Mr Gill is indeed correct. SMD's 2007 'Attack Decay Sustain Release'
was a very fine album. Full of gritty, dirty energy and big beats.
Unlike some of their more po-faced peers Mr Ford and Mr Shaw
have a light touch and a sense of humour, qualities often lacking
in a genre better known for self-centred navel-gazing.
Their second album 'Temporary Pleasure' is yet another bundle of fun.
Rhythmically varied , melodically sound and lyrically interesting.
The well-chosen vocal collaborators contribute immensly
varied tonal colour and dynamic range to the project.
In some ways it's a little sad that this album has been released
so late in the season. It had every chance of being one of
Summer 2009's big events. Better later than never however.
All ten tracks in the 'standard' edition rise to the occasion
both alone and as a conceptual whole.
The production is as crisp as it comes. Beautifully lucid and
well-differentiated sonic ideas bounce around gleefully chasing
their tails like a field full of happy puppies. (Hold that image!)
Opening track 'Cream Dream' is a cracking appetizer. Gruff Rhys is
clearly enjoying his vocal duties. The word-play, as Mr Gill has
already indicated, is both witty and funny in equal measure.
Ms Ditto bumps and grinds her way through 'Cruel Intentions' with
disco-diva aplomb. Everything she touches seems to glitter and glow.
'Off The Map' is a personal favorite. Jamie Lidell's performance,
amidst a Moroder-esque synthesiser ostinato and sundry crashes,
bleeps and wallops, is a wonderfully barmy tour de force.
Things stay a little crazy (in a good-crazy kind of way) in 'Synthesise'.
A storming percussive whirlwind with razor-edged vocal distortions.
Hot Chip's Alexis Taylor has his moment in 'Bad Blood'.
His tentative, fragile delivery is a perfect for the part.
Just the job for limbo dancing on the beach this one !
I was a bit disappointed with 'Turn Up The Dial' and I'm not quite sure why.
I thinks it sounds just a tad ordinary but time might make it a grower.
Telepathe's contribution to closing track 'Pinball' is a hoot!
Slinky, slippery and elusive, it's another of the album's finest
tracks and a worthy finale.
Intelligent dance music with a light touch and a big heart.
Recommended.