Here is a band born with tendency to experiment with various genres and subgenres. In the wake of their tenacity to swim upstream instead of following the mainstream river flow, Goldfrapp have given us the new album that proves they are equipped for new challenges.
The band drew everyone’s attention with their remarkable debut, but the following two albums were kitsch. Seventh Tree saw the band swimming through melancholy until reaching folktronic coast with Tales Of Us. Today, the band decided to fly us all to their vision of dream pop. Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory are completely sucked into electronic, synths, dance sound and retro style, but Silver Eye brings a modern side of the duo. They are following the trends now, although they are willing to show their interpretation of it.
Experimentation is Goldfrapp’s middle name. You can notice their desire to step into the unknown territories on Silver Eye, even though the electronic matrix is still there. The album sounds like electro-pop re-interpretation of Cocteau Twins, which is simultaneously a good and a bad thing. It is good because Alison and Will have succeeded in modernizing dream-pop sound without making it quotidian. It is bad because they did not obtain dreamy sound throughout the record.
Alison’s vocal sounds confident in this arrangement, as it ethereal quality and sensuality are congruent with dream-pop. It’s clear that is sounds more attractive then when she tries to over-whisper. On some of the previous releases, her voice could sound like a caricature. A more serious approach to interpretation brought good results.
The album enfolds in pumped up fashion, with Anymore, a track that will probably be the biggest hit due to its strong electro shtick. Systemagic continues in the same tone, but it sounds more forced. Following these two typical electro-pop numbers comes the real deal – Tigerman. It opens a dreamy and more dark side of the album comprised of downtempo atmospheric tunes, such as Faux Suede Drifter and Zodiac Black. We didn’t have a chance to hear something like this in Goldfrapp’s opus. Cold and ethereal melody of these tracks in wrapped up in noir ambiance. The vocal is congruent to the whole sonic narrative.
Beast That Never Was follows the concept of the record as it investigates the obscure facets of personality, while Moon In Your Mouth stands as an indicator of dream-pop sound the band was striving for on Silver Eye. The album is closed by Ocean, an aquatic-themed song. We are used to get a shot of natural and pagan vibe.
Sliver Eye definitely has enough layers to keep you intrigued for weeks.
