:: Black Cherry

Goldfrapp

Alison Goldfrapp came on the scene three years ago with the chilled, yet innocent, “Felt Mountain” album. It made an immediate impact. Then, she took us into a seemingly imaginary world. However, she has moved on amazingly since, to produce driving, industrial sounds with only dashes of a magical ballad. The opening song “Crystalline Green” dismisses the notion of previous thoughts on Goldfrapp’s range as a performer. Her soaring voice accompanies a ferocious stomping sound. It’s worth listening to the electro-intensity of “Train”. Already, you are shaken into this dreamy and brutal zone. It only becomes more riveting as the album progresses. The title track is a delicate and sincere ballad. This, and the track Hairy Trees”, are rare glimpses of her innocence because we enter a deeper, sexual side of her persona through the grind of “Twist” and the moody “Slippage”, with screams and synths to take us into another world. The album is worth several listens, if only to absorb the textures and multitude of noises. It’s time Felt Mountain fans to move on to a new horizon and leap into Goldfrapp’s sensual journey with intense soundscapes. Portishead member Adrian Utley helps out with the bass lines. Overall, this is a modern, experimental collection of tracks with plenty of feel and inspiration.