so this was released a little under a month back, this review is slightly late. even though i have my head to the ground with the record label that put this release out, Italians Do It Better, i've been caught up with soooo much music that it slipped my radar. so first an apology for that. now lets get to the release....
first of all, the title track was on Glass Candy's 'Deep Gems' collection released a little over a year ago. but, keeping in the grand Italians Do It Better tradition, they re-released it with a few extra tracks onto vinyl for more eclectic DJs and collectors alike- and always limited quantities. but if you don't mind lookin' for musical gems; or know how to use a web-browser to look & shop online at cooler sites that would carry great vinyl, this release is WORTH the trouble.
a brief history of this portland band finds they went from Runaways style rock on their earlier releases and then dabbled into electronic music. to be more specific, Italian styled space disco: a genre first poppin' up in the 70's with bands like Cerrone 3 or Italian splatter horror disco gabbers Goblin. there is definitely a revival of sorts for this and its a few years strong with bands like Pink Stallone, Lindsrtom and Christabelle, Ghost Note, or, for a stronger and excellent musical example, label mates Desire.
and for the last few releases Glass Candy have reflected this genre well- and this EP is proof. its well produced and sounds rich. Johnny Jewel, the man responsible for making music that throws you into space does not hold back the launch pad. for the next four songs, his music owns you and before you come back down to earth, there are two extra instrumental versions of tracks that if you close your eyes can make you feel like you're on the Great Space Rollercoaster. extremely minimal at times, Johnny once again uses a lot of older analog technics to produce the music on this gem. add to that simple drum beats, pounding gloomy bass, synthesizers and his good ear and you have music that can throw you into space 30 years from now, but at the same time keep you on earth 30 years ago.
music aside one cannot escape the second half of this pair....
also back is Ida No. the musical anti-diva that commands more respect and eye stares that the most biggest of Lady GaGa wannabes walking into a night club would try to get. she delivers anecdotes of despair that compliment Johnny's music well. she does not hold back at what's going on inside her. or her possible warped take on the world. on the opening title track she warms up, singing to the tones of the music. a great track to warm up the dance floor. but that's only the OPENING track. the real story is on the subsequent tracks that come after it. on the second track "sugar & whitebread" she seems hurt that nice young boys that play grow up to be men that make bad decisions. 'hey, what's the difference between a piece of garbage and a man?!!' is explained after her plea is made to the boys of the world is made. the next track, my personal fave, and perhaps the stand-out is a track called "covered in bugs", an expression one uses when they feel the effects of heroin. least, thats what my friends used to say when they take a little too much or were coming down hard. now i'm not saying that's what she means by it- but i can almost see her looking into a mirror calling for her friend Eva and explaining to her that she can't relax in which the lady in the mirror responds to her: 'you just need to relax'. at which that point the two continue onto a conversation about Ida's lament over how the sky used to be. 'we didnt have anyway to make our world pretty', states a somber yet almost giddy Ida.
when compared to their older proper album release, 'b/e/a/t/b/o/x', 'Feeling Without Touching' while only 4 songs deep (remember 2 instrumental versions), holds its own as a big step for the duo. it sounds very tight and strong and there's an obvious synergy between the two that can only be called 'unique'.
with that stated, i forgot to leave out one little detail about this release: it's available online on iTunes or eMusic if you cant get to a record store, or the outlet you go to is outta touch, you can get it via the all convenient digital download.
i also gotta add that this genre is one i'm familiar with quite well. i used to DJ a haunt in my home town and would open up with Desire & Glass Candy tracks always. the space disco/italo disco revival is a interesting one to follow. if you like this release or want to learn more then i would recommend you lend your ear over to the After Dark compilation or the Milky Disco series of comps. the roots of which can be found out 'Italo Disco - Essential Disco Classics 1977-1985', another fine comp.
word!
Le'
Italians Do It Better Records webpage & myspace page:
http://vivaitalians.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/italiansdoitbetterrecords
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