Australians Cut Copy have been for me one of the pleasant surprises in 2008, coming from the island. Along with the Presets, Van She & Ladyhawke (from New Zealand) served as the flagship of the Modular Recordings and were found simultaneously in several lists with the best of the year, with In Ghost Colours.
Maybe this year we can meet them in a list, although the Zonoscope does not deserve such acceptance. This is a hearty and uplifting album with some really good songs (one extra good for sure), but I do not think that as a whole it comes even near the In Ghost Colours.
But let's first talk about the good and especially, about the introduction of Zonoscope, the Need You Now, one of the most essential songs ever written by Cut Copy that excited me by the first listening. It is a synth-pop anthem that will surely be heard much this year since it will be the next single of the group. The previous Take Me Over was quite mediocre and that is why it didn't create any impression, and one of the easiest songs by Cut Copy. Very nice song and more indie track, it is Where I'm Going.
As well as the Corner Of The Sky, which will successfully bridge the indie and dance audience and contains the 'ouououyouououo' and 'aaaaaaaaaaaaa' vocals (trademark of Cut Copy) at magic doses. And the latter, I repeat, because during the cd, there is excessive use of the above vocals, to the point of exhaustion. Also, the 15-minute Sun God closing the cd, seems to have come from heaven of Screamadelica, but does not take the steps needed to be taken off.
Beyond that though, I think the other songs do not have anything valuable to offer, they sound good, you could dance to some of them (Pharaohs & Pyramids, Blink And Yoy'll Miss A Revolution) or one might say that Cut Copy are trying to do something extra to take the risk on something different (Hanging onto every heartbeat, Alisa), but they do not manage anything.
And not to be misunderstand, I write all this because Cut Copy, along with The Presets, were one of the most anticipated releases, which certainly does not disappoint, but does not thrill me. Maybe more hearing needs to be made, maybe in the coming months I would change my mind, but for now I will listen to the repeat Need You Now. If I were to score I would give it 7/10.
Maybe this year we can meet them in a list, although the Zonoscope does not deserve such acceptance. This is a hearty and uplifting album with some really good songs (one extra good for sure), but I do not think that as a whole it comes even near the In Ghost Colours.
But let's first talk about the good and especially, about the introduction of Zonoscope, the Need You Now, one of the most essential songs ever written by Cut Copy that excited me by the first listening. It is a synth-pop anthem that will surely be heard much this year since it will be the next single of the group. The previous Take Me Over was quite mediocre and that is why it didn't create any impression, and one of the easiest songs by Cut Copy. Very nice song and more indie track, it is Where I'm Going.
As well as the Corner Of The Sky, which will successfully bridge the indie and dance audience and contains the 'ouououyouououo' and 'aaaaaaaaaaaaa' vocals (trademark of Cut Copy) at magic doses. And the latter, I repeat, because during the cd, there is excessive use of the above vocals, to the point of exhaustion. Also, the 15-minute Sun God closing the cd, seems to have come from heaven of Screamadelica, but does not take the steps needed to be taken off.
Beyond that though, I think the other songs do not have anything valuable to offer, they sound good, you could dance to some of them (Pharaohs & Pyramids, Blink And Yoy'll Miss A Revolution) or one might say that Cut Copy are trying to do something extra to take the risk on something different (Hanging onto every heartbeat, Alisa), but they do not manage anything.
And not to be misunderstand, I write all this because Cut Copy, along with The Presets, were one of the most anticipated releases, which certainly does not disappoint, but does not thrill me. Maybe more hearing needs to be made, maybe in the coming months I would change my mind, but for now I will listen to the repeat Need You Now. If I were to score I would give it 7/10.
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