Album: Goldfrapp

Head First (2010) plays like a medium paced jog. Seventh Tree (2007) is much more of a relaxed yoga session. Personally, I would choose the yoga every time, but thats not to say we don't all need a bit of cardio every now and again.

Alison Goldfrapp is quite possibly the coolest person I don't know. In fact, the live rendition of lead single Rocket on some British talk show (below) actually made me imediatly like this album ten times more than I previously did. That dress! That hair! The drummer's hair! The keytars! The whole Stevie Nicks thing is so clearly intentional. But be warned-this 80's glam pop thing isn't just for show. Each and every one of Head First's nine tracks is smothered in wobbly synths, driving drums and heavy bass. The fine line between awesome and tacky is heavily trodden on.

But, this music is fun. Highlights include: (a) the totally catchy chorus of I Wanna Life, (b) the very Stevie Nicks feel of Dreaming (c) the general amazingness of the vocals (d) a neat little remix from Richard X One Zero that darkens the vibe of Rocket and makes it perfect for the dance floor.

I do miss the feathery lightness of the last album. But I should have known Goldfrapp have always been about the disco.

Goldfrapp-Dreaming (mp3) (link removed)



Goldfrapp-Rocket (Richard X One Zero Remix) (mp3)

Whitley

I really really love Whitley. Since the debut 2007 release The Submarine, barely a week has passed where the hushed distinctively Australian vocals of Lawrence Greenwood have not somehow made a way into my musical life (check out a cool video for one of the tracks below). The second album is called Go Forth, Find Mammoth and it's a bit different. Expect more layers, more volume and more energy. Gone are the gentle almost Elliot Smith sounding tones, and instead we are greeted with an uptempo collection of 12 tracks that make you wanna dance rather than contemplate the world.

Whitley-Head First Down (mp3)