz

HERCULES AND LOVE AFFAIR - “HERCULES AND LOVE AFFAIR”

GRADE: A+

Every few years a new group comes along that uses past influences to reinvent a genre by using simple pop techniques to create an exciting sound that instantly grabs you. This year that band is called Hercules and Love Affair and their new debut self titled album is the first masterpiece of 2008. This album also contains the most original dance track of 2008 (so far) called “Blind.”

Hercules and Love Affair is a musical project from New York based DJ Andy Butler. Members include Nomi, Kim Ann Foxman and Antony Hegarty. Antony Hegarty (born in 1971) is an English singer-songwriter, best known for being the lead singer of the band Antony and the Johnsons. Antony and the Johnsons’ 2005 album “I Am a Bird Now” won the UK’s prestigious Mercury Prize.

Antony Hegarty’s intoxicating and heartbreaking voice lifts the disco tempo driven beats on this CD from electronica obscurity. The textured lyrics, orchestral bleeps and bloops with the layered melodies in songs like “Time Will”, “Raise Me Up” and “You Belong” leave you craving their familiar 80’s synth sound not long after they end.

The song “Athene” is a new wave gem with a modest looping dance rhythm that will instantly creep into your subconscious. The fun song “Hercules Theme” shows that all is not serious with this new electronic act, just listen to the cartoon-ish effects and typewriter on “True False/Fake Real” and you will hear the shear genius of this super group.

In a wasteland of disposable dance acts Hercules and Love Affair have the potential to excel like electro-dance acts such as Pet Shop Boys, Erasure and The Scissor Sisters. This album is not out in the US at the moment which means you must do whatever you can to get a copy, it is worth every penny!

WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO FOR “BLIND” BELOW:

WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO FOR “TIME WILL” BELOW:

DUFFY - “ROCKFERRY”

GRADE: B+

Duffy is just one of the many “blast from the past” sounding chanteuses to come out of the UK following Amy Winehouse’s huge success across the world. Unfortunately she is categorized into a genre titled “Neo-Soul” or new soul (the title alone makes me cringe). It is obvious that her influences range from Dusty Springfield, Lesley Gore and Lulu.

But that is where I like to stop the comparisons. Duffy is a stand alone performer with a huge voice and she is worthy of her own accolades. There is a reason why her first single “Mercy” stayed atop the UK charts for 5 weeks. That song is a warm welcomed flashback from the early 60’s soul movement.

Duffy’s surprising range can be heard on the delightfully sweet tracks “Rockferry”, “Syrup & Honeyâ€? and “Warwick Avenue”. The string arrangements and strumming guitars have that welcoming calming effect. On songs like “Distant Dreamer” and “Delayed Devotion” the hypnotic tambourine beats will keep your toes tapping during those dreaded long car rides.

The weaker songs on Rockferry like “Serious” and “Hanging On Too long” only suffer from sounding to recent but they are great contemporary tracks on their own. “I’m Scared” is one of my favorite songs due to its simple organ construction and 50’s doo-wop sound.

If Amy Winehouse’s disturbing downward spiral is too much for you to put up with then you will fall in love with Duffy’s simple and familiar classic sound. This album has already secured a place in my best of 2008 and I think many of you will enjoy it when it is released here in the USA this coming summer, until then enjoy the music and videos on this posting!

WATCH THE “MERCY” MUSIC VIDEO BELOW:

WATCH THE “ROCKFERRY” MUSIC VIDEO BELOW:

ADELE - “19″

GRADE: B-

Along with Duffy, Adele is making a huge impact on the music business across the pond. Her single “Chasing Pavements” has been a top 20 staple for over 6 weeks in the UK and for good reason. The song is a pitch perfect radio friendly tune that is an instant winner. The soulful hook in “Chasing Pavements” makes it one of 2008’s best singles already.

Unlike many of her musical “Neo-Soul” counterparts Adele is more of contemporary artist with a huge talent for rich piano driven songs. On the tracks “Hometown Glory”, “Best For Last” and “Make You Feel My Love” Adele’s deep husky voice is all at once heartbreaking and then uplifting. The dreamy guitar melody of “Daydreamer” and the lullaby sound of “First Love” are both soothing and relaxing.

The fast paced jamming lyrics and hooks in “Right As Rain”, “Cold Shoulder” and “Tired” are a complete departure from the R&B influences on the rest of this CD, but they still seem a good fit. The one throw away track on this CD is called “My Same”, but even it has some likeable qualities in its basic construction.

Adele’s album titled “19″ isn’t revolutionary but it is a fun little gem from the UK that is worth checking out if you’re into the huge flux of white soul singing chicks coming from Europe like I do. If anything the handful of top notch pop singles on this disc are definitely worth the listen if you consider yourself a fan or critic of the genre.

WATCH THE “HOMETOWN GLORY” MUSIC VIDEO BELOW:

WATCH THE “CHASING PAVEMENTS” MUSIC VIDEO BELOW:

EVEN THOUGH ALL THREE OF THE NEW CD’S BY DUFFY, ADELE AND HERCULES & LOVE AFFAIR REVIEWED ABOVE ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN THE USA YET, YOU CAN HEAR THEM ON THE STREAMING JUKEBOX BELOW: