Yeah I'm definitely sick. I couldn't face breakfast - when can I not face food?
Anyway........
I've been listening to Alphabeat's album, 'This is Alphabeat' and to get me in a creative mood I thought I would do a song by song review of their album (because I quite love it!) Alphabeat is a Danish 'wonky pop' band. They developed the phrase 'wonky pop' and really it's somewhere between pop and rock with lots of sugar and 80s thrown in for fun.
Fantastic 6 **** (4 stars)
A really super song about the band if they were superheroes! It's lively, bright, cheer, fun (I could go on), especially the chorus which is unbearable catchy. Once it's in your head, it refuses to move.
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Fascination *****
Another catchy, bright song - this time a classic love duet but without the smoochie bits.
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10,000 Nights (of Thunder) *****
*copies and pastes Fascination review* for all it's similarities it has a unique sound from Facination which makes it just as addictive.
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Boyfriend ****
This song really reminds me of Madonna's early stuff. It is catchy, fun and very, very 80s. Don't let the upbeat music confuse you though - this song is about jealousy - as is adequately illustrated in the middle of the video where Stine has a Tinkerbell moment! (come on, she does look like Tink!)
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What is Happening *****
An accidental break-up song. Aww. This song is a right grower and I think my favourite on the album! So much so that I've included it on the C&C soundtrack. The scene (this will make no sense to anyone but try anyway) is Rupa with the compass that Gryphon gave him. The compass is still looking for Shiroi and as much as Rupa wants Alice to be happy he doesn't want her to go. Curiousity takes over and he follows the compass which leads him to the Wonderland Club. Rupa doesn't know what to do - Alice doesn't know the compass is magic but Shiroi is right on their doorstep - should he fess up that they have had the power to find Shiroi all along?
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Go Go ****
Another 80sish Madonnaish song. Compared to the other songs it's not unique but also not bad - good going out music.
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Touch Me Touching You ***
The beginning of the male solo songs. It's okay but a bit B52 for my taste. I wasn't going to include the music but there is a Haruhi music video so it can't be that bad!
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Rubberboots ****
A bizarre song. It's supposed to be an extended metaphor but just comes off like a fetish fantasy song, especially with the repeated line, 'You should wear rubber always wear rubber'. The music is good but the voice line is repetative.
Public Image ***
This song uses all the 80s effects again however instead of making it sound bouncy and fun it just kind of sounds dated. A good example of why Alphabeat has two voices, not just the one.
Nothing But My Baby ****
Alphabeat return to the good stuff with this final song. It's soulful, bluesy and completely different from the rest of the album. The stomping, bare instrumentals really emphasise the tight vocal harmonies and interesting lyrics. You'll be woohooing for hours.
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Over all I give 'This is Alphabeat' **** as the duets are great but the solos are just okay.