I actually just got done listening to this album. Here's my first impression: Disco + Antony(from Antony and the Johnsons) = flaming ghey. Now granted this is my first impression and this album may grow on me. But I have to tell ya, when I put this album on, I felt like I just walked right into a men's only nightclub. We're talking straight up Village People vibe here. Eric will love it!

There's a lot more than Disco going on there "Electronica know-it-all".

I'm pretty lukewarm on this one -- at best. Once the novelty of setting Antony against some creative disco beats wears off, it loses a lot of its appeal. There are some notable tracks, but this definitely isn't something I'll still be listening to at year's end.

I agree Platypus. I don't understand why this album is so innovative or different. Antony will always improve a rather bland song because of his remarkable voice, but excluding the vocal element, the album just doesn't seem that remarkable.

*Disclaimer* May need to listen more...

P.S. - Why does Pitchfork salivate over this kind of stock DFA sound and then they bash Midnight Juggernauts (when I find Distopia much more fun and hook-infused than the Hercules&LoveAffair S/t)?

P4k does have a raging boner for DFA. I don't really understand it. I mean, some of their stuff is pretty solid, but it's getting pretty ridiculous.

I don't understand how you can call this "stock DFA sound". There hasn't been an album that sounds anything like this made in in the '00s that I know of.

Once again I'll say that I would not consider this album disco either...

Comparisons to disco have definitely been overstated. But I still don't think the album deserves more than a "meh." There are more interesting dance records that come out in a typical year that get ignored by (Meta)critics because they don't have a tangential connection to indie rock.

The "one listen" disclaimer applies for me as well...but I don't anticipate listening to it again unless someone besides Pitchfork gives it a detailed rave review. Anyone care to take me up on that?

I could write a detailed rave review and post it on my blog if you'd like... but I don't really plan on it. I have no clue how to approach reviewing this album (a strange problem I run into with many albums that I like a lot.. incl. Hissing Fauna which was my #1 last year).

OH! For those of you that like good house, you might wanna check out the Classique #2 EP and the "blind" single (it has some great remixes... incl. a Frankie Knuckles rmx).

quote:

Originally posted by JGlass:
I don't understand how you can call this "stock DFA sound". There hasn't been an album that sounds anything like this made in in the '00s that I know of.

Once again I'll say that I would not consider this album disco either...

You make it sound as if that's inherently a GOOD thing. Sure it's original, but that doesn't necessarily make it a noteworthy listen. This is ultimately pretty forgettable stuff. More listens, detailed analyses -- I don't think much will change my current opinion of the record.

I've only heard the single ("Blind"), but Antony's voice actually turns me off to the song. I think he's got an incredible instrument, and I love both Antony and the Johnsons albums, but in this setting I don't like it. I felt the same way about his vocals on that My Robot Friend song "One More Try" a few years ago (it was on P4K's infinite mixtape)... in my opinion, they don't mix with dance beats.

quote:

Originally posted by Platypus Quest:
You make it sound as if that's inherently a GOOD thing. Sure it's original, but that doesn't necessarily make it a noteworthy listen. This is ultimately pretty forgettable stuff. More listens, detailed analyses -- I don't think much will change my current opinion of the record.

That's a good assessment, I think. I do like the sound of the album, but the tunes just aren't there. There are a few outstanding songs and a bunch that kind of just drift by. I'll definitely be checking out any future material they do, because there's potential here.

Oh well. I wouldn't consider this dance music like you guys apparently do, so maybe that's why I feel like the songs are solid. It's extremely subtle the way house music should be and the hooks tend to stick beneath the surface making for an entertaining listen or good bg music.

Also, I came into his album with no hype other than my own (I've been waiting for it for a while) and I feel that that tends to help me enjoy an album a lot.

I will agree that DFA tends to put a lot of samey, forgettable, overrated stuff though.

Mmmm. Just got through this album for the first time and I have to say, it's really solid stuff. To me, this is how house music should be. Funky, bassy, no ten minute knob tweaking acid crap.

At some points I do wish they'd taken a little more laid back approach and just jammed for a few more minutes, but all in all I really like this album.

One more thing...

quote:

Originally posted by JGlass:
I wouldn't consider this dance music

Eh? Why the hell not? Last time I checked, house music is dance music. Perhaps I've missed something.

Haha, well, there's "dance music" (which would be most electronic music) and then there's that little subgenre of electronic music that's dance music... I would consider this the former not the latter.

quote:

Originally posted by JGlass:
I will agree that DFA tends to put a lot of samey, forgettable, overrated stuff though.

Blasphemy.

This album has continued to grow on me. I think it's great, and I love Antony's voice on here. I actually like him much better here than I did on Antony and the Johnsons. "Blind" is definitely my favorite so far, but it's pretty good all the way through. My only complaint is that the tracks sound a little too similar, which lets it fade into the background rather easily, but it's still very enjoyable.

I liked the Antony album a lot for a few weeks and then his voice wore thin... but for some reason it just really works in this setting. I've been listening to this album a lot over the past couple months (putting it as my... #2 most listened artist on last.fm since I reset my tracks) and I just really enjoy it. I listen to it almost daily, sometimes more.

It seems to me like a lot of the stuff in 2008 is just going to be really really hit or miss; not as many of those agreeable, middle of the road, majority enjoys albums.

Man, I don't know what all the complaints are about. I'm really liking this. It's not stock DFA, it has a lot more life and depth to it than a lot of their stuff.

just bought the cd, from all the hype.

Everything is just ok, in my opinion. The song "Hercules Theme" though is fantastic. Ive listened to it about 4 times, and it still really isnt THAT appealing. The thing is, I just don't even wanna try listeninbg to it anymore, except Hercules Theme.

And for the gay comment, yes it sounds gay, no doubt, but it's no Jens Lekman

I've been loving this album for a while now.

The last 2 songs aren't grabbing me like the rest is for some reason. and this is after about 10 or 11 listens.