One record at a time: 235. LCD Soundsystem - American Dream

In 2011 LCD Soundsystem played an emotional farewell concert at Madison Square Garden and promptly disbanded. Whilst it was sad that the project had come to an end, most people respected James's desire to concentrate on his personal life and relieve the pressure that comes with being a hugely successful artist. 

Five years later it seemed the pressure hadn't been too much after all and not only did the band begin to tour again, they also released a new album "American Dream". Whilst their return did create a mild sense of confusion (and dare I say irritation) amongst some fans, everything would be forgiven if the album turned out to be a masterpiece.

The first track is the magnificent "Oh Baby". If you haven't watched the video for this song then you should go and watch it on YouTube now. You can thank me later. 

"Other Voices" sounds a bit like a rehash of things we have heard on other LCD albums, but there is enough drive and energy to keep things interesting. "I Used To" is a slow groove that meanders along in a rock style that lacks the spark of inspiration more electronics might have lent it. 

Once again James displays his allergy to certain vowels with "Change Yr Mind" which also lacks any variation and becomes a little boring by the end. "How Do You Sleep" is a bit like "Dance Yrself Clean" from the previous album in that it builds from humble beginnings into an nine minute electronic colossus. It's a great track that has so much happening that it can be hard to digest at first.

"Tonite" employs the same relentless bassline for its entire length and it either becomes hypnotic or irritating depending on your frame of mind. The single "Call The Police" tries to channel Joy Division and The Cure but ends up going a bit off piste. I'm not a fan of guitar driven music and this is just dull.

The introduction to "American Dream" sounds like "Circus of Death" by The Human League but it becomes more wishful and melancholic rather descending into the weird abstraction that inspired it. "Emotional Haircut" is the usual boisterous 'guitar and shouting' type track that LCD Soundsystem sometimes resort to. "Black Screen" gives us insight into James Murphy's feelings and behaviour when David Bowie asked him to produce his final record. The track is OK musically but I have to admit, my sympathy is somewhat limited.

As good as it is, this record still annoys me. For a start I hate the lower case styling for all of the song titles and the artwork is dull and uninspiring. This wasn't the triumphant return I was hoping for and it didn't entirely remove the bitter taste left by the band reversing their decision to disband. 3/5

One record at a time: 234. LCD Sound System - This Is Happening

To my shame I don't own LCD Soundsystem's second album on vinyl, so we jump to "This Is Happening" from 2010 as the next selection.

This record feels more electronic than its predecessors and I have a higher regard for it as a result. However, like all LCD Soundsystem albums, things do still swing wildly between art-rock nonsense and electronic majesty - it's just the art rock nonsense is kept to a minimum this time around.

Opening track "Dance Yrself Clean" is a truly epic piece that builds from a barely perceptible whisper to electronic induced mayhem. With a running time of nearly nine minutes you might be forgiven for thinking this track is overly long, but it sails by and makes for the perfect start.

Unfortunately the promise of the opening is betrayed by the irritating pseudo-punk of "Drunk Girls". To me this track is a perfect demonstration of James Murphy's inclination to self destruct. There's not much melody in this guitar driven dirge and the lyrics sound like the banal ramblings of a teenager.

We return to the more majestic electronic pop with "One Touch" which features some of the best synth sequences you are likely to hear outside of a Giorgio Moroder track. Yes there is some guitar which lets things down a bit, but James and Nacy's vocal is just perfect. Back in 2010 when I originally reviewed this album I wrote that "All I Want" sounded like an annoying pastiche of Bowie’s ""Heroes"" and I stand by this comment. I can't even bear to listen to it.

I love the track "I Can Change" as it seems to have a real spark of genius. I guess I'm more attracted to the 'synth-pop' sound here, but there are also some original touches that elevate this song to the same heights as "Dance Yrself Clean" and "One Touch". It is also worth mentioning that there is a 12" single with some remixes by Stereogamous that I also adore. 

"You Wanted a Hit" is too cynical for me and "Pow Pow" is pretty much devoid of melody. "Somebody’s Calling Me" is very, very annoying but the final track "Home" is a really great way to finish the record. Thirteen years ago my review of this album was quite gushing but my regard has dwindled quite a bit since. I love some of the tracks here, but I also find fault more easily and deeply with the less immediate material. 3/5

One record at a time: 233. LCD Soundsystem - LCD Soundsystem

Having bought the CD of this eponymously titled debut album in 2005, I acquired the vinyl when it was reissued in 2017. Whilst the CD version had a second disc collecting together some early 12" singles, the record is limited to the standard nine album tracks.

I originally bought this after hearing "Daft Punk is Playing at my House" on the radio. I have never listened to the radio much (much less Radio 1) so it must have been providence that led me to tune in as this song began to play one evening. There was something about this track that channelled the zeitgeist and it seemed very trendy to me. It was also humorous and a bit off the wall - I didn't even care that it wasn't very electronic.

The second track on the album "Too much Love" was much more electronic in an intriguing, lo-fi, analogue way. I hadn't really heard anything like this before. "Tribulations" is a perfect blend of octave synth bass, drones and original lyrical content that I couldn't get enough of when I first heard it. I used to drive to work and play the first three songs from the CD over and over dreaming of being in New York with the glitterati and not heading to a tortuous dead-end job. 

The next song "Movement" smacks too much of 'knowing' alternative rock for me to enjoy it. Throughout the LCD Soundsystem back catalogue there are a number of songs like this and I don't enjoy any of them. "Never as tired as when I'm waking up" sounds like a terrible Beatles pastiche that just drags on and on until the needle reaches the end of the wax.

Thankfully the first track on the flip side, "On Repeat" is less inclined to indulge in rock cliches but it still doesn't do enough to capture my interest. "Thrills" is a more palatable and has a superb bassline that is reminiscent of Leftfield's "Phat Planet" in places. The last standout track is "Disco Infiltrator" which takes inspiration from Kraftwerk and mixes it with a pinch of seventies funk to create a really good groove. "Great Release" is a bit of a stale ending but there has been more than enough to entertain here. 3/5

One record at a time: 232. La Roux - Supervision

After another lengthy hiatus, La Roux returned with the album "Supervision" in 2020. I ordered a limited edition white vinyl from Ellie's website which came in a signed sleeve.

Prior to the album arriving, I had head "International Woman of Leisure" which intrigued me without being overly impressive. As I had bought the first two albums I thought I might as well take punt on the third.

"21st Century" kicks off with a jaunty beat and some Nile Rodgers-esque guitar work, but the cadence in the chorus just doesn't work for me. The retro Linn drum sounds are brought out for the disco vibes of "Do You Feel" which rolls along quite nicely. "Automatic Driver" and "International Woman of Leisure" continue to employ the annoying choppy rhythm guitar and the melodies are limp to say the least.

The first track on the second side initially raised my hopes of hearing something other than rhythm guitar over a programmed beat, but this hope was extinguished after about thirty seconds. The repetition of style is a real shame as "Everything I live For" has an original bassline and Ellie's vocal is great - it's just that damn guitar. "Otherside" has some eighties, LA vibes about it and "He Rides" is a perfectly competent mid-tempo bop. The final track "Gullible Fool" was released as a single but it doesn't really have anything to distinguish it; other than its more restrained use of rhythm guitar. 

Until this listen through I don't think I was quite able to put my finger on why I didn't like this album - but now something has crystallised in my mind. The over use of faux Chic rhythm guitars and the weak melodies are the Achilles heel here (and on the previous album come to think of it). I know Ellie wanted to move away from the synth heavy sound of the first record but this isn't to my taste. This is the second time I have been bitten by a La Roux album and, short of a reunion with former bandmate Ben, I can't see me buying another. 2/5

One record at a time: 231. La Roux - Trouble In Paradise

As I enjoyed La Roux's eponymously titled debut album, I decided to pre-order the box set of the much delayed follow up "Trouble In Paradise". As well as the vinyl there was a signed CD, a code to redeem mp3 files and a T shirt. The original specification for the box set included nine (yes, nine) matchboxes, but unsurprisingly these were swapped out for a signed and numbered lithographic print instead. The box has unique artwork and is individually numbered. I was really looking forward to receiving it.

However, when the box set arrived in July 2014 I was left rather disappointed. It seems trouble doesn't only occur in paradise; it happens on vinyl too. There's no other way of saying it, but, this album isn't very good. 

I think it is fair to say that the success of the first album brought considerable pressure on band members Ellie and Ben. This pressure culminated in a split that meant La Roux was a solo project by the time this record was released. The break up of the group was in part due to Ellie's desire to introduce acoustic instruments and lean towards a more funk and disco influenced sound for the second outing. Unfortunately this change of direction didn't suit Ben and it seemed to leave many fans behind too. I went to a concert on the tour that supported this album and the contrast between the old material and the new was quite stark when they were laid side by side.

Everything on this album could be described as "mid". It's definitely not terrible, but equally it has no spark, no hook and no magic. "Uptight Downtown" has some nice touches and "Kiss and Not Tell" is close to the sound of the first album, but songs like "Tropical Chancer" are too repetitive and "Sexotheque" is just nonsense. I knew not to expect a repeat of the first album, but I don't think I was prepared for something as troubled as this. 2/5

One record at a time: 230. La Roux - La Roux

I originally bought the CD of this album in 2009 and acquired this US pressing of the vinyl in about 2015. I like this album for two reasons: firstly the music is good and secondly because it reminds me of a very happy time in my life. 

The first few songs on this album make an almost perfect collection of eighties tinged synth-pop with a modern twist. "In For The Kill" has an irresistible tune and was a big hit here in the UK. The intricate "Tigerlily" has some fantastic flourishes and even makes a nod to Michael Jackson's "Thriller". Whilst it may have failed as a single originally, "Quicksand" has a great sound palette, not the least of which is Ellie's falsetto. "Bulletproof" rounds out the quartet with its near perfect bleeps, beats and bass. I read somewhere that Ellie never liked this song and is isn't totally comfortable with this being her biggest hit and representing her. This seems a shame as it is a work of near perfection.

I'm not a fan of the chorus on "Colourless Colour" as the lyrics are way too obvious and are banal compared the brilliance that preceded them. I was surprised when "I'm Not You Toy" was released as a single as it didn't sound particularly radio friendly to me due to its protracted bridge and truncated chorus. 

"Cover My Eyes" is the first "slow song" we encounter but the choir and vocals don't really work for me. The quality of the songwriting is lifted once again with the fantastic "As If By Magic" and "Fascination" - the former of which even survives some timid guitar work. As the album draws to a close things do tend to dip a little with songs like "Reflections Are Protection"  and "Armour Love" not quite hitting the mark. The "Bonus Track" titled "Growing Pains" is a little repetitive but is a welcome addition. 

Generally I like this album, but listening to it today I am less inclined to forgive it its failings in the way I did in 2009. This record won plaudits when it was released as it came on the back of a wave of eighties nostalgia, but today that sentimentality has largely evaporated and some of the more mundane tracks fall a bit flat as a result. 3/5.

One record at a time: 229. Kraftwerk - Tour de France Soundtracks

Released in 2003 as "Tour de France Soundtracks" this was the first album of new material Kraftwerk had released in seventeen years - to say it was highly anticipated is something of an understatement. Unfortunately I think it is equally valid to say this record turned out to be a disappointment to many. 

Here I am playing the 2009 remastered version which is simply titled "Tour De France". The original vinyl that carries the "Soundtracks" subtitle seems to be considerably scarcer and is more expensive as a result.

In 2000 I was playing the single "Expo 2000" in my car and a passenger commented that he quite liked electro. Up to this point it had never occurred to me that Kraftwerk had begun recording straight up electro - but that's exactly what the music was. Having seemingly not managed to scratch the itch with "Expo",  Kraftwerk returned to the studio to create an entire album of minimalistic electro that revived a long held ambition to create a concept album centred on La Grande Boucle.

There's not a great deal to say about the music on this record as it all sounds fairly indistinguishable. Every idea, riff and leitmotif is repeated ad infinitum no matter how short or meritless they may be. The sounds used are all VST generated and are nothing that we haven't heard before. There are flashes of inspiration here and there, but even the new version of the title track is lacklustre. 

The sleeve offers us the cryptic credit of "Music Data" which actually describes the album very well. In essence this record is exactly what Ralf has always striven for: repetitive, anonymous, computer driven electro about cycling. The fact that the record isn't very good is quite sad as, let's face it, this is probably the last album of original material Kraftwerk are ever going to make. 2/5