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This is the third critically-acclaimed album in a row from this Euro electro-pop duo, and it's a disc that seems to have two different personalities. One is a cabaret/Euro-disco side that worships Kraftwerk, Georgio Moroder, and Prince and marries it with a campy sort of Marlene Dietrich quality. Alison Goldfrapp seems to be portraying a robot hooker when she sings "Switch me on / Turn me out" on opener (and single) "Ooh La La," and the double-entendres in that song seem downright quaint. The other side of the group's split personality is a moodier, dreamier side, where Goldfrapp the singer transforms into a dream-pop chanteuse in the vein of Kate Bush or Liz Frasier (albeit with less vocal range). Highlights of this phase include the slow, cooing ballad "Let It Take You," which is reminiscent of Björk's more downtempo work, and another ballad, "Time Out from the World," which is dreamy with Daft Punk Discovery-era atmospherics. As you might guess, this latter side of Goldfrapp is the one I prefer. One song on this disc resolves the dichotomy of the band's campy/moody personalities for me, and that's album closer (and another single) "Number 1," which is actually a very straightforwardly retro New Wave number. This leads to the dawning realization that New Wave already solved the campy/moody puzzle lo some 25 years ago. (mike.04.06)
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